We can never say thank you often enough for our REVwords readers’ generosity to people in Ukraine.
The Coldest Winter
As you may have observed,circumstances are worsening across Ukraine in 2026. No electricity or heat in the first two months of this year and during the coldest winter in memory. Temperatures are regularly below -20C overnight and apartment temperatures are 7C in the daytime.
Pipes froze and burst. Apartments flooded. Explosions blew out the windows of many apartment buildings which worsened conditions. Citizens cooked meals over wood burning fires in their apartment green spaces. Special heating tents energized by generators gave some temporary relief. Every day this year, citizens were killed or wounded. Hospitals, schools, day cares, and shopping centres were not spared. Girls and boys have been left orphaned and too many parents grieved the loss of their children. Over 600,000 residents fled Kyiv because of the assault.
Kindness
That’s why the kindness of REVwords readers and other Canadians has meant so much.
Through the efforts of Ed Dickson and Loads of Love, generators were purchased, food and clothing were distributed every day. Special life-saving tourniquets were purchased to be used by medics and soldiers on the frontlines and delivered by our chaplains. When Jocelyn and I return to Ukraine this year we plan to go with those chaplains to the front lines.
Appreciation
Your generosity helped us travel to and through Ukraine. In June 2025, we crisscrossed from west to east, back to the west and to the east again before returning home in July. If you had been able to come with us, you would feel how sincerely the Ukrainians we work with appreciate your generosity. It’s hard to put into words. We hope you feel that what you did was of God and was his hand extended. Your impact won’t be forgotten.
Last week, two of our pastor friends traveled to eastern Ukraine, and returned to Canada. One expressed a deep trauma of seeing the living conditions and the threat to the wellbeing of Ukrainians. Words fail to adequately describe what it’s like to be there. Just like us, they heard repeatedly, “It’s dangerous for you to be here but we are so thankful that you have come.”
Advocates
Jocelyn and I experience a heartfelt frustration that our efforts to support people in Ukraine are not enough. That our voice is still too soft in advocating for Ukraine. We have lost over five dozen subscribers (about 18%) to our newsletter by posting about Ukraine (or maybe it’s just inferior writing ability). However, we’ll continue to raise our voice to invite prayer and generosity in their time of immense need.
One of the bishops that we work with, whose church benefited from your generosity, was conscripted into the army and trained for the front lines. The army made him a unit commander in his brigade. Six of the nine new brigades were deployed this week to the hottest part of the war. He is in the remaining three. His name is Pavel. I know he would appreciate your prayers.
Alina
This Ukrainian defender’s story says it all.
“My daughter is six. I am here so that she can live in a free Ukraine.”
Ukrainian Defender Alina says that when she made the decision to go to war, there was only one thought in her mind: her six-year-old daughter must grow up in a free Ukraine.
“This is my main motivation. I use every opportunity, every free hour, to go see her, hug her, and remind myself who this is all for. Difficulties? They are always there. The army is not a walk in the park. But I wasn’t looking for easy paths.”
Alina used to work as a hairstylist and model hairdresser. “My clients still call me, asking for appointments. They don’t want to let their stylist go. But now I cut the guys’ hair here, at the positions. Now they’re always looking sharp,” she says.
Vampire Drone Operator
Alina’s military path started with drones. She operated Vampire drones, working both as a loader and as a navigator. Later, she transitioned to artillery. “I realized one thing: artillery is where I belong. Now I operate the Archer self-propelled artillery system. It’s incredibly interesting to absorb new knowledge and master such high-tech equipment. This is a completely different level of responsibility. Now I have a new goal – I want to become a gun commander. Beside me is a humane and united team. When you feel the reliable shoulder of a brother-in-arms, you understand: we are where we are meant to be. We stand for our children and for our land.”
Source: General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine / Communications Unit of the 43rd Artillery Brigade
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