tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77743912332598080252024-03-13T15:08:42.486-07:00Advancing With A LimpCarriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01004999497733503209noreply@blogger.comBlogger73125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7774391233259808025.post-65505867966314748552024-02-24T09:47:00.000-08:002024-02-24T09:47:00.682-08:00February 24<p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Today marks the two-year anniversary of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine and this month marks the ten-year anniversary of the Russian annexation of Crimea and the beginning of fighting in the east. While I have my own thoughts regarding this day, I prefer instead to share the words of one of our local pastors regarding this anniversary: </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><i>Probably every resident of Ukraine will forever remember the morning of February 24, 2022, which divided our lives into before and after.</i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><i>We did not realize at the time how well we lived without knowing what blackout, javelin, PTSD, bomb shelter, air raid sirens, checkpoints, displaced persons, etc. are. We knew little about such cities as Bucha, Chornobayivka, Izyum, Bakhmut, Avdiivka. We did not know what the "brotherly people" and army of "liberators" were capable of in order to de-Nazify us, as a result of which many Ukrainians would die. We did not know how many traitors, greedy people, bribers and corrupt people there are in our country.</i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><i>At the same time, we did not know that we could face a much larger country and army. We did not know that we have such a strong army, such self-confident doctors, such active volunteers and such self-sacrificing people. We did not know that we could donate and serve so much. Of course, it would be better if we never knew all this, but now we know that we can be strong, indomitable and united. Moreover, the whole world now knows about all this and about Ukraine.</i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><i>We still don't know when and how the war will end, we don't know when peace will come and what the future will be, we still have many open questions, but we know the One who knows everything and will one day put everything in its place. We know for sure that one day Putin and his cronies will die, and even if they don't stand before the Hague Tribunal, they will definitely stand before the righteous judgment of God. We know that one day the criminals will be punished and the memory of February 24 will be forever erased from our memory. We know that one day all the weapons on earth will disappear, there will be no sound of air raids or missile explosions, no more pain, tears and death, because the long-awaited eternal peace will come over the whole earth. This day will surely come and it will be even more glorious than the victory of Ukraine in this war, which, we know, will surely come. And until that day, we continue to strengthen our hearts with the words of this psalm: "I will lie down in peace and sleep, for You, Lord, are the only one who makes me live safely."</i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Today, Ukrainian churches are united in a day of national fasting and prayer for God's protection, victory and peace in Ukraine. If you would like to pray with us, below are some specific ways to pray that we received from our pastor. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Pray for:</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">• Ending the war with the victory of Ukraine and the establishment of a just peace.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">• Saving the lives and health of our defenders and the civilian population of Ukraine.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">• Healing and rehabilitation of wounded Ukrainian soldiers.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">• Strengthening the spirit and protecting the souls of our defenders.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">• Wisdom for the government leadership and military commanders of Ukraine in managing and making effective decisions.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">• Conversion of Ukrainians to God and the spread of God's light in all spheres of social life.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">• Restoration of destroyed cities and villages, in particular, the homes of Ukrainians and critical infrastructure facilities.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">• Development of the economy, the flow of investments into the country, the emergence of new opportunities for the work of small and medium-sized businesses.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">• Healing the wounded bodies and souls of Ukrainians who have suffered in this war. Gaining hope in the Lord for further life.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">• Release of Ukrainian prisoners from Russian captivity - both servicemen and civilians.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">• Return to their homeland of Ukrainians who were forced to go abroad. Creating favorable conditions for this. Reuniting families separated by war.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOrIwIc-M5y8otfpezC7XEMz2umGymlpDNXs25dAauOjgvIwfwsWVdGMEHzapzgpJPpRWIFgAaAS1i5Mqi-U6QOWUPfYbKMyyWIF7xNEltnIkz3qzmOY3Kjs71PWGNDoLXu8nTXfJL8y0pGJViQ7eMVGa8JbMbkGgUdMbs31sAVsACjKZSmdwps0u2ew/s1335/02510AB4-27EB-4F0A-AC2E-AB57A5B6250A.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1335" data-original-width="1170" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOrIwIc-M5y8otfpezC7XEMz2umGymlpDNXs25dAauOjgvIwfwsWVdGMEHzapzgpJPpRWIFgAaAS1i5Mqi-U6QOWUPfYbKMyyWIF7xNEltnIkz3qzmOY3Kjs71PWGNDoLXu8nTXfJL8y0pGJViQ7eMVGa8JbMbkGgUdMbs31sAVsACjKZSmdwps0u2ew/s320/02510AB4-27EB-4F0A-AC2E-AB57A5B6250A.jpeg" width="280" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">This Christian young man from a town just outside Lutsk was killed in the fighting in Avdiivka just two weeks ago. A sad, fresh reminder of the cost of this ongoing war. </span><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>Thank you for standing with Ukraine! </b></span></p>Carriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01004999497733503209noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7774391233259808025.post-19792682676715715352024-01-13T10:30:00.000-08:002024-01-13T10:30:59.051-08:00What is it like?<p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">The changing of years is always a good time for personal reflection and analysis of the previous year and planning for the coming year. While I’m not going to use this space to share my personal conclusions regarding 2023 and plans for 2024, I do want to dedicate this post to writing a bit more detail of my impressions of living in Ukraine during a war. I find some of my thoughts, emotions and reactions repeating themselves, others have intensified, and yet others have diminished or disappeared. The war has continued for nearly two years now. While I understand why it is not ongoing front and center news all over the world, we in Ukraine are not allowed or able to forget about it. To varying extents, depending on our location and activities, we daily live with the reality of war. So what does that look and feel? Here are <u>just a few</u> of the ways I could answer that question: </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>WAR in Ukraine</b> looks like being awakened multiple times in the night to air alert sirens. First they go off to alert you of the threat of attack. Then later they go off to cancel the alert. Then another threat is detected and they go off again. And so the cycle goes all night. And you know that if they are going off in Lutsk, they are most likely going off everywhere and so all of Ukraine is under attack. And when you hear them multiple times in one night, you are not surprised (you expect it, in fact) to read the news in the morning of multiple cities hit and civilians targeted and killed. Just recently, 158 cruise missiles and drones were launched at Ukraine - in one night!</span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivmxu04ONE2AXzBEkHT6k2IomIKMIg2IeJdFF1O2uJbuPopovUImqnzlBAKJi4KqW8pduyrjp_tM41SDE_JnlRUxbH54VTjOxysqsfk83WbnfVQfl2nLkFKo3R-AHijIKyUmcDo8G5mU960ad1ZRzABRTBqIFvjRlYxVzcAZu_5v8jHvYijoik9l0F-g/s1280/IMG_8AFB3BFA6166-1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="721" data-original-width="1280" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivmxu04ONE2AXzBEkHT6k2IomIKMIg2IeJdFF1O2uJbuPopovUImqnzlBAKJi4KqW8pduyrjp_tM41SDE_JnlRUxbH54VTjOxysqsfk83WbnfVQfl2nLkFKo3R-AHijIKyUmcDo8G5mU960ad1ZRzABRTBqIFvjRlYxVzcAZu_5v8jHvYijoik9l0F-g/w400-h225/IMG_8AFB3BFA6166-1.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0pNwVPemFwqKXQgftogTmg0bayOW7luhbYJ6lEIKSt5NwZtcNLME0L2LnGyl9L-vS7-BPhK115k2tf_KASrlEgxfxWpWb0k11LByi9dyCRUv7JvAQSOMc7biyr97mHBM0MTTQPCqpkv2XjOFkrYZsKEomEfjv7tkT4HBsVUHYwZEh90cxWgbpeZgp0g/s1280/IMG_69E5D5EE7708-1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0pNwVPemFwqKXQgftogTmg0bayOW7luhbYJ6lEIKSt5NwZtcNLME0L2LnGyl9L-vS7-BPhK115k2tf_KASrlEgxfxWpWb0k11LByi9dyCRUv7JvAQSOMc7biyr97mHBM0MTTQPCqpkv2XjOFkrYZsKEomEfjv7tkT4HBsVUHYwZEh90cxWgbpeZgp0g/w400-h300/IMG_69E5D5EE7708-1.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><b>WAR in Ukraine </b>means simultaneously feeling sorrow and thankfulness when you read the morning news. Because along with seeing the high number of missiles and drones launched at Ukraine in the night, you also note that a high percentage of them that were shot down by our air defense systems. You are thankful that our men have the weapons, skills, desire, diligence and attentiveness to protect Ukrainians day and night. </span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgJX2GuUsQ5SOZsak6lISR-i9aH8ni6jBmE3TSiPKvdFTKLI8CvNiq1aqqssijHYY7Wc-shECOIYExCtN02n7RPPJhO_ZrdFmJUi1rKCzWukeUflMOgn_7-FBOMQOpTEy24SrkJI5YiJV83lsJr6XfpOEM5XoFSSSLCyjw23MROxubU7YU9b2S3lmsiQ/s976/_132124661_tank2_976getty.jpg.webp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="653" data-original-width="976" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgJX2GuUsQ5SOZsak6lISR-i9aH8ni6jBmE3TSiPKvdFTKLI8CvNiq1aqqssijHYY7Wc-shECOIYExCtN02n7RPPJhO_ZrdFmJUi1rKCzWukeUflMOgn_7-FBOMQOpTEy24SrkJI5YiJV83lsJr6XfpOEM5XoFSSSLCyjw23MROxubU7YU9b2S3lmsiQ/w400-h268/_132124661_tank2_976getty.jpg.webp" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><b>WAR in Ukraine</b> means that as you walk to work surrounded by fresh snow all around, you do not fully enjoy the beauty as you once did. Instead, you feel a measure of guilt because in a few minutes you will trade the bitterly cold, single digit temperatures for a warm building while our soldiers sit, stand, and sleep in this weather day after day while defending this nation. You express gratitude to God for their sacrifice and pray they have adequate warmth, food and clothing. </span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge_oMjmYmlbPzBtZ1aPYM4sBS3wSCo9j9XBOC1DPB0vWIpM4RwdOiPoSnGY5TXSnQmf521of7TsUGKpPVMB-frGqmQf0H8uar2qqBiGDqvCwPn8d8zljlYNztX7k2_q0MWV277K7ZqG17FAIfRAsHItslAoMsmLLzxuTZQt9KZp8FgzASyFu25eKAYXw/s4032/IMG_1473.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge_oMjmYmlbPzBtZ1aPYM4sBS3wSCo9j9XBOC1DPB0vWIpM4RwdOiPoSnGY5TXSnQmf521of7TsUGKpPVMB-frGqmQf0H8uar2qqBiGDqvCwPn8d8zljlYNztX7k2_q0MWV277K7ZqG17FAIfRAsHItslAoMsmLLzxuTZQt9KZp8FgzASyFu25eKAYXw/w300-h400/IMG_1473.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><b>WAR in Ukraine</b> looks like hearing the air alert sirens during the day followed by the groan of a coworker whose child is at preschool or school. Why? Because they know their child will now spend 30 minutes...an hour...maybe even several hours down in the cold basement bomb shelter instead of in the warm classroom learning or playing.</span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> </span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>WAR in Ukraine</b> means cheering when you hear Ukrainian fighter jets fly over head. As you watch them through the window your heart cheers and you mutter words like, “Go get ‘em boys! Thank you for defending our skies!” And then you are really excited when you observe that recently there began to be not just one, but two fighter jets regularly flying over Lutsk! Bring on the F16s!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>WAR in Ukraine</b> feels like sorrow and anger when a friend of a friend is killed while defending Ukraine. You see his picture on the internet. No, you didn’t know him, but your friend did, so it hits closer to home. He was only 24, with a wife and little girl. Your heart breaks for that family, for that little girl who will now grow up without her father. And you pray for God’s peace to fill them. And you are reminded again that they are just one of many. In your heart you feel sorrow and anger simultaneously. This war does not have to be!! These men, young and old, don’t have to die this way, leaving behind wives, children, parents, siblings, friends and their country.</span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFyafxiQMnlJHeO3aHRgkDlNZftqGb5mFnS-Exm9F2xxlv9hMpTaPN96dv6GunjPYQUfeFkRZ0mBQ3bfz1ncKxV1fEDuwN1h8u7p35SKbZgUaOcSyV0RwEeSHDOrZ0hWNsZffSl6ezYaVxnAGULwg6ZT1lvhGgzkvuDVdqmStkFDtrLovD2gQqW4CMZA/s2536/Screenshot%202024-01-12%20at%2012.26.07.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1386" data-original-width="2536" height="219" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFyafxiQMnlJHeO3aHRgkDlNZftqGb5mFnS-Exm9F2xxlv9hMpTaPN96dv6GunjPYQUfeFkRZ0mBQ3bfz1ncKxV1fEDuwN1h8u7p35SKbZgUaOcSyV0RwEeSHDOrZ0hWNsZffSl6ezYaVxnAGULwg6ZT1lvhGgzkvuDVdqmStkFDtrLovD2gQqW4CMZA/w400-h219/Screenshot%202024-01-12%20at%2012.26.07.png" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>WAR in Ukraine </b>is minor inconveniences and sober reminders. You make a trip across town just to go to one particular store. But as you are driving, the air alert sirens go off, meaning that the store is closed when you arrive. You get back in your car, trying to decide whether to risk that the cancellation signal will soon be heard and the store will reopen or to just turn right around and leave. And while you ponder what to do, you hear commotion and look up to witness the procession of vehicles escorting the body of yet another soldier killed in the war to the cemetery. And you are reminded again that this war is taking the lives of so many in Ukraine.</span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>WAR in Ukraine</b> feels like rejoicing when over 200 Ukrainian prisoners of war return home. The pictures of them standing near the dark draped in Ukrainian flags, hugging and singing the national anthem capture your attention. And then, when you hear that among them are 48 soldiers who had been missing in action, you feel a glimmer of hope that your coworker’s son, who was declared MIA one year ago, will be among them. Unfortunately, no such news comes.</span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkQFLTQpGWfxPzbOYs_Br7FDP4-WNDo6rn1OfZO3AcRtoKs0XJ25rx-BTBlbky2FoE5RAgnazRule3CmowFUB_7DR0Y1dvKmN9K5PQ9LkfUpNoC2FfNojWsq_1PREohVwLJDSw8tvXbLVM0SngE-eFLIz8WDtEMTelmswnV98ArB09p7_KuMwJE2-dyQ/s1289/Image%201.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="822" data-original-width="1289" height="255" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkQFLTQpGWfxPzbOYs_Br7FDP4-WNDo6rn1OfZO3AcRtoKs0XJ25rx-BTBlbky2FoE5RAgnazRule3CmowFUB_7DR0Y1dvKmN9K5PQ9LkfUpNoC2FfNojWsq_1PREohVwLJDSw8tvXbLVM0SngE-eFLIz8WDtEMTelmswnV98ArB09p7_KuMwJE2-dyQ/w400-h255/Image%201.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyAyFm5ez13oRJLh2h4g6gsRbULVVx2Vk_YhahdiEIF_adxwhU0vWjMG3EHuhVouQVXIDTlXlkSUK8uSQX_6EmUBOJYfgfhxyjVjLqLDoNW5lyli1YGVvqEiQC2-oTtvgjnswitZegaUUE2WCxHdDQ4fekAPNFLIPaEymUOm5ltuizf_377GGXRnOb4g/s1280/Image%202.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyAyFm5ez13oRJLh2h4g6gsRbULVVx2Vk_YhahdiEIF_adxwhU0vWjMG3EHuhVouQVXIDTlXlkSUK8uSQX_6EmUBOJYfgfhxyjVjLqLDoNW5lyli1YGVvqEiQC2-oTtvgjnswitZegaUUE2WCxHdDQ4fekAPNFLIPaEymUOm5ltuizf_377GGXRnOb4g/w400-h300/Image%202.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy5s6AHAFbNDCTv6Kj7sZeC4SmIZ7AlDkASxnc62tIsehtj5KlyvTuaNEtdamt_OKA2WeACfHZemO5snas9elrHynb3Ak-k4uoyB7-t7Y1Y5Q3_BJlPSWOPns1lprUBP5AH8iPTDoP7QC9I5WoUjpW36TR001bAgsq2rs4SZkS7CiVjli6SZDYducWKg/s960/Image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="960" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy5s6AHAFbNDCTv6Kj7sZeC4SmIZ7AlDkASxnc62tIsehtj5KlyvTuaNEtdamt_OKA2WeACfHZemO5snas9elrHynb3Ak-k4uoyB7-t7Y1Y5Q3_BJlPSWOPns1lprUBP5AH8iPTDoP7QC9I5WoUjpW36TR001bAgsq2rs4SZkS7CiVjli6SZDYducWKg/w400-h266/Image.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>WAR in Ukraine</b> sounds like the fellowship portion of weekly home groups including a small or large portion of the conversation about the war. We ask about one ladies’ brother who has long been fighting on the front line. We discuss pending laws regarding mobilization. Someone comments on the large numbers of wounded soldiers recently brought to our hospital. We talk about the recent attacks and ask about the family members and friends still living in the cities from which members of our group fled at the beginning of the war. And on and on... While war itself is not normal, the topic of war has become normal and natural. It cannot and should not be avoided because it is the reality of everyday life in Ukraine.</span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>WAR in Ukraine</b> means that you now have friends scattered all over the globe - Poland, Germany, Switzerland, Canada, the US. Some of them you haven't seen for two years and some of them you get rare opportunities to see. They are people you were close to before the war. You saw them nearly every day. You worked together, shared an office with them, and frequently shared life together outside of work. So when that rare opportunity comes to see them in person you stay up late talking and laughing, discussing the future and wondering together when they might live in Ukraine and work together with you again. It's truly sad how much separation of families and friends has been brought by the war. I am certain not on person in Ukraine is exempt from experiencing the pains of separation on some level! </span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSK5PYHtNxzvxmMFq4juDFwbs8LT7aaHbIW-bNIKZ7PFQp41TCpBafnREsN0fXNMRcifJqKuZmm_PvifBDeltGY1ZMAz9GbkSfhBr2bFJo9_3VGnQHi8-O4wMbEJmCQrHLEQalGKn6jIzj7llV_rTJowfgaTM1Z1j0bT8kGY7n7bUCi4_SmrggMEF4hw/s4032/IMG_1488.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSK5PYHtNxzvxmMFq4juDFwbs8LT7aaHbIW-bNIKZ7PFQp41TCpBafnREsN0fXNMRcifJqKuZmm_PvifBDeltGY1ZMAz9GbkSfhBr2bFJo9_3VGnQHi8-O4wMbEJmCQrHLEQalGKn6jIzj7llV_rTJowfgaTM1Z1j0bT8kGY7n7bUCi4_SmrggMEF4hw/w400-h300/IMG_1488.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thankful for a few days with the dear friends not currently living in Ukraine (above and below)</td></tr></tbody></table></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaTGq-kzkjDyku1OBiQ3jW8G1D7CLscz7EOGhCGzihjFQBjtgequiLwx_SE3V85atwYzuNmkUP9TvjpihZCzyurYR3lOudKN10F2ClhrhAWmV0tdzM1g16o10EbH_lGTMpwi_KjbgBdYeobSXPighGOiXaPuB_PnJzJmp79Cc0ns16GrJWEbvZMqyEqQ/s4032/IMG_1519.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaTGq-kzkjDyku1OBiQ3jW8G1D7CLscz7EOGhCGzihjFQBjtgequiLwx_SE3V85atwYzuNmkUP9TvjpihZCzyurYR3lOudKN10F2ClhrhAWmV0tdzM1g16o10EbH_lGTMpwi_KjbgBdYeobSXPighGOiXaPuB_PnJzJmp79Cc0ns16GrJWEbvZMqyEqQ/w400-h300/IMG_1519.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>WAR in Ukraine</b> means going to work week after week and month after month at the Agape Rehabilitation Complex and being reminded of the vast numbers of Ukrainian men wounded - often quite severely wounded - in this war. These men and their families will never be the same. Many will spend the rest of their lives in a wheelchair. Some learn to walk again, but not without great difficulty. Many need specialized equipment or prosthetics or orthotics. The mechanism of injury for most is an explosion, so their injuries are often extensive. They go through months of rehabilitation at various centers in Ukraine and sometimes abroad. It can be discouraging when you see how many applications Agape alone receives knowing it is only a small portion of all the wounded soldiers. But, we are thankful we get to help some of them on their path to recovery. </span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvauF_LC79QktWe6_-dal7hKERVOi5rTd-Jl66FP4UhJ85ckcBU8mGHxT8A_ee3-bY-r7z8BBSmG56h0oVpJTEkIYg-ndNDmdNIuPjM4mte0wdw32rXvL5UxL2nG3MOoMbgieNtjZQFTHI5U2ydpLN_Ex9s_KZw7GhtaBPUVbx2YEgf8rd6undMjabVA/s1280/IMG_B3EE45DF11D3-1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvauF_LC79QktWe6_-dal7hKERVOi5rTd-Jl66FP4UhJ85ckcBU8mGHxT8A_ee3-bY-r7z8BBSmG56h0oVpJTEkIYg-ndNDmdNIuPjM4mte0wdw32rXvL5UxL2nG3MOoMbgieNtjZQFTHI5U2ydpLN_Ex9s_KZw7GhtaBPUVbx2YEgf8rd6undMjabVA/w400-h225/IMG_B3EE45DF11D3-1.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW7NYD_WKkrZBOA8auArt16W1xktamcm8J3a0tjvQ_IzyFF7wfDSessn_99it81g-si-p8gfSsmH8fNMWHK9sJUaXEkyWzbE8XG2G7Fd_P9cLnwLJP2xq_7B7_eZqlCzWl-iU8FLrkCS71x44fHt0WYC7HIVLnVAhIZj01t9UusgnPJYKA6xrNByxm7A/s1280/IMG_E9EC29C12D8D-1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW7NYD_WKkrZBOA8auArt16W1xktamcm8J3a0tjvQ_IzyFF7wfDSessn_99it81g-si-p8gfSsmH8fNMWHK9sJUaXEkyWzbE8XG2G7Fd_P9cLnwLJP2xq_7B7_eZqlCzWl-iU8FLrkCS71x44fHt0WYC7HIVLnVAhIZj01t9UusgnPJYKA6xrNByxm7A/w400-h225/IMG_E9EC29C12D8D-1.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA5XP0fh1cz8BPtl_umHaP-ilCy9MBN-hGJGUrr4_4gyoBmxcah-AjvYHumu2B7Y9-ot9pAZnbLgQspw1lzXTGAPJCfzYnjY3geEbR_-IbaRiPZUIQYKvV-Z_0jyCYPAPo0Adf-1zNsZEUXX_u5uYaauEg9jhN0ZcR6CnnEaBIJgRiRXi0s3udHAYM8w/s1801/viber_image_2024-01-12_13-34-44-846.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1801" data-original-width="1013" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA5XP0fh1cz8BPtl_umHaP-ilCy9MBN-hGJGUrr4_4gyoBmxcah-AjvYHumu2B7Y9-ot9pAZnbLgQspw1lzXTGAPJCfzYnjY3geEbR_-IbaRiPZUIQYKvV-Z_0jyCYPAPo0Adf-1zNsZEUXX_u5uYaauEg9jhN0ZcR6CnnEaBIJgRiRXi0s3udHAYM8w/w225-h400/viber_image_2024-01-12_13-34-44-846.jpg" width="225" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Please use this link to watch a video about Denis, one of the Ukrainian soldiers who underwent rehabilitation at the Agape Rehabilitation Complex:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"> </span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">https://www.facebook.com/agapeukraina/videos/813380590474029/</span></div><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">If you would like to financially support the Agape Rehabilitation Complex as we continue providing rehabilitation for soldiers and civilians, delivering humanitarian aid to the de-occupied territories of Ukraine and constructing an bomb shelter/ storage center to align with new Ukrainian laws, please go to:</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"> </span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">https://www.agapeukraine.com/en/golovna-english/ </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">And please, continue to pray for Ukraine and the Agape Rehabilitation Complex. We continue to need support and prayer! The war rages on and lives are at stake. </span></p><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(68, 68, 68); font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Our hope is in God as we pray for victory for Ukraine in 2024! </span></div><p></p>Carriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01004999497733503209noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7774391233259808025.post-69488780097195027452023-10-23T10:52:00.000-07:002023-10-23T10:52:57.098-07:00How Long, O Lord? <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">I know I am not the only one asking "How long, O Lord?" It only takes a quick glance at the news to see massive suffering all around. There are wars, floods, earthquakes and wildfires snuffing out and drastically altering tens of thousands of lives, sometimes in the span of just a few minutes. Beyond the headline news is still more suffering occurring in countless lives and countries that simply does not reach our eyes and ears. In Ukraine, we continue to be hit daily with news that is just devastating. God is in control - I do know and believe that - and yet my heart cries out for Him to shower this nation and people with mercy and an end to this war and all the death and devastation it brings. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">At the Agape Rehabilitation Complex, we continue rehabilitation, the construction of the Resource Center, and the delivery of humanitarian aid to the de-occupied areas around Kherson. We seek to be faithful in the continuation of these tasks and we each have our role to play. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">First, I would like to share feedback that we received from a recent patient. Receiving her comments was unexpected for us and also a great encouragement, particularly for her therapists. Tetyana is a 52-year-old female who acquired a spinal cord injury two years ago and arrived at Agape in a depressed state. While we all witnessed her progress during rehab, none of us understood the full impact on her life until she wrote back upon returning home. Here are her words: </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>"A MIRACLE happened to me! I was depressed for two years. And now I feel happy every day! My trip to Agape inspired this. Two months ago, I sabotaged my first trip with a broken leg. As soon as the cast was removed, my daughter asked me if I really wanted to go to rehab. She always said, "I'm ready to help, but if you don't take responsibility for your life, I'm powerless to do it for you." I decided to go.</i></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>It was three wonderful weeks. Above all, I wanted to learn how to transfer to a wheelchair without help. Weak muscles did not allow me to do it skillfully. But when my therapists gave me a special board for transfers, I felt like a hero. I even learned how to get into a car.</i></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>I also learned to self-catheterize. In my condition, this is a vital procedure. You can't imagine how happy I was that I didn't have to call someone for help all the time. And the Agape employees rejoiced with me.</i></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>I returned home with the feeling that I will be able to overcome my fears and insecurities. And on the first day after my arrival, I already began making adjustments for my independence. I bought a light fixture that I can turn on from bed with a remote. We rearranged the furniture so that it would be more convenient for me to move around the apartment in a wheelchair.</i></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>The next day, for the first time since my injury, I completed my morning routine on my own, transferred to the wheelchair, made tea, set the table and invited my daughter to breakfast. I even washed the dishes.</i></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>Recently, the roles have shifted in our family. My daughter took care of me for a long time. And now everything has fallen into its rightful place. I am a real, loving mother! I cook her favorite dishes, which she missed so much. I support her and make her happy with her achievements.</i></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>I believe that my good mood, which I ignited in Agape, will stay with me forever!</i></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>I thank God that he did not leave me and again gave me a thirst for life!"</i></span></p><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyElIgecp2wc06rJ3Ga4fxGCmovcwbuPtqZVThQfZnU_gpeMZvR38F-jtDUEwGgely73Cd7xG4Ptk3VZ3QO078JcYaFvH5EO379girTlYJ4r7Y7CWN2WzEgReISzamit7a00wySBkRGraGXtJpEYzlQCZETW2zEt3pNQ4JF9zioRfVrrdpyoPrvo-Drg/s924/Screenshot%202023-10-16%20at%2019.33.33.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="924" data-original-width="860" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyElIgecp2wc06rJ3Ga4fxGCmovcwbuPtqZVThQfZnU_gpeMZvR38F-jtDUEwGgely73Cd7xG4Ptk3VZ3QO078JcYaFvH5EO379girTlYJ4r7Y7CWN2WzEgReISzamit7a00wySBkRGraGXtJpEYzlQCZETW2zEt3pNQ4JF9zioRfVrrdpyoPrvo-Drg/w373-h400/Screenshot%202023-10-16%20at%2019.33.33.png" width="373" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ0ZHb5PD2fsKbODdJH8uqSkrm-558jrcB27W4kvMi3V_0q5DinANqG-Fqaf9o3AYHMc3hPq3Q39Zb3ehM8Qa2pYsKxK8j07yZ9kgLXRRPIS-rX9VY8NdzZvS6l1q1NDOffKmqis3i2WaqfyJx887n-QYmUpKunSgTdN7aDyOd8YrGlRcmXnu0knQCjw/s1122/viber_image_2023-10-20_20-31-40-656.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1122" data-original-width="843" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ0ZHb5PD2fsKbODdJH8uqSkrm-558jrcB27W4kvMi3V_0q5DinANqG-Fqaf9o3AYHMc3hPq3Q39Zb3ehM8Qa2pYsKxK8j07yZ9kgLXRRPIS-rX9VY8NdzZvS6l1q1NDOffKmqis3i2WaqfyJx887n-QYmUpKunSgTdN7aDyOd8YrGlRcmXnu0knQCjw/w300-h400/viber_image_2023-10-20_20-31-40-656.jpg" width="300" /></a></div></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">When we provide rehabilitation for our patients, we have the privilege to give them increased independence, hope, and life. And we get to share the love of Christ with them as well. What a joy! </span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Below are a few recent pictures from rehabilitation. Among our current patients are five soldiers (all with spinal cord injuries) and one civilian wounded in the war. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_to489Gp74NESLtbZZvjwVNJyeP1r7octLA8Z0ULbCeEnHEw81LqoKVzz0bOYWkAWHwBNV7GzLGuU-oKERKyQhP9Gt0efpOL_for_Y5dy0VFtOdyj0tziLRqaYJkYwNGIN1I_RTAnxoHFeOepnHzoEfB0m0xZrtQNLz_Kun_qAhOgUsSW_1myxaGqrg/s4032/IMG_1380.