Esther Norwood

Baptised, confirmed, and grown up in our ACF community, Esther works in Kyiv with Ukrainian children that are orphaned and/or had to flee their homes. Our church supports Esther in prayer and some ACF members also support her financially.

Messages to Esther can be passed on via the ACF contact form. You can donate to Esther’s work either directly, or as dedicated giving via the ACF bank account (reference ‘Esther Norwood’ on your bank transfer).

Here are some updates from Esther..

Summer 2026

Dear ACF family,

The winter months were very challenging, but by God’s grace we made it through, and now my Key of Hope team and I are looking forward to all that this summer will bring as we prepare for the camps beginning in July.
One thing that has brought me a lot of joy over the past months is my dog, Pepper. She has been a great companion during difficult times, and I am exploring the possibility of having her trained as a service dog in the future. More information about that can be found on the flyer.
This summer, we are planning to run at least three camps for children. In between the camps, YWAM Kyiv will host another Waves outreach, helping rebuild homes for families affected by the war, visiting nursing homes, and encouraging people in villages east of Kyiv. It will be my first time participating in Waves, and I am excited to be part of it. Please pray for wisdom as we plan the camps and coordinate with orphanages, that God would lead us to the right partnerships and open the right doors.
I would also appreciate prayer for my finances, as travel and housing costs increase during this busy season. My biggest prayer request is for safety and wisdom, as attacks on Kyiv continue and the war has intensified again. If you would like to join my WhatsApp channel for updates or sign up for my newsletter, please let me know.
And if you would like to support me financially, you can find the donation information below. Thank you for your prayers and support. I look forward to seeing many of you this winter and sharing what God has done throughout the summer.

Blessings,
Esther

Winter 2026

Right now, life in Kyiv is tough. Esther shared this video with us to keep us updated about the situation she and her neighbours are facing.

Christmas Greetings 2023

Esther has sent Christmas Greetings from Zambia. Watch the short video here.

March 2023: Outreach in Romania

Esther has sent the ACF a note about her 6-week outreach in Romania.

Read the letter here.

February 2023 Update

1 year ago today I thought that this would be my first of many pictures with all kids from daily center and our Key of Hope ministry.
Turns out that this would be my first and last time of seeing them in 2022. I will never forget how I was holding a McFlurry in my hand, standing in the elevator of Kata and my apartment building and saying how blessed we are with the most perfect flat and lives in Ukraine. A few hours after this I was needing to make a decision of “do I stay in Kyiv or do I leave” because of a certain threat that was looming.
One year already. One year of wanting to be back but also learning to be grateful where I am.
And now here I am, one year later, in Poland, leading an outreach, serving refugees who fled their homes and were forced to start something new. Never, ever would I have imagined how 2022 would end up. I had planned to return back to Kyiv twice now but it’s not yet time. And to accept it is hard. I miss Ukraine and my home. But I also am enjoying what I am able to do and so many good things did come out of all these horrible and painful circumstances.