If he beats you, he loves you! This has echoed for centuries among Ukrainians and Russians. A cruel phrase, carrying a generational curse that has shaped how countless women view themselves. Several years ago, while ministering in Ukraine, we witnessed firsthand the scars left by such words, etched deep into the hearts of the women who attended the three-day conference at the Hope Center.

            They came weary, some with eyes dimmed by years of sorrow. But as we shared the Father’s love—the love of a God who cherishes, protects, and never abandons—those same eyes began to soften. Many fell to their knees, weeping at the feet of Jesus. Yet before our time together ended, tears gave way to laughter. Chains of despair were exchanged for garments of joy.

Among the women, one story pierced my heart more deeply than any other—the story of a young woman named Tanya.

            You might not have noticed Tanya at first glance. She didn’t stride into the room with confidence or demand attention. Her clothing was plain, leaning toward a masculine style. Her mannerisms were guarded, almost cautious. It wasn’t that she wanted to be invisible—it was that life had taught her she had no right to truly be seen.

            That afternoon, Lois and I stood with Pastors John and Gayle, preparing to pray for Tanya and the other staff members. As we began, the Holy Spirit quietly shifted the atmosphere. One by one, words of prophecy came—words not of judgment, but of destiny. Words that reached into hidden places where rejection had carved deep wounds. As they were spoken, I saw something happen. It was subtle at first, but undeniable: light began to flicker in her eyes. Hope stirred like a candle lit in the darkness.

The Father Speaks

Later, we heard her story. And then we understood the weight of what God had just done. Tanya had been abandoned at birth, left in a garbage dump by her mother. Rescued and placed in an orphanage, she was later adopted by a couple who longed for a child. But almost as soon as she was brought home, the couple discovered they were expecting. When their baby was born, Tanya was no longer needed. She was returned to the orphanage like a defective item being sent back to the store.

            What followed was a childhood of abuse—physical, emotional, unrelenting. Imagine a little girl lying awake at night with one haunting question echoing in her soul: Why wasn’t I enough to be loved? Was it because she was a girl? Would her mother have kept her if she had been a boy? If only she could become someone else, perhaps then she would be worthy. It’s hard to capture the crushing weight of living under that kind of rejection. Day after day. Year after year. Never enough. Never wanted. Never loved.

            We were unaware of any of this when we prayed. But the Father knew. Through the Holy Spirit, the Lord began to speak the words she had longed to hear her whole life. You are not a mistake. You are chosen. You are Mine. You are loved—not for what you could become, but for who you are. The transformation was almost immediate. Tanya’s shoulders straightened as though a heavy load slipped off her back. Her eyes—once clouded with uncertainty brightened with a new clarity. Over the following days, her demeanor began to soften, and she started laughing freely. And slowly, we saw her embrace her femininity—the unique design God had given her.

            This was no fleeting emotional high. This was a divine exchange. Where ashes once lay, beauty began to bloom. Where rejection had taken root, belonging now flourished. I can still see her face in my mind—the look of someone who, for the first time, realized: I am loved. I am not alone. I belong. The transformation was incredible to behold.

A Shelter of Hope

            Hope Center itself is a miracle. It is a safe refuge for women who have lived through abandonment, abuse, and despair. Yet even this haven is far too small to meet the vast need. In Moscow—a city of twelve million—there is not a single women’s shelter. Not one! If Hope Center opened its doors to all who needed it, its walls could be filled a hundred times over.

This makes the work of Pastor Schroeder and her team all the more vital. They have poured out their lives to create a space where women like Tanya can finally hear a different message: You are loved. You are safe. You are seen. Jesus said in Matthew 10:42, “And whoever gives to one of these little ones even a cup of cold water because he is My disciple, truly I say to you, he shall not lose his reward.” Every tear wiped away, every heart healed, every soul restored—it is precious in His sight.

            Our time in Ukraine extended beyond the Hope Center. Over the course of the trip, we ministered in five different churches, traveling from Kyiv to Odesa and back. At one church, after hearing us share about God’s love, the congregation was stirred to reach out to their community. They went into the streets, inviting people experiencing homelessness to come. That very night, thirteen people came forward to accept Jesus for the first time.

            Two of the churches we visited had previously hosted us. What a joy it is to return and see the seeds we planted mature into fruit. One of the most touching moments came from a man who had once served as our driver. With tears streaming down his face, he shared his story.

            “When you last visited, just before you left, I asked you to pray for my mother, who couldn’t walk. You laid hands on me and prayed that the Lord would impart the gift of healing upon me. When I returned home, I laid hands on my mother. Within two days, she was able to walk. She is still walking to this day! I wanted to thank you. Because you came, because you prayed, my mother can walk.” He gripped our hands tightly as he spoke, unwilling to let go until he had finished pouring out his gratitude. Often, we leave a place without ever knowing the outcome of our prayers. But here, standing face to face, we were reminded: God’s Word does not return void.

            May we celebrate our earthly fathers this month of June and give honor and glory to our heavenly Father for His faithful and unending love that never fails and touches the deepest part of our hearts, bringing healing to the orphans, the abused, the traumatized, and the broken. He is the same forever and ever amen!

Blessings and in His Love Always,