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_to489Gp74NESLtbZZvjwVNJyeP1r7octLA8Z0ULbCeEnHEw81LqoKVzz0bOYWkAWHwBNV7GzLGuU-oKERKyQhP9Gt0efpOL_for_Y5dy0VFtOdyj0tziLRqaYJkYwNGIN1I_RTAnxoHFeOepnHzoEfB0m0xZrtQNLz_Kun_qAhOgUsSW_1myxaGqrg/w400-h300/IMG_1380.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGnWQNM1-vHjE7qLsswDIemw1uQUeQh8JUV1oCWfPq59viQhSZMKRd546_28I9I6c3xUMR-w5UtcOJtHTixkAStW0xiz9UftU_xEeva5h7bf8vnVkYpuUwEryaF8qocTcq1M8H6r0ejYQKTwjBkxb9jOHuqd9EUU873FDyvACMbMadFvoZfr8PD6H9mA/s4032/IMG_1387.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGnWQNM1-vHjE7qLsswDIemw1uQUeQh8JUV1oCWfPq59viQhSZMKRd546_28I9I6c3xUMR-w5UtcOJtHTixkAStW0xiz9UftU_xEeva5h7bf8vnVkYpuUwEryaF8qocTcq1M8H6r0ejYQKTwjBkxb9jOHuqd9EUU873FDyvACMbMadFvoZfr8PD6H9mA/w400-h300/IMG_1387.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4gydKXhAkRjof6B8PWyvXFV06gQOX-rGLD5eYLjgUite8ZmiLFKFczGrop6207Rgk-XtM9CkS3OQ_KhJhjl878GOlRbY7jop6ibDO0hRpiDggrC2sUDmXDyyP0IiXmlOeN-KNM1y-BXg0PAuGMNcmeuLvczPvZxXNjbTRcY79VUiO13ZLYq4QwUxp9g/s4032/IMG_1391.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4gydKXhAkRjof6B8PWyvXFV06gQOX-rGLD5eYLjgUite8ZmiLFKFczGrop6207Rgk-XtM9CkS3OQ_KhJhjl878GOlRbY7jop6ibDO0hRpiDggrC2sUDmXDyyP0IiXmlOeN-KNM1y-BXg0PAuGMNcmeuLvczPvZxXNjbTRcY79VUiO13ZLYq4QwUxp9g/w400-h300/IMG_1391.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwiOS6jUjLnfwEd2eQBUSS6D12KK89L7rqnnTezzcYIaaNyeMsYhKdgg5ir__p6Njan9OspMQmr_Xc68eAOcQxO75r83nib1kz0uy8xvltpMi5WDjTJ07dhiuAMoKdElsaWQOBjt5P907-olnJH78AXwbCnp8fV10kmqCJaVyZMenQvE6mZBoRhjcJCw/s1600/IMG_0859.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwiOS6jUjLnfwEd2eQBUSS6D12KK89L7rqnnTezzcYIaaNyeMsYhKdgg5ir__p6Njan9OspMQmr_Xc68eAOcQxO75r83nib1kz0uy8xvltpMi5WDjTJ07dhiuAMoKdElsaWQOBjt5P907-olnJH78AXwbCnp8fV10kmqCJaVyZMenQvE6mZBoRhjcJCw/w400-h300/IMG_0859.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Men from Agape continue to make 2-3 trips per month to deliver humanitarian aid to the Kherson region. They have made a total of 17 trips in 2023. The area also experienced flooding after the dam explosion earlier this summer and they are still under near constant shelling. Most of the villages continue to be without water and electricity and the residents depend on the aid delivered by volunteers. Many of the residents are elderly and/or have a disability and they are very grateful for the help of volunteers such as our men from Agape.</span></div><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoghXIFkpa7-n951lNni4Kt-CGpSEO7XE3vJNWsMAO5QTKLPLD8APL225NdRbxyKoIeg7wWPud5G5eHuv3VHKILd6OqbDDXm_VsJ-D-yrrQbvl5kTuzZPpy6JtvwsU3rvZlbDBasZgVU-0U4-k3jgATnptpXdjL-uKDGbLzj8IROMnV2_EaMHYhRTGAg/s2048/378339364_6642659532455634_5778754013389342530_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="956" data-original-width="2048" height="186" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoghXIFkpa7-n951lNni4Kt-CGpSEO7XE3vJNWsMAO5QTKLPLD8APL225NdRbxyKoIeg7wWPud5G5eHuv3VHKILd6OqbDDXm_VsJ-D-yrrQbvl5kTuzZPpy6JtvwsU3rvZlbDBasZgVU-0U4-k3jgATnptpXdjL-uKDGbLzj8IROMnV2_EaMHYhRTGAg/w400-h186/378339364_6642659532455634_5778754013389342530_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Please pray for the safety of the volunteers who deliver humanitarian aid. It is not without risk that they make these trips. </td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1366" data-original-width="2048" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFSZ-WGroMhFYyx_lsZ66e4-mA27wPpB3sy4AmPyfRa_twI9FJidMw-fntrcN-siqy3fqFL6JixaeU4Geg4W4AOFcjSsqx2IJUbQL4007-1b7eB4Ilqm42yMEz43DRBSpV4KDQiiZqzUYYt49fdq6IVpX93c5Slzp_P90e3Cwq3SFZ8WnHeV1hf3sggQ/w400-h266/352215945_807022847711552_5365653746348678691_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In the flooding that followed the dam explosion, rescuers were welcomed by all.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFSZ-WGroMhFYyx_lsZ66e4-mA27wPpB3sy4AmPyfRa_twI9FJidMw-fntrcN-siqy3fqFL6JixaeU4Geg4W4AOFcjSsqx2IJUbQL4007-1b7eB4Ilqm42yMEz43DRBSpV4KDQiiZqzUYYt49fdq6IVpX93c5Slzp_P90e3Cwq3SFZ8WnHeV1hf3sggQ/s2048/352215945_807022847711552_5365653746348678691_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbbPR_QrUTK8w_9JmM9ERaRJBfd_aCgQVcKf3XgkeEAdBcVgNXRgUy8hLd6zaJA52_xSX5Li38v_7KMhJWuPxr5UT-YfgvkEzE0NktwFuuEMuk0dpfcmXWmbDvdbssZIS3w_6_b3YjYLv76qkBgWxZiaUUtte8l0AZ888Zh0mA-nE-7N7p6QWu1FKmGw/s1366/351388053_1097094371710147_6578036409167542749_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1366" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbbPR_QrUTK8w_9JmM9ERaRJBfd_aCgQVcKf3XgkeEAdBcVgNXRgUy8hLd6zaJA52_xSX5Li38v_7KMhJWuPxr5UT-YfgvkEzE0NktwFuuEMuk0dpfcmXWmbDvdbssZIS3w_6_b3YjYLv76qkBgWxZiaUUtte8l0AZ888Zh0mA-nE-7N7p6QWu1FKmGw/w400-h225/351388053_1097094371710147_6578036409167542749_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEKNbBnG2pw4GlxMR66wuNKs1PAdazoIcCyJBGB2xuUBdhJZCmQK4MUYwCEkzRNns_KjYyzKM2RrtRSgbWr0CS18wDz5U-p4nagGd0Nv3qAYGiu15WPgn-py7z1HQzbbjcJMmR06qlcbty2yWaqprPlhQvCrsBYGp7-If65E7Ddd0pmX-QgspK3Ty-Tg/s828/352785316_819745746339353_2258572049260560156_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="817" data-original-width="828" height="395" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEKNbBnG2pw4GlxMR66wuNKs1PAdazoIcCyJBGB2xuUBdhJZCmQK4MUYwCEkzRNns_KjYyzKM2RrtRSgbWr0CS18wDz5U-p4nagGd0Nv3qAYGiu15WPgn-py7z1HQzbbjcJMmR06qlcbty2yWaqprPlhQvCrsBYGp7-If65E7Ddd0pmX-QgspK3Ty-Tg/w400-h395/352785316_819745746339353_2258572049260560156_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTWNjd4_-o5DGvTHiZ6vyXZEXYDMIOhHRZW4sJL7vTGdsAuPwMYi2YpF8x01eq2ohUUkcXxU9aA98_gZByo44jIlRtUduWq_iZEGDEFbHTnEk_luCP6gI9KVvSHfFTqD3NxT7DtOIe8_HJDH0omt5_TiNqvbJ3pFoSduLd-q_Gdn1Iw7NSocf7Gqmb7g/s1280/374313032_1703806576754251_8857685023371979839_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTWNjd4_-o5DGvTHiZ6vyXZEXYDMIOhHRZW4sJL7vTGdsAuPwMYi2YpF8x01eq2ohUUkcXxU9aA98_gZByo44jIlRtUduWq_iZEGDEFbHTnEk_luCP6gI9KVvSHfFTqD3NxT7DtOIe8_HJDH0omt5_TiNqvbJ3pFoSduLd-q_Gdn1Iw7NSocf7Gqmb7g/w400-h300/374313032_1703806576754251_8857685023371979839_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKYb85jy6AZopfg5MgjlgjIVynTzKuxGNLD9xIu4SIgcNz86EINyCu56IFfvbKl0-75WW6lB1ISD7AA26Drzs3JPk_uD5f58bzzywFcBCf-c9V80GEvKhVGUkBG4DgqTNWO6caXqojGI-FU4ge0ioud1ra0iO242g6oz6ydCyfHAEw9TtWAsDu4N5drQ/s1280/374734494_1703806773420898_6930394591204849218_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="969" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKYb85jy6AZopfg5MgjlgjIVynTzKuxGNLD9xIu4SIgcNz86EINyCu56IFfvbKl0-75WW6lB1ISD7AA26Drzs3JPk_uD5f58bzzywFcBCf-c9V80GEvKhVGUkBG4DgqTNWO6caXqojGI-FU4ge0ioud1ra0iO242g6oz6ydCyfHAEw9TtWAsDu4N5drQ/w303-h400/374734494_1703806773420898_6930394591204849218_n.jpg" width="303" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sasha really touched the hearts of our volunteers. He is wearing, as he apparently does every day, tactical gloves given to him by his dad when he departed to fight in the war. Sasha says he plans to wear them until his dad returns home. We have prayed at Agape that indeed his dad does come home safe and alive!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRVzZekb3TI2ZTrHrPVAiPRCodR3T-zcR1pJ4b5LHb9mbuWq8G1vfG0CtPizI3rGI_zHprCCGJ6HG2QVYbeXkwIb9tGW8HrEN8SOmFU6kxwDHPO0jBZV1-RWrUPVWX3FaRsO7gXhgeqpgXe_has8hNfvZcemmR08LX5I5Aq9KR9_wS9aby9KB3Vd-7PQ/s2048/378396654_6642652015789719_1260369522532070053_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="957" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRVzZekb3TI2ZTrHrPVAiPRCodR3T-zcR1pJ4b5LHb9mbuWq8G1vfG0CtPizI3rGI_zHprCCGJ6HG2QVYbeXkwIb9tGW8HrEN8SOmFU6kxwDHPO0jBZV1-RWrUPVWX3FaRsO7gXhgeqpgXe_has8hNfvZcemmR08LX5I5Aq9KR9_wS9aby9KB3Vd-7PQ/w188-h400/378396654_6642652015789719_1260369522532070053_n.jpg" width="188" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Construction of the Resource Center continues on the territory of the Agape Rehabilitation Complex. Each time the builders complete another floor, we hold our employee meeting for that week on the construction site for prayer. In the picture below, we are standing on the ground floor and below us is the bomb shelter. The ground floor will be used to store large equipment, such as electric and standard wheelchairs, hospital beds, etc. This floor is now also complete and the second and final above-ground floor is being built. It will be used for storage of smaller items, such as diapers, non-perishable food items, hygiene products, etc. The builders say they can get the roof on before winter if there are adequate finances to purchase the needed materials.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiomq19x8_Zg-d9pAPgteItUNwdyXKdZTgbLCwbyJc4gfVeMs9t9PxcM8KTqdWre7zPfpmCbqvHX89PYfiyI-My1Oz-rPBFzeQPFmptrOQE25jL4Csz9P93iPf3fz5BZaeun6m0UzkUiSCacEmpcBjGnpiPI3IYc36KqmLMn7alawxHpQRHmUaSfMT2lA/s1600/IMG_0858.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiomq19x8_Zg-d9pAPgteItUNwdyXKdZTgbLCwbyJc4gfVeMs9t9PxcM8KTqdWre7zPfpmCbqvHX89PYfiyI-My1Oz-rPBFzeQPFmptrOQE25jL4Csz9P93iPf3fz5BZaeun6m0UzkUiSCacEmpcBjGnpiPI3IYc36KqmLMn7alawxHpQRHmUaSfMT2lA/w400-h225/IMG_0858.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">I</span><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;">n more personal news, I spent a week this summer in the village helping with a children's camp. I ended up hanging out all week with the smallest kiddos, ranging from 3-6 years old. As you can see, they were super cute and we had lot of fun together!</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5EAB1WsL5dJmUjzx26AsgutBSm8F45U5UWktR1zODCU4IKBG09yobg3ZaOND7JcW8wZ0sb3JTJiw88Y5tnjoc_92GJUnfWioyK0qK8q6ptDJo_qXfvb-By7hiukYjVhy-NVIz65SJ21OnM_dI95ZxgjJuZlQLbUBXI2ilT9jri7a-EE2pqYL-ubhDKQ/s4032/IMG_0956.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5EAB1WsL5dJmUjzx26AsgutBSm8F45U5UWktR1zODCU4IKBG09yobg3ZaOND7JcW8wZ0sb3JTJiw88Y5tnjoc_92GJUnfWioyK0qK8q6ptDJo_qXfvb-By7hiukYjVhy-NVIz65SJ21OnM_dI95ZxgjJuZlQLbUBXI2ilT9jri7a-EE2pqYL-ubhDKQ/w300-h400/IMG_0956.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPSemR-fkWOrXo4m8q1cWJuQfcYdW9RpbcblBYcVRZ0ZmRYod7xCHN64QPl41RAIYi_HGELyTlbT5a6I_F9ZmTDK3LqjyaSPFtm_r_vko6FGI10uUsga3nsZCU7CyHZycuZ_IHslqm5NnQxV6klDJ7KXolNGY4e1ATc-ll39QEErbOnRi-br6VzamibQ/s4032/IMG_0985.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPSemR-fkWOrXo4m8q1cWJuQfcYdW9RpbcblBYcVRZ0ZmRYod7xCHN64QPl41RAIYi_HGELyTlbT5a6I_F9ZmTDK3LqjyaSPFtm_r_vko6FGI10uUsga3nsZCU7CyHZycuZ_IHslqm5NnQxV6klDJ7KXolNGY4e1ATc-ll39QEErbOnRi-br6VzamibQ/w400-h300/IMG_0985.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4-ALUrxJ0g_-S-3TLKnfdyk0ra9tATpQSRuwUwSrCHuXyaS_xWhEX1WLVQlBZl-MzjaiZ2qDlmfLLeQiGPu6MGGNGNA9J8LK1yFx3NEbJQOWvsq8bkrfTDcv3_UKo__VrFQRYQKqq2qd4eHG9sB8RFOSF-w2JkbWw6CR_Dv4-uT0sBQgnZN1K0ZSgpA/s4032/IMG_0970.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4-ALUrxJ0g_-S-3TLKnfdyk0ra9tATpQSRuwUwSrCHuXyaS_xWhEX1WLVQlBZl-MzjaiZ2qDlmfLLeQiGPu6MGGNGNA9J8LK1yFx3NEbJQOWvsq8bkrfTDcv3_UKo__VrFQRYQKqq2qd4eHG9sB8RFOSF-w2JkbWw6CR_Dv4-uT0sBQgnZN1K0ZSgpA/w300-h400/IMG_0970.jpeg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">And to wrap up the summer we took a week off to head to the Carpathian Mountains! It was a blessed time of hiking, relaxing, and just simply getting away from day to day life. The beauty of the mountains never gets old for me!</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtzbTezl_dmKpsH5NhRIkkhj0rzws_0qlQUjFQ50_zNkFp918F1UoZsNgsBrujPxi1-oQAMCW6ZuSuAIcEz3nkDjcBrM46i3S48iW00kQp-Qevl9QrPitZCUN7__rbTuG5N37ltfz0Jze0XH6rIOMdZ9lo6WvuNbeTCx1wVC3oR6_1FaoHZShEp-Zl6w/s4032/IMG_1105.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtzbTezl_dmKpsH5NhRIkkhj0rzws_0qlQUjFQ50_zNkFp918F1UoZsNgsBrujPxi1-oQAMCW6ZuSuAIcEz3nkDjcBrM46i3S48iW00kQp-Qevl9QrPitZCUN7__rbTuG5N37ltfz0Jze0XH6rIOMdZ9lo6WvuNbeTCx1wVC3oR6_1FaoHZShEp-Zl6w/w400-h300/IMG_1105.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB5KyIxZr_sOsuikLdWJbHEOD2_zkQJgdwEpmpKsVfdWiy-Eoldhv7A8kxUr87AJFAFkwdnMju9TJfT2sB-a9XHNAHj5FNMYUveUOFBDrx4svFmyOSV_yJP3Rz6V3MtNo-RtepJ-qt2_mR22uj0dJ8d8QgNwxOKf0JXjPbAGdgP22To8mmB2I_EuI7cw/s4032/IMG_8607.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB5KyIxZr_sOsuikLdWJbHEOD2_zkQJgdwEpmpKsVfdWiy-Eoldhv7A8kxUr87AJFAFkwdnMju9TJfT2sB-a9XHNAHj5FNMYUveUOFBDrx4svFmyOSV_yJP3Rz6V3MtNo-RtepJ-qt2_mR22uj0dJ8d8QgNwxOKf0JXjPbAGdgP22To8mmB2I_EuI7cw/w300-h400/IMG_8607.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">None of us knows what tomorrow holds, no matter where we live. I am thankful for the privilege to be in Ukraine at this time and for the God-given opportunities to trust His plan both for my life and for the people and nation of Ukraine. <br /><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXlAhCPSKwNSRPvDTIpnAIAmLfwsvVPoq_qVqBU74gKXH34AUyG5WnBIdtVVtvSU05NgCWLpIsWr4_SWd73oLaplZuRU6Ocqp-YkRvtY324dgIbTACcEF1oK7jahYQXTBqzZ0zQWxyjl5qfm8vR-97uP64ySnR40LrAAnVPlawZujrsl8b08UleRxTdA/s1600/354449847_1342738032975862_6079353063172904105_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXlAhCPSKwNSRPvDTIpnAIAmLfwsvVPoq_qVqBU74gKXH34AUyG5WnBIdtVVtvSU05NgCWLpIsWr4_SWd73oLaplZuRU6Ocqp-YkRvtY324dgIbTACcEF1oK7jahYQXTBqzZ0zQWxyjl5qfm8vR-97uP64ySnR40LrAAnVPlawZujrsl8b08UleRxTdA/w400-h300/354449847_1342738032975862_6079353063172904105_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div>Carriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01004999497733503209noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7774391233259808025.post-34487868353493051712023-05-22T10:11:00.000-07:002023-05-22T10:11:11.976-07:00A Long Overdue Update<p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Once again a long period of time has lapsed since I last posted a blog. So here goes on catching up from January...</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">In January and February, groups of Agape employees and their families were blessed to have the opportunity to travel to Germany for a week of rest and refreshment. The German Evangelical Alliance met all of our needs and also filled our buses with humanitarian aid to bring back to Ukraine. It was fun to spend a week with coworkers, many of whom had never been outside of Ukraine in their lives. I traveled with the January group and we were thrilled to have snow as we did not see much of it this winter in Ukraine. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh03CA9gbaYSUJKnC-g8wRVOmhcpmizhPQA5ip-BT4EaaINauJieJIN5p_m0B_4sFO44UMLqmKRZzcYsIvbQQCT6-lFz2d4P5Uht_WotEe8RceUbFpMed2KFm1Y2Hn62_NDwf4rhBfOqWFJhye2JIvmJGhaGJmsBfDLGVHDF54Hc1NL5rKAYQmolM0/s3629/IMG_0195.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3629" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh03CA9gbaYSUJKnC-g8wRVOmhcpmizhPQA5ip-BT4EaaINauJieJIN5p_m0B_4sFO44UMLqmKRZzcYsIvbQQCT6-lFz2d4P5Uht_WotEe8RceUbFpMed2KFm1Y2Hn62_NDwf4rhBfOqWFJhye2JIvmJGhaGJmsBfDLGVHDF54Hc1NL5rKAYQmolM0/w334-h400/IMG_0195.jpeg" width="334" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPbnvFVLaZS11i2QctgHt6a_Ec3GUsYFW160z7LWedap46NEAl6p05PQo5UALwcqcPO2WWnIIEPNgMc-BRkDtRUHjnRmhQqBrZDwbFKN_AelmN-sed-f-mGpMkyW8lHqiudQtTtUPrMBAVZyJ8Mb5L48yQ63TW7DZBj-sdQDaIXMfElMJOBMseVX8/s4032/IMG_0262.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPbnvFVLaZS11i2QctgHt6a_Ec3GUsYFW160z7LWedap46NEAl6p05PQo5UALwcqcPO2WWnIIEPNgMc-BRkDtRUHjnRmhQqBrZDwbFKN_AelmN-sed-f-mGpMkyW8lHqiudQtTtUPrMBAVZyJ8Mb5L48yQ63TW7DZBj-sdQDaIXMfElMJOBMseVX8/w400-h300/IMG_0262.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">As you are all aware, the war in Ukraine rages on. It is never far from our minds and constantly in our prayers. At Agape, we continue to rehabilitate wounded soldiers. Their stories, injuries, roads to recovery, and futures are each unique and often heart-breaking: </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">- I recall one soldier who admitted that his marriage was not solid before the war. After he received his spinal cord injury, his wife left him, taking their young son with her. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">- Vasyl, a current patient, relayed how he was sent to Poland for medical treatment and rehabilitation following his injury. He expressed that he fully believed he would buy a car there at some point and drive it back to Ukraine after completing rehab. Instead, after 6 months in Poland, he returned to Ukraine still in a horizontal position with a long road ahead of him due to his spinal cord injury, pressure sores, and other complications. He told me "I never expected I wouldn't drive myself back." Unfortunately, it is unlikely he will ever walk again. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">- Bohdan (pictured below) was in working in a European country at the time of the full-scale invasion. He made the decision to not only give up the safety of that country by returning to Ukraine, but also to volunteer to fight upon his return. He took a bullet to the head and spent several months in the hospital before coming to Agape for rehabilitation. His sister is his only family member and she told us that after spending several months in the hospital with him, she could not imagine what we could do to help him. His progress was indeed slow, but with much perseverance on his part and that of his therapists, he was walking short distances with a cane and completing basic self-care tasks independently at the completion of his rehab. He attended services at Fimiam Church every Sunday and never seemed to get down, despite the drastically life-altering nature of his injury. </span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHXO_Gpqt7HyYFeGM4JkM_tsbEakz7y34y_OsRtvv5gTnMlHUlUWMptx3QuJkjPt9L0-WzHKi_q9S014F1J8xE4ul6G3-P4o5J8Et1qKHo7hhU0dtPewry6mCzU2DdT5oovs-fQWO-Nszhc-XGXsstshgFJao4jkx-oc7eSe1C7V00SVYp2R60y4I/s2058/Screenshot%202023-05-14%20at%2019.36.15.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1430" data-original-width="2058" height="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHXO_Gpqt7HyYFeGM4JkM_tsbEakz7y34y_OsRtvv5gTnMlHUlUWMptx3QuJkjPt9L0-WzHKi_q9S014F1J8xE4ul6G3-P4o5J8Et1qKHo7hhU0dtPewry6mCzU2DdT5oovs-fQWO-Nszhc-XGXsstshgFJao4jkx-oc7eSe1C7V00SVYp2R60y4I/w400-h278/Screenshot%202023-05-14%20at%2019.36.15.png" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">These men exemplify the sacrifices Ukrainians make every day as they fight on the front lines to defend the freedom of this country, many at the cost of their health, families and lives.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">We see images of the death and destruction that are the result of Russia's full-scale invasion on our screens daily. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT78Xj4NDWlY49sknoLCClThfAttuYcxyO6BVRKuWxJc5QdJuZeFqTJi0gwiPOFsZLs6GSmL_d-RI6Tjz-y38eNHzQoVmRP99cPWyDQNeLTuuSe4I6AL-y6Gh_jw3QMrMlPvQR-jSW_kAEpx7n8yQvqoSJcRqG50vGkH7nbLrnbc_NDGovOoLThCk/s2048/343961800_957360592374713_439703897106820894_n.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1366" data-original-width="2048" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT78Xj4NDWlY49sknoLCClThfAttuYcxyO6BVRKuWxJc5QdJuZeFqTJi0gwiPOFsZLs6GSmL_d-RI6Tjz-y38eNHzQoVmRP99cPWyDQNeLTuuSe4I6AL-y6Gh_jw3QMrMlPvQR-jSW_kAEpx7n8yQvqoSJcRqG50vGkH7nbLrnbc_NDGovOoLThCk/w400-h266/343961800_957360592374713_439703897106820894_n.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOE_b6zgBi5iMlntY6hgskXtH-nKozt5tupxasWL9Q_bUOtyVN0LhmVY_Rh6Tj6ZTqrVKTsqF7HnncK1Jq_ySBW4-FK385JzwqKLTcs0tXxHOMAeC_zRWCLmmSuRsZtkUYjTxZls2Gh-fUANDOXzl0vrVsOCSMhh0zQFeZb_kBze99zKxmIHgscb0/s2048/344027021_203210299156960_8029079044281202365_n.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1366" data-original-width="2048" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOE_b6zgBi5iMlntY6hgskXtH-nKozt5tupxasWL9Q_bUOtyVN0LhmVY_Rh6Tj6ZTqrVKTsqF7HnncK1Jq_ySBW4-FK385JzwqKLTcs0tXxHOMAeC_zRWCLmmSuRsZtkUYjTxZls2Gh-fUANDOXzl0vrVsOCSMhh0zQFeZb_kBze99zKxmIHgscb0/w400-h266/344027021_203210299156960_8029079044281202365_n.png" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKC8fKk5j6mZE5raW7eOLPiPTtAvJRis6MZcDMGW34Mgs60Fhsls07Kz2bDr5CtXYbWA_GLrAe6tOCwdrtGjoIXcxFo1I57EklkUVbI0xZRAs_CoDhOPrEcS0MWPsEo7_yDGqeto5KLx3KcXVMB6z9njM0luuuQs2zqXytCfPh7sxwtYrXF-5ICh4/s1350/346844919_247915637831621_5947392641152311836_n.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1350" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKC8fKk5j6mZE5raW7eOLPiPTtAvJRis6MZcDMGW34Mgs60Fhsls07Kz2bDr5CtXYbWA_GLrAe6tOCwdrtGjoIXcxFo1I57EklkUVbI0xZRAs_CoDhOPrEcS0MWPsEo7_yDGqeto5KLx3KcXVMB6z9njM0luuuQs2zqXytCfPh7sxwtYrXF-5ICh4/w320-h400/346844919_247915637831621_5947392641152311836_n.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Smoke covers the ruined city of Bakhmut where intense fighting continues</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4vpBdFtkRCYnbopgDqkrXh9WSkTbx2e9cmBN0mRAcADCip6MzFaoaWRl9sgn2s6AN-y2b8WQNujlVOfkkQuBgwWxOMB23-5MGNvok-jw2bKOWDz4KNH-DFY2qpbtqWGNe-tRtiCDVdliujnPr9OQhNVRc2S2kDfG31DVqqlaOkjt4O4Hc4kTEUPk/s2048/344856967_761924635340384_270347980940300882_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1412" data-original-width="2048" height="221" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4vpBdFtkRCYnbopgDqkrXh9WSkTbx2e9cmBN0mRAcADCip6MzFaoaWRl9sgn2s6AN-y2b8WQNujlVOfkkQuBgwWxOMB23-5MGNvok-jw2bKOWDz4KNH-DFY2qpbtqWGNe-tRtiCDVdliujnPr9OQhNVRc2S2kDfG31DVqqlaOkjt4O4Hc4kTEUPk/s320/344856967_761924635340384_270347980940300882_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">A civilian passenger train was hit in one Russia attack</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">But we also feel, hear and experience the resilience and resolve that Ukrainians continue to hold in the face of this ongoing war. God sustains and continues to use His people. From delivering humanitarian aid to the de-occupied territories to housing and assisting internally displaced people to faithfully continuing the ministries of the church - God's people are active. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Volodymyr Andriyovych (below) was a patient at Agape in January following a stroke. He is 85 years old and has been living at Fimiam's Retreat Center in the village with about 100 other internally displaced people since the full-scale invasion began. He was evacuated from eastern Ukraine with only the clothes on his back. Pastor Pavlo has faithfully been caring for and ministering to those living at the Retreat Center and a small church has now begun. Volodymyr Andriyovych heard the Word of God before his stroke, during his rehabilitation and after he left Agape. Not long after returning to the Retreat Center, he repented and was baptized. Since travel is difficult for him due to his age and the effects of his stroke, he had a modified baptism there at the Retreat Center. We rejoice that not only was his physical life saved, but now his soul is eternally saved as well! </span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_scyvGaWVKWktigGA-1Iw5Xm9QyQK_7MAFr34Z7yIWrSIIM3Gs8-fOX1HOk1zQUeFEAzjXn6O2iTVrkS7tH--Hdqci6yWCD6ZDcYiyjJD_7negD_osBvDIzIBNOQfFTs-0_2KsRQrvG7gmRpwFVFf77ueSpl6V-h5qIMZHxzYtw77WG3rBoPiDHU/s2048/335334824_739032961260195_3151842429374776558_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2048" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_scyvGaWVKWktigGA-1Iw5Xm9QyQK_7MAFr34Z7yIWrSIIM3Gs8-fOX1HOk1zQUeFEAzjXn6O2iTVrkS7tH--Hdqci6yWCD6ZDcYiyjJD_7negD_osBvDIzIBNOQfFTs-0_2KsRQrvG7gmRpwFVFf77ueSpl6V-h5qIMZHxzYtw77WG3rBoPiDHU/w400-h225/335334824_739032961260195_3151842429374776558_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg61DGtkQP1i6YxYEYEJSjwdj9-PFq50RMdjMK2PwYEstgZDsr7dmb8Ovz58ffPGbN3_pP02SUewHJWepcfFyycLQtnZ5nBd_Bzl_jt7z4V9qeXj_35RZyTdc7achGDxKI17tJm-APbg9W6PqvqcGuS1sCKtCR-WmOhw--tbQum4kq3FB7e7-67E9c/s2048/336003410_223789013485520_7904801805368005220_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2048" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg61DGtkQP1i6YxYEYEJSjwdj9-PFq50RMdjMK2PwYEstgZDsr7dmb8Ovz58ffPGbN3_pP02SUewHJWepcfFyycLQtnZ5nBd_Bzl_jt7z4V9qeXj_35RZyTdc7achGDxKI17tJm-APbg9W6PqvqcGuS1sCKtCR-WmOhw--tbQum4kq3FB7e7-67E9c/w400-h225/336003410_223789013485520_7904801805368005220_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiseaTGVZxQ09w91qKvhjxL6lc9-3FCwM1euQTd8XfbKZZ08ArP0KfEe2WxNm6AJU7soxXke7YqBThlPVgqQnmtSd0XfiTucETZ-IKetmZoaTQN9UzLyIoj5GS_E_nRQLJcXUJ7H-i4p1-no9E7iLxab6TTLc41wNM90o7fUjbnoW8FhBaploPULF8/s2048/335087950_632620888622374_3408484299455751987_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiseaTGVZxQ09w91qKvhjxL6lc9-3FCwM1euQTd8XfbKZZ08ArP0KfEe2WxNm6AJU7soxXke7YqBThlPVgqQnmtSd0XfiTucETZ-IKetmZoaTQN9UzLyIoj5GS_E_nRQLJcXUJ7H-i4p1-no9E7iLxab6TTLc41wNM90o7fUjbnoW8FhBaploPULF8/w400-h300/335087950_632620888622374_3408484299455751987_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">On a personal note, I had the privilege to attend a MedRefresh retreat in Antalya, Turkey in April. It was a week spent with other medical missionaries and their families and a team representing several organizations in the US with the goal of giving us rest, fellowship and refreshment. We were right on the Mediterranean Sea and had the opportunity not only to be instructed and encouraged, but also to take in the beauty and relax. It was wonderful to meet new acquaintances, hear what God is doing through His children in other parts of the world, and enjoy a few days at the sea. Oh, and those who know me well will understand, the all-you-can-eat ice cream was an extra special bonus!! </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyrhHTNEXgX9X1DuXjeer_IIT57jPsCIJe8PVbp8X-eAeBTMeoBZA6J9m7YhoYvdrlsPS_reo2RuKU2g39pbD56YpzoUamSXUIKuf0Cxst5lbJNVtd_9nQXBrqQ6vRiAVJhPoW5S29uLtb8saekXVw2cROQ983bvaXEOIi-bBROOj4FqkUv0ySEhU/s3805/IMG_0565.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3805" height="318" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyrhHTNEXgX9X1DuXjeer_IIT57jPsCIJe8PVbp8X-eAeBTMeoBZA6J9m7YhoYvdrlsPS_reo2RuKU2g39pbD56YpzoUamSXUIKuf0Cxst5lbJNVtd_9nQXBrqQ6vRiAVJhPoW5S29uLtb8saekXVw2cROQ983bvaXEOIi-bBROOj4FqkUv0ySEhU/w400-h318/IMG_0565.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyLEmDbZclRj26MNjakEJtAAmRgU32aBiUabKBC_AqDZypW7oSlxrn7vsjnBsmcMK2I5s0IQdDRAyZT5igCOAAXILZq3oMGzdSICZoyR8b8QTXiNeZxzZVtp-_gcD7B-iy-DyH-Xxf6CT-EH8Ev_UioZKS3QU8D-C3DA8znts6zSF0q-mGSFFnGOk/s4032/IMG_0620.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyLEmDbZclRj26MNjakEJtAAmRgU32aBiUabKBC_AqDZypW7oSlxrn7vsjnBsmcMK2I5s0IQdDRAyZT5igCOAAXILZq3oMGzdSICZoyR8b8QTXiNeZxzZVtp-_gcD7B-iy-DyH-Xxf6CT-EH8Ev_UioZKS3QU8D-C3DA8znts6zSF0q-mGSFFnGOk/w400-h300/IMG_0620.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX6r9u8fnfJmimuf96diZxdex9Jn37Ckfmv0Kv9T10W9wqcDT5Zos7uZiEqdlcxscUcx3QsMYdCEQYWZm5M6kv7OT5QiOkoGA8oM5kmlqBtvgCYENP-DXvh-ICscGJMem0rUcGg8QGoIzl75WGkFpynQ69GhR3efgSMknxhoaBy0TJCXaOc6XZe_4/s4032/IMG_0595.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX6r9u8fnfJmimuf96diZxdex9Jn37Ckfmv0Kv9T10W9wqcDT5Zos7uZiEqdlcxscUcx3QsMYdCEQYWZm5M6kv7OT5QiOkoGA8oM5kmlqBtvgCYENP-DXvh-ICscGJMem0rUcGg8QGoIzl75WGkFpynQ69GhR3efgSMknxhoaBy0TJCXaOc6XZe_4/w400-h300/IMG_0595.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimR3HL07oGibDGRpIpNbzZqvSTBy1yf_JSixP2bw6WB0YXpdqHbKj7JoIHXOXNA-Oum3P6Ei47Uxj8tPThnDetGkkrmzpTEj0jWrC6ImFSa4l3zEW-8wmPx82B9Q9aKhOmIQbsT-UaAvn8pWMk7FxONf5I9nNnvW0pzH8T641rsGrvENLAL7kw4No/s4032/IMG_0490.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimR3HL07oGibDGRpIpNbzZqvSTBy1yf_JSixP2bw6WB0YXpdqHbKj7JoIHXOXNA-Oum3P6Ei47Uxj8tPThnDetGkkrmzpTEj0jWrC6ImFSa4l3zEW-8wmPx82B9Q9aKhOmIQbsT-UaAvn8pWMk7FxONf5I9nNnvW0pzH8T641rsGrvENLAL7kw4No/w400-h300/IMG_0490.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Please continue praying for:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">- The entire team at the Agape Rehabilitation Complex as we work and interact with all of our patients and their family members. That we would be intentional to not only seek physical change in their lives but spiritual as well. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">- Construction of the Resource Center.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">- Provision and safety for the trips to deliver humanitarian aid to the de-occupied region of Kherson.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">- Provision for the ongoing needs of Agape and our employees. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Thank you for standing with us in prayer! </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">I</span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222;">f you would like to donate to the needs of Agape, please visit </span><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222;">agapeukraine.com/en and click "Donate."</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMB-8dQd3qCh5qKCJjGFYUr7UiYzZwBRJY_5rKBPeNpAn_BIAB738qJ8yj8GtSQq55vATiFTb3L7kphNQfVn_5NMXIhFUMxMrByisgnFqV4YoSsy672x1QMhnQj1dqHhyWTh5ffrRnTzExtXme9wfKnKSC0efKCSIlWTgep2AiozTWn_LGZcVjqlo/s4032/IMG_0643.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMB-8dQd3qCh5qKCJjGFYUr7UiYzZwBRJY_5rKBPeNpAn_BIAB738qJ8yj8GtSQq55vATiFTb3L7kphNQfVn_5NMXIhFUMxMrByisgnFqV4YoSsy672x1QMhnQj1dqHhyWTh5ffrRnTzExtXme9wfKnKSC0efKCSIlWTgep2AiozTWn_LGZcVjqlo/w400-h300/IMG_0643.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">"O Lord my God, I cried to you for help." </span></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilurvlenh-iO-D8-G5fmRuKGXE_9aBeqsEv7VhxSNBIAjm0fPrHGniaCXRDNYr68A8_VV4fWzBSjtxMENbD6ZVENrViK0qj7CzJRHLC-GVbKmLPaMUSfWceEAeXoOiF1lTn6olRtulo9IMWgBx6SW5QDXqE4vjE2URDsCE2mthXFEQpBY6R7l31fs/s8936/IMG_0690.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3698" data-original-width="8936" height="165" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilurvlenh-iO-D8-G5fmRuKGXE_9aBeqsEv7VhxSNBIAjm0fPrHGniaCXRDNYr68A8_VV4fWzBSjtxMENbD6ZVENrViK0qj7CzJRHLC-GVbKmLPaMUSfWceEAeXoOiF1lTn6olRtulo9IMWgBx6SW5QDXqE4vjE2URDsCE2mthXFEQpBY6R7l31fs/w400-h165/IMG_0690.