Fincastle welcomes Ukrainian Family

Welcome to America! Welcome to Fincastle, Ihor and Oleski (Alex) Mostovyi and Anzhelika Didkivska!

In February of 2022, a Ukrainian family vacationed in the Republic of Georgia one of the former Soviet states, while they awaited the interior finishes for a home they built in Bucha, Ukraine. Four days after they were told by the construction crew they could soon be moving into the new home, news arrived. Bad news. When Russia attacked Ukraine, their home was destroyed in the first wave of bombing. Stunned by the events, the family of 3 and pet dog Nicole loaded up the car and drove to the Atlantic Ocean and arrived in Portugal, driving over 4,500 miles in a short matter of days.

Life in Portugal was expensive and tiring to make ends meet. Ihor worked 19-hour days in a tourist area bar where they had a season from April to October. “98% of the people in the village were British,”said Ihor. However, a visiting American family who were there to study the wines and foods of the area would be life changers.

Will Barkett of Fincastle got to know the fellow behind the bar. “He asked me, where are you from?” Ihor said, “Ukraine,” and after hearing the story of leaving Ukraine, Barkett asked Ihor if he wanted to come to America. It was a moment of destiny. Ihor said, “Yes, but kept it to myself in case it did not work out.” Barkett is the proprietor of 1772 Rooftop on Main, a bar and eatery on the corner of Main and Roanoke Street in the Town of Fincastle.

After a couple of months of texting Ihor and exploring the process, Will and his parents Ginny (The Pie Lady Pie Shoppe) and Erryn ( Barkett-Allen) Barkett and his siblings Anne Chappell, Abe and Olivia, had a meeting around the outdoor fireplace at their farm. When asked if they were going to sponsor the family, the four siblings responded with a resounding “Yes!” Ginny said, “Erryn and I said hold on, we have to consider this.” However, all of the family felt they were being lead by God to help. Erryn called Ginny from a business trip and said, “Let’s do this.”

Ginny Barkett made lists, she contacted churches and friends to help. They had an unfurnished home the family owned that could house the immigrant family in Fincastle. She engaged an immigration attorney. In Ukraine Ihor had been a developer, but he said 97% of Bucha had been destroyed by the Russians. They had no place to return to in the war-ravaged country. They applied as refugees with American Sponsors.

The family filled out an I-134 form and the machine wheels of big Government ground reasonably fast. With passports in hand, troubles with the dog’s vaccination and the papers of their son being validated were the biggest hurdles. They reduced their lives to 2 suitcases each, no more than 50 pounds each. It was time to go. As they said, “God’s perfect time to go.”

Ihor headed to Lisbon to dispose of their car. Anzhelika, Alex, the little dog Nicole, and six suitcases rode a bus to join him. “It was a long ride,” she said. “Stressful.” There were harrowing days ahead. Trying to communicate through two embassies, a language barrier, red tape and getting government workers to understand the plight of the boy’s paperwork. They were even told to leave their nine-year old son. An absolute “No” came from both parents. Several long, often frustrating nights of texts with agencies. Ginny ended up having to book flights on 2 different airlines, finally settling on United Airlines. She communicated with US government agencies. Then came the wait to get Alex’s (son) paper work validated. A wonderful United Airlines employee re-booked their flights for several days each morning at 6:15 AM. They were supposed to be in America on Dec. 12 but four harrowing days passed. They finally finished with the problematic paperwork and USCIAS paperwork was filed.

Ihor stated, “I prayed as we flew,” going on to state all he wanted to hear was “Welcome to America” coming from Customs and Border Patrol upon arrival. The plane landed in Newark. and they went to customs. A tough looking official asked them questions, then told them to go. Ihor asked the agent, “Welcome to America??” He simply said “Yes.”

They arrived at Roanoke Airport to a glad homecoming of the Barketts and Allens on Dec. 16. On Christmas Eve they came back to their house in Fincastle from the Barketts and found the porch laden with gifts from the Santa Claus Community of helpers from the area. Fincastle, unbeknownst to them, is one of the Small Towns dubbed a Christmas Town in the tourist industry. After Christmas dinner on Dec 25^th, they arrived home to more gifts. Alex exclaimed, “I have never seen so many presents!”

Welcome to Fincastle!

As they adjust to being here, they will work on language skills. Alex is going to school and soon they will find their way in America. Far from war-torn Ukraine and family and friends, they are forging a new life. Welcome to America new friends. Welcome to Fincastle and beautiful Botetourt County, VA

–Cathy Benson, Photos by Barkett Family, Anzhelika Didkivska and Cathy Benson