OCONTO, Wis. (WFRV) – A local Oconto man has returned home after spending three months in Ukraine, where he and his Mennonite relief group helped rebuild homes destroyed in the ongoing war with Russia.
The group focused on repairing roughly 50 homes during their time overseas, including installing new roofs and repairing floors and walls.
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“Thirty to forty houses, complete roof repairs — and this time we were there, we did about 15 roof repairs and we also did a lot of wall repairs,” said the volunteer, Beachy.
Amid widespread destruction, the group’s goal wasn’t to restore everything, but rather to provide something even more meaningful: hope.
“Our main goal was not to completely rebuild,” said Beachy. “It was to do small work that gave value to the people — that gave them hope.”
Though the noise of war echoed in the distance, Beachy said fear was not a concern.
“We are willing to die for the cause of Christ, if that were to come our way,” he said. “Simply sharing Christ’s love is more important than if we live or die.”
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For Beachy, the mission wasn’t about recognition — it was about service.
“I didn’t go to be a hero,” he said. “I went because I wanted to serve humanity.”