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p></p>Carriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01004999497733503209noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7774391233259808025.post-22098434266060465582023-01-15T10:05:00.001-08:002023-01-15T10:29:12.763-08:00New Year, Same War<p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">While the war in Ukraine may not often be headline news where you are, let me tell you that it indeed still rages on. Soldiers die fighting, are injured or are declared missing in action, civilians are injured and killed, families are separated, homes are destroyed, electricity and heat and water are cut off for hours or days or weeks, students attempt to learn by flashlight in basements during air alerts, and the list goes on and on. While, by God's grace, we do continue to live in safety here in the western part of Ukraine, we are not untouched by the effects of war and our prayers are continually for Ukraine's victory in the war to come soon.</span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiagsgnGLuKeJKpnSg0vb0Lz8jclOG2R5EUKkyk8QqL_YM-lxRHet6tLeEoolScV4o556F3IMBrKcpETo2OwQOwFqo1YiWsUaqNSSHe61ua2JDU-aLA9Je0-GS3_YysphuhcGe6aR8nWeYF1W8Z5lDdmproKZz-sjsqQfGchq74uOpEssIlre7Jeqg/s1280/IMG_9928.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="853" data-original-width="1280" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiagsgnGLuKeJKpnSg0vb0Lz8jclOG2R5EUKkyk8QqL_YM-lxRHet6tLeEoolScV4o556F3IMBrKcpETo2OwQOwFqo1YiWsUaqNSSHe61ua2JDU-aLA9Je0-GS3_YysphuhcGe6aR8nWeYF1W8Z5lDdmproKZz-sjsqQfGchq74uOpEssIlre7Jeqg/w400-h266/IMG_9928.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Collection of Russian missiles and rocket that have been launched at one of Ukraine's major cities</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD9Ae5Ew0J3B4EemysXFUd3mWodKVCQjxXoVN4EelN28tS5S8atZwdgqP9tbpfrsARkeAbbyfqFH502eXN3cCPylXZHlSBTK_Z8mnuPatEYPAscfPXIy-1fvx9ougOhuhYSXdHkjYDZODFhwVd40zJX2kgOvQT2GqU14Zkv4dz14e_PLR1Y8Z-jKg/s1280/IMG_9951.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="853" data-original-width="1280" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD9Ae5Ew0J3B4EemysXFUd3mWodKVCQjxXoVN4EelN28tS5S8atZwdgqP9tbpfrsARkeAbbyfqFH502eXN3cCPylXZHlSBTK_Z8mnuPatEYPAscfPXIy-1fvx9ougOhuhYSXdHkjYDZODFhwVd40zJX2kgOvQT2GqU14Zkv4dz14e_PLR1Y8Z-jKg/w400-h266/IMG_9951.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Children and adults suffer from the consequences of Russian shelling</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs-kkp-gzpqkOMFV2gtzMJqIIBtNvy4CB-sgrCy5DbRFuiMjO5XZwpQ3wzSmcTOlYj2fYxugajFtis0tBn9FaRteJ1l4Y8Vo46XVjvIbXSXRqQLxvVU9dDgJV1SSJx3aQZGKgtl5nWV-v8XLMe0Lt18PsIbSPI6FjcXBf-G-antTf1JxRpiyL6r1I/s640/IMG_9962.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs-kkp-gzpqkOMFV2gtzMJqIIBtNvy4CB-sgrCy5DbRFuiMjO5XZwpQ3wzSmcTOlYj2fYxugajFtis0tBn9FaRteJ1l4Y8Vo46XVjvIbXSXRqQLxvVU9dDgJV1SSJx3aQZGKgtl5nWV-v8XLMe0Lt18PsIbSPI6FjcXBf-G-antTf1JxRpiyL6r1I/w400-h300/IMG_9962.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">School continues by flashlight in basements when necessary </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFkBwEFhEHUqdZOZpJ3Dt9Cl_-3d3ZMe17UOHUoOyPOLLTWhHf0DpirshkTjy_sp-ZETx44u9lsTzpcGpH4nKZCejGoCSJnK5TNteWZoevcAKNWxmwMkplL9nh99eb7ld0_ZTT_ujczzRK4hGQzOcvPgnS31XPvt58PjxzinnL_wsZRzf2r8hJfnQ/s984/IMG_9963.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="736" data-original-width="984" height="299" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFkBwEFhEHUqdZOZpJ3Dt9Cl_-3d3ZMe17UOHUoOyPOLLTWhHf0DpirshkTjy_sp-ZETx44u9lsTzpcGpH4nKZCejGoCSJnK5TNteWZoevcAKNWxmwMkplL9nh99eb7ld0_ZTT_ujczzRK4hGQzOcvPgnS31XPvt58PjxzinnL_wsZRzf2r8hJfnQ/w400-h299/IMG_9963.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Destruction, massive destruction</td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Below is a picture of one of the power stations struck by a Russian missile on Saturday. One look at the devastation reveals why Ukrainians are living with power outages. Russia has been very intentional with targeting these stations. Our soldiers have successfully destroyed many of the Russian missiles that were launched, but some do get through and the destruction can have wide-reaching and long-lasting consequences. </span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4CZsRlmhCArGTlH-jt8Rbd5RdI4cuzGD2o0inFk1j6l-ePKnWWVLY5qq3sCRY7qce6pmsuhgiP2QVq0NRE5W_tt_zrw9p2YyYXHG1lSv0EkKzm38LGCK6AGejJ03XklHfK0LNZ59AV23f6Hc7HPBfdbJrAdk6FcLQry-OTh3wa1mu3O1zO0VosNQ/s1280/IMG_0081.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4CZsRlmhCArGTlH-jt8Rbd5RdI4cuzGD2o0inFk1j6l-ePKnWWVLY5qq3sCRY7qce6pmsuhgiP2QVq0NRE5W_tt_zrw9p2YyYXHG1lSv0EkKzm38LGCK6AGejJ03XklHfK0LNZ59AV23f6Hc7HPBfdbJrAdk6FcLQry-OTh3wa1mu3O1zO0VosNQ/w400-h300/IMG_0081.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Yesterday's missile strikes across Ukraine resulted in a major hit on a multi-story apartment building in the city of Dnipro. One entire section of apartments was destroyed with 30 people killed and another 75 injured (as of this moment). More than 30 people are still missing. Search and rescue efforts continue. Please take a moment to look closely at each of these pictures (below) and consider what Russia has brought with its invasion of Ukraine...nothing but death and destruction...</span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiulCU7a6K2FAxVGcbOcYvHI6JMi0N77AhrUtUWFCm6EClnOv3APd2wBs9hZP3daPunwUIvhOMofyaTiYzh9QDXGCYYgcMdjGcFc6lNSDp94IRYEYO15Q8inI8tgbupN3GnS4C8r4Mg0T12izv33aip-G2znMyKd98S364Bu2vxn0rc__GKAmzHLNg/s902/325724378_830658861332769_495572992225512943_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="508" data-original-width="902" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiulCU7a6K2FAxVGcbOcYvHI6JMi0N77AhrUtUWFCm6EClnOv3APd2wBs9hZP3daPunwUIvhOMofyaTiYzh9QDXGCYYgcMdjGcFc6lNSDp94IRYEYO15Q8inI8tgbupN3GnS4C8r4Mg0T12izv33aip-G2znMyKd98S364Bu2vxn0rc__GKAmzHLNg/w400-h225/325724378_830658861332769_495572992225512943_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aerial view of the damaged apartment building</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFA7LZWRYC5lOVYU5fArUtH39nymTjFU5Hvl9n2a09wn9e9S8R7X3yCD-tyJVswpOgaJ6dF0qoTPVHgFIDmV_87Hg8J2-C5OV8eQJDZAuqcQLQMdPNIEdj-m7mzdvHZoVNziFGeU9Pf6Lq3ILVzAEM3g2RUeQTohBC6vE16dhD2MwLjZ8emw3k3b4/s900/321368379_547216687453517_5358437791691487376_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="506" data-original-width="900" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFA7LZWRYC5lOVYU5fArUtH39nymTjFU5Hvl9n2a09wn9e9S8R7X3yCD-tyJVswpOgaJ6dF0qoTPVHgFIDmV_87Hg8J2-C5OV8eQJDZAuqcQLQMdPNIEdj-m7mzdvHZoVNziFGeU9Pf6Lq3ILVzAEM3g2RUeQTohBC6vE16dhD2MwLjZ8emw3k3b4/w400-h225/321368379_547216687453517_5358437791691487376_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The residents of this apartment may have even had lunch in this kitchen just hours before the strike</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8ztBcs1S1iM7tQi8nyb5YqjGGTgnAlwu6x-vbfGYya4zQYI56pAcFP3GsmVqgwMkgDhzyaKivpfZf_sem8E3aRXwMbmEfoj_ZIgkPQFk3Lb1B48P26YWnM9AJvMphTkA5p53Tsl7euBkJ0oc81-dxfIVihHGDe2ifDds7dteZGbKcemB0bob-D4A/s960/325409880_558686759617411_1274972480002128899_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="960" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8ztBcs1S1iM7tQi8nyb5YqjGGTgnAlwu6x-vbfGYya4zQYI56pAcFP3GsmVqgwMkgDhzyaKivpfZf_sem8E3aRXwMbmEfoj_ZIgkPQFk3Lb1B48P26YWnM9AJvMphTkA5p53Tsl7euBkJ0oc81-dxfIVihHGDe2ifDds7dteZGbKcemB0bob-D4A/w400-h266/325409880_558686759617411_1274972480002128899_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking closely at the center of this picture, you will see a red blanket covering a girl sitting in a destroyed apartment waiting for rescuers to reach her. </td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLuIZypUn3fsuXQtcdFveMIcu4AkoW65X8jQiZaFkrQWrzu4msDvDWODZisawb5HWuKk07Ay0gqFvqVvHDl7dFKOdNUDgCmSP1BWDOgp-uw9gSLh8T44BIPYdVww_gJFK8lLo-eDHjKdRGQR0oIwd6lqdwfNqzEMPXa3sJ452oe3gpIcHIQfNso0w/s1280/IMG_0080.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="720" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLuIZypUn3fsuXQtcdFveMIcu4AkoW65X8jQiZaFkrQWrzu4msDvDWODZisawb5HWuKk07Ay0gqFvqVvHDl7dFKOdNUDgCmSP1BWDOgp-uw9gSLh8T44BIPYdVww_gJFK8lLo-eDHjKdRGQR0oIwd6lqdwfNqzEMPXa3sJ452oe3gpIcHIQfNso0w/w225-h400/IMG_0080.JPG" width="225" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stranded residents used flashlights to alert rescuers of their location</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFlE2nCvhNunnaqNdg231gV6WcYXm-kriy7JStWOI15OAvi3f19Q5MOmZB9Z3MD-pRCQYTj2_u0oHlJmLigtBe6q31zdrKXwukHlItIFVi62ahXSSdvJtSs2zvYOgffYgWmYryuQHVF6j6-UGXQqJmvFQJvCL53_qcMyeCHcKzgKub0a2vWTNvPqE/s1280/IMG_0079.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFlE2nCvhNunnaqNdg231gV6WcYXm-kriy7JStWOI15OAvi3f19Q5MOmZB9Z3MD-pRCQYTj2_u0oHlJmLigtBe6q31zdrKXwukHlItIFVi62ahXSSdvJtSs2zvYOgffYgWmYryuQHVF6j6-UGXQqJmvFQJvCL53_qcMyeCHcKzgKub0a2vWTNvPqE/w400-h225/IMG_0079.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cranes were used to rescue residents</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVgVxViNlAP6OocO5Qqrhpp_C9AJcHox56jkwdBrl3383Y-51GL5HxOeaxFTm9yBRcl81RARbD7dSX7ApooDxGsTzqTPR0fy5PwUSGRc3OVfk-p4imZpVjobEO2a5IAVGHaILfAN8yEEUGQwufSk9Nf30tHHcgJQfRKL0OozhKvjoJp_uAe1BVaPk/s1280/IMG_0082.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="853" data-original-width="1280" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVgVxViNlAP6OocO5Qqrhpp_C9AJcHox56jkwdBrl3383Y-51GL5HxOeaxFTm9yBRcl81RARbD7dSX7ApooDxGsTzqTPR0fy5PwUSGRc3OVfk-p4imZpVjobEO2a5IAVGHaILfAN8yEEUGQwufSk9Nf30tHHcgJQfRKL0OozhKvjoJp_uAe1BVaPk/w400-h266/IMG_0082.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rescue and recovery is still taking place amidst the rubble</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Our work at Agape continues even as these devastating events occur across Ukraine. Here is a portion of the story of one patient who recently spent a month at Agape. </span><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS06zj2zys4997NSbMGQDNVldA1faXsIZf78i_SGaQmC5itnzQi4yje6kFmkhfB2ocyiu8Z_gQcx1Uu1CI8geLuNoc5ghhGy_mD3OFLe89FcearvUY8XPXYpFDcDIAFueN31aBgXf99Q7U2KDy-AVgCQl_GaLdenf7X-WIf6go0xAUtAUD6AnprLQ/s1162/Screenshot%202023-01-15%20at%2017.50.18.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1162" data-original-width="802" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS06zj2zys4997NSbMGQDNVldA1faXsIZf78i_SGaQmC5itnzQi4yje6kFmkhfB2ocyiu8Z_gQcx1Uu1CI8geLuNoc5ghhGy_mD3OFLe89FcearvUY8XPXYpFDcDIAFueN31aBgXf99Q7U2KDy-AVgCQl_GaLdenf7X-WIf6go0xAUtAUD6AnprLQ/w276-h400/Screenshot%202023-01-15%20at%2017.50.18.png" width="276" /></a></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;">Oleksandr and his wife were injured during the summer in an explosion in the city of Bakhmut. As you can see, his injuries resulted in a double amputation as well as hearing and memory loss. His wife has spent the past 5 months in the hospital due to her injuries and is still awaiting a hip replacement before she can begin rehabilitation. His daughter's home was destroyed and she now lives with her small children in a preschool in a city nearby Lutsk. Oleksandr's son died in a car accident 2 weeks before the Russian invasion and his daughter-in-law has also had to flee her home with their small child. This family has been traumatized in countless ways by this war and they represent thousands of families suffering at the hands of the Russians. Please pray for Oleksandr, his family, and the many other families who have lost their homes and been injured and displaced by this war. <br /> </span></span><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">At Agape, we seek to provide professional, individualized rehabilitation to each person who comes to our facility. Along side that, we seek opportunities to speak with them about the love of God and their need for a Savior. God graciously gives us those opportunities both one-on-one during our sessions and in larger settings such as morning devotionals. Please pray we will be faithful to seize these opportunities to point people to the One True Hope. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgavgw6nWt-AmcouJcY_Hp7iYGAaAHZW-dADYMvQLO9prQ0TCWURd-JG0sZG38NB_neZFeMv99XxJBMkX4qU8qzaCAEoUIEQjXbPES_FNtfxus31JlcPjuzdeXHfpAoJ412rfRQXYdVRGGIdbhImS13dd9-av6b4uGWb0FQwstG4g0uLWudgjFffTk/s980/Screenshot%202023-01-15%20at%2017.46.57.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="980" data-original-width="902" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgavgw6nWt-AmcouJcY_Hp7iYGAaAHZW-dADYMvQLO9prQ0TCWURd-JG0sZG38NB_neZFeMv99XxJBMkX4qU8qzaCAEoUIEQjXbPES_FNtfxus31JlcPjuzdeXHfpAoJ412rfRQXYdVRGGIdbhImS13dd9-av6b4uGWb0FQwstG4g0uLWudgjFffTk/w369-h400/Screenshot%202023-01-15%20at%2017.46.57.png" width="369" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A little fun during a PT treatment session</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghncrzcsZ0f9efGhm899cX5QjJsp2lfhcJMoR0o-4NNR7ClBBz8JqPpbeHNrmOER787Onqd_Z5g8TZI5a6homRvmGwEHD1uPDVQgYfEJwRFugXgjtw0uJqfPco8cG9o-3jEYmYMC9J7bYTiyaVqKTkEDY2wyBi7STJIsRfSVuS5eWIw8XrTy11DCs/s1298/Screenshot%202023-01-15%20at%2017.51.01.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1298" data-original-width="700" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghncrzcsZ0f9efGhm899cX5QjJsp2lfhcJMoR0o-4NNR7ClBBz8JqPpbeHNrmOER787Onqd_Z5g8TZI5a6homRvmGwEHD1uPDVQgYfEJwRFugXgjtw0uJqfPco8cG9o-3jEYmYMC9J7bYTiyaVqKTkEDY2wyBi7STJIsRfSVuS5eWIw8XrTy11DCs/w216-h400/Screenshot%202023-01-15%20at%2017.51.01.png" width="216" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A wounded soldier working on walking again<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP-9Qs-pWIBVbLyUdND_TGABNacIQAmg5YqZn9wq5-wi184eib3z40fvqShTploSvtoLjBjVAMBMhVoi-KlclfdrjjWDN2NmyT8JHmnNelyJ4bKNOa2763WKaSEB7kF1LFeGg5ESioTIsQwRJewFN3dCI3YfaOMOiHk2cvZIPio9FJF-ZXytqV_Pk/s4032/IMG_0075.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP-9Qs-pWIBVbLyUdND_TGABNacIQAmg5YqZn9wq5-wi184eib3z40fvqShTploSvtoLjBjVAMBMhVoi-KlclfdrjjWDN2NmyT8JHmnNelyJ4bKNOa2763WKaSEB7kF1LFeGg5ESioTIsQwRJewFN3dCI3YfaOMOiHk2cvZIPio9FJF-ZXytqV_Pk/w400-h300/IMG_0075.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An outing with my patient to a nearby bakery during our recent treatment session</td></tr></tbody></table></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">A small team from Agape was able to make two trips over the past month to the de-occupied region of Kherson, delivering presents for children, medical supplies, and food to people in need. The people in the regions they visited constantly live without heat and electricity and state that they are surviving only because of the work of volunteers. Agape would like to partner with Fimiam Church to continue making these trips as the need truly is great. Please join us in praying for the necessary finances and supplies for these trips and the wisdom to know when and where to go. Below are a few pictures from the recent trips. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNr2Ym9W8yqMSklAX3nJ9xiDCcduHI9-X58UOI-DHSBf_z_hGccjlffJ9BvdMbmtg6PBDLXm-E3TqjcBfToYc8UbnavR05v5f85QjLnk_QSAQyUs9I_z9Nq0lcKTvTjkI1A_YKiK6Xmsr8CmLOjUMaGLgjjc--Wl0GQ7dAdNsKbwXzmFCKtR7KSLE/s1280/321491137_3392326624355767_2455932346862011657_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNr2Ym9W8yqMSklAX3nJ9xiDCcduHI9-X58UOI-DHSBf_z_hGccjlffJ9BvdMbmtg6PBDLXm-E3TqjcBfToYc8UbnavR05v5f85QjLnk_QSAQyUs9I_z9Nq0lcKTvTjkI1A_YKiK6Xmsr8CmLOjUMaGLgjjc--Wl0GQ7dAdNsKbwXzmFCKtR7KSLE/w400-h300/321491137_3392326624355767_2455932346862011657_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKvVIViQBjI-7tjKRDx4stdTuTq1XBGsIJbYbKNyoUYVIIvKvpFtgHwJChtVVyUqZohTbpev3N4dAhAHvIF6UvP426V3P-Qz0WFle9aJPvPaloO7726hGgL-VDYM3vP0V_G9sJj2AiaOuEwHN_n3rpFjaojajO_F5lxcK2D-IvsrmaRq48C9pGaIM/s1280/321633594_1403639033722741_5631196406322409295_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="576" data-original-width="1280" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKvVIViQBjI-7tjKRDx4stdTuTq1XBGsIJbYbKNyoUYVIIvKvpFtgHwJChtVVyUqZohTbpev3N4dAhAHvIF6UvP426V3P-Qz0WFle9aJPvPaloO7726hGgL-VDYM3vP0V_G9sJj2AiaOuEwHN_n3rpFjaojajO_F5lxcK2D-IvsrmaRq48C9pGaIM/w400-h180/321633594_1403639033722741_5631196406322409295_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSU7GKN6GVWgXZJ6-THC1NuUzbIe8sUT8CgpOlpKPwzZ-YAJ9Iz4PJS4AmuXDy5S5AkQFwRTzmgp-_0H1z9yywkRvDp1i3UahTnSdbAY2fsrhOlkj_R5Fp2tcUyo6S2KzMsJJvaoQDhCi2i6VEx1I7pyn6fjvQKbDWiyKWDtx6m8o3_OXaKXbw55M/s1002/321727004_913231783420649_5901368862797879148_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1002" data-original-width="576" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSU7GKN6GVWgXZJ6-THC1NuUzbIe8sUT8CgpOlpKPwzZ-YAJ9Iz4PJS4AmuXDy5S5AkQFwRTzmgp-_0H1z9yywkRvDp1i3UahTnSdbAY2fsrhOlkj_R5Fp2tcUyo6S2KzMsJJvaoQDhCi2i6VEx1I7pyn6fjvQKbDWiyKWDtx6m8o3_OXaKXbw55M/w230-h400/321727004_913231783420649_5901368862797879148_n.jpg" width="230" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuWw8YScSK92XStIWWSGoIzACxzzhK8O23yUa--4wlVI-s8N9M0H0e8U3vB4bM4XpYB31dZbdyfBRg1yXcu17xCVF5bKTn1C5HczSiuH_m3R0zoC7HIx_kb0CkZ1PA4m3UBmSePLGWC9WGRsT-GmpDJzmdkrqa5_Sn2w-8nLPJyCv0lFrfoLV2aaQ/s721/324931229_3658308597750487_5353599572784540835_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="721" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuWw8YScSK92XStIWWSGoIzACxzzhK8O23yUa--4wlVI-s8N9M0H0e8U3vB4bM4XpYB31dZbdyfBRg1yXcu17xCVF5bKTn1C5HczSiuH_m3R0zoC7HIx_kb0CkZ1PA4m3UBmSePLGWC9WGRsT-GmpDJzmdkrqa5_Sn2w-8nLPJyCv0lFrfoLV2aaQ/s320/324931229_3658308597750487_5353599572784540835_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Christmas was officially celebrated only on December 25 by many, if not most, Ukrainians this year. The previously celebrated date of January 7 has connections with the Soviet Union era and is no longer recognized by many Ukrainians. My home group came over after church for food, fellowship and fun together. It was a blessed day! </span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig4h4mAwGiTdkeZ716Al99Lp6H9XttmJDdvLRt2RBGioNjUJmlo6tnZWhpEdiGR0fhV-yWhlZZ2Rr6-MATwxGgwJ94Jw1CxCqVmt7G2piLbCWpURJiCDq2LWkB5dGvrsN5v9x_C_oHhJRPAxb4VAHsgOQ2JatWGlCqybwYUGA-dhTszZsZuZgDt08/s3088/IMG_0018.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3088" data-original-width="2316" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig4h4mAwGiTdkeZ716Al99Lp6H9XttmJDdvLRt2RBGioNjUJmlo6tnZWhpEdiGR0fhV-yWhlZZ2Rr6-MATwxGgwJ94Jw1CxCqVmt7G2piLbCWpURJiCDq2LWkB5dGvrsN5v9x_C_oHhJRPAxb4VAHsgOQ2JatWGlCqybwYUGA-dhTszZsZuZgDt08/w300-h400/IMG_0018.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0eHtmDliMh3uHZr2enFtKqJzbotI8eJrPIpHxPkzpQqa-Clx_K1bSYWnscgPqB9280cbJMkoZykYOV3pEuSySl_UwHK04-lhcgi4CbxjfTfpKrzL1msBv5P-42eKWKf_xKQIl0d0R0pF9eZ-nM7KrUe5oR6IlxUJmaDQYLjXpjgIISenWK0DtGzo/s1280/IMG_9977.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0eHtmDliMh3uHZr2enFtKqJzbotI8eJrPIpHxPkzpQqa-Clx_K1bSYWnscgPqB9280cbJMkoZykYOV3pEuSySl_UwHK04-lhcgi4CbxjfTfpKrzL1msBv5P-42eKWKf_xKQIl0d0R0pF9eZ-nM7KrUe5oR6IlxUJmaDQYLjXpjgIISenWK0DtGzo/w400-h300/IMG_9977.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">I got to spend the three days after Christmas in the village with friends, mostly playing games and relaxing!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSJvU9SPUUoPP5QIonm_Syfis63Q7NKuKdabAjapd_fL0yVRZhfwANqZ4prMfYquHUSZwYZe8zNhJJ9_uoTaxhvJCvizzIa_qPZ8txqnNOsrBeOicZdV4j1Wak0STkNmBTFkZUg8x3WokRtFI6nek1TEF-ItJr6G_DBpW4f7WUjweLMvBsvLpOXeQ/s4032/IMG_0038.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSJvU9SPUUoPP5QIonm_Syfis63Q7NKuKdabAjapd_fL0yVRZhfwANqZ4prMfYquHUSZwYZe8zNhJJ9_uoTaxhvJCvizzIa_qPZ8txqnNOsrBeOicZdV4j1Wak0STkNmBTFkZUg8x3WokRtFI6nek1TEF-ItJr6G_DBpW4f7WUjweLMvBsvLpOXeQ/w400-h300/IMG_0038.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">And last week we hosted our team of therapists for our annual Christmas party. Even Vadim was in Ukraine at the time and able to come (he and his family are currently living and working in Poland). Katya also got to come as she has returned to Ukraine from the Netherlands and will begin working again at Agape in a couple of weeks! So thankful for time spent with these dear friends who are now family!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3wJFouhKp7tTRYDzkLq57luxWCC_WvhG_ITJU4AZ_5-7Pa2rFiXJHNvQDbpnz0DXUYc9ZZGobdbDFdQ74-MSAoWJXFv2doKw-WAdeCYc2IsjBtnoOKqYWVLvyTiRh8l7rLMVVmZEn0y_p7ZmkjQ5mmusfgkoPJTdyi6bgtByHscjbgBhZJdDvwNE/s4032/IMG_0067.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3wJFouhKp7tTRYDzkLq57luxWCC_WvhG_ITJU4AZ_5-7Pa2rFiXJHNvQDbpnz0DXUYc9ZZGobdbDFdQ74-MSAoWJXFv2doKw-WAdeCYc2IsjBtnoOKqYWVLvyTiRh8l7rLMVVmZEn0y_p7ZmkjQ5mmusfgkoPJTdyi6bgtByHscjbgBhZJdDvwNE/w400-h300/IMG_0067.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We tried to reenact last year's picture but we are still missing three people</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Please also join us in praying for Zhanna, our head chef at Agape. Her son was serving in the army on the front lines and has been declared missing. Several members of his team say he was killed but no body has been recovered so that is not official. Please pray for Zhanna is this obviously difficult time of waiting, that God would be her refuge and strength!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;">I trust and pray you all had a blessed holiday season and that the coming year will be filled with God's blessings in your lives. Thank you to all who pray for us and support us. If you would like to donate to the needs of Agape, please visit</span> </span><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: medium;">agapeukraine.com/en and click "Donate."</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFIel7DjqVJrnikxlVh-nH4rsVh3EbchXpMOdNyUUn-zWoyL5JVkO40eQzKGygkem_NcsWGNLLe4s4VcVbrM0AUX17bbeB357-D25Gyteh_izECKYPV-JX76Undz2yBVFBZ_qCaSgf67wgqUZ2K1XGCZp3yZJnpa0WGVX0ZNhCKsvy6ipecUk9Qtc/s4032/IMG_9972.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFIel7DjqVJrnikxlVh-nH4rsVh3EbchXpMOdNyUUn-zWoyL5JVkO40eQzKGygkem_NcsWGNLLe4s4VcVbrM0AUX17bbeB357-D25Gyteh_izECKYPV-JX76Undz2yBVFBZ_qCaSgf67wgqUZ2K1XGCZp3yZJnpa0WGVX0ZNhCKsvy6ipecUk9Qtc/w400-h300/IMG_9972.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div></span></div>Carriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01004999497733503209noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7774391233259808025.post-71095425498641138682022-11-27T08:34:00.001-08:002022-11-27T08:34:04.221-08:00Left Home, Went Home, and Came Back Home<p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">It has been quite some time since my last update and, of course, very much has happened in that time! At the end of September, I left my Ukrainian home to return to my US home for 4 blessed weeks with family, friends, supporters, and new acquaintances. I was thankful to get to see so many of you and to share what is going on in Ukraine and at Agape. Thank you to the many who took time to get with me and for your concern and prayers for myself, Agape and all of Ukraine. Although my time in the US was not long, it was very blessed and I am grateful to have had the opportunity to make the trip. </span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXVETbpkxyRIm5pQ7_WGjQ91_R-GjovWOpKR6z4T4LE1EN85bYNL8KngOgb_OIRWYBTl572uhS7gYX3DN_jRs5yr8CvZv5r1lVsOaBrhy-57bNCbMGm1K_WViW36oIQr8C0qdLhuICGmeIBDF95-rt9PpUuSET4W9GgT3YE4lY8GJoz0J8Zl8bsqk/s2953/IMG_9717.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2751" data-original-width="2953" height="373" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXVETbpkxyRIm5pQ7_WGjQ91_R-GjovWOpKR6z4T4LE1EN85bYNL8KngOgb_OIRWYBTl572uhS7gYX3DN_jRs5yr8CvZv5r1lVsOaBrhy-57bNCbMGm1K_WViW36oIQr8C0qdLhuICGmeIBDF95-rt9PpUuSET4W9GgT3YE4lY8GJoz0J8Zl8bsqk/w400-h373/IMG_9717.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxIHkzzb9lK8YpErnh5KmSAnhSfgwqIzvzpU-v0D3zv8ItAR-yK7TqcVdCtHkSiXSnT0A5rsdzq4Kv56PjVCoh0IbrJ0EidFiDQaunM3im_4M4FkOfOII-48WnWb8vHFipIPnBVpL9-fpCKhq0yVEW_J5i9cE08RmWhUChGS9ILjVRWZMEnGgwG_c/s4032/IMG_0842.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxIHkzzb9lK8YpErnh5KmSAnhSfgwqIzvzpU-v0D3zv8ItAR-yK7TqcVdCtHkSiXSnT0A5rsdzq4Kv56PjVCoh0IbrJ0EidFiDQaunM3im_4M4FkOfOII-48WnWb8vHFipIPnBVpL9-fpCKhq0yVEW_J5i9cE08RmWhUChGS9ILjVRWZMEnGgwG_c/w400-h300/IMG_0842.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPaQGcOmJDChKSytOpEkqOOXxC84e7f8BRVQMWpf4fDFOv_yUOtHHSOPk1zLOOm4s1GitLOs3Bry7bCATHsf6IWVgBSjqkyXbyiIKoXByMH-3oSx0--L_uCba4g2szhvvGQQDduBlAqwcfFQDVdA2rKKrphB_xExo8YuvFJTHgqUYR0HY32i1j-TE/s4032/IMG_9829.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPaQGcOmJDChKSytOpEkqOOXxC84e7f8BRVQMWpf4fDFOv_yUOtHHSOPk1zLOOm4s1GitLOs3Bry7bCATHsf6IWVgBSjqkyXbyiIKoXByMH-3oSx0--L_uCba4g2szhvvGQQDduBlAqwcfFQDVdA2rKKrphB_xExo8YuvFJTHgqUYR0HY32i1j-TE/w400-h300/IMG_9829.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p>
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<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Several of you collected and donated scrubs for Agape employees. We actually received so many that I haven’t yet been able to get them all to Ukraine. Many, however, are here already and all of us at Agape are grateful for your generosity! That said, if anyone has men’s scrubs you would like to donate, please contact me as we continue to have a shortage. </span></p>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2UACfPxyR3_vWz3-IgsbnGnCqlsX86isanSDZRKFWQlpDetGobOGtYlHxZqtaEy_q6_nlXdcj7HDOGCsXSbrDdhnIsdPg_aw2hMtqkV1neKRdbYxcC45zOO7glqlG1Nutsy2ZyUjSGSsX4T8grRmveiE6rdZAe2rUocK2UiYoZTTz4LSiOxCodnI/s4032/IMG_9871.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2UACfPxyR3_vWz3-IgsbnGnCqlsX86isanSDZRKFWQlpDetGobOGtYlHxZqtaEy_q6_nlXdcj7HDOGCsXSbrDdhnIsdPg_aw2hMtqkV1neKRdbYxcC45zOO7glqlG1Nutsy2ZyUjSGSsX4T8grRmveiE6rdZAe2rUocK2UiYoZTTz4LSiOxCodnI/w300-h400/IMG_9871.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">My return to Lutsk near the end of October was not a day too soon. We immediately had a series of situations that required me to substitute for therapists on our team one after another for about 2 weeks. As always, God’s timing is perfect! </span></p>
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<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Several of our therapists continue to reside in Europe due to the war, so the number of patients at Agape is still limited to 11-12, but we have no shortage of people seeking our services. We continue to receive average citizens, soldiers wounded in combat, and we currently have our first civilian wounded during an attack on his city. In many ways, we are operating as normal at Agape. Rehab continues, birthdays and holidays are celebrated, and we even sometimes gather for after work activities. </span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6rxNqH2oY7uIUFzCPAectAHp89vCWHKA9SXjsMEhYBY7wfaRil0izO6GIgKgQYtyBHm9i7KleoVsfEMI8DpBkdq4xSMfX0OHUuLA5C0IOCPXpZsmiV4mxhODx9to5iX8828d_E3LjdX_jyqbNo2P-zGxUIVwjeLhRS0TSrFWAt4Tr5QNNnuo57lw/s3913/IMG_3777.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2828" data-original-width="3913" height="289" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6rxNqH2oY7uIUFzCPAectAHp89vCWHKA9SXjsMEhYBY7wfaRil0izO6GIgKgQYtyBHm9i7KleoVsfEMI8DpBkdq4xSMfX0OHUuLA5C0IOCPXpZsmiV4mxhODx9to5iX8828d_E3LjdX_jyqbNo2P-zGxUIVwjeLhRS0TSrFWAt4Tr5QNNnuo57lw/w400-h289/IMG_3777.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0AId57yYbmERXMvJtOHtWyC0uRQsTkcCyzia-VBTPoxm2Coh7M5xwp0kxiNB9_o-EOLDKseH6ZDGWeb1BLw-u13is3w_xuRltaUPAOOrQ-spDLjcMzM9xtkC6WW5-rCrCB0ZDRabGTY3Ol9ANEJFJwDAT6F2eB4RUqq6r9-bV6ISil6JnfHEQZl4/s4032/IMG_9879.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0AId57yYbmERXMvJtOHtWyC0uRQsTkcCyzia-VBTPoxm2Coh7M5xwp0kxiNB9_o-EOLDKseH6ZDGWeb1BLw-u13is3w_xuRltaUPAOOrQ-spDLjcMzM9xtkC6WW5-rCrCB0ZDRabGTY3Ol9ANEJFJwDAT6F2eB4RUqq6r9-bV6ISil6JnfHEQZl4/w300-h400/IMG_9879.jpeg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Katya, a dear friend and fellow PT, is the leader for group of people with disabilities that evacuated to Holland. Thankful she got to make a brief visit to Lutsk this fall, but really looking forward to the permanent return home of all who had leave Ukraine due to this war. </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBlnfljDkHlqQHis3Ji8EiemO5WUuPjD7TClL4kYkx5KMIixrqVZlbXTaySZOT_-BnQgLS_26XbMwBbK1a9TmWLmvEEuxxdH4RUex_iUVLKVyk4N1UXZ0qJdegMIv2tfd0GZIFTUFT3RyK07830Hj27x-ipnb0dGbsLFw0MXOPC3gwicBydkcT8jQ/s1600/IMG_9906.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="901" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBlnfljDkHlqQHis3Ji8EiemO5WUuPjD7TClL4kYkx5KMIixrqVZlbXTaySZOT_-BnQgLS_26XbMwBbK1a9TmWLmvEEuxxdH4RUex_iUVLKVyk4N1UXZ0qJdegMIv2tfd0GZIFTUFT3RyK07830Hj27x-ipnb0dGbsLFw0MXOPC3gwicBydkcT8jQ/w400-h225/IMG_9906.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Agape residents and employees celebrated Thanksgiving. </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">In light of the ongoing war, however, there are also notable differences and nuances that have become part of a new “normal” for us. </span></p>
<ul>
<li style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"></span>Signs now hang in the hallways of Agape to direct people to the designated “bomb shelter” locations in our building. </span></li>
<li style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"></span>Electricity goes out frequently. Thankfully, several years ago Agape purchased a powerful generator that can operate everything at Agape, including the elevator. So in a power outage, the guys only need a few minutes to get Agape back up and running. God is good! We are also hoping to be able to assist others in our village soon by designating a newly constructed room at Agape that has direct outdoor access as a place our neighbors can come to warm up, drink tea, charge devices, and use the internet when our village is without power. </span></li>
<li style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"></span>Three rooms at Agape are occupied by refugees who will remain with us for the winter. Among them are three ladies with disabilities and a mom (Irina) and her adult son who has a disability. They have now become familiar to us all and even pitch in around Agape wherever they are able. For example, I walked into the kitchen this week to find my former patient, Natalia, peeling potatoes. And Irina has taken on the responsibility of doing any needed sewing and also cleaning the rehab gym daily, which is no small task! </span></li>
