The war in Ukraine got very real for 23-year-old Yana.
Last week, Russia launched massive and repeated drone and missile strikes across Ukraine, killing and wounding dozens of Ukrainians. For most everyone, those are just numbers in a country far, far away. Not for REVwords readers.
Yana
Jocelyn and I received this message from Pastor Vadim Ignatenko, the pastor we worked and travelled with last summer in Poltava, Eastern Ukraine.
“During the shelling of Poltava on Tuesday (March 10), our sister Yana Turbina, 23, was struck by a drone. She was taking little Artur (5 years old) to kindergarten. Suddenly, there was an explosion. People began to scatter. Yana grabbed the child and ran, but a few seconds later another explosion occurred. At that moment, Yana shielded Artur with her body.
After the explosion, she was struck by a fragment from a “Shahed” drone. She saved her child at the cost of her own health.
Severe Injuries
Yana is currently in the surgical ward of the First City Hospital. She has severe injuries—her pelvic bones are shattered. She has already undergone a complex operation and was in intensive care. Ahead of her lies a long treatment process, months of recovery and rehabilitation. Doctors say she will have to learn to walk again. 
For now, Yana cannot care for herself. She needs: medications, diapers, personal care items, financial assistance for treatment and future rehabilitation.
Her husband is a soldier.
He was given only 10 days of leave to be with his family.
Artur was not physically injured, thank God. But he was in severe shock. He saw the explosions, saw his mother unconscious, covered in blood. The child couldn’t stop crying for a long time. Only today did he start smiling again for the first time.
Yana is only 23 years old. She has her whole life ahead of her. We pray that she will be able to get back on her feet.
We ask everyone who cares to support Yana and her family with prayer and any help you can provide.
Jocelyn and I donated through Loads of Love to help Yana. This is the organization we partner with. You can be confident that every dollar donated will go to provide support for Yana and Artur.
You can donate here. Choose “Ukraine Crisis” in the dropdown fund. In the message section write: YANA MEDICAL. Even a small contribution can be a big help.
On behalf of Yana, thank you for your generosity. We will follow-up with updates about her progress.
Please join the conversation and post a comment below. Thank you.
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