A Father Restored: Ivan’s Journey of Faith and Hope

Ivan Prymak once dreamed of a home filled with love, support, and a shared faith in God. Growing up in church, he longed for a family rooted in biblical values but life took a painful turn.

After marrying and having children, Ivan faced deep personal hardship. His wife struggled with alcohol abuse and betrayal and later passed away from cancer. Grief overwhelmed him. In his despair, Ivan drifted from his faith, turning instead to alcohol and finding it difficult to care for his children as they needed.

Now 40, Ivan lives with his three children, 14-year-old twins Diana and Dmitry, and 11-year-old Daryna—in a small, ageing apartment in a remote village in Sarny, western Ukraine. The home, where Ivan himself grew up, has no running water or gas. Life was already challenging but then it became critical.

A few years ago, Ivan was suddenly hospitalised and diagnosed with kidney failure and heart disease. As his condition worsened, his family reached out to Mission Without Borders (MWB) for support.

That moment marked the beginning of a new chapter.

Serhiy, an MWB family worker, began visiting Ivan regularly in hospital—bringing not only practical help, but also prayer, encouragement, and conversation. Through these visits, something in Ivan’s heart began to change.

During this time, Ivan made a life-changing decision to follow Jesus wholeheartedly and lead his children in faith.

“I am sincerely grateful to God that we are being supported by Mission Without Borders,” he says. “My children attended the Mission’s summer camp, where they also chose to give their lives to Jesus. Now, we go to church together as a family.”

The transformation didn’t stop there. Through consistent support, Ivan found strength not only spiritually, but as a father.

“The regular visits and conversations have helped renew and strengthen me in God,” he says. “I received so much valuable advice on raising my children—advice I truly needed.”

His daughter Diana sees the difference.

“We’ve been very worried about our dad’s health,” she says. “We love him—he’s our best friend. He teaches us to live by God’s principles and gives us guidance. We are so grateful for the Mission’s support with food, clothing, hygiene products, school supplies, and more.”

Even in the most difficult circumstances, Ivan has witnessed God’s provision.

“In 2020, during the strict pandemic lockdown, I had to travel 140km for dialysis, but public transport was shut down,” he recalls. “Each time I left home, I prayed, trusting God would make a way. My life depended on it—and every time, He provided.”

Today, Ivan can receive treatment closer to home.

Once fractured by grief and hardship, the Prymak family is now united growing in love, faith, and resilience. The support they’ve received has not only met their physical needs but has also shown them what it means to walk together in Christ.