<li style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"></span>Construction is moving forward on the Resource Center. This 3-story building will include an underground bomb shelter, a ground-level storage area for large equipment such as electric wheelchairs, and an upper floor for storage of smaller items such as nonperishable foods, hygiene and personal care supplies, etc. This a large and expensive undertaking, but it became apparent that it was necessary to construct this building even in the middle of a war.</span></li></ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1wyMC451-3rHb_bmUgyybMq7m5DgYwLkUyVVL68WkfP6IxwjE8uku6NJvJBLGX7YEWOK7igr0WeYIvx0HkjpzkJ9G2fM6UPWHA-FRefUJmpoNyjKjZkXaqtx2GUNp1u_Qt_jW43iHxopa6P18FIW2tvxRN_3hhg8BmOSQSdnl1W-HVo3VA2ogoUk/s749/IMG_9901.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="426" data-original-width="749" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1wyMC451-3rHb_bmUgyybMq7m5DgYwLkUyVVL68WkfP6IxwjE8uku6NJvJBLGX7YEWOK7igr0WeYIvx0HkjpzkJ9G2fM6UPWHA-FRefUJmpoNyjKjZkXaqtx2GUNp1u_Qt_jW43iHxopa6P18FIW2tvxRN_3hhg8BmOSQSdnl1W-HVo3VA2ogoUk/w400-h228/IMG_9901.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">So what is going on in our personal lives and the lives of Ukrainians? If you have been keeping up with the news, you know that Russia has been targeting Ukrainian energy infrastructure for some time now. Even as I write this (on Wednesday evening, November 22), I am working by candlelight and staying warm thanks to a fire in the wood stove. </span></p>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYtXdVyINiynUwUoPYVz9tF2fcqYeq7JNd3W-0vBMeMAzn4VzwJjHBwE3nVTL3VeHcwh3BvT3YtXCoEfngUXGdLniUqXjgaR_NnUtpAyC8XCZHOV2gpvfMTszSFlypqO1YPEiut7SdSp1zBjGNXvW42oh7SkFMzZLQT5tbVhGRsj9qBQel_2vqM_M/s4032/IMG_9902.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYtXdVyINiynUwUoPYVz9tF2fcqYeq7JNd3W-0vBMeMAzn4VzwJjHBwE3nVTL3VeHcwh3BvT3YtXCoEfngUXGdLniUqXjgaR_NnUtpAyC8XCZHOV2gpvfMTszSFlypqO1YPEiut7SdSp1zBjGNXvW42oh7SkFMzZLQT5tbVhGRsj9qBQel_2vqM_M/w300-h400/IMG_9902.HEIC" width="300" /></a></div><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">We, like everyone else, have stocked up on candles, batteries, water, and firewood. Agape was blessed with funds to provide firewood for 15 families and we were among the recipients. On Friday, men from Agape stacked it up nicely for us and also for another Agape family, finishing just in time for snow! </span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiukA8JW3CfAxx3XEN_SonBRTr9TpypubpVpBuaAUtyeahRjeGdw_guxIqRS6wuG0MB2jGJxLsuZfeS5Hq0dQG0jzkHGDr_Vhk5zEAzvG9ONwc0rC4-x9WZ2ZmAbwY6NNe4ngHGi7sr1qSgTi-3g50Dx9Z5wuewTIeZuaAMUH5sjsV10xyrL-gk4QM/s1600/0-02-05-66fe5a79af17c88e9c5d0c4f6106497020e9ae64ac0b6f84caa82d37cd991bb4_1c6db0d222f168.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="901" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiukA8JW3CfAxx3XEN_SonBRTr9TpypubpVpBuaAUtyeahRjeGdw_guxIqRS6wuG0MB2jGJxLsuZfeS5Hq0dQG0jzkHGDr_Vhk5zEAzvG9ONwc0rC4-x9WZ2ZmAbwY6NNe4ngHGi7sr1qSgTi-3g50Dx9Z5wuewTIeZuaAMUH5sjsV10xyrL-gk4QM/w400-h225/0-02-05-66fe5a79af17c88e9c5d0c4f6106497020e9ae64ac0b6f84caa82d37cd991bb4_1c6db0d222f168.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJK5TZDAS35PMu-HWXOMhfht5N9kcR-doGi_SPQ1s36KBvczcK7eOnosjBWPTVwXR4tvYaZ3jDoID4Fo1YBYDUO4rEocdfwgbq8B1kM-qNQRi9jfiQLXYvxeg3OloaBd0kZrd5U2wqOAbm9nTGTwIjCUNu1slf_PZdxrSY7ndFf2NypT4iDePNkFg/s1600/0-02-05-dee9398dee1c0337fe76355d0dc2df493129118c93e96d44c5f506f3014d1441_1c6db0d23846ad.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJK5TZDAS35PMu-HWXOMhfht5N9kcR-doGi_SPQ1s36KBvczcK7eOnosjBWPTVwXR4tvYaZ3jDoID4Fo1YBYDUO4rEocdfwgbq8B1kM-qNQRi9jfiQLXYvxeg3OloaBd0kZrd5U2wqOAbm9nTGTwIjCUNu1slf_PZdxrSY7ndFf2NypT4iDePNkFg/w400-h300/0-02-05-dee9398dee1c0337fe76355d0dc2df493129118c93e96d44c5f506f3014d1441_1c6db0d23846ad.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjin3NDPH1jw0iIXr3U2vnNRjOwRPpIKVvzxVSzeKs5M2yu4iYmamj_me94a_xS7n6_Cx0AbvRHKcw0ueWv09aF46cJ5OzvmSbiCApk8Y1eUHtu-wRIFxXb-n5-uygQ8lJmpyJWTZ1dYbHwF81x6vItbBfHKcrpMoPsohH21no9QTVyb-e8ZUwL9FI/s1600/0-02-05-5ec2231648c2b353efbd34660d529471cfc2e8074e2f91edad6d5358829b178b_1c6db0d222f8b4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjin3NDPH1jw0iIXr3U2vnNRjOwRPpIKVvzxVSzeKs5M2yu4iYmamj_me94a_xS7n6_Cx0AbvRHKcw0ueWv09aF46cJ5OzvmSbiCApk8Y1eUHtu-wRIFxXb-n5-uygQ8lJmpyJWTZ1dYbHwF81x6vItbBfHKcrpMoPsohH21no9QTVyb-e8ZUwL9FI/w400-h300/0-02-05-5ec2231648c2b353efbd34660d529471cfc2e8074e2f91edad6d5358829b178b_1c6db0d222f8b4.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMhqFysbifCtMiumNrnctxwYcVmvmmhvPGWLG9kSj6-TXIus-0x6o-sLCEl3GmVvWUFAA6D40HB8wspb9KPeTmmHJmp1dhILvfcULzbUdLM48soC8yQorwCtk1HTfvYT-ie5SFO_GFaHHFV0WvPP566AcBRsAN_NuJqS5cnlnJbONWgzRxxyeptHA/s4032/IMG_9910.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMhqFysbifCtMiumNrnctxwYcVmvmmhvPGWLG9kSj6-TXIus-0x6o-sLCEl3GmVvWUFAA6D40HB8wspb9KPeTmmHJmp1dhILvfcULzbUdLM48soC8yQorwCtk1HTfvYT-ie5SFO_GFaHHFV0WvPP566AcBRsAN_NuJqS5cnlnJbONWgzRxxyeptHA/w400-h300/IMG_9910.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Wednesday evening's power outage left basically all of Ukraine in a blackout and was the result of missile strikes across the country in the afternoon. </span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">It is difficult to describe the feeling of walking in our neighborhood or driving through the middle of the city and being surrounded by total or near total blackness. </span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Our electricity was off for a solid 24 hours, but others experienced even longer outages. At our house, electricity is required for everything...light, water, and heating. The wood stove, however, provides us the opportunity to warm ourselves and food. We are also blessed to live near Agape and therefore have access to water, electricity, showers, and Wi-Fi for communication when needed. We know many other Ukrainians are not as blessed as us. </span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> </span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgniNtn8ugIQwyN8sgpvJ7YqlbafbRPZkWZuTG0zsLFtD3R3ZqjZ8feIX5pLFGhmhBhGiuqvSIO8e0QNdr8EWWFkTEFeH-i95JnxxNCm6PuC0Y9oOhnqyHNSkIytdi0sdWEEGiiksFJ5jTr6VUA3IRqOGl5CqiMU7wF9kPJH1itafVJ3HPpiwJfl6I/s1024/IMG_9898.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgniNtn8ugIQwyN8sgpvJ7YqlbafbRPZkWZuTG0zsLFtD3R3ZqjZ8feIX5pLFGhmhBhGiuqvSIO8e0QNdr8EWWFkTEFeH-i95JnxxNCm6PuC0Y9oOhnqyHNSkIytdi0sdWEEGiiksFJ5jTr6VUA3IRqOGl5CqiMU7wF9kPJH1itafVJ3HPpiwJfl6I/w400-h300/IMG_9898.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW6XA2ho_lK-qRyxYT-QTiOCvHrG3QSc9qxKur1Y16opE3r4bki3VbOO1zBki9SzHhG9-8HwhqWTtTypYr4xgcrt0Mo1Rfqjj-4tvo7a3fL48GjtTq65LKj1RZHwn5otum-VuoE6DgbXDmKE6DlwCeW3I8y_HDUSp7WxI1O5Dp1w8_Zg8bJReCIRQ/s1280/IMG_9905.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW6XA2ho_lK-qRyxYT-QTiOCvHrG3QSc9qxKur1Y16opE3r4bki3VbOO1zBki9SzHhG9-8HwhqWTtTypYr4xgcrt0Mo1Rfqjj-4tvo7a3fL48GjtTq65LKj1RZHwn5otum-VuoE6DgbXDmKE6DlwCeW3I8y_HDUSp7WxI1O5Dp1w8_Zg8bJReCIRQ/w400-h225/IMG_9905.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Despite the current challenges each person in Ukraine faces to one extent or another these days, the spirit of the people is not shaken. In fact, Ukrainians appear more defiant than ever, certain that Russia cannot and will not win. The will of the people is to stand strong, even in darkness and cold. A quote by Ukrainian President Zelensky a few months ago has been appearing in various forms on social media in recent weeks and goes something like this: </span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><span> </span>Without gas or without you (Russia)? Without you.</span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><span> </span>Without electricity or without you? Without you.</span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><span> </span>Without water or without you? Without you.</span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><span> </span>Without food or without you? Without you.</span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><span> </span>Cold, hunger, darkness and thirst are not as terrible and deadly for us</span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><span> </span>as your</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">“friendship and brotherhood.” </span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">“Without you.” This is the sentiment of the Ukrainians I know and fuels the spirit to fight through the current difficulties in order to experience victory in a free Ukraine. </span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">There is so much more I could say, but for now I’ll close with some ways you can join us and support us in prayer:</span></p>
<ul>
<li style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"></span>Pray for those who have lost loved ones in the war. Just this week, a labor and delivery hospital in Ukraine was hit and a 2-day old baby was killed. Residential building across the country continue to be hit with civilians injured and killed. Soldiers are injured and killed daily. Pray for comfort, peace, and an end to this loss of life. </span></li></ul><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif79_tNEySypzudDBNGGmFRHGwT5dJ6Y9yAV2phdRKrlxdltmYY9O2oUJR4IFunNONuyktVcQgN5bj6vZROZkEhC13B_1IbFDsZDSedKlGiYvgU-MpkLxTdv0xhdZ7U9uQZYjXk9aoAHMi0gdTZXDqlhYFBkpAfh9S_kc8RdyQ-DvQveDDmy18f2E/s720/IMG_9896.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="540" data-original-width="720" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif79_tNEySypzudDBNGGmFRHGwT5dJ6Y9yAV2phdRKrlxdltmYY9O2oUJR4IFunNONuyktVcQgN5bj6vZROZkEhC13B_1IbFDsZDSedKlGiYvgU-MpkLxTdv0xhdZ7U9uQZYjXk9aoAHMi0gdTZXDqlhYFBkpAfh9S_kc8RdyQ-DvQveDDmy18f2E/w400-h300/IMG_9896.JPG" width="400" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6slNl9al1XJcGLPnffvEFk1NKFYBEYonG9mBfciMjquDbC1yrzOi7QEJ5lS84kFIvZtrk6v0kZddDKqgq2ggDpiNQDt33LlVjQ2p7JC4HpxYMS_HMghgEnbjb8JZtRHsUPEISi-YZQV2ax5MvK8s5JThzrh4M3ZxQKMVPGLS0sZ2gu5AZhY5koNg/s1080/IMG_9922.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1080" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6slNl9al1XJcGLPnffvEFk1NKFYBEYonG9mBfciMjquDbC1yrzOi7QEJ5lS84kFIvZtrk6v0kZddDKqgq2ggDpiNQDt33LlVjQ2p7JC4HpxYMS_HMghgEnbjb8JZtRHsUPEISi-YZQV2ax5MvK8s5JThzrh4M3ZxQKMVPGLS0sZ2gu5AZhY5koNg/w400-h266/IMG_9922.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><ul>
<li style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"></span>Pray for the energy infrastructure of Ukraine to be able to be repaired after the repeated missile strikes so that thousands of people will not experience a winter without heat and electricity. </span></li>
<li style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"></span>Pray for us to recognize and seize opportunities to share the resources we have both personally and at Agape with those in need. As mentioned above, we at Agape are seeking ways assist our neighbors and also our employees and their families. Pray we have wisdom and adequate provision of resources to maximize our assistance to others in need. </span></li><li style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Pray for the construction of the Resource Center to continue to progress through the winter. </span></li><li style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Pray for thousands of Ukrainians who have inconsistent access to basic utilities, such as electricity, water, heat. Pray for government leaders, but also for churches and Christian organizations that are seeking ways to help their neighbors and communities. </span></li></ul><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZCfZkidMxN0ncsEOf-THzNnFMk9oa2B5e_x4jWAmVVIsudA3MXgCRO2kqX4Cil6KPnchXog1HkMCROnvyECvAvNZlXYgeCFFGyjH77uudznLGIsN-ro4de3HNQ4_KvHpE96b8tDF68d1fq7k6MCf7icDuimpdAALqvCgbLqY3xpk69qUdQH6zyG8/s1279/IMG_9897.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="847" data-original-width="1279" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZCfZkidMxN0ncsEOf-THzNnFMk9oa2B5e_x4jWAmVVIsudA3MXgCRO2kqX4Cil6KPnchXog1HkMCROnvyECvAvNZlXYgeCFFGyjH77uudznLGIsN-ro4de3HNQ4_KvHpE96b8tDF68d1fq7k6MCf7icDuimpdAALqvCgbLqY3xpk69qUdQH6zyG8/w400-h265/IMG_9897.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Invincibility Stations" have set up around the country for citizens to warm up and charge up. </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSNet_ncINzQ2klQC-0yAVMMtRCPsCNvNoa351oYfCs6sGSjBiDPZektdx-WYWccdhantwncH_itsV25BJ0z35a7g9rEFo8vhzGVz8oozokuZ5WqGOoxVZCMbb-dFx6thBgPbplaHqtETFnSaEJ0DkNBSm0XtL8Ph094iz6Bd3pNLzWr2oN-ll4v4/s1280/IMG_9903.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="855" data-original-width="1280" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSNet_ncINzQ2klQC-0yAVMMtRCPsCNvNoa351oYfCs6sGSjBiDPZektdx-WYWccdhantwncH_itsV25BJ0z35a7g9rEFo8vhzGVz8oozokuZ5WqGOoxVZCMbb-dFx6thBgPbplaHqtETFnSaEJ0DkNBSm0XtL8Ph094iz6Bd3pNLzWr2oN-ll4v4/w400-h268/IMG_9903.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ8pnYP1hCuEOOU3BNrFA6vuTMdpbAXJNT3_T5KiYUOsXY67LbyNd21S-wBtzNw8K7rlSxwFOI5OY34_7NF55PTgxh0duY6iqdcCQ_DZshCJGoZX-Ley5XdVtRgyGjPfcYbMfreIyHIrCV9WMMWibqsELVHt9E8CO_E1cAsLawonmNMrX61pSGS8o/s1280/IMG_9904.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="848" data-original-width="1280" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ8pnYP1hCuEOOU3BNrFA6vuTMdpbAXJNT3_T5KiYUOsXY67LbyNd21S-wBtzNw8K7rlSxwFOI5OY34_7NF55PTgxh0duY6iqdcCQ_DZshCJGoZX-Ley5XdVtRgyGjPfcYbMfreIyHIrCV9WMMWibqsELVHt9E8CO_E1cAsLawonmNMrX61pSGS8o/w400-h265/IMG_9904.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium; text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium; text-align: left;">Pray for Ukrainian victory in the war to come soon!! </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large; text-align: left;"> </span></div></div>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">I am thankful God is still on His throne! Thank you for standing with us in prayer. If you have a desire to support Agape financially, please visit agapeukraine.com/en and click "Donate." </span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm_Xv_dW0Es_6rV87tPRWO5a76SwU7uVUll-4sVu3htzLe5jWAgpLtjYsY6QJzqfdvswAlTOAd-mDWG_oNzp6iV5zBWSL8Hi6ySXTnLrOH-O0EYM_6qgnQlaveHz5lnvwiJwDcVPfi7l3FAKqPTU2k_QYkzkaLkL59ODCqrBaw-UUQMsXzf9tdiTs/s1440/305204109_407036761541689_7546496811344948091_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1125" data-original-width="1440" height="313" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm_Xv_dW0Es_6rV87tPRWO5a76SwU7uVUll-4sVu3htzLe5jWAgpLtjYsY6QJzqfdvswAlTOAd-mDWG_oNzp6iV5zBWSL8Hi6ySXTnLrOH-O0EYM_6qgnQlaveHz5lnvwiJwDcVPfi7l3FAKqPTU2k_QYkzkaLkL59ODCqrBaw-UUQMsXzf9tdiTs/w400-h313/305204109_407036761541689_7546496811344948091_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p>Carriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01004999497733503209noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7774391233259808025.post-21198090105582792662022-08-07T10:50:00.000-07:002022-08-07T10:50:14.239-07:00Unity in the Midst of War<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><i>“Has it ever occurred to you that one hundred pianos all tuned to the same fork are automatically tuned to each other? They are of one accord by being tuned, not to each other, but to another standard to which one must individually bow. So one hundred worshipers meeting together, each one looking away to Christ, are in heart nearer to each other than they could possibly be were they to become “unity” conscious and turn their eyes away from God to strive for closer fellowship."</i></span></p><p style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><u>The Pursuit of God</u> by A.W. Tozer</span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">This quote stuck with me for some time after I came across it a few weeks ago and I came to see it's truth lived out in the Ukrainian church in these past months of war. I can only speak from experience in regards to my local church, Fimiam Church, but I believe it is a good representation of many, if not most, evangelical churches across Ukraine in these days. </span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Fimiam Church has always been an active church body with brothers and sisters in Christ ministering in many spheres within the church and in society. But the onset of war led to the departure of over 100 church members to other countries and an influx of displaced people from other parts of Ukraine. Many ministries of the church were put on hold and new ministries, such as housing displaced people, daily prayer meetings, regular distributions of food and other humanitarian aid, and weekly evangelism services for the many displaced Ukrainians now living in Lutsk, needed to be organized and launched virtually overnight. New leaders needed to emerge to accept responsibility for these new directions of ministry. Displaced Ukrainian believers who found a church home in Fimiam Church desired not only to be knit into the church body, but also to serve as well. New ministries in the uncertain time of war, new leadership, new responsibilities, a near-constant need for flexibility, people serving alongside unknown and new people, and a rapid pace of change. It could have been a set-up for chaos, conflict, and confusion, but that is not what has occurred. Why?</span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">First and foremost has been God's mercy and kindness to protect us from the chaos and conflict that could have taken place. Also, our pastors have led out in truly amazing ways, exemplifying humility and selflessness in ministry, reliance on God in prayer, and genuine and open love and concern not just for members of Fimiam Church in Lutsk and abroad, but also for other believers who came in search of a temporary or new permanent church home. I'm certain plenty of other good reasons could also be listed. </span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">But after I read the above quote, I slowly came to realize that the unity among believers at Fimiam Church and across many Ukrainian churches in this period of time is not a testament to the efforts of church leadership to teach on unity or attempt to "create" unity in the church. Instead it has been the automatic outflow of the individuals of the church being united to God in fervent times of prayer, in times of joint worship, and in personal times in His Word. Unity as a body of brothers and sisters has been the result of the unity of each individual with God. </span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixRRpi2hyq0vdEDMls2MmHF1ycGJoayrHtCjSL_nLjE2KfZpHBuB0CBiZsEeKaX0NUfzjg-VopAGp063LEhwGh-ktGWLiKLloLnGxRT9iBzgwxpvNa6DRvdF5x6s6Jd9DfOweZCEKcpMjumrB5uIuhlbIDOexAchKgp2UCf_hnfQJhj_WSJm4L370/s2550/Screenshot%202022-08-07%20at%2016.11.12.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1242" data-original-width="2550" height="195" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixRRpi2hyq0vdEDMls2MmHF1ycGJoayrHtCjSL_nLjE2KfZpHBuB0CBiZsEeKaX0NUfzjg-VopAGp063LEhwGh-ktGWLiKLloLnGxRT9iBzgwxpvNa6DRvdF5x6s6Jd9DfOweZCEKcpMjumrB5uIuhlbIDOexAchKgp2UCf_hnfQJhj_WSJm4L370/w400-h195/Screenshot%202022-08-07%20at%2016.11.12.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZu6gsuZGAsQXiYqTz7YfZyBuq4VpNQ3AWqJTBtsIMAgqFt_mDW2-gXLMxJOHHSVux0Baz4jgmkR7633PH5w0tGbsuCMhkwHeiPAGQ-anRUmguMRuW-KrglhMqhSg_zUs84pawaXt83CFDvF2nJVzn8PXudJW_O7G69pWZl6wdO2XryKoEc5zev4s/s1598/Screenshot%202022-08-07%20at%2016.13.16.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1356" data-original-width="1598" height="340" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZu6gsuZGAsQXiYqTz7YfZyBuq4VpNQ3AWqJTBtsIMAgqFt_mDW2-gXLMxJOHHSVux0Baz4jgmkR7633PH5w0tGbsuCMhkwHeiPAGQ-anRUmguMRuW-KrglhMqhSg_zUs84pawaXt83CFDvF2nJVzn8PXudJW_O7G69pWZl6wdO2XryKoEc5zev4s/w400-h340/Screenshot%202022-08-07%20at%2016.13.16.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">What are some other thoughts I've had recently regarding the war? In no particular order...</span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">- War has brought a fresh realization that I am dependent on God for everything. He holds each of our lives and the outcome of this war in His hands. I can do nothing to stop the enemy, but God has all authority and so I pray to Him. When I awake in the morning, particularly after a night in which air raid sirens sounded, I thank God for His protection through the night and for the gift of a new day. I've read the news and I've seen the pictures. I know there are others whose lives ended on their beds when a missile struck their residence in the night. I do nothing to sustain my life through the night, so my day should start with gratitude to the One who does. </span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">- As a PT, I find myself hopeful that one positive result of this war will be improvement in the prosthetics and wheelchairs provided to people in Ukraine. There is a currently a great desire to provide the very best care and equipment to our wounded soldiers and that is good and right. Assistance is often sought from the West to provide the best prosthetics and wheelchairs. That is good, but I do hope that after the war, more Ukrainian prosthetists will have the knowledge, skills and materials to provide good prosthetics as this is an area that has been truly lacking. Also, I am hopeful that the process of obtaining a wheelchair will be streamlined and wheelchairs that meet the needs of the individual will be provided. So far we have had probably 10 soldiers with spinal cord injuries go through rehab at Agape. Thankfully, most came to us with a wheelchair, and sometimes a really good one, already provided to them. This is NOT the case for the average Ukrainian. Getting a wheelchair generally takes months, like 6-12 months, so if the person wants to be mobile at all they are forced to locate and purchase a wheelchair themselves, not a process most people can accomplish on their own. So I find myself increasingly hopeful that the rapid rise in the number of people with amputations and spinal cord injuries will have a positive result on the provision of prosthetics and wheelchairs in Ukraine. </span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">- I'm really glad I learned Ukrainian. Over the years, many Ukrainians have expressed surprise that I learned Ukrainian as many, probably actually most, missionaries learned Russian in the past. There were reasons for that, not the least of which is that Lutsk is a Ukrainian speaking city and I knew that ahead of time. With Russia as the aggressor and enemy in this war, many Ukrainians who have been Russian speakers are switching to Ukrainian, many Ukrainian speakers are trying to utilize less Russian words and phrases in their speech, and the topic of language comes up pretty often in various circles and strong opinions can be expressed regarding what language should or should not be spoken in Ukraine. All that to say, I'm increasingly thankful to have learned Ukrainian! </span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">- I'm thankful the Agape Rehabilitation Complex exists not just to improve people's lives physically, but to share the truth and love of the Gospel with them. The biggest need for us all is salvation from our sins. Only then can we live with true hope! And hope is something every Ukrainian seeks right now. I'm thankful we get to share the Source of true and eternal hope with people at Agape. </span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">- And to close, Ukraine is a beautiful country, don't you think? </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEoJCsMs6Z_-Oab3D40OftwuSxWdtFEkokw71tARR3-fxHgAGANC8YHnvdhtRCs5_xdZ8Jg0T3ueh6VOJsROKLT8RkRHVg94YjDV4NyvQqj5TpoCP_3J4OI4xZS-0KXQ9YOvj8eOVp95_Kr1h3Oh6BvUAYL1SjES0a8AtSsOtpDtWSsjXyQznezi4/s4032/IMG_9204.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEoJCsMs6Z_-Oab3D40OftwuSxWdtFEkokw71tARR3-fxHgAGANC8YHnvdhtRCs5_xdZ8Jg0T3ueh6VOJsROKLT8RkRHVg94YjDV4NyvQqj5TpoCP_3J4OI4xZS-0KXQ9YOvj8eOVp95_Kr1h3Oh6BvUAYL1SjES0a8AtSsOtpDtWSsjXyQznezi4/w400-h300/IMG_9204.HEIC" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7xIApWAar8O1xpkH8YPx0-D8V8d-fe2evOIEWMuv_k_RZVbMURgsUgY6e9V-4SAnBRt-zi-gFE_2-IjLD0b8smA2HPb4xgMrVpWZyN7PLxEzozNklnLC9qg6lFagAyWF1VzULkDtjLQ-xMxMTiwhZUjz7_xwW8bGH1esPGN8l8wexHvUT6TW9t4c/s4032/IMG_9197.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7xIApWAar8O1xpkH8YPx0-D8V8d-fe2evOIEWMuv_k_RZVbMURgsUgY6e9V-4SAnBRt-zi-gFE_2-IjLD0b8smA2HPb4xgMrVpWZyN7PLxEzozNklnLC9qg6lFagAyWF1VzULkDtjLQ-xMxMTiwhZUjz7_xwW8bGH1esPGN8l8wexHvUT6TW9t4c/w300-h400/IMG_9197.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2vjMq6wTHbchdu95jz8HFlIAZos0EZlbHCZL1_dEFx6mHykFsKsoEInzLhfMG_rabRKoXa1Qhtarvv39naQW_yWW41xJCmJu9v1ZMJ1I_sXjKrB7x3ZZBN0S9vo4pRA8usbF7rtl4GmF6P74QAwsDfrA9jUJkHHZmXFP5IlybFL_9oUddmK-mboI/s4032/IMG_9242.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2vjMq6wTHbchdu95jz8HFlIAZos0EZlbHCZL1_dEFx6mHykFsKsoEInzLhfMG_rabRKoXa1Qhtarvv39naQW_yWW41xJCmJu9v1ZMJ1I_sXjKrB7x3ZZBN0S9vo4pRA8usbF7rtl4GmF6P74QAwsDfrA9jUJkHHZmXFP5IlybFL_9oUddmK-mboI/w400-h300/IMG_9242.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheeZbg0FnHAMj8Mt8CXHdwWw27qox14SYz5k7CSMYEXysNDdcMtT1etcen1nPD4SdfjgRgIVWRf8XRcinIKng4TKatdfsm9I3ANfHkyFBLcW41frjxoIm-k9t25hSyNvhzM40zJLNPPzZFnAVVcuOzMFRBKtjs9vwOIBYcTII_6VJWeJLYrXOSUDU/s4032/IMG_9196.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheeZbg0FnHAMj8Mt8CXHdwWw27qox14SYz5k7CSMYEXysNDdcMtT1etcen1nPD4SdfjgRgIVWRf8XRcinIKng4TKatdfsm9I3ANfHkyFBLcW41frjxoIm-k9t25hSyNvhzM40zJLNPPzZFnAVVcuOzMFRBKtjs9vwOIBYcTII_6VJWeJLYrXOSUDU/w300-h400/IMG_9196.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div></span><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">And Ukrainians are brave people! It's harvest time in Ukraine and the harvest is being reaped despite the war.</span><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaoYczitbKglsclRgc3v1RQLQ1HQvuL7ziNmor2dOmcqfPH4b6lu3zjEKijTY_SbbaPmgb6jK9sDPHOVVacD2ktNUXN9SKVgP85B3JXUAwX9u32uf_8-03F-Bwb5jkHl4Resnea9Rge5RM_tND9bZqVkCuBSVu6DP2C05QE-nw9qPzx_QfQb5UP_0/s4032/IMG_9201.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaoYczitbKglsclRgc3v1RQLQ1HQvuL7ziNmor2dOmcqfPH4b6lu3zjEKijTY_SbbaPmgb6jK9sDPHOVVacD2ktNUXN9SKVgP85B3JXUAwX9u32uf_8-03F-Bwb5jkHl4Resnea9Rge5RM_tND9bZqVkCuBSVu6DP2C05QE-nw9qPzx_QfQb5UP_0/w400-h300/IMG_9201.jpeg" width="400" /></a></span></div></span><p></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9-_zxW7WmZxBgmdZ2kfUhHNVozf9FHeGOmassoVOd_fbNsJAz1T4G6BLMWtYOmzbjBLzDvfJW4jKyC05zHXPnfIRBfXSV3y8AydG_uWs-ZyAkdiTRt3yVxH6ORK6s84rEBcxcVN2UhA4XW9aK1CFzfRhsqlTZVeQgSzNwTpkYBwlNJ3nX2hlCZ9M/s960/292615115_5522708874419723_4201621656812600628_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9-_zxW7WmZxBgmdZ2kfUhHNVozf9FHeGOmassoVOd_fbNsJAz1T4G6BLMWtYOmzbjBLzDvfJW4jKyC05zHXPnfIRBfXSV3y8AydG_uWs-ZyAkdiTRt3yVxH6ORK6s84rEBcxcVN2UhA4XW9aK1CFzfRhsqlTZVeQgSzNwTpkYBwlNJ3nX2hlCZ9M/w400-h300/292615115_5522708874419723_4201621656812600628_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFfAPP0pkofz9wkpQmz8GkpZCGGT6ZMXq_FrfSu97jPSgrD30GTuxAx8pCv19UEBLqC9pSHMmdSV85UafQwvqwQOf0BthYaNY0Tis_UCbG_fSSvd8ewlmKmQteOmSA6CL30mOV7YfBE0cnId2hTNY9BY5k5271B6y4a2oj2acaoh7tqypD_Po7UtE/s960/291839992_3257152451272910_5244747926495552524_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFfAPP0pkofz9wkpQmz8GkpZCGGT6ZMXq_FrfSu97jPSgrD30GTuxAx8pCv19UEBLqC9pSHMmdSV85UafQwvqwQOf0BthYaNY0Tis_UCbG_fSSvd8ewlmKmQteOmSA6CL30mOV7YfBE0cnId2hTNY9BY5k5271B6y4a2oj2acaoh7tqypD_Po7UtE/w300-h400/291839992_3257152451272910_5244747926495552524_n.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Please continue to pray for Ukraine, Ukrainians, the church in Ukraine and victory for Ukraine in the war!! </span></div><p></p></div>Carriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01004999497733503209noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7774391233259808025.post-48596068149779470442022-07-31T09:51:00.001-07:002022-07-31T09:51:50.316-07:00Rehab Continues<span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">This will be a very brief blog update, mostly about rehab and the current work of Agape. Hopefully in the very near future I will have a chance to write again with more information regarding the war, some of its effects, and some of my recent thoughts. </span><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">It seems like summer just began but in fact it is already approaching its end. In June we celebrated the 6-year anniversary of the Agape Rehabilitation Complex by enjoying a festive lunch. It is always good to rejoice in the ways God has blessed and sustained us over the past year. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjomYGj926EEoyygk7f3tKCtRLZa5DO2oTSNhNLNWveI5X-CRc2bhisW7BjlLBjr7E4dIglYTv9AEZD4pVMKpN2JzHKJ0mi41_KVnzxQXpLhL8SkBEj-g4H-HwbX-W0D_w6RWxAkmt78ur3J9sGa9pFq2Tn49B1NkziprAeEHH8R0XcY2-FJCskCN4/s5184/IMG_9829.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="5184" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjomYGj926EEoyygk7f3tKCtRLZa5DO2oTSNhNLNWveI5X-CRc2bhisW7BjlLBjr7E4dIglYTv9AEZD4pVMKpN2JzHKJ0mi41_KVnzxQXpLhL8SkBEj-g4H-HwbX-W0D_w6RWxAkmt78ur3J9sGa9pFq2Tn49B1NkziprAeEHH8R0XcY2-FJCskCN4/w400-h266/IMG_9829.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Summer celebrations in Ukraine must include shish-kabobs!! </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrQo3s5XMXLHuxyfdeSc1xNBs4OOsrC3lJKcTf4jV5Hpyctu4nNcu0W6QlUsEBJAWjflhnfOP6KV0S6ODxDyAfKQ0RKz3keR5QqTLlJStiNk_MT7o5pazv0h9hyKMoPBXwqJkbojo_OkHWcxmon3OqdyrGnxKC74wtMc0ZZX7QOhKviGtcwK2TCiU/s5184/IMG_9986.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="5184" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrQo3s5XMXLHuxyfdeSc1xNBs4OOsrC3lJKcTf4jV5Hpyctu4nNcu0W6QlUsEBJAWjflhnfOP6KV0S6ODxDyAfKQ0RKz3keR5QqTLlJStiNk_MT7o5pazv0h9hyKMoPBXwqJkbojo_OkHWcxmon3OqdyrGnxKC74wtMc0ZZX7QOhKviGtcwK2TCiU/w400-h266/IMG_9986.