Ukraine humanitarian aid updates

The Barrier of Bitterness Dear Praying Friends, Thank you for lifting us to the throne of grace, even during long silences. Your prayers and support make a difference in our lives. Pray for the many grieving families who have lost loved ones during this cruel war, that God would give comfort and that God would help us direct their hearts towards the God of all comfort, even while we weep with the weeping.  May God bless each of you. Wayne and Connie Hursh and family  "Bitterness is a barrier that will keep us from getting closer to God. We can’t expect to grow as Christians if we have bitterness in our hearts.” -Katerina I.

Ukraine 🇺🇦 The thing here in Ukraine that hits me the hardest is the toll war takes on children. We went to the shelter to pick up a family and take them to the train station. We get there, and this little girl is crying and clinging on to a boy. I wasn’t sure what the issue was. We then start getting bags and trying to figure out who we are supposed to take to the train station. It turns out the boy’s family was leaving and the girl was going to lose her new friend. There is no stability for children and that’s what they need most. She just got taken from her home, and now she has a new place and new friends, but then they leave and who knows where her family will go. A lot of these children are without a father. He is either in the military or he has died.

Ukraine 🇺🇦 Most people think war is an exchange of gunfire. But that’s not what this war between Ukraine and Russia looks like anymore. Many of the soldiers out here spend much of their time in bunkers and shelters, waiting for the next artillery strike or drone attack. It’s a different kind of battlefield than most people imagine. It’s hard to describe what war does to people. I’ve seen the toll it takes on both soldiers and civilians living near the front. Even towns 30 miles back are still being hit by FPV drones, glide bombs, and missiles. There is no real sense of normal when the threat can come from the sky at any moment. The hardest part isn’t just the destroyed buildings—it’s the people. Families torn apart. Empty seats at the dinner table. Children growing up without a parent. Husbands and wives trying to carry on after losing the person they loved. That’s the reality for so many people here. Unless you’ve been here and seen it with your own eyes, it’s hard to understand the weight people carry every single day.

Ukraine 🇺🇦 [Rebuilding Project] Working on the rebuild team has been such a blessing for me. I’ve really come to see everything that I have taken for granted. I’ve come to appreciate my family and community all the more. The villagers live slow and simple lives, but they have been so generous with what they have. They provided breakfast and lunch on the job and they would happily feed is until we were very full. God is here even in the tiny things, making sure I don’t miss my flights here or cut the very last piece of metal too short for a roof. It’s so neat to see that He cares. Working with and getting to know my team was so fun. I hope that we have been a blessing to the people here and I pray that they saw Jesus in us.

Ukraine 🇺🇦 I’ve been in Ukraine for a little over two months now, and it has been such a profound experience. The people here have seen so much hurt, yet they still smile. They still love to sit, share a drink, and chat. A major highlight from the last couple of weeks was playing with the children at our IDP shelter. One afternoon, we played a few group games and then it spiraled into a massive water fight. It was an absolute blast. There’s one boy who I rarely see smile. But after being doused with water and dousing a few others, you couldn't wipe the grin off his face. These kids have seen things most adults only see in movies. And though their tomorrow remains uncertain, on that afternoon, it was all smiles.

Ukraine 🇺🇦 [Rebuild Project] Something that has impacted me during my time here in Ukraine is the kindness, generosity, and gratitude shown to me and the rest of the team. Even in the middle of war where many people lost so much, they are still willing to give us the very best they can offer. Their willingness to serve us despite their own hardships, has been a humbling experience for me. It reminds me that true generosity isn't measured by how much you have, but the heart you give with. Seeing their joy and thankfulness in the this hard time has challenged me to be more grateful for the blessings God has given me. I am very thankful for the opportunity God has given me to serve on the rebuild team and I hope that the work we do here will bring hope and encouragement to the people but most of all show Christs love to the those we come in contact with.