Summer

Daylight is rapidly decreasing, gardens are harvested, mornings are cool and crisp, and children have returned to school. These things and more testify to the end of the summer months and the beginning of fall. So it seems a fitting time to give an update on the past 3 months.

In the summer of 2024, we lived with blackouts all across Ukraine, mostly planned and done in an effort to maximally repair the widely damaged system in preparation for winter. Some days we were without electricity for up to 12 hours and this went on for weeks. It was an inconvenience to which none of us was immune. What we live with in Ukraine this summer, however, is far more than an inconvenience.  

Russian attacks on Ukrainian cities drones and missiles, most often at night, have manifestly increased. 

Some cities, such as Kyiv and those closer to the frontlines, come under more frequent attack, but no city is immune. I cannot recall how many nights I have been awakened to air raid sirens followed by drones and missiles flying over the city of Lutsk. I was caught out on my morning runs twice when the air raid sirens sounded. The first time, my head swivelled as I searched for the drone overhead. Low cloud cover kept me from spotting it, but my ears told me it was very close. The second time nothing flew over me or our city, but as I continued my run toward home I witnessed some of the strategic positions our air defense systems take to protect this side of our city. 

Destruction and death reign on cities across Ukraine during these attacks. And while there was a "break" for a few weeks leading up to the Trump-Putin meeting in Alaska, attacks have since resumed with Russia and Putin giving no indication of a desire for peace and an end of the war. 

Here are some maps published the day following attacks on Ukraine, indicated the number and direction of drones and missiles launched, just to provide a visual of the scale of these attacks:

As the war continues, Ukrainians of all ages continue to be killed and injured, men are still mobilized to the army and soldiers continue to go missing in action or be killed. The vicious and devastating effects of war show no signs of decreasing. 

At the same time, at Agape we continue to do what we have been called and gifted to do. We offer rehabilitation to soldiers and civilians and our men make bi-monthly trips to the Kherson region to deliver humanitarian aid. The Russian enemy is relentless in their evil intentions, but we also seek to be relentless in the good that we can offer. 

Serhii (below) is a wounded soldier. He has come for rehabilitation 3 times in the past 6 months. Due to the severity of his traumatic brain injury, his progress is slow and limited, but his wife supports him and our therapists strive to help him progress in rehabilitation. 

Maxim has a spinal cord injury due to a mine explosion nearly two years ago. His family continues to be supportive, but unfortunately that is not the case of many of the soldiers following life-altering injuries. 

Back in May, I shared a little about Makar, a 9-year-old boy hit by a car crossing the street after being dropped off by the school bus. He has come back for rehab 2 more times during the summer and each time he has made tremendous progress!! During his first rehabilitation, he need absolute assistance to stand and hold his head up and was unable to talk or use his right arm. By the time he left rehabilitation in July, he was walking independently, talking with some difficulty and using his right arm. His family even sent us a video of him helping them harvest potatoes! During his last rehabilitation, he got to ride a bike (with my help), paddle a canoe, play soccer (and in the process learn that falling on grass is not so scary), and do lots of other fun and helpful stuff! It has been a joy and an encouragement to witness Makar's progress and we look forward to seeing him again soon at Agape!!   

April/May

June

July

We have also had many other patients this summer with a wide range of ages and diagnoses: 

Outing to McDonalds with Mark and Makar!

The waiting list for rehabilitation remains steady. Therapists take vacations in turns over the summer months, so the number of patients we can treat decreases. We also had a reduction in our therapy team at the start of the summer. Pasha, a physical therapist since 2016 when Agape opened, took a new job at a government-operated rehabilitation facility. He did not want to leave Agape, but this job gives him protection from mobilization into the army, which was likely to happen after he completed his Master's degree in June. Please pray with us that he will soon be able to return part-time to Agape as the administration at his new job has indicated was a possibility. 

Our rehab team in May 2025 (Pasha is on top right)

Thank you to all who continue to pray for Ukraine and Agape!! We are weary of the war, but we also pray for strength to continue doing what God has given us to do in the circumstances we are in here and now.