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Our rehab team continues to be small as we still await the return of several therapists and our secretary from Europe. As a result, our patient caseload continues to be smaller than usual, but it is still a joy and privilege to provide rehabilitation to those impacted by strokes or injuries. Young and old, civilian and soldier...all can find the opportunity for physical improvement through rehabilitation at Agape. And all have the opportunity to hear the Gospel as well. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_yKr9l8F4EPKbmPnw90lul7NiZ_GV9pxeUXsFNmlVJAYLvN9X-7U_baoeJG4w_HjzGu0QUwSseJasdOooviXWU6NDJYKH5sOjn6vJSibNOHUM73gNoi_otYbcYNFmxswvZzIcAR9nQyQo3YOsSm_sC-tVaXfiYPJIOdctSVzeR9Y75CGA4oJv6Q0/s5184/IMG_9630.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="5184" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_yKr9l8F4EPKbmPnw90lul7NiZ_GV9pxeUXsFNmlVJAYLvN9X-7U_baoeJG4w_HjzGu0QUwSseJasdOooviXWU6NDJYKH5sOjn6vJSibNOHUM73gNoi_otYbcYNFmxswvZzIcAR9nQyQo3YOsSm_sC-tVaXfiYPJIOdctSVzeR9Y75CGA4oJv6Q0/w400-h266/IMG_9630.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNNnSHBY4SiyZgbf24G3S4c2YAD_CY0afIQZBzHVslSAgWU-S0UAk3C0m_DHysRAGMkHz1m-U9_23LLBdhY98jC31-YrPxiwcN6dW5l31yc9z6oedzNokwCmoBPC-r2WP0S2AN72Z_Ocr8hqB5F_NQO7iLRLe2SgzbX3woLrSWEveM4jtW3qUAFgs/s5184/IMG_9793.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="5184" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNNnSHBY4SiyZgbf24G3S4c2YAD_CY0afIQZBzHVslSAgWU-S0UAk3C0m_DHysRAGMkHz1m-U9_23LLBdhY98jC31-YrPxiwcN6dW5l31yc9z6oedzNokwCmoBPC-r2WP0S2AN72Z_Ocr8hqB5F_NQO7iLRLe2SgzbX3woLrSWEveM4jtW3qUAFgs/w400-h266/IMG_9793.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOfIKC_lHeyyhDbML4WeOmHUG4AQOqL7JWmz2QAuPn6UcMq3CSx4o2TTtGcVM6HGbaEyfv-Qn5JY6ZgiK4G01V5ruwUQLgjnJv4VpeVFpLf9xrLEFM6zQQwqj5QNz2b6FjfBy53rOOkCHPan32duJuJlkaxiKEWL6kJnjCzs0zFZyZlYoKpLKXObw/s5184/IMG_9846.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="5184" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOfIKC_lHeyyhDbML4WeOmHUG4AQOqL7JWmz2QAuPn6UcMq3CSx4o2TTtGcVM6HGbaEyfv-Qn5JY6ZgiK4G01V5ruwUQLgjnJv4VpeVFpLf9xrLEFM6zQQwqj5QNz2b6FjfBy53rOOkCHPan32duJuJlkaxiKEWL6kJnjCzs0zFZyZlYoKpLKXObw/w400-h266/IMG_9846.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj13TH4W7dodD1AnMeYbeAAmpK4xQnuBTMnh0vqgdJzvgSKbGkotRfZBaZ_SpTW3lpUzdYTBuf_m3FX4D9yWMq0CRWWj7158wD89lK0XjAtfj7aS_DI-9rHlgONnweATS8QMZYbaZU0CR2FBos9DpO8KCkNYpeC_q3R154luv4IajJFu9JCkjQRTk/s5184/IMG_9997.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="5184" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj13TH4W7dodD1AnMeYbeAAmpK4xQnuBTMnh0vqgdJzvgSKbGkotRfZBaZ_SpTW3lpUzdYTBuf_m3FX4D9yWMq0CRWWj7158wD89lK0XjAtfj7aS_DI-9rHlgONnweATS8QMZYbaZU0CR2FBos9DpO8KCkNYpeC_q3R154luv4IajJFu9JCkjQRTk/w400-h266/IMG_9997.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Currently, refugees are not coming to Agape in search of temporary housing or evacuation. There is a thought, however, that when summer ends and winter approaches, we may again see people coming our way. Why? While it may be possible to live in a damaged house or apartment (for example, with the windows blown out) in the warm summer months, that will not be the case in the cold winter months. So our team is continuing to look for locations in Europe to which people with disabilities can be evacuated should the need arise again. Please join us in praying for this provision.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">I'll close this brief blog with a few pictures that were posted here on social media with the headline, "Sports in Ukraine now." Just a taste of some of what Ukraine looks like as a result of the war. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijjASKDEmF_XZR8177vuvHxFDvu9elKjMD6IJAiGw74x1iOH-4FhRjyzREH0SqA0HcqTOLe0ZfPqoxg5np0THPYdBJnPsW34aXriT6H4YfeC5B_ICf70_-Pn62dUWO4t5yS9ZoPEGWVj5LV-up6iEDxTl8Cc49m_QjiUK8WmgBgjvpFS300188EDA/s960/291174556_2852126511759063_1899436829241740678_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="960" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijjASKDEmF_XZR8177vuvHxFDvu9elKjMD6IJAiGw74x1iOH-4FhRjyzREH0SqA0HcqTOLe0ZfPqoxg5np0THPYdBJnPsW34aXriT6H4YfeC5B_ICf70_-Pn62dUWO4t5yS9ZoPEGWVj5LV-up6iEDxTl8Cc49m_QjiUK8WmgBgjvpFS300188EDA/w400-h266/291174556_2852126511759063_1899436829241740678_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFqhBFWCiDjUd2J7Gu5RQ97aCYC6dLBSfT93C4sSg08niPzfuw_GdiEzCFKVhEaVafYG-BHjIIWk7wn-14Q9FrBfdJlBNUWQdKwqsDTJrdpngfGyM8pTwkOpnlywIo2wQTY4PDxPaXVaxd-LWyI0YzKUsHtNflk2B_YNFXrKQjwWI9Fpa8IsdJ4Ck/s960/291353341_2852126775092370_9202608919506565516_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="960" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFqhBFWCiDjUd2J7Gu5RQ97aCYC6dLBSfT93C4sSg08niPzfuw_GdiEzCFKVhEaVafYG-BHjIIWk7wn-14Q9FrBfdJlBNUWQdKwqsDTJrdpngfGyM8pTwkOpnlywIo2wQTY4PDxPaXVaxd-LWyI0YzKUsHtNflk2B_YNFXrKQjwWI9Fpa8IsdJ4Ck/w400-h266/291353341_2852126775092370_9202608919506565516_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi160ipLSHuYiCb5bzJn-oOU8Ompp3QhJxfJpSjdpl14vBzt_nIqe9u_cOBGaRKkN7w_mV5MlOO_ULExTs-JNlomUhJ7SkXsVnUeo5bKwMy2nGtryxThkfpjkVMjvZJIC_jgqR8Drq6ZC1a5gmLaYs8uqnfc08InzyimfRAipTweT6zuAVVRva91U4/s960/291548214_2852126805092367_5628172162831137261_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="960" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi160ipLSHuYiCb5bzJn-oOU8Ompp3QhJxfJpSjdpl14vBzt_nIqe9u_cOBGaRKkN7w_mV5MlOO_ULExTs-JNlomUhJ7SkXsVnUeo5bKwMy2nGtryxThkfpjkVMjvZJIC_jgqR8Drq6ZC1a5gmLaYs8uqnfc08InzyimfRAipTweT6zuAVVRva91U4/w400-h266/291548214_2852126805092367_5628172162831137261_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiRSY4bI8Wn3y5RrUNqqlHYWEtx7wQrjMBpNYrWhbboRZjwU6C3oPIyaVlhU06_50DNYwUCzqSZqks0O8RzEBI6wNCsB_RFheNG-5vUmrtO8OfR-EXcYiZH2LrYFMcIqos36RQgGVbBUjfNNVo-nMtlzq5_XdRLmX_vYqTKZmCJMnWNlce-MFc6iM/s960/291573175_2852127028425678_8019657134069721008_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="960" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiRSY4bI8Wn3y5RrUNqqlHYWEtx7wQrjMBpNYrWhbboRZjwU6C3oPIyaVlhU06_50DNYwUCzqSZqks0O8RzEBI6wNCsB_RFheNG-5vUmrtO8OfR-EXcYiZH2LrYFMcIqos36RQgGVbBUjfNNVo-nMtlzq5_XdRLmX_vYqTKZmCJMnWNlce-MFc6iM/w400-h266/291573175_2852127028425678_8019657134069721008_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1_MHBibK34b_EDJeSNOc-7KERS3aCzNwoyTDsM9tDxugCK8hBAp5rDqA8Lq_gXOyr4GYhf4bkCi_Ka-Ym1cojnOHmJe2dN6S9Qb-Bpcx424UbQ_zRSWI84lgHjsc6j7CG7Rs9vV7u1ebqpXomFVAsg7yUq2WMVCuw9H_pWiLWsgikRaoPD3bXGkQ/s960/291606515_2852126988425682_5111180702937952668_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="960" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1_MHBibK34b_EDJeSNOc-7KERS3aCzNwoyTDsM9tDxugCK8hBAp5rDqA8Lq_gXOyr4GYhf4bkCi_Ka-Ym1cojnOHmJe2dN6S9Qb-Bpcx424UbQ_zRSWI84lgHjsc6j7CG7Rs9vV7u1ebqpXomFVAsg7yUq2WMVCuw9H_pWiLWsgikRaoPD3bXGkQ/w400-h266/291606515_2852126988425682_5111180702937952668_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3zx8DNeDToJyIDIVhHHxpqhSK81CPkz0bJhTJ62ec2_xXrQ6XMwbdi-ByYJR5wB5EOjtOyOhIHmOjSt55TVJF5DRfS6544Ol_1YBYM2-1MCaQPGU7nX1BsJP_4QQUW-U9iPgrvrdT4dViIg7m-L135TGoUrJQZ7_6YmS4qEm1Vf5hRW0k1aWB2nQ/s960/291768772_2852126548425726_8046185184622281498_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="960" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3zx8DNeDToJyIDIVhHHxpqhSK81CPkz0bJhTJ62ec2_xXrQ6XMwbdi-ByYJR5wB5EOjtOyOhIHmOjSt55TVJF5DRfS6544Ol_1YBYM2-1MCaQPGU7nX1BsJP_4QQUW-U9iPgrvrdT4dViIg7m-L135TGoUrJQZ7_6YmS4qEm1Vf5hRW0k1aWB2nQ/w400-h266/291768772_2852126548425726_8046185184622281498_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Stay tuned, I promise the next update will be more informative. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Thank you to all who support us in prayer and financially! May God bless you all! </span></div>Carriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01004999497733503209noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7774391233259808025.post-26605007845440700612022-06-19T09:39:00.000-07:002022-06-19T09:39:01.096-07:00Approaching 4 months<span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">The war in Ukraine has now exceeded 115 days and will hit the 4-month mark later this week. Thousands of lives have been lost and millions have been altered, to say the least. The number of soldiers wounded or killed rise with each new day. Civilians continue to flee the zones of active fighting in search of safety. The majority of those who fled earlier are still unable to return home as their cities are occupied by the Russian forces and/or their homes are destroyed. The fighting is primarily confined to the east and we are keenly aware that we must be grateful for the current safety we experience here in Lutsk and in western Ukraine in general. Periodic air raid sirens and strikes on locations within a few hours of us remind us that our "safety" is far from guaranteed. Below is a map of Ukraine, posted on social media a few nights ago shows a moment when the air raid sirens were going off in almost every region of Ukraine simultaneously. This is not uncommon. </span><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrvNLQ9hb7vzGKIx0nnFzGevsws8SlL4O-nDFQScJomTK6_pmeR5pZ3CCB-r3coXcmP1ACr7KIWzilTTufp4EhIlTziq__BqcsaMYgumfFBvWl_3m15YCyAxs3S2ZWx6YINrHQAm8Tj3jlWafgcokdLcG80Q4JVRnS_WBA0EmZILsbeA4mP-8ceoE/s1280/322ABCD8-D468-4AFB-8DD3-5E9B77881EAC.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="854" data-original-width="1280" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrvNLQ9hb7vzGKIx0nnFzGevsws8SlL4O-nDFQScJomTK6_pmeR5pZ3CCB-r3coXcmP1ACr7KIWzilTTufp4EhIlTziq__BqcsaMYgumfFBvWl_3m15YCyAxs3S2ZWx6YINrHQAm8Tj3jlWafgcokdLcG80Q4JVRnS_WBA0EmZILsbeA4mP-8ceoE/w400-h268/322ABCD8-D468-4AFB-8DD3-5E9B77881EAC.jpeg" width="400" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br />So while the fighting is currently in the eastern side of Ukraine, no region of Ukraine gets to live in peace at all times. Please, please continue to remember Ukraine and pray for Ukrainians! The war likely does not get the attention it once did in the news, but it does rage on and people's lives are at stake. Below are a few pictures of lives altered or ended because of the war. The first few stories are of people I do not know personally, but who are representative of so very many Ukrainians. Please let these brief stories serve as a reminder that while the war has negative ripple affects all around the world, on the economy, on prices, on the availability of various products, it is most important to not forget the direct and lasting impact it has had and continues to have on the lives of Ukrainians. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">First is a family, a mom and her twins. They were at the train station in western Ukraine trying to evacuate when it was hit by a missile. Their physical wounds are evident. One can only imagine the emotional and psychological wounds they have as well. They were successfully evacuated to western Ukraine for medical treatment and very likely on to Europe. Lives altered, drastically altered by the war...</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWB28WtpWcUv3kMnE9AvRuFPr5H9mGqG3l6paDtV48cTS5YrocVPbf8_xaOugN01aaOGNylj4xjQmwvYSNwuVagsvhyMgORA_wjQWTjhm2HWLaKPIV5uNe9cGnMNPSXFWxNZ6tLSxl0HOl1FLqSjJA72O-LczM4yfOLjCsroh9BQnTXRunW3UUVDA/s1125/5FFD6167-2C42-4018-855D-8BB83F85E190.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1125" data-original-width="900" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWB28WtpWcUv3kMnE9AvRuFPr5H9mGqG3l6paDtV48cTS5YrocVPbf8_xaOugN01aaOGNylj4xjQmwvYSNwuVagsvhyMgORA_wjQWTjhm2HWLaKPIV5uNe9cGnMNPSXFWxNZ6tLSxl0HOl1FLqSjJA72O-LczM4yfOLjCsroh9BQnTXRunW3UUVDA/w320-h400/5FFD6167-2C42-4018-855D-8BB83F85E190.jpeg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Next is a little girl who will now grow up without her father, a soldier killed in the war. On her first birthday, her mother took to visit her father's fresh grave. A life altered, drastically altered by the war...</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim5g1PWcTQfvhccW_cl4kQdHVjY5i3dsWW8X9BxTkHNUocq0Vfg_nkuychdEZykXyHNucqMEzO2AsK_Sxd-eDedQcf5GJ8K4S9SquVcmXB3wT7LULRCcWGVK7zx6kSCqzsHgcI2uVrRffW1WTl0qSP-hArUUQSTUC42QRlQUzlZzscK32ubmhXjak/s1280/A497787F-0049-4B42-8B4C-AF617BFF1A0E.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim5g1PWcTQfvhccW_cl4kQdHVjY5i3dsWW8X9BxTkHNUocq0Vfg_nkuychdEZykXyHNucqMEzO2AsK_Sxd-eDedQcf5GJ8K4S9SquVcmXB3wT7LULRCcWGVK7zx6kSCqzsHgcI2uVrRffW1WTl0qSP-hArUUQSTUC42QRlQUzlZzscK32ubmhXjak/w300-h400/A497787F-0049-4B42-8B4C-AF617BFF1A0E.jpeg" width="300" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Next are funerals for men from our local region. So many soldiers' lives lost in the war and so many families now without a son, husband, father, brother...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga7kmIVGGEQZQ6ZDRVnBPD_2yu_t4GXSe3hdiTk-lsYA2zFTmT2Pa3NDmDu1kvbIj2yB1LVu5YTXH8NxBHFR2n0ENjZ91_LmtS-7OF5Q4S5sHVl5DtNalhCeolX1OYp6xzbOvPrap263za0_FxRAu_YE-nimGUi1XVxML9rwmWy_XL5mWwDoS6oVk/s1280/52EF8625-A5ED-40CF-A07C-A6DAE5C4DF4F.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="853" data-original-width="1280" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga7kmIVGGEQZQ6ZDRVnBPD_2yu_t4GXSe3hdiTk-lsYA2zFTmT2Pa3NDmDu1kvbIj2yB1LVu5YTXH8NxBHFR2n0ENjZ91_LmtS-7OF5Q4S5sHVl5DtNalhCeolX1OYp6xzbOvPrap263za0_FxRAu_YE-nimGUi1XVxML9rwmWy_XL5mWwDoS6oVk/w400-h266/52EF8625-A5ED-40CF-A07C-A6DAE5C4DF4F.jpeg" width="400" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCermuVOv820F5NXb4M9bY4bq3vEE2iMNp11fIRbN5qCwbDVuTNuZWmDeMh-WDBZcYljXI7TW0FgMXcPCsK_7IDF5Dfh_65654JNq7NoP0Wpr_NHTZKFNE2coZAB0BP4nIZBKj1Tz7OTovN38DOWij1u2t61vpZlcCUHa0mn18_3LJyf0STVbKuhk/s1280/578416F5-3CCD-4ABB-AEA8-33082716D3FA.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="853" data-original-width="1280" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCermuVOv820F5NXb4M9bY4bq3vEE2iMNp11fIRbN5qCwbDVuTNuZWmDeMh-WDBZcYljXI7TW0FgMXcPCsK_7IDF5Dfh_65654JNq7NoP0Wpr_NHTZKFNE2coZAB0BP4nIZBKj1Tz7OTovN38DOWij1u2t61vpZlcCUHa0mn18_3LJyf0STVbKuhk/w400-h266/578416F5-3CCD-4ABB-AEA8-33082716D3FA.jpeg" width="400" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZJ-dtzdBePFkef1NUuJzSVVebQMvppMXYJcNMX2ctmEJJ_XuhawkGz4_dC9kZFqJV_BraWKVHrKUCvpjDs5NFwg4xVnOJILbTGbwiO-DdXovwZzpXs0VoMIF9z_CuxTnKWwW2eKwzG5OXfPTEMK2qO-zc90CNSVqvfPNUww5TXfZpQ_6Zh0LhcNY/s1280/A8F61792-1113-4C68-A5BE-BE3DB1682AE9.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="853" data-original-width="1280" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZJ-dtzdBePFkef1NUuJzSVVebQMvppMXYJcNMX2ctmEJJ_XuhawkGz4_dC9kZFqJV_BraWKVHrKUCvpjDs5NFwg4xVnOJILbTGbwiO-DdXovwZzpXs0VoMIF9z_CuxTnKWwW2eKwzG5OXfPTEMK2qO-zc90CNSVqvfPNUww5TXfZpQ_6Zh0LhcNY/w400-h266/A8F61792-1113-4C68-A5BE-BE3DB1682AE9.jpeg" width="400" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">And now for a few stories of people with whom I am acquainted. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmcyxIWk5dVnPc8dSpkaL13h1toHqZwnL_WAWeBenB2Ix_5xCK_jV22R8O2rdRftmS5pb0yU6qDdQnk_6kd8bL_3xFR9zhasoQvSsxLLcdcAint3sYot2jtXgUNU710jXA9eJI8toUNdnT4yKnQywU7zNNH_PyDyDtBbB8R1uXZaIJ2rtPQoHUyxs/s1040/CDC1253B-EB14-417C-89C1-B498B0F4213B.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="585" data-original-width="1040" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmcyxIWk5dVnPc8dSpkaL13h1toHqZwnL_WAWeBenB2Ix_5xCK_jV22R8O2rdRftmS5pb0yU6qDdQnk_6kd8bL_3xFR9zhasoQvSsxLLcdcAint3sYot2jtXgUNU710jXA9eJI8toUNdnT4yKnQywU7zNNH_PyDyDtBbB8R1uXZaIJ2rtPQoHUyxs/w400-h225/CDC1253B-EB14-417C-89C1-B498B0F4213B.jpeg" width="400" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Ihor is one of three wounded soldiers currently undergoing rehabilitation at Agape. When Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24, Ihor immediately volunteered. He is 59 years old and had served in the army when he was younger, but that was more than 30 years ago. He was injured just one week into the war when a mine exploded, resulting in a spinal cord injury as well as other injuries. When he arrived at Agape, he stated that his goal was to get back on his feet "because I still have business to finish with the enemy." While he is not likely to achieve that goal due to the extent of his injury, he is working hard to be maximally independent in all spheres of life while using a wheelchair. Please follow this link to see an article, pictures, and a video about Ihor published by a local station this past week. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><a href="https://suspilne.media/251101-nogi-neruhomi-ale-a-mau-nadiu-ak-na-volini-prohodit-reabilitaciu-odin-z-poranenih-bijciv/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=ps&fbclid=IwAR04oYA5cfJajFAubxBNyD5Pbgla2ghNEJ_DCN2j7kLoMAlFE67DF5wQTec"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">https://suspilne.media/251101-nogi-neruhomi-ale-a-mau-nadiu-ak-na-volini-prohodit-reabilitaciu-odin-z-poranenih-bijciv/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=ps&fbclid=IwAR04oYA5cfJajFAubxBNyD5Pbgla2ghNEJ_DCN2j7kLoMAlFE67DF5wQTec</span></a></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_ER9ZNSUSMi7OsjDthOf0zpJBOuPDafcg-7_2wGlqkF7I3HrD0FIW9DJQP8fzN1eMcD9mJegKKOiAxnCXHcXeJhbngzbWStTGnhztbrkL2vmdBN_XWaiV67k7AuACKW1w3hVZ63trnhkjg7v97QCsWoMercXTl3e18YPqYdnGCTvrENIL2oIgVEM/s1365/8C4DD40F-A1DB-420D-98D8-8796F34D42D3.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="1365" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_ER9ZNSUSMi7OsjDthOf0zpJBOuPDafcg-7_2wGlqkF7I3HrD0FIW9DJQP8fzN1eMcD9mJegKKOiAxnCXHcXeJhbngzbWStTGnhztbrkL2vmdBN_XWaiV67k7AuACKW1w3hVZ63trnhkjg7v97QCsWoMercXTl3e18YPqYdnGCTvrENIL2oIgVEM/w400-h400/8C4DD40F-A1DB-420D-98D8-8796F34D42D3.jpeg" width="400" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Above is Danik who was a patient at Agape early last fall. He has a spinal cord injury from a gunshot. Since he is only 9 (probably 10 by now) he was accompanied by a parent, in this case his father, during his stay at Agape. Just this past week, his family member called to ask if he could return for more rehab as he has now had a needed surgery. When we asked if his father would be with him, we were deeply saddened to learn that he had been killed in the war after sending his wife and children to safety in Europe before joining the fighting. So many children are now without fathers, but the shock and sadness go to a deeper level when you have become acquainted with child and his now deceased father. More lives devastated by the war...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">While leaving church today I ran into Baba Luba in the parking lot. She and her husband, who is in a wheelchair, lived at Agape for a few weeks back in April and we became acquainted at that time. They are probably in their 70s and were evacuated to Agape from eastern Ukraine. She, her husband, and another family not related to them were assisted to find a house in a village not far from Lutsk. One of our friends went to pick them up for church today and I enjoyed visiting with Baba Luba briefly. She expressed her desire to see the war end and to be able to return home. Despite losing everything and living in a completely new place, I realized that she did not complain once during our conversation. Instead, she expressed gratitude to all who have helped her, including Agape, and stated how many kind people were around her even now in their new village home. Her life has been drastically altered as well, but she demonstrated a heart of trust in God even in her difficult circumstances. </span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">I share the pictures and stories above to demonstrate the personal nature of the war. They are just a drop in the ocean of stories that could be told of lives altered and devastated by the war. But despite all that we see and hear as the war continues, God is still on His throne and is still worthy of our trust. We petition Him for a Ukrainian victory, for protection of our soldiers and civilians, for wisdom for our president and other government leaders, as well as the leaders of the other nations assisting Ukraine, for thwarting of the plans of the enemy, and for provision of daily needs such as food, clothing, and medicine. Please join us in these prayers and more. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">If you desire to financially assist Agape in meeting needs, there are two options for doing so: </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">1. Go to </span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">https://www.agapeukraine.com/en/golovna-english/ and</span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"> click on the "Donate" button</span></div><div style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">2. Christian Health Service Corps: Text CHSCUkraine to 41444 or at bit.ly/CHSCUkraine. <br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">The funds will reach Agape via either method. </span></div><div style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">Below is a video with English subtitles about the evacuations of people with disabilities to Europe. The link is: </span></span></span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5XniirHxhXA&t=1s">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5XniirHxhXA&t=1s</a></div><div><br /></div><div style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="340" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/5XniirHxhXA" width="409" youtube-src-id="5XniirHxhXA"></iframe></div></div></div>Carriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01004999497733503209noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7774391233259808025.post-43779252578739387692022-05-09T11:27:00.005-07:002022-05-09T11:27:48.645-07:00Evacuations Continue and Rehab Resumes<span style="font-size: medium;">Last week, the 9th group of people with disabilities and their family members evacuated to Europe. This group included 43 people from eastern regions of Ukraine. </span><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPyADD6EsxQbbyfyCvh0cV8_GfdflFoBoMceXWYZFz3aNRsn1LCwUwfB6Y7zrtQvD_kMtZh4eF-NVKOrlT-8Vf9qQTbZsgWrMd54KQWpq1BrTouKXIuUXXjtS1OhO-EsV34ihXvXqkNYzewhRYpLWqjb-0NRcSh2VatdLpAV0jR9vjGkMgtTxorrE/s2048/278543287_4895326470514816_2897140770128262856_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1532" data-original-width="2048" height="299" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPyADD6EsxQbbyfyCvh0cV8_GfdflFoBoMceXWYZFz3aNRsn1LCwUwfB6Y7zrtQvD_kMtZh4eF-NVKOrlT-8Vf9qQTbZsgWrMd54KQWpq1BrTouKXIuUXXjtS1OhO-EsV34ihXvXqkNYzewhRYpLWqjb-0NRcSh2VatdLpAV0jR9vjGkMgtTxorrE/w400-h299/278543287_4895326470514816_2897140770128262856_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim9hHhVzvLRhoVI9AMi-sQpnqM2ChkPxXu5EgRCNr41jUPyCvsR1oXKDScShgupfBrxUngO2PSz5sLtT9RdEb-Ir-Qo8SABnCS-vlNnObEDfXhUXYRnlXzp2-zfpgz74DDpSIUELzrUDW_qiSg_8IxCMlok9k4013YC5THq4og-DcGHpZCdyjUMJo/s2048/280027797_4895328260514637_8391720796374372609_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1532" data-original-width="2048" height="299" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim9hHhVzvLRhoVI9AMi-sQpnqM2ChkPxXu5EgRCNr41jUPyCvsR1oXKDScShgupfBrxUngO2PSz5sLtT9RdEb-Ir-Qo8SABnCS-vlNnObEDfXhUXYRnlXzp2-zfpgz74DDpSIUELzrUDW_qiSg_8IxCMlok9k4013YC5THq4og-DcGHpZCdyjUMJo/w400-h299/280027797_4895328260514637_8391720796374372609_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: medium;">It has become increasingly difficult to find places in Europe able to house people with disabilities, so please pray for this provision as the need for these evacuations does continue. Agape will continue to receive, house and feed refugees with disabilities, but as of today we are also back in the swing of rehab. Our patient load is decreased as our about 1/3 of our employees are not in Ukraine and our rehab team consists of only 6 people at this time. But we are thankful to be able to take this step and open our doors again to those in need of physical rehabilitation! </span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihO0dliHrLmDHVccPd2k26X1-jFrtubArZvKMXrm1ohj8k8vyCGzCUnRo0xf5AndjnVvSoHwLOmxFIRxq1HJIQBZP0MzvoZW1fqMdHvmvNneKEH0KPt3J53SfnshRM7HRar3jI2BvjlfEjcJuS72W_8qEznhx4Us7T6KC5v95Woj2T3iQ1qb4r9ns/s4032/IMG_8996.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihO0dliHrLmDHVccPd2k26X1-jFrtubArZvKMXrm1ohj8k8vyCGzCUnRo0xf5AndjnVvSoHwLOmxFIRxq1HJIQBZP0MzvoZW1fqMdHvmvNneKEH0KPt3J53SfnshRM7HRar3jI2BvjlfEjcJuS72W_8qEznhx4Us7T6KC5v95Woj2T3iQ1qb4r9ns/w400-h300/IMG_8996.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEOV9LFFrFXbUgcKcApLMP1405uNZwbJ87o2GgktFV7EpxIaQJNbwP6A2pcwivzTzBU83_1UJUaG8ovVpP4tPwkqt8yz0ROEoIa53uwqab6DLvhPYSgujV3K6Q2Hb-VupozAQCR3ExbOSf8CyF5z6lOr92wNNgSVfZKQhuKEUsAkq0K7yuJX8jAtg/s4032/IMG_8998.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEOV9LFFrFXbUgcKcApLMP1405uNZwbJ87o2GgktFV7EpxIaQJNbwP6A2pcwivzTzBU83_1UJUaG8ovVpP4tPwkqt8yz0ROEoIa53uwqab6DLvhPYSgujV3K6Q2Hb-VupozAQCR3ExbOSf8CyF5z6lOr92wNNgSVfZKQhuKEUsAkq0K7yuJX8jAtg/w400-h300/IMG_8998.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: medium;">In my previous blog, I wrote that we were in need of one or more buses to replace our rapidly declining ones. Praise the Lord, funds were provided and two buses found in Germany!! One bus has been purchased and is already at Agape and the second one is in the process of being purchased this week. Thank you to all who prayed and gave financially toward these much-needed buses!</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitx686kMJZCDr6H-GADY8ZdqCRitcjrSKqvSYcEOEQljuP47gWuF9_3vjMCPOo2WrEejgcwHxoalxuKGxmBzR3CzI7ChNCzDu3iaJFdSWLpkZ8OHX8MtIwxJCVf8exRApbyWDm_7lkNWGwpYEACn0hSD7CZCO1pUIh19MEEAfRcs-pO_R7okSJULQ/s1280/IMG_8956.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitx686kMJZCDr6H-GADY8ZdqCRitcjrSKqvSYcEOEQljuP47gWuF9_3vjMCPOo2WrEejgcwHxoalxuKGxmBzR3CzI7ChNCzDu3iaJFdSWLpkZ8OHX8MtIwxJCVf8exRApbyWDm_7lkNWGwpYEACn0hSD7CZCO1pUIh19MEEAfRcs-pO_R7okSJULQ/w400-h300/IMG_8956.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: medium;">Also in recent weeks, Sveta, Alina (our speech therapist) and I made another trip to Budapest to receive money donated by so many of you for Agape. God blessed the trip, we were able to see a bit more of the city, and also got to tour the apartment our new friends in Budapest are renting for Ukrainian refugees. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4yai_4tfZgBbxcyF6foYQZR8zb3ugtf_Wlxk3U9-Os163NM9mr2PlwmAKPpFO8XXv0aPtUjrTxNAq1FRAeRxzNT3zhZGspY2aTTLfDkt7C3DXedXSrGjgw26FjRSEJmzlb1QOe4NB2uq1ScCey2A-1SDGblOlAh1740uO-GOgVW-0vkSjYvioiDc/s4032/IMG_8920.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4yai_4tfZgBbxcyF6foYQZR8zb3ugtf_Wlxk3U9-Os163NM9mr2PlwmAKPpFO8XXv0aPtUjrTxNAq1FRAeRxzNT3zhZGspY2aTTLfDkt7C3DXedXSrGjgw26FjRSEJmzlb1QOe4NB2uq1ScCey2A-1SDGblOlAh1740uO-GOgVW-0vkSjYvioiDc/w400-h300/IMG_8920.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8nv-22Q35NN9awpsfCWEby4B8qBeLPK5fAk_l7iddyIoLq_cMVe4GsY2winJduBCjCEj-0g3gKQaVKg6HT8R6KtW6knVE2iAHqaF9PS3-i_XPi7g79-CGK0HWSjtijpX_lQbD8xOzOVwOVKYPvwPxPqqAfG6F0s8LwaHmjrIPwgKJ3oK8dhdFnBo/s4032/IMG_2821.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8nv-22Q35NN9awpsfCWEby4B8qBeLPK5fAk_l7iddyIoLq_cMVe4GsY2winJduBCjCEj-0g3gKQaVKg6HT8R6KtW6knVE2iAHqaF9PS3-i_XPi7g79-CGK0HWSjtijpX_lQbD8xOzOVwOVKYPvwPxPqqAfG6F0s8LwaHmjrIPwgKJ3oK8dhdFnBo/w300-h400/IMG_2821.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMYsr16hILBcCID_u7RoUglI3ZHlYVi2e0jGAwJc0bdS5PRh6T-NXyCBndBXS0fvtlC5nkXAXa_zpPp5eXdDzT3-uVDup10Y2PVZ3RDi99mvP9TXtfbuG7xV2L3Wf3ET0T9IBJgCefWHQLv6_Cz-EVIgi33wIxgg_o61pvziesV7QMyAGsxCM3cns/s4032/IMG_8907.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMYsr16hILBcCID_u7RoUglI3ZHlYVi2e0jGAwJc0bdS5PRh6T-NXyCBndBXS0fvtlC5nkXAXa_zpPp5eXdDzT3-uVDup10Y2PVZ3RDi99mvP9TXtfbuG7xV2L3Wf3ET0T9IBJgCefWHQLv6_Cz-EVIgi33wIxgg_o61pvziesV7QMyAGsxCM3cns/w400-h300/IMG_8907.HEIC" width="400" /></a></div><br /></div><span style="font-size: medium;">While we have partially resumed "normal life" with the beginning of rehab today, the war in Ukraine continues to be seen, heard, and felt. A fuel shortage has resulted in hours of waiting lines at the pumps, if you can even locate a gas station that still has the type of fuel you need. Prices are understandably rising for everything. Air raid sirens continue to go off at varying frequencies. The fighting in the east is never far from anyone's mind. And the need for prayer and divine intervention to end this war is known by all. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Please continue to pray with us for a Ukrainian victory in this war, for the safety of civilians and soldiers in the fighting zones, for the provision of fuel across the country, for the church to continue to be agents of assistance and be faithful to share the gospel, and for the work of Agape as we mesh refugee care and rehabilitation. Thank you again to all who support us with your prayers and finances! May God be glorified in the work of His servants! </span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtbN-3zWKObr384F8JRWmHSfvL_VQBMEDT6pplnPeBg3cXKCX_hOpfK7F1KzQM4XYRvyoZYCMSoLS3tt0XGJPrwXko2iRG1M43sLn9K76SZVmVscyRtPdDmLiYJZPb83grh3CoHMV9pq0BZoJos7E6_Jd21d9jQJd42tFfeImIYzFBlpAG3XMsQTM/s4032/IMG_8961.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtbN-3zWKObr384F8JRWmHSfvL_VQBMEDT6pplnPeBg3cXKCX_hOpfK7F1KzQM4XYRvyoZYCMSoLS3tt0XGJPrwXko2iRG1M43sLn9K76SZVmVscyRtPdDmLiYJZPb83grh3CoHMV9pq0BZoJos7E6_Jd21d9jQJd42tFfeImIYzFBlpAG3XMsQTM/w400-h300/IMG_8961.HEIC" width="400" /></a></div></div>Carriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01004999497733503209noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7774391233259808025.post-37300707098710546782022-04-12T11:19:00.010-07:002022-04-12T11:19:56.923-07:00Keeping on!<span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Our work at the Agape Rehabilitation Complex continues. In the past weeks we have continued to receive refugees from the eastern regions of Ukraine. Most have arrived in small groups, slowly filling Agape to capacity. As of today, all rooms are full and almost every bed in the rehab gym is occupied. But tomorrow that will change as the next group of people with disabilities and their family members will be evacuated to Europe. </span><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWoYbkScV015wIu0y6VK8aonn9b8httSVGs9daikO2Y7o7A4jYxRSC01nRkUFE09kyxLLbmswxOWQBENW6bTFyW6E9J-mbXm03WwjUPmJzfgM6Wp0yC-JJBiFwMUINOpBtW4hd46jc-qUBhqc3owkyHOtdaekFHcr-dVlYozIaDpRpyOEVU4o2I3U/s4032/IMG_8791.