CLAY COUNTY, Fla. — Dozens gathered in Orange Park Sunday evening to pray for the safety of Ukrainians as Russian forces continue to invade the country.
Among those in the crowd was Olga Halamaha, her husband, and their two kids.
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Proudly holding signs, she said they have family trying to hold their own in Ukraine.
“Most of (our) family are down in the basements where they usually keep food. So now they’re hiding in there. So, it’s quite cold there,” Halamaha said.
Leading the prayer was Springs Church pastor and Ukrainian native Paul Muzichuk.
Along with many others, he is watching the war unfold not only with heavy a heart but with close ties to people in Ukraine.
“We’re waiting on some news because yesterday my hometown was air-raided, bombed. So we’re waiting for our close family and friends to just give us some communication and so it was a difficult night, to say the least,” Muzichuk said.
There were others in the crowd going through the same pain.
It has been a tough last few days for Jacksonville residents hearing from their loved ones in Ukraine.
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“My father is over there. He’s just nervous because he’s old and he says he’s [too] unwell to go anywhere. He’s not going to leave. He just says I’m going to stay here, if they bomb me, so be it,” Halamaha said.
Halamaha said her sister-in-law and her family were able to get to Poland. She said they crossed the border Sunday.
Muzichuk said the Slavic-speaking community is strong in Jacksonville.
He said they’re leaning on each other and their faith.
“We believe that God can move the mountains that we can’t move for situations like Ukraine to come to peace,” Muzichuk said.
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