The Black family doesn’t hesitate when it comes to helping people. The first time Lindsey and Garrett along with children Abigail, 14, and Evan, 6, and Ella, 5 went to Celebration Church in Blountville last summer, they heard about the need for host homes for Ukrainian families that have fled their home country due to the Russian invasion. The Blacks immediately volunteered, and Viktor and Tanya Osypenko along with their children Zara, 11, Tymur, 9, and Emma, 3, have been living with the Blacks since July.

Lindsey and Garrett Black are both U.S. Air Force veterans, and although they haven’t personally lived through a situation like the Osypenkos, they’ve seen it. “My husband and I have both been deployed to war zones,” explained Lindsey, “and we have a soft spot in that area, we understand the chaos and burden they’re living through. We’ve been exposed to that.”

The Osypenkos don’t know how long they’ll be in the United States. Their children are enrolled in schools, they’re all either learning or perfecting their English, and Viktor and Tanya recently obtained work authorizations. The family is looking to get set up in an apartment of their own. Eventually, they do want to return to their home in Ukraine, but as one can imagine, things are so uncertain right now.

Lindsey and Garrett have completely opened up their home to the Osypenkos – the kids play together, and some nights Garrett cooks and other nights Tanya cooks. “I told them,” Lindsey said, “This is your house too. My kitchen is your kitchen. This is your home.”

The Osypenkos and Blacks have bonded, playing board games together on the weekends, and the adults talk about life. They’ve grown close and built a true friendship.

At another home in the neighborhood, empty nester Lisa Green had been praying for a way to utilize her 4 bed, 3 bath home that was mostly vacant since her kids moved out. As Russia invaded Ukraine in February she got online and scoured the internet for ways to help. She didn’t have much luck until she heard about the need through Celebration Church the same Sunday Lindsey and Garrett Black did. Lisa immediately volunteered to host a Ukrainian family.

The Hatsenko family, Kostiantyn, Tetiana, and children Ivan, 10, Olecsandra, 18, and Elizabeth, 15, came to live with Lisa mid-July and it turned out to be “just perfect,” said Lisa. All the things Lisa’s grown-up boys used to use – air hockey, ping pong table, Legos, bicycles, and more, were ready and waiting for the Hatsenko family. Like the Osypenkos, the Hatsenkos enrolled their kids in school and navigated obtaining work visas and driver’s licenses to begin building a life in the States. The family’s eldest son, Illia, 20, was able to leave Ukraine in October and stay at Lisa’s home briefly before going to a host home in Ohio where his Ukrainian fiancé and mother were staying.

Just like the Blacks, Lisa grew close with the Hatsenkos throughout their three-and-a-half-month stay. “We used the translator app daily!” laughed Lisa. “We had many meals together, especially early on, and Tetiana did a lot of the cooking. I made very few meals.”

Lisa described what a blessing it was to her to have the Hatsenkos in her home, who were able to find their own rental house and start work in early November. It’s close to Lisa’s house so they can all still visit one another. Since they moved out, Lisa said she’s more grateful for what she has. “Also, I’ve just experienced how wonderful it is to give. We’re always blessed when we give,” Lisa said.

“You kind of realize that no matter where anyone is coming from, other families are just trying to do the same thing we’re all doing – love each other well, take care of each other, and find peace where you’re at,” said Lindsey. Lisa agreed – “We all want to feel welcome, safe, and loved.”