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWoYbkScV015wIu0y6VK8aonn9b8httSVGs9daikO2Y7o7A4jYxRSC01nRkUFE09kyxLLbmswxOWQBENW6bTFyW6E9J-mbXm03WwjUPmJzfgM6Wp0yC-JJBiFwMUINOpBtW4hd46jc-qUBhqc3owkyHOtdaekFHcr-dVlYozIaDpRpyOEVU4o2I3U/w400-h300/IMG_8791.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The previous evacuation group departing from Agape</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">This group includes families from Kharkiv, Izyum, Mariupol, and Donetsk, among other cities. Some of them know they have lost all they left behind and others are still unsure. Here are bits of some of the stories I know: </span><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">- Yuri and his sister came from Kharkiv. Yuri has been a quadriplegic since 1989. Back then, there was no available physical rehabilitation in Ukraine, only periodic visits to sanatoriums for procedures. Due to his injury, there is little Yuri can do for himself, but he had a home that had been adapted and a lift that his sister used to transfer him. They know that is all gone now and upon arrival at Agape they realized his sister did not know how to physically assist him without that equipment. So, Sveta and I got to spend a few days training her to move him in bed and transfer him to and from his wheelchair. They don't know what awaits them in Europe, but we are all thankful she can physically assist him now. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">- Masha and her mother and brother came to Agape from Mariupol. The story of their evacuation is one of the most difficult ones to hear as they lost their husband/father in the process. He went out first in search of transportation and never returned. To this day they do not have any information about him. Later, Masha's mother found a way out of Mariupol with her two children. Although her brother's disability is the most obvious of the family, Masha also appears to have a mental disability and her mother possibly a psychological disorder. Their family has been with us for a couple of weeks and Masha has become the favorite playmate of the daughter of one of our employees. Last week, Agape was able to help Masha celebrate her 6th birthday! </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRAwwhqtlv3-UHqV7ScvEcr8WjRWay8YUHI0hp4IICOW8KC_vHgsAoMjOCDTr4esSpm5D417lfGvFPAKuOzB5Ogeyiin605HRyTNDCurXlWEAkNO2HL50Z1ERQ2cjCvXFEjPOGiddgx1oAOwSLT4r_4BHKalhRPxbdAavhHHzqaV2RtpQJE8hwL04/s1600/BF535259-E96C-4710-A182-DAEDB37F34DA.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="720" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRAwwhqtlv3-UHqV7ScvEcr8WjRWay8YUHI0hp4IICOW8KC_vHgsAoMjOCDTr4esSpm5D417lfGvFPAKuOzB5Ogeyiin605HRyTNDCurXlWEAkNO2HL50Z1ERQ2cjCvXFEjPOGiddgx1oAOwSLT4r_4BHKalhRPxbdAavhHHzqaV2RtpQJE8hwL04/w180-h400/BF535259-E96C-4710-A182-DAEDB37F34DA.jpeg" width="180" /></a></div><div><br /></div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">- Ira and her 81 year old mother came from Izyum. Ira, who is a believer, shared some of their story during the service at Fimiam Church on Sunday. As is the case with most, their evacuation was a harrowing experience and they were thankful to find in Agape a peaceful place to stay. Each evening after dinner at Agape, someone leads an time of testimony, possibly singing, and fellowship with the current residents. This is led by men from various churches in our city. At the end of this time last Saturday evening, Ira's mother repented. Ira shared how she has tried for 15 years to talk to her mom about God, but she didn't want to listen. Her mom would say, "I know the Lord's prayer, that's enough." But in God's providence, He used a war to drive her from her home and across Ukraine so that He could not only save her physical life, but her eternal soul. I bumped into Ira on Monday morning in the hall and she swung open the door to her room to reveal her mother sitting on the edge of her bed, bent over and reading the large print Russian Bible she had been given. I wish had a picture, but trust me that it was a beautiful sight! As long as a person has life and breath, they are never too old for the salvation only God can give! </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">- On Saturday evening we listened to the evacuation stories of 2 families from Mariupol and Berdyansk, all of whom are believers. Both families lived for a more than a month in their occupied cities without water and heat. They told of the "down to the bone" cold they felt, even long after arriving in a heated facility. They told of traveling through many Russian checkpoints on their way out of occupied territory, of the questioning, pilfering and even theft of their belongings. And then they told of coming to the first Ukrainian checkpoint and the utter joy they felt to see Ukrainian colors on the soldiers uniforms, to hear "Greetings to you" in Ukrainian when they rolled down the window, to be welcomed and treated kindly. Some cried and others screamed, but all reactions were expressions of joy to be out of the occupied territory and reunited with "their" people. While listening to them, I found my mind thinking their immense joy was just a foretaste of the profound joy they, I and other believers will experience after death when we leave this earth and find ourselves welcomed by God to our eternal home!!</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">So what else have we been up to? Well, we organized a food drive for people with disabilities who have not evacuated to Europe. Last week we were able to pack 100 bags with groceries and hygiene products and deliver them to the homes of adults and children with disabilities.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqvZxxG5At4BWoq1ENj25uzjAKm0IKrDi6VQPxo-FRk_r-TqrRG4lzVYZCRdKturYlEMeAj-hGyv9zf2g_nzVB7tom1Rq_Mpx0Zii-kTFcHpagKiT0qxYOSeCPNZ55Pa2sER7I9_9XLEITirMlm8eSwOg7yGESRBJg9OpJjHv2LmxKVFpo6E0yPbA/s4032/IMG_8820.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqvZxxG5At4BWoq1ENj25uzjAKm0IKrDi6VQPxo-FRk_r-TqrRG4lzVYZCRdKturYlEMeAj-hGyv9zf2g_nzVB7tom1Rq_Mpx0Zii-kTFcHpagKiT0qxYOSeCPNZ55Pa2sER7I9_9XLEITirMlm8eSwOg7yGESRBJg9OpJjHv2LmxKVFpo6E0yPbA/w400-h300/IMG_8820.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg__fIA0MDC_DGo_Fh6O3op04cIyi3a_pzRNT_RCGcX4U9r6uj-BhFk3-fon00HU4YE9pUkbI8LPfPOSoZhhbczyK7xd9IpiN-LswdDmrm_bihwxE4g3qTWc_rMSr9YXzbWUGu5qSqmV-3zD0ebPvSW9YDvjNzZxcf0aAs3pR0QC-tENulroinjOq0/s1280/IMG_8828.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg__fIA0MDC_DGo_Fh6O3op04cIyi3a_pzRNT_RCGcX4U9r6uj-BhFk3-fon00HU4YE9pUkbI8LPfPOSoZhhbczyK7xd9IpiN-LswdDmrm_bihwxE4g3qTWc_rMSr9YXzbWUGu5qSqmV-3zD0ebPvSW9YDvjNzZxcf0aAs3pR0QC-tENulroinjOq0/w300-h400/IMG_8828.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3te9D_2fCDFGCb0DbqEwPUSvPDijFZbrMMcj714zzpuVrJvAnhm9v_emCwBiPI_Xyy7VnZY9uGcj8ygAcEN6mmWq_lCEOwOEoaxhC4DCqVd3Ilii2nb0j0hR7TUM9P3UB-v8MWe9Jhd6zaMJ4AK12vkgoYycSV05Njoo4om0hTPimX2Lcrv-XV6c/s1280/IMG_8829.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3te9D_2fCDFGCb0DbqEwPUSvPDijFZbrMMcj714zzpuVrJvAnhm9v_emCwBiPI_Xyy7VnZY9uGcj8ygAcEN6mmWq_lCEOwOEoaxhC4DCqVd3Ilii2nb0j0hR7TUM9P3UB-v8MWe9Jhd6zaMJ4AK12vkgoYycSV05Njoo4om0hTPimX2Lcrv-XV6c/w300-h400/IMG_8829.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXOlxQP39xLT85NSjwvaay53BRaoxSDI0kcdWZnWVAzvH4g-ugt74wSj2mlgVhX4DRT6m9mmdQGGvxowE1EOY1utT2PE5qJJyKWux_3lD_Jf0-WpJWQNJbgsopWjIaeFz8e5Fs4_txkf1w_YE-NUUTvFckF9oDwDjRbwSyMvtjmy6bcvzgfhNfPwM/s1280/IMG_8830.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="961" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXOlxQP39xLT85NSjwvaay53BRaoxSDI0kcdWZnWVAzvH4g-ugt74wSj2mlgVhX4DRT6m9mmdQGGvxowE1EOY1utT2PE5qJJyKWux_3lD_Jf0-WpJWQNJbgsopWjIaeFz8e5Fs4_txkf1w_YE-NUUTvFckF9oDwDjRbwSyMvtjmy6bcvzgfhNfPwM/w300-h400/IMG_8830.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOJzEX4Wmu1Ys0RXc7-8cMunxBBGJJDuaHhc4kIUiSv9WmukNKP7jflfBRoYrQCn1vGEFQJhdNQnGrPluNp2TanApRsttKAAzJ__2WZW8fflQqKHwcky3Yk6ZIdsRIpuHBqNvFCFnKlJClBec6AWiTtnhDNGGW5DS2RTFVvT9jcAUzjK0SSqcm4GM/s1280/IMG_8831.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="961" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOJzEX4Wmu1Ys0RXc7-8cMunxBBGJJDuaHhc4kIUiSv9WmukNKP7jflfBRoYrQCn1vGEFQJhdNQnGrPluNp2TanApRsttKAAzJ__2WZW8fflQqKHwcky3Yk6ZIdsRIpuHBqNvFCFnKlJClBec6AWiTtnhDNGGW5DS2RTFVvT9jcAUzjK0SSqcm4GM/w300-h400/IMG_8831.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXtkGqEeSAZ88lwVCRgAUBMNbRmbJ35J1Ili7v06dDF-Mjwga0BZMiHGGQHtuilNCqNyEboevIvteNUtlMGD75oyonrYDjPbym2rFnCawMgGYutHP7Ty8exSWeyBYMOl2RytZyg_S7Jyw8tMqJA4zTDAZqhTf57hQl2vSRTHWPfKHd2af6N9qARLI/s1280/IMG_8832.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXtkGqEeSAZ88lwVCRgAUBMNbRmbJ35J1Ili7v06dDF-Mjwga0BZMiHGGQHtuilNCqNyEboevIvteNUtlMGD75oyonrYDjPbym2rFnCawMgGYutHP7Ty8exSWeyBYMOl2RytZyg_S7Jyw8tMqJA4zTDAZqhTf57hQl2vSRTHWPfKHd2af6N9qARLI/w400-h300/IMG_8832.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Those of us currently working at Agape have also had a few gatherings to celebrate birthdays or just have some needed time of fellowship together. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT-gqC-BpT4DQw34hENOc-KQXKjaBR5MX8vdDEnpoOg-Euhm7DXvbB0F-6sub5X65CeaTS0JmXOt5hOHaxmkxNgf7UBL5YlOFWe1Zke2UsxbprVBo7f-vkEzWp7ADiWXT0nyQHfSvlBg0o0mnlL7zT6ZK3ioHHO_A6dreqyXbmS3RTNTCPb3pyyH8/s4032/IMG_6369.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT-gqC-BpT4DQw34hENOc-KQXKjaBR5MX8vdDEnpoOg-Euhm7DXvbB0F-6sub5X65CeaTS0JmXOt5hOHaxmkxNgf7UBL5YlOFWe1Zke2UsxbprVBo7f-vkEzWp7ADiWXT0nyQHfSvlBg0o0mnlL7zT6ZK3ioHHO_A6dreqyXbmS3RTNTCPb3pyyH8/w300-h400/IMG_6369.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw_0ZaqlAsbz2AwqbXyS3E0LfsEQCNGtMiObSQS6erZvspPcEZ-_RWVuZDTHr-Qxm5P5Ejpou5SiqBuZdoIeBNeXRQ-OwLPqTclFNczN5QEQzy5y9WDqPf3mqbBaIkHrlis-HQnHVBfisE7hrgFGhc51TXDm5b_S8X-fegTtPTD274sCEMVGKF2Gs/s1600/IMG_8812.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw_0ZaqlAsbz2AwqbXyS3E0LfsEQCNGtMiObSQS6erZvspPcEZ-_RWVuZDTHr-Qxm5P5Ejpou5SiqBuZdoIeBNeXRQ-OwLPqTclFNczN5QEQzy5y9WDqPf3mqbBaIkHrlis-HQnHVBfisE7hrgFGhc51TXDm5b_S8X-fegTtPTD274sCEMVGKF2Gs/w400-h225/IMG_8812.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This was a "big #" birthday so we had to order some good stuff to celebrate</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWAhBG1xpBqDoCPzXUvBrFYMge0EzZ3oWPLBFwoM2e9HAR-3UP59M3aMMJy15i4hb_0zcY7fesWZnHgOF6KvcfKIbQNT2VqHpaCHhNBuGUBTAGUAjjN6EhIEabssqrrCfI7aCdsag8WGBKpFjGBbWKE2e0xPv45urzuK4Xv-mONiJkm6QOVWw31Ok/s4032/IMG_8836.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWAhBG1xpBqDoCPzXUvBrFYMge0EzZ3oWPLBFwoM2e9HAR-3UP59M3aMMJy15i4hb_0zcY7fesWZnHgOF6KvcfKIbQNT2VqHpaCHhNBuGUBTAGUAjjN6EhIEabssqrrCfI7aCdsag8WGBKpFjGBbWKE2e0xPv45urzuK4Xv-mONiJkm6QOVWw31Ok/w400-h300/IMG_8836.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A drive-by surprise to serenade our speech therapist on her birthday!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">So what is next at Agape? Well, as of today we have a timeline of May 2 for restarting rehab on a limited basis! We have many questions to answer and details to work out, but that is the current plan. We will continue accepting refugees, but the number will have to be reduced. It is becoming increasingly difficult to find places in Europe ready and willing accept people with disabilities, so the evacuation process will likely continue to slow down as more time is needed between groups to work out all the details. And we are receiving more and more phone calls from people with recent injuries or diagnoses who are in need of rehab. So we will attempt to do both rehab and refugee care simultaneously for a time. Please pray for us as we work out all the details. Many of our employees are still in Europe with no time frame on when they will return to Ukraine, so operating at full capacity is still in the future, but we plan to get started.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Also, I wanted to make you aware of our need to purchase one or more used adapted buses for Agape. Two of the three buses we currently have were barely making it before the war. And now with all the driving, often on bad roads, since the war started, all three buses are going downhill fast! Agape staff in Europe are searching for buses in Germany and we hope to purchase as least one, maybe more, to bring to Ukraine. Because of the war, customs fees for bringing vehicles into Ukraine from Europe are minimal, so it is also good to take advantage of this time. Will you please join us in praying for this need? And also prayerfully consider a financial contribution? Below are pictures of our buses from several years ago. They don't look this good now and they don't run reliably either. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu66Lp_rescImSc6CTeEPz9ElZhpVraJONwbgf9npL-4Q5Hgvym8mDLI_sjq1MgiZP41pCbHAKq8gz_EKZGbkJ9eDlpGpyZ-Xn-e9RhwKCPNHG0yk_GbVw39ZggvsnnQCTdmQ-_kMQP8msw9Fo5a3cDNluT62TygmXnVz5hKGrYmQYDgZOu4kZKHc/s1264/Screenshot%202022-04-12%20at%2020.43.59.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1084" data-original-width="1264" height="343" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu66Lp_rescImSc6CTeEPz9ElZhpVraJONwbgf9npL-4Q5Hgvym8mDLI_sjq1MgiZP41pCbHAKq8gz_EKZGbkJ9eDlpGpyZ-Xn-e9RhwKCPNHG0yk_GbVw39ZggvsnnQCTdmQ-_kMQP8msw9Fo5a3cDNluT62TygmXnVz5hKGrYmQYDgZOu4kZKHc/w400-h343/Screenshot%202022-04-12%20at%2020.43.59.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipbpqrIt6ZaHu20KuCNjk3BNbuExtq0h6kvYB81RRDHpP8jCQdEeGOjMrld6DKeBqD40Ln1U-5m6eHpcSpyc5qZPeVuuBqGTF2kEEW9RFH4vKsHX4epqMit_D_kxaWVtrA8G2dmJgJPV2Y79ro3sw25SvBGGFGWphlQmFbgnO-xKwIVAOiy1jsdaI/s1618/Screenshot%202022-04-12%20at%2020.44.52.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="816" data-original-width="1618" height="201" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipbpqrIt6ZaHu20KuCNjk3BNbuExtq0h6kvYB81RRDHpP8jCQdEeGOjMrld6DKeBqD40Ln1U-5m6eHpcSpyc5qZPeVuuBqGTF2kEEW9RFH4vKsHX4epqMit_D_kxaWVtrA8G2dmJgJPV2Y79ro3sw25SvBGGFGWphlQmFbgnO-xKwIVAOiy1jsdaI/w400-h201/Screenshot%202022-04-12%20at%2020.44.52.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">If you need information on how to make a donation, please refer to the previous blog post. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Thank you once again to all who support us prayerfully and financially.</span></div></div>Carriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01004999497733503209noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7774391233259808025.post-56933222966366583702022-03-23T02:09:00.002-07:002022-03-23T02:09:44.520-07:00Home again<div class="separator"><span style="font-size: large;">Sveta and I returned to Lutsk last Friday!! Thankfully, the drive back was uneventful and without delays. We only paused a couple of times at checkpoints, but encountered no long, slow lines this time. There were many more checkpoints than on our trip to Uzhhorod, but they mostly just waved us along. </span></div><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Before leaving Uzhhorod we were able to make another trip to Budapest to receive cash from America for Agape. One positive aspect of this war and the resulting displacement and travels for us has been making some new friends. Davide and Orsi welcomed us into the home for the night and we enjoyed our time of fellowship with them. This godly couple is generously and selflessly giving of their time, finances, and home to help Ukrainian refugees. And there are thousands more people just like them all across Europe who are assisting Ukrainian refugees in some way. It is a blessing to now call this couple our friends! </span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHDwM35eTcUxy9MPItaGxkuA_gGrPJtf0iZnxuHhH9ZZAvFoLLFnglxKyAfPxLsmSQHb8Maxomr5ezXjyemlyrSJ3AUNpbUFCqd7iU1-mmFEL6eYTSeeWrNBdpTcPScmQNOc59dHBCCiP2thpAScfxQ1s5Ykqp-_glIeptwq2-RjC4-IwxUhsMF5A/s4032/IMG_8743.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHDwM35eTcUxy9MPItaGxkuA_gGrPJtf0iZnxuHhH9ZZAvFoLLFnglxKyAfPxLsmSQHb8Maxomr5ezXjyemlyrSJ3AUNpbUFCqd7iU1-mmFEL6eYTSeeWrNBdpTcPScmQNOc59dHBCCiP2thpAScfxQ1s5Ykqp-_glIeptwq2-RjC4-IwxUhsMF5A/w400-h300/IMG_8743.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Thank you once again to all who have generously donated!! We brought most of the money back with us to Lutsk, but we were able to use some to purchase medications requested by Agape that were not available in Lutsk. We probably stopped at 10 pharmacies across Uzhhorod, but were thankful to be able to send back most of what was requested!</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMsUHsTbHmQWF_u6EKMm6y7eRbtECsSsO2z0rKVy--Birav3AOrIfkq_vb1O8KPwMUwFAvWWdDDqygwNDP1kIHtITqcMNetfItSzrpeUzpEZMf-4a-sj5LNfNbZL1pLk5epT0AK-Zh9OEFnu-F0TeGZ7-9WrBty_k8NGQ3UKUU9dtPXfn_K4BiCR0/s4032/IMG_8731.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMsUHsTbHmQWF_u6EKMm6y7eRbtECsSsO2z0rKVy--Birav3AOrIfkq_vb1O8KPwMUwFAvWWdDDqygwNDP1kIHtITqcMNetfItSzrpeUzpEZMf-4a-sj5LNfNbZL1pLk5epT0AK-Zh9OEFnu-F0TeGZ7-9WrBty_k8NGQ3UKUU9dtPXfn_K4BiCR0/w300-h400/IMG_8731.jpeg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Doesn't look like very much, but about $800 worth of needed meds</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">I am grateful to be back in Lutsk and helping at Agape. It has been such a joy to be reunited with friends who are still here and try to connect more with friends who are in Europe. </span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW6cLVRwzOYS5PJsoZDLM2dIzMiqc2PI_e5aLKwaFb6mkqy6lIEmeqlQsfJyALW-znjIY23okTMF-uYXebkK-3wFoAcgN0Onqdk3m3ZSe-CJf66COtuOI_K12lFdlSaRAf1iSOOGhI4jAHA46MENavwvoZGFEqYHNh-WH7aStfqneUzW4K_psO-HI/s1280/IMG_8763.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW6cLVRwzOYS5PJsoZDLM2dIzMiqc2PI_e5aLKwaFb6mkqy6lIEmeqlQsfJyALW-znjIY23okTMF-uYXebkK-3wFoAcgN0Onqdk3m3ZSe-CJf66COtuOI_K12lFdlSaRAf1iSOOGhI4jAHA46MENavwvoZGFEqYHNh-WH7aStfqneUzW4K_psO-HI/w400-h300/IMG_8763.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p style="font-size: large;">We are all praying for an end this war so that everyone can come home and rehabilitation at Agape can resume. But until then, Agape continues the work of receiving refugees and evacuating people with disabilities and their families to Europe. Another group of about 60 people was evacuated on Sunday and the next group is scheduled to depart this Friday. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-size: large; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg6iYsm8ke-I_sct59jPUM8SL58-QtLtHvDsQFcRjzH89Cz3gWkX0wICySDQxTuClNINOFfn5UBVb0ErYUN3CfWB5NDpU3W9dxCxVhsQc8ENzuJ5HdtgCuDJ5SGDtRiUFQ-_rkhJkGej4vrtk-z1mU3fM6y9q91rFzsEc-HZ9_tYzfznjX_4ZJRlI/s4032/IMG_8762.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg6iYsm8ke-I_sct59jPUM8SL58-QtLtHvDsQFcRjzH89Cz3gWkX0wICySDQxTuClNINOFfn5UBVb0ErYUN3CfWB5NDpU3W9dxCxVhsQc8ENzuJ5HdtgCuDJ5SGDtRiUFQ-_rkhJkGej4vrtk-z1mU3fM6y9q91rFzsEc-HZ9_tYzfznjX_4ZJRlI/w300-h400/IMG_8762.jpeg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Loading the buses on Sunday</td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-size: medium;">With the rapid and large turnover of people at Agape, laundry is a big task for which Sveta and I are now responsible. Fimiam Church and another local church also bring us their bedding when refugees depart from their facilities. So we stay pretty busy with that task, as well as helping clean Agape and prepare the rooms and rehab gym for the next arrivals. </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_k1jaFOvgj8q__xza-H7iEDu5vx05RkrQXP1tCPMfbZn1q8NQwRkpJrZsA0xy2uA1MlnFW_RSexxvj_bgWQKaR7-UZKCUumQlVNls50vqj4vi1_ppyFc4zb2mBdPNL4xOHGU-RY1OBt1pAUveBZYYdC-msnDXbrfi3xIkVZGIdFSZIrvAUTLdyns/s4032/IMG_8757.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_k1jaFOvgj8q__xza-H7iEDu5vx05RkrQXP1tCPMfbZn1q8NQwRkpJrZsA0xy2uA1MlnFW_RSexxvj_bgWQKaR7-UZKCUumQlVNls50vqj4vi1_ppyFc4zb2mBdPNL4xOHGU-RY1OBt1pAUveBZYYdC-msnDXbrfi3xIkVZGIdFSZIrvAUTLdyns/w400-h300/IMG_8757.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgflMMqPhzrxFnhFfsJnB_GJDh2BAhf5xvnsab_l7IRzQz3JeGt8SIxEmOVEMP1PfirgdL1Ek7NVc3UycWByhIrd77D-EuswYaSLtwPbEMAMaSG3JLTzIwTxS7-kk5eM0-Dzeu0jjVRjVHjRiXMGz4ViT4GZkjugBz0MoPNV2tFqAwVCchq-gyH-zQ/s1600/1647935543474760.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="901" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgflMMqPhzrxFnhFfsJnB_GJDh2BAhf5xvnsab_l7IRzQz3JeGt8SIxEmOVEMP1PfirgdL1Ek7NVc3UycWByhIrd77D-EuswYaSLtwPbEMAMaSG3JLTzIwTxS7-kk5eM0-Dzeu0jjVRjVHjRiXMGz4ViT4GZkjugBz0MoPNV2tFqAwVCchq-gyH-zQ/w225-h400/1647935543474760.jpg" width="225" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirf_QnCVXrfE8PFIfYAd531aO0E4tSWP-V_F8rWB8AYkHNz8AMNIRgC1h4rx5k-5_c_Yro48MHElkcM0zcp4baVrtLrJm2S5-ZmgG-QGOu18Iv5YTpN4oKFhHGbvLaia7wq84icpxgQY5YoqhS_xO7U9vP1Wd4pHVAyDYLsbls2spCFmWtjr-QynY/s4032/IMG_8758.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirf_QnCVXrfE8PFIfYAd531aO0E4tSWP-V_F8rWB8AYkHNz8AMNIRgC1h4rx5k-5_c_Yro48MHElkcM0zcp4baVrtLrJm2S5-ZmgG-QGOu18Iv5YTpN4oKFhHGbvLaia7wq84icpxgQY5YoqhS_xO7U9vP1Wd4pHVAyDYLsbls2spCFmWtjr-QynY/w400-h300/IMG_8758.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hanging bedding literally wherever we can</td></tr></tbody></table></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzZqG5iKrFWnpyUaRY7SC5wiw0n9Wh2RRbEY7A3_lzTOMtMR7vBT5pwZUOCEdplwRzKSrIF6rGHtQV3Rq1WngB4tB6Ill7DGZ5leF1kDCcQa4yNt4RrRb4rpJ77StmwPpYO9SnaaGTfaecougZguMdcF-1YgsSwRLX7mEly8998ZTwLCvWHrGAjBM/s4032/IMG_8772.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzZqG5iKrFWnpyUaRY7SC5wiw0n9Wh2RRbEY7A3_lzTOMtMR7vBT5pwZUOCEdplwRzKSrIF6rGHtQV3Rq1WngB4tB6Ill7DGZ5leF1kDCcQa4yNt4RrRb4rpJ77StmwPpYO9SnaaGTfaecougZguMdcF-1YgsSwRLX7mEly8998ZTwLCvWHrGAjBM/w400-h300/IMG_8772.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9yaPRKiilqt9bB1XHy9rL1Ot_yH1HeRKAL0npXM5eNqFY72323_XIxkX65DyWJZ5EvuiBKnB-Kl54oUSOSgLIEfI0iTm5f8SlBYsSueMJbjTzHi_xiiTLuRz3Y-V58eHn7UXWEgy-KCgOuL_DRmdBX_iC2um9EP7th0WT1lOj4qyLooTd4bNKML4/s4032/IMG_8765.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9yaPRKiilqt9bB1XHy9rL1Ot_yH1HeRKAL0npXM5eNqFY72323_XIxkX65DyWJZ5EvuiBKnB-Kl54oUSOSgLIEfI0iTm5f8SlBYsSueMJbjTzHi_xiiTLuRz3Y-V58eHn7UXWEgy-KCgOuL_DRmdBX_iC2um9EP7th0WT1lOj4qyLooTd4bNKML4/w400-h300/IMG_8765.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rehab gym ready for next round of people</td></tr></tbody></table></div><br /><span style="font-size: medium;">For now, that is the update from here. I want to thank everyone once again for your outpouring of support!!! For those still interested in making a financial donation, you may do so via: </span><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">1. agapeukraine.com: select the English version of the website and click on the "Donate" button</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">2. Christian Health Service Corps: Text CHSCUkraine to 41444 or at bit.ly/CHSCUkraine. <br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-size: medium;">The funds will reach Agape via either method. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Please continue to pray with us for:</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">- An end to the war.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">- Safe evacuations of people with disabilities and their families. Currently the majority of people we are evacuating are coming from the "hot spots" in Ukraine. Pray for transportation to be found and for them to safely get out of those cities where the fighting is strong.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">- Physical strength and perseverance for those serving refugees, both at Agape and many churches, organizations and facilities across western Ukraine. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">- Wisdom to discern when/if Agape should resume rehabilitation. That is not even a topic of consideration at this time, but as more and more soldiers are wounded the need for rehabilitation grows rapidly. Please pray we will understand when we should be ready to resume rehabilitation and on what level. There will many questions and few easy answers when this topic does come up for discussion.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">- The light of the gospel to go forth in the darkness of war. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Thank you for standing with us in prayer!!</span></div><div><p></p></div>Carriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01004999497733503209noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7774391233259808025.post-76917483741915686252022-03-10T07:02:00.001-08:002022-03-10T13:03:28.422-08:00Quick Update<p><span style="font-size: medium;">Let me open by saying <i><u>THANK YOU</u></i> to all who have prayed, contacted me through various means to offer encouragement, offered to assist in any way, and donated financially!! The outpouring of support has been almost overwhelming (in a good sense) and such a blessing in these days of war in Ukraine. SO many people have contributed financially. The sum total of donations to date is beyond what I could have imagined or projected and donations just continue to come in. On behalf of all of us here, I say to all who are donating, "<u><i>Thank you</i></u> so much! We will continue to seek to be good stewards of these funds in meeting the needs of Ukrainians with and without disabilities in these days." </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Many of you have continued to reach out to me personally. While I desire to respond to each person, I cannot always find the time for a detailed reply. So here are some highlights of the past week for me. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">While in Uzhgorod, we have been:</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">- Doing rehab with Vasya (our former patient) for a couple of hours each day (we are currently staying in his house where he no longer lives). His wife, Maria, is super busy as they are hosting many refugees as well as continuing their work with girls who have aged out of the orphanage. Our time with Vasya allows Maria to focus her attention and efforts on the needs of those living in their facility, knowing her husband is cared for and active. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">- Volunteering at the large operation taking place in Uzhgorod to feed refugees, both those living here and those waiting in lines at borders and checkpoints. It's amazing to see the scope of the work and to assist even in small ways, such as washing dishes or making sandwiches. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">- Traveling to pharmacies to collect medications requested by Agape. Yesterday we were asked to buy as much seizure medication as we could find. Many children with disabilities who are coming through Agape as refugees are in low supply and the local pharmacies are also out. Unfortunately, that is almost the case in Uzhgorod as well, but we were able to find a few boxes to purchase and will continue to search. Today we received another long list of medications to purchase, so we will set out tomorrow to work on finding them, Lord-willing. Money received from your donations is giving us the possibility to meet these needs for medications. So again, <u><i>thank you</i></u>! <b>Please pray</b> that we will be able to locate all the medications on the list and in the quantities requested. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">On Saturday morning, Sveta, her mom and I set out for Hungary. God blessed the trip and we were able to cross the border in 1.5 hours and make our way to Budapest where Stacy, our new friend, was waiting to welcome us. She is the acquaintance of a friend of a friend - I think! She took me in for 4 nights and helped me accomplish many tasks! Sveta and her mom flew to Berlin on Sunday so her mom could live with her brother. While waiting for Sveta to return, Stacy and I set about understanding how we could receive cash from America. The process had several bumps along the way, but in the end we made it back to Ukraine with much cash from donations in America and Europe. So <i><u>thanks</u></i><u><i> again</i></u> to all of you! </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">We plan to repeat this trip early next week to retrieve more cash, Lord-willing. Then we will determine how best to get this cash back to Agape. Using the traditional method of transferring to a bank account here is still not a good idea according to our Agape accountant, so we are maximizing our means of obtaining cash. <b>Please pray</b> with us that the current avenues do not close for us and that if they do we will be able find alternate means quickly to continue to receive cash. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Agape and our ministry have also been very active. The third group of people with disabilities to be evacuated to Europe left Agape this morning. <i><u>We are thankful</u></i> that the first two groups are now settled in various locations in Germany. All of the groups include children and adults with disabilities, some of their family members, and additional caregivers from our team as needed. Many different organizations throughout Europe are willing and able to assist in evacuating people with disabilities and providing them with housing and care. People are being so generous with their time, energy and resources. </span><span style="font-size: large;">God is truly using His people all over the world.