Lunch is always free...at Dobryi Obid

Marina Dobrolyubova is one of my dearest friends. On the surface, she seems shy and quiet. But perhaps that's the discomfort we have with trying to speak and understand each other's language much less trying to manage the expressive nuances of them. I know this about Marina; she has a wonderful glowing heart for serving the Lord.

She and her team began the kitchen in order to feed street kids and children from impoverished families in their community. When the war began in February, the number of people attending began to increase daily. She now feeds over 350 people a day. Just last week Dobryi Obid prepared 1,880 portions on a handful of electric hotplates.

But there is something more to what she and her team offer that makes the eye grow bigger than the belly. What she offers warms and fills the belly and soul and gives hope and purpose to tired and tyrannized neighbors. They also feed many internally displaced people in Ukraine who are fleeing hotspots along the battle line. They’ve either landed in Berdychiv because of its relative safety or they are passing through on their way to western Ukraine or even Europe. And Berdychiv is a great place to find respite for road-weary travelers who've lost everything.

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"It was really hard for us to leave home. Felt like they tear apart our hearts and made us give half of it away to some stranger." ~Lilia, Kherson Region

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Moreover, her team provides warm food for the soul. Every day before mealtime they share the story of Jesus with hurting and hopeless people; people who've lost everything. At Dobryi Obid they are fed physically and spiritually. They are cared for and provided for. They find a glimmer of hope in a bowl of hot soup, vegetables, and bread. They find compassion in the smiling faces of strangers and the aid packages they receive from Marina and her team.

But what makes Marina special? Marina, as a teenager, was introduced to Jesus at a similar free lunch kitchen ministry. As she grew up she came to have a personal relationship with Christ. She wanted to repay the Lord for all he has done for her. She wants the same warm feeling of a belly filled with a hot homecooked meal and the warm embrace of Christ in the lives of those her ministry touches.

Listen to what some of Marina's guests have to say about Dobryi Obid…

Lilia, Kherson Region

We have come here from Khersons’ka oblast. It was really hard for us to leave home. Felt like they tear apart our hearts and made us give half of it away to some stranger. Your aid was a great help to us, especially those warm blankets.

We are also very grateful for all the groceries bags and free meals.

Thank you a lot for all your help.

Maryna, Kherson Region

We didn’t know what to do… we fled home but had no money to rent a place to live.

My son hasn’t received any government help for four months.

And we are IDPs again for the second time.

I had no idea how to continue my life.

I lived through occupation, shelling…

But I am hanging on… This understanding is just now coming to me, the reality of everything happening.

I have a Ph.D. in economics!

And this is my life now…

And what’s next…?

We are so grateful for your help! You gave us everything we needed to start fresh here and you keep helping us. We didn’t die of famine… Also thank you a lot for hearing us out, listening to our stories, and for your spiritual and phycological help. Thank you!

Natalia, Donetsk Region

So grateful for the aid you provide in the midst of these difficulties. Thank you for supporting us and giving us grocery kits and all the necessary items. Thank you for your big hearts, compassion, and genuine care for us, IDPs, it all makes our lives a bit better here, far from our homes. I wish you further growth and peace!

Svitlana, Kherson Region

My name is Svitlana, I come from Kherson. The way your humanitarian aid center works here in Berdychiv helps many IDPs to survive, especially those with big families and small kids. Without you, we would just be facing our troubles all alone. Today we are here, in your town, we finally don’t have to sleep in the basement and we are grateful for every new day that we meet. We thank you all for supporting us through these times of hardship. People, you are so great!

Maryna, Odessa Region.

We are a big family and we are so grateful for your help, groceries, and clothes. We put it all to use and wear everything we got from you with pleasure. We have come here from Odessa. I have three kids, ages 13, 6, and 3. When we first came - the only thing we had was the food you gave us. Thank you so much to your team, we are always a little shy to come to you for groceries and household items because we are not used to getting anything for free. But your genuine kindness and care about us as about your family gives us hope and confidence in our tomorrow.

May the Lord bless you with great health for all your help and care!

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At Twelve3One Ministries, our purpose is to end spiritual fatherlessness and orphanism in Ukraine by introducing the people to their Father in Heaven. We accomplish this by partnering with other ministries, churches, organizations, and ministry leaders serving fatherless children, adults, and families. By offering financial support we help these boots-on-the-ground ministries achieve their mission and ministry goals and help facilitate and expedite the sharing of the Gospel with the people of Ukraine.

Visit 1231ministries.org and click DONATE to help Marina serve hungry people in her community in Berdychiv, Ukraine