For all the people who supported Kids Camps in Ukraine this summer, here’s one for you.
I’ll start and end with thank you.
And I’ll let the pictures do much of the communicating. Look for the joy in each child’s eyes.
Jocelyn and I are two of a handful of Canadians in eastern Ukraine. A few other humanitarian aid workers and soldiers. We share these stories and pictures with you as witnesses to what is happening here. Please read to the end for an update on our situation.
You helped kids feel like kids again, if even for just one day. Some of the kids are tired because the sirens kept them awake. Some slept in bomb shelters while others sheltered between the door frames of their homes. Kids in the orphanage we visited, will huddle in a corner of their bomb shelter on blankets with stuffies and find security in numbers when the sirens sound.
Most of the evil occurs under the cover of darkness. But the daytime offers an opportunity for kids teams to travel to villages or host an outdoor event for kids in a city park or backyard.
You.
Yes, you, put the smiles on these kid’s faces. You made it possible for volunteers to be resourced and travel to create days of fun and hope.
The Worth of a Soul
Teams went to many villages.
Perhaps a church will be planted one day soon in one of these villages because of the outreach.
One thing is certain. These are the faces of the future of Ukraine. Most of the teens we meet who were influenced by a church, plan to go to University and make something of their lives. Doctors, teachers, artists, business owners, counsellors, pastors or psychologists.
They will help shape Ukraine with their values.
Thank You
Trauma
For these children, fear of death is ever present. Their relatives, neighbours, or classmates have been killed or injured.
This is Sofia. She and her family lived in Poltava where we are right now. Days ago, her and her parents were killed during a Russian rocket attack on their apartment. She was 9-years old. She loved to read. A librarian said, “She was a talented, kind, bright girl who inspired us with her thirst for knowledge and dreams of the future.”
As I write this, multiple explosions occurred near our apartment building. It was 8:40am. Daylight. Attacks usually occur at night.
Jocelyn and I were having breakfast. Boom! It was the kind of boom that hits you in your chest. The apartment shook. And we saw a plume of smoke quickly rising on the near horizon. That’s the first picture below. The first was followed by two more explosions that again shook the building. And us.
It’s a bit unnerving. All of our friends quickly messaged us, “How are you?” One friend, messaged. “It was very close to our house.” People gathered outside our apartment building, hugging each other, and crying. Ambulances and fire trucks are racing by our apartment. A church worker was near the site and while able to take cover, got a concussion.
To put this in perspective, two weeks ago, 100 drones hit Poltava, killing 11 and injuring dozens of civilians.
Poltava, July 3, 8:40am Incredibly loud blast. Shook the apartment.
We will be with those same friends at another another Kid’s Camp today (July 3). This why they hold the camps. This is why their love shown through these activities is so important to kids.
Again, Thank You
Thank for your your generosity and your prayers. You provided the crafts, snacks, backdrops, team t-shirts, props, handouts, and travel expenses for these volunteer teams.
And the camps continue on. So if you think you missed out in supporting, there is still time to get in on the fun. You will receive a receipt for supporting by giving through Loads of Love to B&J Ukraine Ministry.
Thank you.
Please join the conversation and post a comment below. We will share them with the teams. Thank you.
Hope grows here. We share stories that inspire people, build faith, and offer lasting purpose.
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