</span><span style="font-size: medium;"> Here are few pictures of some of the groups in transit:</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjClQQvVr7aFo8x8hGSm1dwKn8sJ14SEmuv9Y1HvB3fBdxI6DXneBHBm6-5hEinbVLQdiJLUEjlHTFxVS5xBwEPJY8ckLJKgWmw-oMX3T5f4p9t8TfHH8nFweaZ8Fw2ONwkT2MdwifgwxSXJjC9k0EG2F8AgDqFrRhQSPA5G04qVAh_OZdTI1PYawE=s1600" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1201" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjClQQvVr7aFo8x8hGSm1dwKn8sJ14SEmuv9Y1HvB3fBdxI6DXneBHBm6-5hEinbVLQdiJLUEjlHTFxVS5xBwEPJY8ckLJKgWmw-oMX3T5f4p9t8TfHH8nFweaZ8Fw2ONwkT2MdwifgwxSXJjC9k0EG2F8AgDqFrRhQSPA5G04qVAh_OZdTI1PYawE=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhFgNZU78FDeKDbxE2ujPqcrAL_KM0U6hoAw2ZS7xt9V57Jd0IHdg1BLCwnRaBVccGDhsuEdNaY2SWxj-G_oW5ocK3kTq5b38H0kRbr54FTMWaK2OnVJx3O1MWvGfc65XVY_epaC_4_tpgwrEngmnF7nJjEfa9yg6tWTNwLz-hgpnpx8BCySmxS6W4=s1600" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1201" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhFgNZU78FDeKDbxE2ujPqcrAL_KM0U6hoAw2ZS7xt9V57Jd0IHdg1BLCwnRaBVccGDhsuEdNaY2SWxj-G_oW5ocK3kTq5b38H0kRbr54FTMWaK2OnVJx3O1MWvGfc65XVY_epaC_4_tpgwrEngmnF7nJjEfa9yg6tWTNwLz-hgpnpx8BCySmxS6W4=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjrIJQijRvoy1p3T-RxBcqsS4VbgnOb6jbOzcZG_LD7mC2XakJXa6wqXbWvz-i5UuQzABhO236VTNkdgbOvxJIaBjdQ8pw1NGS5Cuc_Cb93IpeCgm4hzykfIj76SKrrCkrw8hGQYQ9VWxwl9ZADEaTrcdlPXthXXU1Nvctfw6_SILA3g6UyUuzDcSw=s1284" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="962" data-original-width="1284" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjrIJQijRvoy1p3T-RxBcqsS4VbgnOb6jbOzcZG_LD7mC2XakJXa6wqXbWvz-i5UuQzABhO236VTNkdgbOvxJIaBjdQ8pw1NGS5Cuc_Cb93IpeCgm4hzykfIj76SKrrCkrw8hGQYQ9VWxwl9ZADEaTrcdlPXthXXU1Nvctfw6_SILA3g6UyUuzDcSw=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiRckDFGHRHwhveisekG2YlxKX81k_jiACeJr1SWK2rvtkE9ms-Jpjggtb6oZziEQaLOVzFf5J7BsgKtn36Im-_9ca3Dvy4sQ3GAOW8Rp3gm1XBXkasZpJqMo8oV7GGFbaWRmS1qUjEYPX1_5vXN4TY9zZUPWQy0bvrzk-MPFy5S3PnuSCW5azwVUk=s1280" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiRckDFGHRHwhveisekG2YlxKX81k_jiACeJr1SWK2rvtkE9ms-Jpjggtb6oZziEQaLOVzFf5J7BsgKtn36Im-_9ca3Dvy4sQ3GAOW8Rp3gm1XBXkasZpJqMo8oV7GGFbaWRmS1qUjEYPX1_5vXN4TY9zZUPWQy0bvrzk-MPFy5S3PnuSCW5azwVUk=w300-h400" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The parting of a young girl with a disability and her grandfather, who is one of our Agape employees, at the border. </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj8CIgypV0hRcrIAFjrQu3wrMoUN8NrllY5oRTJpcSz6s-WTPr1I80H4GEk7DC7QbD6AbSvifhGFnVeVQmcSuEB_VuKwF1va68P4bbtNaoxTd_-5_PSzu8qpL-DMsrv4euj_87E1O0laxEw-MI-JoEWsr9Bs77msHysez0y90bGMpBCW5CwEwPrwxk=s848" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="636" data-original-width="848" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj8CIgypV0hRcrIAFjrQu3wrMoUN8NrllY5oRTJpcSz6s-WTPr1I80H4GEk7DC7QbD6AbSvifhGFnVeVQmcSuEB_VuKwF1va68P4bbtNaoxTd_-5_PSzu8qpL-DMsrv4euj_87E1O0laxEw-MI-JoEWsr9Bs77msHysez0y90bGMpBCW5CwEwPrwxk=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh5ck2q4zMRxDiveYhnNrXa-71C-z8jQAjlv6DeBTjpdGxcjQAt5yxwN5YPHpLiMu1fBpq6jzhoRPX7wDWW-uAOMx_M-kjv4ppurjKdKhc_H5X7Liu4JDhTREVCDUwdA25eQPSwdij_J90QMP8IXdQ7Imus_HX4pfEGSnqOSZUXLN7cGqDf6Ja8mD8=s848" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="848" data-original-width="636" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh5ck2q4zMRxDiveYhnNrXa-71C-z8jQAjlv6DeBTjpdGxcjQAt5yxwN5YPHpLiMu1fBpq6jzhoRPX7wDWW-uAOMx_M-kjv4ppurjKdKhc_H5X7Liu4JDhTREVCDUwdA25eQPSwdij_J90QMP8IXdQ7Imus_HX4pfEGSnqOSZUXLN7cGqDf6Ja8mD8=w300-h400" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjvLN8SG0zy_DyAVFzwR3gT4DPOFWNKaFfOg8F8UMquDwJUmTPxfw5Y7XMXxP_cGgYXWLBKq5eWyaIf5wK5dtoGVFQ_lN73yTD0OWmcoViaaSVIM9SSJhpy-yROgAZXNXpZea-8xVIbbdd0ZdDQSchROqweBOPObHZiTOB6iW91YSbw2OVh-ti16U8=s1000" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="750" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjvLN8SG0zy_DyAVFzwR3gT4DPOFWNKaFfOg8F8UMquDwJUmTPxfw5Y7XMXxP_cGgYXWLBKq5eWyaIf5wK5dtoGVFQ_lN73yTD0OWmcoViaaSVIM9SSJhpy-yROgAZXNXpZea-8xVIbbdd0ZdDQSchROqweBOPObHZiTOB6iW91YSbw2OVh-ti16U8=w300-h400" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiBWvvDN-GxwUvFpxPtFsCkNE6LBNTuT60dnV20Ms_BqdD5yWc97QqJF52B0j4XdiSozQ4EF5gvBGDB6j43C5c7cjPUh-tGQvx9RfXkwbP-cFYFIUVmtmnRI2iCmJsboIQwzq9v3qntP17ufTvoRl-BAD3WmEH4OKs13ESvFRE_8kvowmSQJrJYW_o=s1600" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1201" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiBWvvDN-GxwUvFpxPtFsCkNE6LBNTuT60dnV20Ms_BqdD5yWc97QqJF52B0j4XdiSozQ4EF5gvBGDB6j43C5c7cjPUh-tGQvx9RfXkwbP-cFYFIUVmtmnRI2iCmJsboIQwzq9v3qntP17ufTvoRl-BAD3WmEH4OKs13ESvFRE_8kvowmSQJrJYW_o=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The plan, of course, is to continue these evacuations, so <b>please join us in prayer</b> for the planning, coordinating, and transporting of these groups. And then <b>pray</b> for them as they settle in foreign countries where they cannot speak the language. <b>Pray</b> they will have access to translators to be able to communicate and also for the necessary medical care. Several of those who have already evacuated have pressure sores that require specialized medical attention. This is being sought with some of our German partners. <b>Please pray</b> the right medical personnel can be found. God knows the needs of each of these people evacuated, both those with and without disabilities. <b>Please pray</b> they will know God's nearness even in a new, foreign place and <u><i>thank God with us</i></u> that they are now out of a country at war. <b>Please pray</b> that many more will be able to be quickly evacuated to safety as well. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Agape has also been busy hosting refugees who are traveling toward the Polish border. Large groups have come through and even our rehab gym has been turned into overflow sleeping quarters. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiqw6YYUVeGtYHwvB25IChziNVeN7O_X19N9ODMqjUALlD8EINYoEox-aNDlcI8ghobnZWfTBHdrxAYFBiEjJVE2aEfiP3BFKkvZwm7ATFUNas2r6ZyZkgyIxUosyt2Mwf_V0vcxk6E2zmFx_QAdAzoDYCjmHQTl2UAJqf4qEnFyhuNnukpuS4UZNM=s1600" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1201" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiqw6YYUVeGtYHwvB25IChziNVeN7O_X19N9ODMqjUALlD8EINYoEox-aNDlcI8ghobnZWfTBHdrxAYFBiEjJVE2aEfiP3BFKkvZwm7ATFUNas2r6ZyZkgyIxUosyt2Mwf_V0vcxk6E2zmFx_QAdAzoDYCjmHQTl2UAJqf4qEnFyhuNnukpuS4UZNM=w400-h300" width="400" /></span></a></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjVSXJfkuZFtIdK8icvu5rIU9iTylGkWHMvEZOkfzD8i6IXm_pEcbB7exkHzh9vojNcideKi3NGiGWM8y1HK2e516pvui4KIb2I5zmQRKDMEjbVYuR8fmsDcqdXzYqUohAbTS3iIc7wXtf_wFF5IyniEHj0Hn0tIq3bUI9UemPf73xYF9IhUzKMcl0=s1600" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjVSXJfkuZFtIdK8icvu5rIU9iTylGkWHMvEZOkfzD8i6IXm_pEcbB7exkHzh9vojNcideKi3NGiGWM8y1HK2e516pvui4KIb2I5zmQRKDMEjbVYuR8fmsDcqdXzYqUohAbTS3iIc7wXtf_wFF5IyniEHj0Hn0tIq3bUI9UemPf73xYF9IhUzKMcl0=w400-h225" width="400" /></span></a></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEje6qArMFvaULKPz1aa6JSZysUR_UAqh7qKKzo5lxgSIlA0S0rMHTkFVfTAoPiI_-ElWO1L-PDzDDDbAMmZAgY9koFAA7r7jSxaYz86lgIaPnuerUV89uV1oLPPHD7WUNjzX12aN6HI1ig2JiUShfoKcDwoTDWTbnOjYjyR0STQPTL6R2IRfTP13y8=s1600" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1201" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEje6qArMFvaULKPz1aa6JSZysUR_UAqh7qKKzo5lxgSIlA0S0rMHTkFVfTAoPiI_-ElWO1L-PDzDDDbAMmZAgY9koFAA7r7jSxaYz86lgIaPnuerUV89uV1oLPPHD7WUNjzX12aN6HI1ig2JiUShfoKcDwoTDWTbnOjYjyR0STQPTL6R2IRfTP13y8=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhFmQanM95GvbCwsEf9midhDxntygd3Qk07oylpXUBUy1dSP3aKB2VtKDhpcQyT27fyoD8J_TdJ2EWKPDXa2_Eubt-s18CZpZvpvZiI1-LBrVHP8_AQSB7agXe8Pd-vcqJZeKDbwyTzp7AWX2IPnRB7Yf-lk3AvTj-injWBUamotUf4U3OEfbYS2vU=s1600" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1201" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhFmQanM95GvbCwsEf9midhDxntygd3Qk07oylpXUBUy1dSP3aKB2VtKDhpcQyT27fyoD8J_TdJ2EWKPDXa2_Eubt-s18CZpZvpvZiI1-LBrVHP8_AQSB7agXe8Pd-vcqJZeKDbwyTzp7AWX2IPnRB7Yf-lk3AvTj-injWBUamotUf4U3OEfbYS2vU=w400-h300" width="400" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-size: medium;">Agape employees as well as volunteers who are still in the Lutsk area have been working to feed refugees, keep the facility clean, receive and distribute humanitarian supplies, and perform so many other tasks. <b>Please pray</b> for sustaining strength as many of them are unable to go home for days at a time do to the constant work. <b>Please pray</b> for the continued provisions (food, medication, etc) necessary to care for the continual flow of refugees. </span><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><u><i>Thank you</i></u> again to all for your concern, encouragement, contributions and prayers. I tried to highlight throughout this post ways that you can join us in thanking God as well as ways you can pray. There are many, many more than the ones I listed, of course, but I trust God will lead you in how you should pray. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">I want to close with two "contrasting" pictures from Budapest of the Hungarian parliament building. In the daytime, this building does not particularly stand out amidst the surroundings, other than due to its sheer size. But at night? Against the backdrop of darkness, this same building absolutely shines in splendor and cannot be missed! </span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgf1Z0VnL_heuSUNH2wbNYDqj0z_oHQ9i6xXV0Jd9fpnzVmt8C52z3BacyvF5rOxHL3zSAoJAlw3Hyqy2OBSOUjHhD1SdXEqjnsgvP7_CurgQhBxFihDhs0NPcDdTABPd9yK1iZxGkVf45LIafo1RKu6wrK5f4pswIelahPfrlwrPQBh0sEvvgdJJM=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgf1Z0VnL_heuSUNH2wbNYDqj0z_oHQ9i6xXV0Jd9fpnzVmt8C52z3BacyvF5rOxHL3zSAoJAlw3Hyqy2OBSOUjHhD1SdXEqjnsgvP7_CurgQhBxFihDhs0NPcDdTABPd9yK1iZxGkVf45LIafo1RKu6wrK5f4pswIelahPfrlwrPQBh0sEvvgdJJM=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEigefQCdxB9M4l2w-30infHfgj-Witi4mQSkyDzSBMomI1jbhwQ3o_WdpN36C-dsyp2DfZAwsXh70CsV-CmPzZVwCXzA8fRBGVLQEyi4LDu9upuq_tmh12nqr75b2stJCWyMAaWA3WVMW4cwb_0XMFa-iDKt8KkBxCZPCghLZ05UBwr1A2VKqtC7AA=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEigefQCdxB9M4l2w-30infHfgj-Witi4mQSkyDzSBMomI1jbhwQ3o_WdpN36C-dsyp2DfZAwsXh70CsV-CmPzZVwCXzA8fRBGVLQEyi4LDu9upuq_tmh12nqr75b2stJCWyMAaWA3WVMW4cwb_0XMFa-iDKt8KkBxCZPCghLZ05UBwr1A2VKqtC7AA=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">May the light of Christ continue to shine spectacularly through His children against the backdrop of the darkness of great evil. </span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">And when the world sees it, may they magnify our great God! </span></div>Carriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01004999497733503209noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7774391233259808025.post-59607842349146041252022-03-02T12:04:00.000-08:002022-03-02T12:04:03.276-08:00Needs<div>For those who have expressed a desire to assist...</div><div><br /></div>Finances are needed to meet the following immediate and near-future needs of Agape, our ministry and our friends and acquaintances with disabilities:<div>- Fuel for our buses which are being used in the evacuation of people with disabilities to Europe</div><div>- Electricity and gas bills at Agape so that they are not shut off as people with disabilities as well as refugees are continuing to reside in Agape</div><div>- Money for use on the road for those being evacuated. The first group is currently on day 3 of their travel due to a variety of circumstances. They have obviously required stops for food and sleeping in hotels. The second group is soon scheduled to depart Lutsk and additional groups may be formed as other organizations in Europe are willing and able to accept them. So money to help support their travel is a need. </div><div>- Food and medicine for people with disabilities and their families who will not or cannot be evacuated. </div><div><br /><div>As stated in my previous post, donations can be made on the English version of agapeukraine.com. </div></div><div><br /></div><div>Please pray for the first group of evacuees, which included 35 people with and without disabilities. WE are thankful they were all allowed across the border. Pray they will soon reach their destination and be able to get settled and recover from their travel. The second group is projected to have up to 40 people and be departing as soon as all arrangements can be made. Please pray for the entire group to also be allowed to cross the border and for their travel as well. Please pray for those in Lutsk who are working tirelessly on all the details needed for these evacuations. Also pray for those who are working at Agape to serve people with disabilities who cannot be evacuated or are awaiting evacuation and for refugees who are staying in the facility. </div><div><br /></div><div>For any who may have additional questions, I can be reached at cmoss19@hotmail.com. Thank you for your prayers for Ukraine and desire to assist!!</div>Carriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01004999497733503209noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7774391233259808025.post-72768501817011494992022-02-27T13:03:00.000-08:002022-02-27T13:03:01.427-08:00War<span style="font-size: medium;">War came to Ukraine this week, Thursday morning for us to be exact. We awoke to news of a Russian invasion with explosions in and around Kyiv. While processing this news still lying in my bed, having just opened my Bible, I heard a strange, unfamiliar sound of something flying through the air followed by an explosion that felt and sounded all too close. I jumped up to look out the window, fully expecting to see smoke, but there was none in view. Soon afterward came a second explosion, then quiet for a time, then two more explosions. Lutsk, my home for the past 8 years and the home of so many people I know and love, was under attack. I wanted to deny it, but my own ears had heard the unmistakeable sound and my own body had felt the rumble. Thankfully, this was the end of the explosions in Lutsk, but it was only the beginning of a completely new and unknown life in Ukraine. War had come to our country and even to our own city. </span><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">We went to work at Agape as normal that day, even though things were far from normal. Our administration decided all patients would go home and Agape would close until it became clearer what war in Ukraine would look like and how our area would be affected. So we set about discharging patients and preparing Agape as per our leadership's instructions. Blocks, purchases long ago for future construction at Agape and standing in the nearby field, were brought by men and stacked in front of all first floor windows. People, our own people, would be living in Agape. For example, families who live on the upper floors of a 9-story building with no basement in which to take cover. And people with disabilities for whom it would be difficult to rapidly get to shelter at the sound of air raid sirens. Each night the number of people residing in Agape has grown and at least once they have all taken cover in the basement, bumping people in wheelchairs down the stairs and remaining there for several hours. </span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiEeFBITfL6BoApa9U87dMxl4Nsap4rQZ57UuOiYF1cRQJbUVQ_JTk0uBC6RPx-714kdAEzmvX3bdcl6S4xLBs3zX4dxZk7kmyPgtSJOgyOTRjgfprVAA1aXQsHNY-Vlvy0nBbaFIMlfo-M0KrqBR6IhpGbc5l3dkpSyW1SX0c-6N-1jql-zG-ctMA=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiEeFBITfL6BoApa9U87dMxl4Nsap4rQZ57UuOiYF1cRQJbUVQ_JTk0uBC6RPx-714kdAEzmvX3bdcl6S4xLBs3zX4dxZk7kmyPgtSJOgyOTRjgfprVAA1aXQsHNY-Vlvy0nBbaFIMlfo-M0KrqBR6IhpGbc5l3dkpSyW1SX0c-6N-1jql-zG-ctMA=w400-h300" width="400" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhFPSFl35qL3iIacyXx24k10Ov1W9NcWgVlnuS9R6zp5cVS3V3ldw8J6ZxtNise53UPZLU8EnyDaPfjf0xKIbwNQzP_eHw33MMRkcJVK1Vy5q15x3txhceWQCEeJSeDRTLGbwHmsK04Tj8wiGk_lLnUdgtBLixZ1LN4KKMWz2hW1ff4QaO363rw5nI=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhFPSFl35qL3iIacyXx24k10Ov1W9NcWgVlnuS9R6zp5cVS3V3ldw8J6ZxtNise53UPZLU8EnyDaPfjf0xKIbwNQzP_eHw33MMRkcJVK1Vy5q15x3txhceWQCEeJSeDRTLGbwHmsK04Tj8wiGk_lLnUdgtBLixZ1LN4KKMWz2hW1ff4QaO363rw5nI=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div>When we finished work and began parting, it was unlike any other departure from Ukraine. This was not a closure for the winter holidays or for quarantine. None of us were going on vacation. Agape was closing because of war and we didn't know when or if we would see one another again. The following phrase has been spoken many times in the past few days when parting with a friend: "We will see each other again. If not here on earth, then in heaven." It's a sobering and difficult thought to realize it might very well be true that I will not see some of these beloved people again on earth. But, it is also a hope-filled thought to know that, as believers, this world is not the end of our existence. Eternity with God awaits, sooner or later. War heightens that awareness! </span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">It became apparent that we would need to depart Lutsk and so plans were made and remade and remade. By God's grace, friends in Uzhgorod, a Ukrainian city on the border with Slovakia and Hungary, agreed to receive us. So, for the many who are wondering if we are safe and have contacted me through various means to ask, now you know that yes, we are safe, praise the Lord. This is a peaceful and safe city with even the street lights still aglow when we arrived late last night. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">On Saturday, we drove through the Carpathian Mountains to Uzhgorod. Along with Sveta and I is her mother and a family from Kyiv. We have been given a house to live in by a former Agape patient and his wife. They have not been able to reside in this house since his traumatic brain injury several years ago, but graciously opened it up to us. God is good! Another young woman and her 12-year-old daughter made the journey with us and were welcomed by a local church. They are originally from Luhansk and fled the war there in 2014. They told us how they fully expected to return just a few months later, but haven't been back in the past 8 years! That thought was sobering to me as I drove away from our home yesterday, believing myself that I will be back before long. Will I really? Have I spent time with beloved friends, worked in Agape, worshipped at Fimiam Church, fellowshipped and studied the Word with my brothers and sisters in Christ at our home church, gone for a run in through the streets and fields and along the river in our village, sat and read by the fire in our home...for the last time? Would I really be back? I prayed so, but the uncertainty of it all made for a great internal turmoil while driving away from Lutsk. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">I honestly struggled with what to think and feel yesterday. I had no intense sense of fear that was driving me to depart, and so there was also no sense of relief as we drove away. There was an awareness that this was the right thing to do at this time, but that was also mixed with a lot of sadness, uncertainty, and questions. The first two hours of our drive is a very familiar stretch of road. I began thinking of all the times I've driven it and the reasons for traveling it. We go that way to get to the Lviv airport, either to take a trip ourselves or pick someone up who is coming to visit us. Or we go that way to get to the mountains for our summer vacation or our winter ski trips. Until this particular day, traveling on this stretch road was taking us somewhere exciting and adventurous or to someone we love and haven't seen in a long time. But not on this day. On this day we were refugees. We were leaving our home, driven by war to search for a safer place and not knowing when or if we would return. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Our journey should have taken 6-7 hours under normal conditions, but in a country in a state of war it took over 15 hours with nearly 8 hours spent in long checkpoint lines. It was an exhausting day, but we were warmly welcomed when we arrived. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjX5Yu9naGGjmyf_qCFtVYpsMnSf7APiu2slAwL1xHSD2a9buBglqpleueq20rRsnSBybnYSlX_k3QU5yyjRq9znGUZI94ZAhmfJzrr2XnYhk2Gk8PSXZfc2PR4ti5T3nax2A31CVsst3wIKAWFB6cPKdsmiWlXZl0WhKiaPE-vR-CS3UVekK1gbqE=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjX5Yu9naGGjmyf_qCFtVYpsMnSf7APiu2slAwL1xHSD2a9buBglqpleueq20rRsnSBybnYSlX_k3QU5yyjRq9znGUZI94ZAhmfJzrr2XnYhk2Gk8PSXZfc2PR4ti5T3nax2A31CVsst3wIKAWFB6cPKdsmiWlXZl0WhKiaPE-vR-CS3UVekK1gbqE=w300-h400" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Checkpoint line through the mountains<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">What else can I say of what I've witnessed, heard and experienced over the past four days? Here are just a few things: </span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">- Ukrainians are fighting! We know and read how the army is fighting and many volunteers in recent days have joined them to fight with weapons. We are thankful for their resolve, skill, and courage. We pray for their safety, strength, and victory. Average citizens, young and old, are also joining in the fight in whatever ways they can. Men are building checkpoints at strategic locations to protect their cities, villages, homes and families. They are standing guard, ready to defend by whatever means they have available. </span></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiaY8EYQk4wqEaMpT61aU8dchKdwMPu4y9-9jcJw9jUIoQxuHT_S_afDP0c2IExZrnqAoQy_3B9bd7jkQO_1fn3B9pr3YnQWIB2R4DmRbHPY2O_hyxgc2zoBJTHzCkmoZ2KfvokB7M_5TFcSy7GA15csHB7xHPkLJwD9NFNCXHkoe8YQwg8ZWR57yQ=s1280" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiaY8EYQk4wqEaMpT61aU8dchKdwMPu4y9-9jcJw9jUIoQxuHT_S_afDP0c2IExZrnqAoQy_3B9bd7jkQO_1fn3B9pr3YnQWIB2R4DmRbHPY2O_hyxgc2zoBJTHzCkmoZ2KfvokB7M_5TFcSy7GA15csHB7xHPkLJwD9NFNCXHkoe8YQwg8ZWR57yQ=w300-h400" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Men from Fimiam participated in building several checkpoints</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">- Ukrainians are helping one another! I can only begin to tell you how many ways this is happening. From gathering supplies (food, clothing, bedding, etc) for refugees flocking to the western cities and heading to the borders, to providing housing in churches for anyone seeking shelter when the air raid sirens go off (which is happening more and more frequently in Lutsk), to participating in the building of homemade checkpoints, to giving money to meet a variety of needs, to driving a bus full of women and children to the Polish border (men ages 18-60 are not allowed to leave Ukraine but are sending their families), to cooking meals for those seeking shelter in Agape...the list goes on and on and every person seems to be finding a way to help another. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">- Ukrainian churches are active! They are meeting the needs of people in their immediate community. Fimiam and other Lutsk churches are open for local citizens to seek temporary shelter or for refugees to find a place to reside. Once there, people also find food and encouragement from church members ready and willing to serve them. Churches are also out in the community seeking ways to help refugees and meet the needs of the citizens. And each evening Fimiam holds a time of general prayer for anyone able to attend. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiGfWuazE7qVYH1Mco2364rkvxRewbRUS7fZwI_ITsdyfSn7ONmHqeAmG9MTD7gfwvop1d9ksdTmaBnknxiJVSwf9a99FC4Y7royt1AOkiHBx3ZU3ocSQ_mqDYB5SIdQToGpo0xhrb2lOR4yZQmDA5AUOLhkWzM7sehSwITg6P2E4nUKMWovn5CXY4=s1280" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiGfWuazE7qVYH1Mco2364rkvxRewbRUS7fZwI_ITsdyfSn7ONmHqeAmG9MTD7gfwvop1d9ksdTmaBnknxiJVSwf9a99FC4Y7royt1AOkiHBx3ZU3ocSQ_mqDYB5SIdQToGpo0xhrb2lOR4yZQmDA5AUOLhkWzM7sehSwITg6P2E4nUKMWovn5CXY4=w300-h400" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The "partially" underground Fimiam Church gymnasium, prepared to welcome shelter seekers. </td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiwFm328QOT0oZFuLBS3U01EbFJFfqHZkbYM_N4Oxc69zh2iBkP_dC-oK4G5DFMtcg7ge3FBVgwxaeQ5KY1IUYECT1BoCMx2tF2ekknk1CuYKG0pFpuzucSX50C9D4O0jjYoKZT56UI0llipF415lxwOd0V0mAVTTauJWQnHvoWmq-pMzZ0jt3xtRI=s1280" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiwFm328QOT0oZFuLBS3U01EbFJFfqHZkbYM_N4Oxc69zh2iBkP_dC-oK4G5DFMtcg7ge3FBVgwxaeQ5KY1IUYECT1BoCMx2tF2ekknk1CuYKG0pFpuzucSX50C9D4O0jjYoKZT56UI0llipF415lxwOd0V0mAVTTauJWQnHvoWmq-pMzZ0jt3xtRI=w300-h400" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sand bags to block the windows</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh4unRHIww4te-F_xGlnNX4FNfFfC_W3c1w4NtLxNtArtDxL2Q0wHNkgiXsaq0VSeXm8Asr_-q4BpSK3w8VnVNJ2Gy7l4mousMSIV_mW0sNhGqlVrxHtmIo8PWfeGSzTL5kS5561F_mdB5EzwwzXRqjg8TgLzooWQE5s4P6diSEQ3GYCWK7VBR6psg=s1280" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh4unRHIww4te-F_xGlnNX4FNfFfC_W3c1w4NtLxNtArtDxL2Q0wHNkgiXsaq0VSeXm8Asr_-q4BpSK3w8VnVNJ2Gy7l4mousMSIV_mW0sNhGqlVrxHtmIo8PWfeGSzTL5kS5561F_mdB5EzwwzXRqjg8TgLzooWQE5s4P6diSEQ3GYCWK7VBR6psg=w300-h400" width="300" /></a></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgm7FlWB6_SzGvM3GBK12IMo6D77s9BZenKB1RSavux34tZWHWGvfidWpw8ykZRpcEgKFS20fBo8-lLZsuI22H_OYmKx2yXcEQfjvckQPxBfumxASt5SzU6bblPjqGYEtF4Hz5c19OhUuQ0dl8ZIYFMW5D2ZqWO26Nhtx4mrhcSqQoBj5vN2_mp3qI=s1280" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgm7FlWB6_SzGvM3GBK12IMo6D77s9BZenKB1RSavux34tZWHWGvfidWpw8ykZRpcEgKFS20fBo8-lLZsuI22H_OYmKx2yXcEQfjvckQPxBfumxASt5SzU6bblPjqGYEtF4Hz5c19OhUuQ0dl8ZIYFMW5D2ZqWO26Nhtx4mrhcSqQoBj5vN2_mp3qI=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">These are difficult days and there is no guarantee of the final outcome of this war. So we plead with God for a Ukrainian victory, for the protection of citizens and soldiers, for our government leaders to have wisdom, for world leaders to maximize their assistance to Ukraine, and for peace to return to this country. Please continue with us in these prayers. We know God is in ultimate control, not any man. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Thank you to the many people who have contacted me through various means in recent days and weeks. I have not yet been able to respond to each one personally, particularly over the past few days. But do know that I am blessed and encouraged by each message, inquiry, and especially declaration of prayer! The outpouring of love and prayer has been truly amazing and encouraging! Thank you!!!</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Some people have inquired as to how they can assist financially in meeting needs in Ukraine. The needs of Agape, our ministry and people with disabilities will be fluid. Agape is closed indefinitely (meaning no source of income for Agape and ultimately its employees depending on the length of closure) and many of our people with disabilities are going to attempt to travel to Europe to be housed by some of our partners there. Needs have and will arise and they will vary as the days pass. If the Lord leads you to participate in meeting these needs, the best means to is through the US non-profit organization Agape Ukraine, Inc. Donations can be made on the website: agapeukraine.com. Select the English various of the website and you will see a "Donate" tab. Thank you in advance to any who participate in this way. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Please feel free to share this blog via personal means of communication with anyone who may be interested. I only ask that you not publish any of this information or the link to this blog on your personal social media accounts. Thank you. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Again, thank you to all who love and support Ukraine. We are in God's hands and pray for His mercy and a rapid end to this war. </span></div>Carriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01004999497733503209noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7774391233259808025.post-31139515607891712162022-01-30T11:32:00.002-08:002022-01-30T11:32:43.820-08:00Pray for Ukraine<p>As I'm sure most of you know, Ukraine is experiencing a time of tension and uncertainty with the threat of a potential Russian invasion. I will not get into all aspects of what is occurring or may occur. I will simply ask that you join us in prayer: </p><p>- For God's protection over Ukraine from invasion or any other attempts by Russia to disrupt the lives and safety of Ukrainians. </p><p>- For God to turn the heart of Putin away from any evil he is potentially planning against Ukraine.</p><p>- For wisdom for the leaders of Ukraine and other countries of the West as they attempt to achieve a diplomatic resolution with Russia.</p><p>- For peace to reign in the hearts of believers in Ukraine. That we would trust in the Lord and testify of our confidence in His goodness as we converse with unbelieving family and friends.</p><p>On a personal note, I am in Ukraine. Since I live in the western aspect of Ukraine, I am far from the current area of potential invasion. I am closely monitoring the situation and receiving updates from the US Embassy Kyiv as well as counsel from people both in Ukraine and the US. I am continually praying and seeking God's guidance whether to stay or go. I ask for your prayers to discern the will of God for my life at this time. </p><p>Our lives here in Lutsk are currently operating as normal. The Agape Rehabilitation Complex is open and fully functioning, our stores are fully stocked, and our churches continue to meet. COVID cases throughout Ukraine are on the rise, however, so that is an area in which we also covet prayer. </p><p>Thank you to all who have reached out to check on me. I am thankful for your concern and prayers, not only for me, but for all of Ukraine. </p><p style="text-align: center;">May God be merciful toward Ukraine at this time! </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhQvalqtDTK7zxeXkO7zF70rhIR6EBFUEiITUiqXtsudOoXynLUfsNjMPZl9CZ5XNFDSm-DzVq3YSTnKTzD7ufUXoSYkqga6QL8h5k8F14qXDKjt5AotxXk72SC8qwMb-fm0H9Hj6ZDQ5Gc75siVnmpsVnZlgPaL3ofO_KTHh87sCtKq1cAp1vJiFM=s1662" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1086" data-original-width="1662" height="418" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhQvalqtDTK7zxeXkO7zF70rhIR6EBFUEiITUiqXtsudOoXynLUfsNjMPZl9CZ5XNFDSm-DzVq3YSTnKTzD7ufUXoSYkqga6QL8h5k8F14qXDKjt5AotxXk72SC8qwMb-fm0H9Hj6ZDQ5Gc75siVnmpsVnZlgPaL3ofO_KTHh87sCtKq1cAp1vJiFM=w640-h418" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>Carriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01004999497733503209noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7774391233259808025.post-27057230869664648302021-07-22T10:46:00.000-07:002021-07-22T10:46:04.983-07:00Agape Celebrates 5 Years!On June 25, a party was held to celebrate the 5th anniversary of the Agape Rehabilitation Complex! Current patients and residents of Agape, employees, and other guests were in attendance. Polos shirts with the Agape logo were given to all employees for the occasion. The evening included a delicious dinner, a concert by some of our own employees, recollection and gratitude for how Agape came into existence and has been upheld by God's hand these past 5 years, and an admonition to continue in the work from our senior pastor at Fimiam Church. It was a wonderful evening together!