By: Chris Chambers

Thousands of Jews have recently escaped the war in Ukraine and immigrated to Israel, many fleeing without proper documents or possessions. Among the many ways the International Christian Embassy Jerusalem is helping them get settled in Israel is by sponsoring treatments for those in urgent need of dental care. An ICEJ team recently met two of these new immigrants and heard their incredible stories.

Saving Katia’s leg and smile
Katia, aged 31, arrived in Israel from Ukraine in late March and finally had her immigrant status approved in June. Prior to the war, she was a sales manager in a sausage factory and enjoyed her job very much. She also volunteered her spare time to help other less fortunate families.

When Russian troops first invaded, her home was destroyed and she was shot through her left leg. Bleeding profusely and in constant pain from shrapnel wounds to her mouth and body, Katia was stretched out across the folded back seat and trunk of a small car and transported to Moldova. This journey normally takes a couple hours, but it took more than eight hours due to all the shelling and gunfire. Finally safe in a Moldovan hospital, she was given the harsh news that, due to their lack of medical expertise, her leg would need to be amputated.

With the support of Jewish and Christian workers who helped arrange a rescue flight to Israel, she decided to wait on the surgery. Arriving at Ben Gurion Airport, she was rushed directly to an Israeli hospital where over the next few weeks her wounds were successfully treated. Though Katia shared these trials with quiet composure, she was delighted to learn they had the know-how to save her leg.

“This is a miracle!” said Katia.

Since arriving in Israel, Katia has been on her own and remains somewhat in shock. Sadly, her mother and sister have abandoned her due, she thinks, to her post traumatic mental state. Fortunately, a Christian nurse named Anna befriended her and helped carry her through the nightmares and deep depression that marked her recovery process.

Today, she is calm and remains optimistic about her future. Soon she will leave the hotel where she has been housed since leaving the hospital, to begin a month-long physio and rehab program.

Having addressed her life-threatening and mobility concerns, along with help for her psychiatric state, Katia faced yet another pressing need – this time for dental treatment. The bomb blasts had left her with several root canal problems, a major mouth infection and no front teeth. Still, she felt comfortable to speak with us and even smile, knowing the ICEJ helped fund her dental treatments. Eventually, she is expecting a brace and bridge over her new front teeth.

Looking into the near future, she will need to study Hebrew and learn to walk again. However, for now she is giving herself more time to heal. When she can stand and hopefully regain her memory better, she looks forward to the Hebrew classes. In addition, she wants to volunteer to help others, knowing how others helped her.

Katia knew from her teen years she was Jewish and could make Aliyah, but never gave it serious thought. Now, she believes God has a reason for bringing her to Israel. “I have been given so much help and support from many Christian people and want to say a very big thank you to them all, including the ICEJ for this dental care,” she said.