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpADaMbX_NqfnKzP-sG9-9U-FcyEqbGk0arbM-5OPDE64Nk9LL-Iy95tFQ4-1fFvVzXe0YGO-Byf5-CRC-B7vOKlsFYh3jzjeMNKH2iWTcoAayY2yP1X85UnZJXFAkso-BXNDJHUvO5HA/s1176/Screenshot+2021-07-18+at+19.11.29.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1104" data-original-width="1176" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpADaMbX_NqfnKzP-sG9-9U-FcyEqbGk0arbM-5OPDE64Nk9LL-Iy95tFQ4-1fFvVzXe0YGO-Byf5-CRC-B7vOKlsFYh3jzjeMNKH2iWTcoAayY2yP1X85UnZJXFAkso-BXNDJHUvO5HA/s320/Screenshot+2021-07-18+at+19.11.29.png" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I love working daily alongside this rehab team that has become like family!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdKBn62Fg20gjCb98LtE6F7Z_DWC7pUvHt8Jl0cGc5C1XeC4-WMt0jizxDlJiowKtNysO5A9wxvE0oIIAwjzRLEtwkQ7Eg4ac1bnaARFLLKY0dwPrnOLNWgLSBsxqxfQAPVIGIrMt-3y8/s1600/IMG_7452.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdKBn62Fg20gjCb98LtE6F7Z_DWC7pUvHt8Jl0cGc5C1XeC4-WMt0jizxDlJiowKtNysO5A9wxvE0oIIAwjzRLEtwkQ7Eg4ac1bnaARFLLKY0dwPrnOLNWgLSBsxqxfQAPVIGIrMt-3y8/w400-h300/IMG_7452.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh5OOP7Ixdc0xjh4pdfTIfJ_guP0N0sFs1Qt18fYEMT2oyUf59j7vcCxuGvftOc0ENLf9oHQqmQFGDtTq5uTQNdqwilQJxYgm9139hQOw98MhRrvx6X8VRHjnQH_Q3mbrn-ZxmVHReC2Q/s1776/Screenshot+2021-07-18+at+18.48.24.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1364" data-original-width="1776" height="308" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh5OOP7Ixdc0xjh4pdfTIfJ_guP0N0sFs1Qt18fYEMT2oyUf59j7vcCxuGvftOc0ENLf9oHQqmQFGDtTq5uTQNdqwilQJxYgm9139hQOw98MhRrvx6X8VRHjnQH_Q3mbrn-ZxmVHReC2Q/w400-h308/Screenshot+2021-07-18+at+18.48.24.png" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU7IRCFPW8IEwYxqb_085v0aNFNbkBHOPwfSeQz31tG_MW2JK0JTWw0RbiV8Z7ED0S0zZ4HE55laf-0gETheNsDdIct5BQXDu7xZvrZgA7CgCDSWFhe25UQ3W0BuSrXWbLK1DQA8OooE8/s1914/Screenshot+2021-07-18+at+19.07.29.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1354" data-original-width="1914" height="283" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU7IRCFPW8IEwYxqb_085v0aNFNbkBHOPwfSeQz31tG_MW2JK0JTWw0RbiV8Z7ED0S0zZ4HE55laf-0gETheNsDdIct5BQXDu7xZvrZgA7CgCDSWFhe25UQ3W0BuSrXWbLK1DQA8OooE8/w400-h283/Screenshot+2021-07-18+at+19.07.29.png" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The pictures below are particular favorites of mine. Sasha Tkachuk (left) is senior pastor of Fimiam Church and my home church leader. Sergiy Bolchuk (right) is another Fimiam pastor and the visionary leader of our ministry. These two godly men deeply love the Lord and others and it is a joy to be shepherded and led by them. Their passion to sacrificially serve the Lord with their lives is a tremendous example to all who have the privilege to witness it. Their earnest, sincere prayers of gratitude, praise, and petition are an encouragement to me any time I get to hear them. Please pray for God to continue to grant them both wisdom in the roles into which He has called them. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgljugAICjuqmryR-DsotQSxh2byBSMMChGgMS5f_QyAEGdK4hVwMigBIsWyEEH3L34CiqOQBmhJMyLkrM46bg7XgoM3l5TiU7MrSx2b_MT7lfpkNOhws92JMNjCOCPd9CYOhsf2mie5-g/s1292/Screenshot+2021-07-18+at+18.49.18.png" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1264" data-original-width="1292" height="314" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgljugAICjuqmryR-DsotQSxh2byBSMMChGgMS5f_QyAEGdK4hVwMigBIsWyEEH3L34CiqOQBmhJMyLkrM46bg7XgoM3l5TiU7MrSx2b_MT7lfpkNOhws92JMNjCOCPd9CYOhsf2mie5-g/w320-h314/Screenshot+2021-07-18+at+18.49.18.png" width="320" /></a></div><span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1366" data-original-width="1072" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr87TgWPuam0QoezU-DRNZp3wsSoWH-xww8Yv6I_GBQ8CbKu94cbF8rpgkgaW6N04PSc3EnGBEvODdwM9U84MabMS88yLYsmj3lSed8a5murEDqoKdPLXbVpi_acKeEVQIxSsPWnr6sR4/w251-h320/Screenshot+2021-07-18+at+18.48.57.png" width="251" /></span></div></div><div><br /></div><div>The following link is for a video made for this 5th anniversary. Unfortunately it is not yet in English, but you can still watch it to see Agape in action. Many employees and a few residents are stating "For me Agape is..." </div><div style="text-align: center;">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ED4Ti9z3nA</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBIWFl_2v86it8pLK2-G3QxxDapU1JX5qcLFNhBSMxJHjssr6B_dw7meXrWrQZJJaZpyUtM-4lcE97NYAzsdOYKGU9bRXkVYuWQ-aJuw6HSg7YA6PR2BoNqpYI3XjT0yyf0J76klC2AEs/s2048/Screenshot+2021-07-18+at+18.46.18.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1097" data-original-width="2048" height="342" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBIWFl_2v86it8pLK2-G3QxxDapU1JX5qcLFNhBSMxJHjssr6B_dw7meXrWrQZJJaZpyUtM-4lcE97NYAzsdOYKGU9bRXkVYuWQ-aJuw6HSg7YA6PR2BoNqpYI3XjT0yyf0J76klC2AEs/w640-h342/Screenshot+2021-07-18+at+18.46.18.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div>So what else is going on at Agape? </div><div><br /></div><div>Well, paperwork is being completed so that construction of the Agape House can begin. This building will provide temporary or permanent residency for 18-25 people with disabilities. Our current building will then house only people who come for rehabilitation. The need for this new building is increasing as our therapy staff grows and is able take on more rehabilitation patients while the needs of people with disabilities to have a place to live or visit also continue. There is much to pray about in regard to the Agape House:</div><div><span> - That the paperwork will be approved soon so that construction can begin this year.</span><br /></div><div><span><span> - The finances needed to complete this construction.</span><br /></span></div><div><span> - Wisdom for the big and small decisions that will be made throughout the construction process.</span></div><div><span><br /></span></div><div><span>The prospect of the Agape House brings much joy to many people with disabilities. The majority of people with disabilities do not live in a place that is fully wheelchair accessible and allows access to the outdoors. When many of our friends with spinal cord injuries are at home, for example, they must stay in bed as moving about in their apartments or homes is not possible. Also, many people with disabilities have caregivers who are ageing and are increasingly unable to care for them. So the Agape House will provide them with a place to reside, temporarily for most and permanently for some. But Agape cannot offer this for free and people with disabilities draw a very small amount of money from the government, many less than $100 per month. This is an inadequate sum to purchase necessary hygiene supples and medications, as well as cover room/board at Agape. If anyone feels led by the Lord to assist someone with residential costs at Agape, please let me know and I can help you become acquainted with a person in need and also how you can donate the funds. This is a current need and will be an ongoing one when the Agape House opens in the future. </span></div><div><span><br /></span></div><div><span>Rehabilitation continues to be in full swing this summer. This is one of our recent patients who was much loved by all and brought a smile to our faces every day. </span></div><div><span><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOabn-QI1jvgZqVFSwyrvPdfZZNj4HVbnGE-vwBSGgC_cR_8tFyTiO2ep22t9xRmigwW8f2WzBlilwnn1Q7HhRwN4FL1YuMXerdsfc0Qy3i-KQz_QfRE2aFclO3HHFqh0y96_RC0t384A/s2048/3D9F1684-F105-4719-AAC3-E0BE67D1FB40.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOabn-QI1jvgZqVFSwyrvPdfZZNj4HVbnGE-vwBSGgC_cR_8tFyTiO2ep22t9xRmigwW8f2WzBlilwnn1Q7HhRwN4FL1YuMXerdsfc0Qy3i-KQz_QfRE2aFclO3HHFqh0y96_RC0t384A/w300-h400/3D9F1684-F105-4719-AAC3-E0BE67D1FB40.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><span>Thank you to all who think about and pray for us. God has given us many blessings in the past five years and we look forward to what God has in store in the future for the Agape Rehabilitation Complex!</span></div>Carriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01004999497733503209noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7774391233259808025.post-35771204412920181062021-06-13T06:58:00.000-07:002021-06-13T06:58:57.165-07:00Spring News<p>Spring in Ukraine this year was long and cool, but also beautiful as ever...</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqz5ua-5r9pPWz-u2R8ayiuX9lOJ-L44ZYE4UQu9FLs9mj6zhsNehDhKCP1pm73AMtPOjAA9GpjbMwnMvIMOjrdWqs2uZ4BFYTuxQ3tPWmjfSbPz1F35hWTVZlWdfzfcT7v7U_gC-5VvI/s2048/IMG_7204.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqz5ua-5r9pPWz-u2R8ayiuX9lOJ-L44ZYE4UQu9FLs9mj6zhsNehDhKCP1pm73AMtPOjAA9GpjbMwnMvIMOjrdWqs2uZ4BFYTuxQ3tPWmjfSbPz1F35hWTVZlWdfzfcT7v7U_gC-5VvI/w400-h300/IMG_7204.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4XNXOol9e0v-VCDA7q945hFmG1YL1fT8lq88IaWCmqO7b-HQ0ztEGCdwmj6rwmvnaCB5JJMjO03feZW-l7uCXfpcxpq4TomrE9IIgYEXmiqKfQw_e8UrY4i-3TBgQctrHVtAtXlnsdbk/s2048/IMG_7222.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4XNXOol9e0v-VCDA7q945hFmG1YL1fT8lq88IaWCmqO7b-HQ0ztEGCdwmj6rwmvnaCB5JJMjO03feZW-l7uCXfpcxpq4TomrE9IIgYEXmiqKfQw_e8UrY4i-3TBgQctrHVtAtXlnsdbk/w300-h400/IMG_7222.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVXLVhkeUdgMhEwQ_RFLmo43Foh9jDhQjn1l4hGsqUHO1YE5AdN-TycG_7fDOxE8JNKcYO70zmSwk6EneIObcydN3kcXkPJ-QD19u1XaMCVLQd-VM_j1oUkIL1OTtyJpu7LRzGq5XIorc/s2048/IMG_7239.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; 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text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj35373GQwdgtJ-bvZ0-a2_c0O84hfuj2-9eyTIm8Cpwrl_STJ9xxF3GqqAr0rw0xPx4DYwhX1oDqJxmBDCgp512O4b9Wuxe2e1v0naLEc9I8idY7epjuuRaIYhrWxWa9OxjuqzmHChNC4/s2048/IMG_7264.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj35373GQwdgtJ-bvZ0-a2_c0O84hfuj2-9eyTIm8Cpwrl_STJ9xxF3GqqAr0rw0xPx4DYwhX1oDqJxmBDCgp512O4b9Wuxe2e1v0naLEc9I8idY7epjuuRaIYhrWxWa9OxjuqzmHChNC4/w400-h300/IMG_7264.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI8oEh2gBO-rCngicxgQcuIIv3TYXs2qfCdk9iQaGzsbEYBhsV_ZU-OW0tQswNB1s_neRFIZfY1lQ5N4k4Kqg8jzLXBxCtMpjkD2kwjEjPhCCDnVkQZlJBelMTn8sxP8rn_m3cuptCdtA/s2048/IMG_7375.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI8oEh2gBO-rCngicxgQcuIIv3TYXs2qfCdk9iQaGzsbEYBhsV_ZU-OW0tQswNB1s_neRFIZfY1lQ5N4k4Kqg8jzLXBxCtMpjkD2kwjEjPhCCDnVkQZlJBelMTn8sxP8rn_m3cuptCdtA/w400-h300/IMG_7375.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9YOjJm7CaqBm4tkZf-2dzt9dAXH5vAGX2w7NzTD-0GsGnVI56qzO6-gAg9pPNKXELt09EQf_jVLxE4ykWohe57zGa3ue-b5TOmU5tP3xFJA7jtc3IL2IA3hBNjKnr-AUxK2qa3Rj6LUo/s2048/IMG_7220.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9YOjJm7CaqBm4tkZf-2dzt9dAXH5vAGX2w7NzTD-0GsGnVI56qzO6-gAg9pPNKXELt09EQf_jVLxE4ykWohe57zGa3ue-b5TOmU5tP3xFJA7jtc3IL2IA3hBNjKnr-AUxK2qa3Rj6LUo/w400-h300/IMG_7220.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6x2jEiGmhEHpRg1yi9YGqaL_qyzAPZkpVbNqPUfJH3OoXiXQUQ3GI8x8F1CvZXiuiU668R2AwHKPE_nlgJ6rEmt7QWYRE2xBcN2mR3g8q-tJs9Pr_PTSuEC_KymnVCRDk31aKdopW25M/s2048/IMG_7378.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6x2jEiGmhEHpRg1yi9YGqaL_qyzAPZkpVbNqPUfJH3OoXiXQUQ3GI8x8F1CvZXiuiU668R2AwHKPE_nlgJ6rEmt7QWYRE2xBcN2mR3g8q-tJs9Pr_PTSuEC_KymnVCRDk31aKdopW25M/w400-h300/IMG_7378.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's kind of hard to tell, but this is a cemetery, 1 of 2 in our village</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div>Several of the pictures were taken on my early morning runs and give you a taste of the beautiful countryside around us! <p><br /></p><p>So what have we been up to this spring? </p><p>In April, the fourth class of the PT Training Center completed their final session. Not everyone was able to be physically present in Agape due to coronavirus, but this group of students has learned to be flexible and participate in distance learning, so we were able to complete the session anyway. Some of the students have joined or will be joining our Agape rehab team and the remainder will continue working together at a rehab center located at a church in Rivne, a city about an hour from Lutsk. We are thankful for all that this group of students learned and look forward to witnessing and hearing how God uses them in the future. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh5EWEzTrdSsQuFnNKCBCX6d4nen08jzD9wCSXptEMrE2yYMgu7zQGAXhS9GXpKxevb0JzuKbUrhabN3bq-HoMsq6P0AOaQOAUbPYJROeiVBgv-l3CowmMjTCEhEdHC27RAsu4GUcg_mU/s1790/Screenshot+2021-05-08+at+17.41.23.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1790" height="269" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh5EWEzTrdSsQuFnNKCBCX6d4nen08jzD9wCSXptEMrE2yYMgu7zQGAXhS9GXpKxevb0JzuKbUrhabN3bq-HoMsq6P0AOaQOAUbPYJROeiVBgv-l3CowmMjTCEhEdHC27RAsu4GUcg_mU/w400-h269/Screenshot+2021-05-08+at+17.41.23.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAoGb1OUbhoI8y6dxVAkY-SzeR1YLF248QsWpgadDpZm-KKYq4r8ipS9uxF4FEl-UxEn-kcX6Rx5C3UFWog1HLRSrcYCrOVlo7ZYWMJavNBqyZdJcTRLrpzDjb4kvyKaOkZ74-dDDB97Q/s1774/Screenshot+2021-05-08+at+17.41.48.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1190" data-original-width="1774" height="269" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAoGb1OUbhoI8y6dxVAkY-SzeR1YLF248QsWpgadDpZm-KKYq4r8ipS9uxF4FEl-UxEn-kcX6Rx5C3UFWog1HLRSrcYCrOVlo7ZYWMJavNBqyZdJcTRLrpzDjb4kvyKaOkZ74-dDDB97Q/w400-h269/Screenshot+2021-05-08+at+17.41.48.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvlmQY_ieQB3c6u2ugr_UdvRKRBEXXcAsiYxbi_Q0DgK27nZX7dCBco-kqkmhjJSFgQbI5ZDm8JFQrYx3g9sN2iP_R-RqLpwDpOIIVrxkSSTIKCtM40IUe_msKlZ0ybYlRyFs4TfksfXI/s1780/Screenshot+2021-05-08+at+17.42.30.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1194" data-original-width="1780" height="269" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvlmQY_ieQB3c6u2ugr_UdvRKRBEXXcAsiYxbi_Q0DgK27nZX7dCBco-kqkmhjJSFgQbI5ZDm8JFQrYx3g9sN2iP_R-RqLpwDpOIIVrxkSSTIKCtM40IUe_msKlZ0ybYlRyFs4TfksfXI/w400-h269/Screenshot+2021-05-08+at+17.42.30.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqm-CPxNlstvb8kBAbxKljP_G6aATr-RVeXHkGDXMH8C6XNsIz_kddKncIwX-eFtf4XC6ujyckK4OkxOrLkWidHJAbMn96r-cp4cX6Qz8zfvmKQbZpLYRbeTYFVqSBwFmP36_sqbD-7eY/s1792/Screenshot+2021-05-08+at+17.42.47.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1194" data-original-width="1792" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqm-CPxNlstvb8kBAbxKljP_G6aATr-RVeXHkGDXMH8C6XNsIz_kddKncIwX-eFtf4XC6ujyckK4OkxOrLkWidHJAbMn96r-cp4cX6Qz8zfvmKQbZpLYRbeTYFVqSBwFmP36_sqbD-7eY/w400-h266/Screenshot+2021-05-08+at+17.42.47.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBFI6WHNphvmDkDVFujODgX3hwFK6XtMFV0V_o4a4xo713ddH8oioPBSAdAcofU-hToGw0CQ2OApZuubMTqJmoKsk4gWldypfDHgHejobMarKCA1naz3pdOh-TXknUtWSymS_9u4b0W-0/s1652/Screenshot+2021-05-08+at+17.43.24.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1134" data-original-width="1652" height="275" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBFI6WHNphvmDkDVFujODgX3hwFK6XtMFV0V_o4a4xo713ddH8oioPBSAdAcofU-hToGw0CQ2OApZuubMTqJmoKsk4gWldypfDHgHejobMarKCA1naz3pdOh-TXknUtWSymS_9u4b0W-0/w400-h275/Screenshot+2021-05-08+at+17.43.24.png" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div>The first session for the fifth class will be scheduled when we have a minimum of 8 students who meet our requirements. The application process has been slow, so we will be patient and wait for God to lead those who should participate in this program to us. <div><br /></div><div>Other events of the spring have included <i>the annual tulip festival</i>...<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Pcwl_Cog74o/YMXv1wSzvGI/AAAAAAAAkkc/OHSSv4El2XQ6CwcZ4Oq6wf3HYV06ZCCeACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_4120.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Pcwl_Cog74o/YMXv1wSzvGI/AAAAAAAAkkc/OHSSv4El2XQ6CwcZ4Oq6wf3HYV06ZCCeACLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h300/IMG_4120.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnp4t65ZqTO_iBiRbJHbVRlgLM9pJz4GFp1aCBbgZ4nqdmKReI7xUpZx7Rht-5Lffuki7_mN2vAAZYfLViXP1K_LkT91JC3a5ZkdNU10nlm8IjbtK0LMLBguR7ZDaYnGZtuvBE1xtKnXY/s2048/IMG_4148.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnp4t65ZqTO_iBiRbJHbVRlgLM9pJz4GFp1aCBbgZ4nqdmKReI7xUpZx7Rht-5Lffuki7_mN2vAAZYfLViXP1K_LkT91JC3a5ZkdNU10nlm8IjbtK0LMLBguR7ZDaYnGZtuvBE1xtKnXY/w400-h300/IMG_4148.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: left;"><i>Walks in our central park</i> <i>with friends</i>: This spring they deep cleaned the park and had a contest to make structures out of the brush, branches, undergrowth, etc. Some of the results were pretty good...</span></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP005sOw6gd0CMx1Xv2zc3JBCg34u3P43jVjASdUWLrTQSZb-_Y-FydFd8IJsFp-u964kkBp3hkAfwgvCBg0-CWqtyHaDuGE_JaWdEB2-0TcD53f9FnDp1lmetIjA4WLigDdLMd0YjpVk/s2048/IMG_7226.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP005sOw6gd0CMx1Xv2zc3JBCg34u3P43jVjASdUWLrTQSZb-_Y-FydFd8IJsFp-u964kkBp3hkAfwgvCBg0-CWqtyHaDuGE_JaWdEB2-0TcD53f9FnDp1lmetIjA4WLigDdLMd0YjpVk/w400-h300/IMG_7226.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_3lSocZsQdM_F2Dkf-m8Q4r_Xn3I6UPVHJL2SjxhVBjNnjCv1GqRkBxbyyfljpdd0sJBjoNmJ2fVJ1VYZ0SDvxKA4c7V3zQl1Yes89r64H4pw2s4-0HJye78B4Rs200cHmrKiQx6XMoM/s2048/IMG_7229.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_3lSocZsQdM_F2Dkf-m8Q4r_Xn3I6UPVHJL2SjxhVBjNnjCv1GqRkBxbyyfljpdd0sJBjoNmJ2fVJ1VYZ0SDvxKA4c7V3zQl1Yes89r64H4pw2s4-0HJye78B4Rs200cHmrKiQx6XMoM/w300-h400/IMG_7229.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><i>Cookouts</i> with friends or just on our own here at home...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwTzF-eMQyLBQWX2IC4mQkSOJu1Eyuon5c9ui_LQeF2sVKzC6KY2-5a8f7K5Er-59JDV_YEvZB0Zs-q0zfUHbFQ87Lq1qsjiYlK4MernY_a4nULzeroQGCEEJ_UeEp8bH2EXDmA6qVg4U/s2048/IMG_7384.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwTzF-eMQyLBQWX2IC4mQkSOJu1Eyuon5c9ui_LQeF2sVKzC6KY2-5a8f7K5Er-59JDV_YEvZB0Zs-q0zfUHbFQ87Lq1qsjiYlK4MernY_a4nULzeroQGCEEJ_UeEp8bH2EXDmA6qVg4U/w300-h400/IMG_7384.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB2_Iabimxqj0tl5_Gpb4tRnn9rBnPnhwT-70VeE7284Mf2OhhgkW4_FTJyGxljVVbWbIthc2rc7gLigpQKOp5y_KSBk9gGD0jiIiUyQmZPFHeajbNwfneDZeOAKAsBam6liNjxK6qTwk/s1800/IMG_7385.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1352" data-original-width="1800" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB2_Iabimxqj0tl5_Gpb4tRnn9rBnPnhwT-70VeE7284Mf2OhhgkW4_FTJyGxljVVbWbIthc2rc7gLigpQKOp5y_KSBk9gGD0jiIiUyQmZPFHeajbNwfneDZeOAKAsBam6liNjxK6qTwk/w400-h300/IMG_7385.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><i>Gardening: </i>Our garden gets bigger every year and my favorite addition this year is the 4 blueberry bushes. It was a very specific and somewhat time-consuming planting process, but they look good so far. We also expanded our strawberries, raspberries, corn and okra this year. While our garden doesn't compare to most in Ukraine, we definitely enjoy reaping the fruit and veggies it produces throughout the summer. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWDwAq32IGtHkZxGYJIJTGv1c0SjO4eBum3fFsQxV7OMuyOu2ZoBurk4f1ETXpsRQYampo6kNPtOW04yU_sSVH7cbqTB2xjOpF2H1FqYY3pfLdifOK5VZLeF_gK1mApRCbyRQ00xqFqCE/s2048/IMG_7401.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWDwAq32IGtHkZxGYJIJTGv1c0SjO4eBum3fFsQxV7OMuyOu2ZoBurk4f1ETXpsRQYampo6kNPtOW04yU_sSVH7cbqTB2xjOpF2H1FqYY3pfLdifOK5VZLeF_gK1mApRCbyRQ00xqFqCE/w300-h400/IMG_7401.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG2J8qUrhFpNcJ0Pjfv7gDDuiYWTkE2HkVbTR_g-GqrmBJn2PYAHNB6J78pCrEl19T-B0O4umAs7NfKFhwJPaXM5126xBt04MXOkvOnb4fiwEMzbZIP9EnnXIcEqU_1tzrFs5axBZV9j8/s2048/IMG_7403.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG2J8qUrhFpNcJ0Pjfv7gDDuiYWTkE2HkVbTR_g-GqrmBJn2PYAHNB6J78pCrEl19T-B0O4umAs7NfKFhwJPaXM5126xBt04MXOkvOnb4fiwEMzbZIP9EnnXIcEqU_1tzrFs5axBZV9j8/w300-h400/IMG_7403.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div>Summer has now officially begun and I love the long daylight hours and warmth that beckons us outdoors. The work at Agape continues and we will soon be celebrating the 5th anniversary of the complex...more on that in a future (soon I hope) post. Camps have also begun. This year our ministry will host 3 camps, one each for children, young adults, and adults with disabilities. This will be the first year that Sveta and I are not participating in any of the camps, but will instead continuing working at Agape and hopefully make a day trip on a weekend to visit during the adult camp. </div><div><br /></div><div>The start of the construction of the Agape House for permanent residency for people with disabilities had to be delayed when it was discovered that the paperwork requirements necessary to break ground had changed since the Agape Rehabilitation Complex was built. The process is now much lengthier and beginning construction before it is completed would incur a huge fine, so for now construction is on hold with the hopes that it can begin by the end of summer. Please continue to pray with us for this construction, the finances necessary to complete it and that the work could begin soon. There are many who are eagerly looking forward to the opening of this home for them. </div><div><br /></div><div>I hope your summer is also off to a great start! And I hope you hear from me again sooner than later! </div><div><br /></div> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ6iAc8oPsNxFxweh4zsoHkfqOpjRlVWLF3YDVIdStIcM8etNwtuxKa7kTr28TSWOzSWUC9DGWpuoO_jbCkDxG_BNHtGUjqHZho9eCm7INkcWJ-n2TPcMkorf0QHJErcMaMYSaMDWrdBk/s2048/IMG_7214.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1054" data-original-width="2048" height="206" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ6iAc8oPsNxFxweh4zsoHkfqOpjRlVWLF3YDVIdStIcM8etNwtuxKa7kTr28TSWOzSWUC9DGWpuoO_jbCkDxG_BNHtGUjqHZho9eCm7INkcWJ-n2TPcMkorf0QHJErcMaMYSaMDWrdBk/w400-h206/IMG_7214.JPG" width="400" /></a><br /><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div>Carriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01004999497733503209noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7774391233259808025.post-27324981912634623602021-02-25T01:19:00.000-08:002021-02-25T01:19:09.175-08:00Winter News<p>The melting snow, sunny days, and temps moving above freezing have us believing that winter may soon be on its way out! So I should catch you up on some of our activities since the New Year. In January, we completed the 3rd session for the current group of students of the PT Training Center. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7bpcrUfcGyMDkG1oeGOyMFEGsFgplN5A20_ETga_4pxgPh6T2yfmY6X7NOuCRSFEMWF9WS1MDf8vvXR0PFuwfxmQjKcKASjVMHuri29EB0sPAPjhTL24pOg3dvSGTW0BIZ4YBTFIpSDA/s1770/Screenshot+2021-02-06+at+16.44.15.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1164" data-original-width="1770" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7bpcrUfcGyMDkG1oeGOyMFEGsFgplN5A20_ETga_4pxgPh6T2yfmY6X7NOuCRSFEMWF9WS1MDf8vvXR0PFuwfxmQjKcKASjVMHuri29EB0sPAPjhTL24pOg3dvSGTW0BIZ4YBTFIpSDA/w400-h263/Screenshot+2021-02-06+at+16.44.15.png" width="400" /></a></div><br />We were privileged to have Annie, an occupational therapist that lives in Uzhgorod, join us for the second week of teaching. We were grateful that she was willing and able to participate and that this group of students could learn about occupational therapy from an actual OT. Following the session, Nikita (the tallest guy in the pic) joined our rehab team. He is currently training for several months with Pasha before he begins working independently as a PT. We are thankful that our team is growing and, therefore, the number of patients that can receive rehab at any given time is also increasing. The plan is for this group of students to return for their final session in mid-April. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI2zlNGqjItLoikdUm0n8aoqmFufctEGh71KjpX8-5CQd78E1gGeZFmlX3Bir4K087OfYdCLndlabxyKpxiRVPhVBgAB1LM9v0ValPsAiawN33oyqQim1Pszq4i0p2pmtkvQqrfZsgc_g/s1786/Screenshot+2021-02-06+at+16.43.39.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1180" data-original-width="1786" height="264" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI2zlNGqjItLoikdUm0n8aoqmFufctEGh71KjpX8-5CQd78E1gGeZFmlX3Bir4K087OfYdCLndlabxyKpxiRVPhVBgAB1LM9v0ValPsAiawN33oyqQim1Pszq4i0p2pmtkvQqrfZsgc_g/w400-h264/Screenshot+2021-02-06+at+16.43.39.png" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9NorX4W2uxIEppHBfvivkBMBoa9RlXmhOoABMn7h3Jazlxfi9X1fpLuwKo-hcO-zzz3XRVjEhC30hXbZg8B_NjW1nL1tLmZPLwHp-y7BD999Pv5EAtYeD_9Vc61mgOB9VRWk3ECHQmu8/s1760/Screenshot+2021-02-06+at+16.44.43.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1178" data-original-width="1760" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9NorX4W2uxIEppHBfvivkBMBoa9RlXmhOoABMn7h3Jazlxfi9X1fpLuwKo-hcO-zzz3XRVjEhC30hXbZg8B_NjW1nL1tLmZPLwHp-y7BD999Pv5EAtYeD_9Vc61mgOB9VRWk3ECHQmu8/w400-h268/Screenshot+2021-02-06+at+16.44.43.png" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI2WcPzeRL-ckv75Qzdvbk-mNE-vmXMHewTvTXMCWpYS-kdfGehJC2pIA3W0Z6BdDxvYuRkLrWct3ddCdP39fpYWr5BtrpiV2t0CVJUTWucmjMWQUelOSn0ZNgHFp5Y9hKnW3EKo-rTrA/s1738/Screenshot+2021-02-06+at+16.46.13.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1180" data-original-width="1738" height="271" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI2WcPzeRL-ckv75Qzdvbk-mNE-vmXMHewTvTXMCWpYS-kdfGehJC2pIA3W0Z6BdDxvYuRkLrWct3ddCdP39fpYWr5BtrpiV2t0CVJUTWucmjMWQUelOSn0ZNgHFp5Y9hKnW3EKo-rTrA/w400-h271/Screenshot+2021-02-06+at+16.46.13.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxRzm12j6Az1hpB2d8yiraj8GfbCCzI8bFO0FBlcIv9PCkuoZ9sTRf-EZn2enU1q-KAA588i3Si9Fs9933eNnfis5aFPk7moZXB6VvwLpggRU4Zl83mWG9U05nhnN-7MU-0NU_rN19X8o/s1764/Screenshot+2021-02-06+at+16.48.09.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1154" data-original-width="1764" height="261" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxRzm12j6Az1hpB2d8yiraj8GfbCCzI8bFO0FBlcIv9PCkuoZ9sTRf-EZn2enU1q-KAA588i3Si9Fs9933eNnfis5aFPk7moZXB6VvwLpggRU4Zl83mWG9U05nhnN-7MU-0NU_rN19X8o/w400-h261/Screenshot+2021-02-06+at+16.48.09.png" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrxyLNplzp3evRnYuPhe5RhP2_JHV-XNoEtxmmmh3dl63a62RCETQPA_BhBQArt1Tr631nwtsrff0NraZ8MZVVv0VGKcQ1gyiKCHs9CNHwt0SiG0uAS2VRW-Vjnj1PwKwT6bZWaAZ9tB0/s1384/Screenshot+2021-02-06+at+16.45.53.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1384" data-original-width="956" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrxyLNplzp3evRnYuPhe5RhP2_JHV-XNoEtxmmmh3dl63a62RCETQPA_BhBQArt1Tr631nwtsrff0NraZ8MZVVv0VGKcQ1gyiKCHs9CNHwt0SiG0uAS2VRW-Vjnj1PwKwT6bZWaAZ9tB0/w276-h400/Screenshot+2021-02-06+at+16.45.53.png" width="276" /></a></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5W_1Y3Y0_DOVpeTXtlM2fPkI0nmcNLMt9MeB6xBh8hctqoH3oy9VVbZI2pvcBWZJTdlrQQmlvBhwHcYB4q8o03C_alHEhsw_Yd3EOEKVqFqlkT2I96TZTUvPEmg6RQN0SxcCTv9iJp94/s1756/Screenshot+2021-02-06+at+16.46.43.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1208" data-original-width="1756" height="275" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5W_1Y3Y0_DOVpeTXtlM2fPkI0nmcNLMt9MeB6xBh8hctqoH3oy9VVbZI2pvcBWZJTdlrQQmlvBhwHcYB4q8o03C_alHEhsw_Yd3EOEKVqFqlkT2I96TZTUvPEmg6RQN0SxcCTv9iJp94/w400-h275/Screenshot+2021-02-06+at+16.46.43.png" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p>On a fun, personal note, a few of us were able to get away to the mountains to ski for a few days at the end of January. We had a great time and enjoyed the beauty of the snowy mountains!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrobyDDnDW3gNLwLpiW8b3wwd8vFgM3l41MvWXv-p_vR5t6Ilst3Wfxq6gyw7jwA_eOp4T1zIx7tZLq51NS6OmAO83YlgUSoQYHTGz5xje5OEL3k8FLhVby-NtxZ3fluQHvYws6-PIlqc/s2048/20210130_122141.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2048" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrobyDDnDW3gNLwLpiW8b3wwd8vFgM3l41MvWXv-p_vR5t6Ilst3Wfxq6gyw7jwA_eOp4T1zIx7tZLq51NS6OmAO83YlgUSoQYHTGz5xje5OEL3k8FLhVby-NtxZ3fluQHvYws6-PIlqc/w400-h225/20210130_122141.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCOZ7VY-l2bW4iPTRLAlYvwIrMmETqXQWkJ7OERp9UyA333oy3Oxl67I98isHsoqErGHLPNFAGCsqGkiSYh_ptciU7L8oBPB68bKPDa0tcoGOE1tG_2ytLP2eyK7eR3u_CsmovKR3HYOc/s800/IMG_6933.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCOZ7VY-l2bW4iPTRLAlYvwIrMmETqXQWkJ7OERp9UyA333oy3Oxl67I98isHsoqErGHLPNFAGCsqGkiSYh_ptciU7L8oBPB68bKPDa0tcoGOE1tG_2ytLP2eyK7eR3u_CsmovKR3HYOc/w400-h300/IMG_6933.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div>We returned to a snow-covered Lutsk and the month of February has held many very cold, snowy days. We got more snow over a few days than I think I've ever seen except in the mountains. It will definitely take a while to melt the large piles of snow everywhere. We enjoyed walks by the river and evenings by the fire during this time!<div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8MvZP_kAcWvyH6tXMEF7FxUBaGqb06bnCV-SbxQVWcwN9FzMVGFLfmURacOH8Z6dNywX1zB5ifQBxMeoUdfo0xyOIEAjMBoGH1B9RodriltJj2e8oCwjHnROqAyRAy-bwG9lxeCe2eMc/s2048/IMG_3733.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8MvZP_kAcWvyH6tXMEF7FxUBaGqb06bnCV-SbxQVWcwN9FzMVGFLfmURacOH8Z6dNywX1zB5ifQBxMeoUdfo0xyOIEAjMBoGH1B9RodriltJj2e8oCwjHnROqAyRAy-bwG9lxeCe2eMc/w400-h300/IMG_3733.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOATSpMbYQE5MuAY9KI1-WjedkB_klNksByGQOYUYgkDL1LCqPNVT62yuhjorveSgwgDzNruINJYNjiNQPGSCPOvTdMhem16EMORzDKaknE-BtCPxoU9wcK6aZhNFyxrLLwBipR8o9cI4/s2048/IMG_7032.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOATSpMbYQE5MuAY9KI1-WjedkB_klNksByGQOYUYgkDL1LCqPNVT62yuhjorveSgwgDzNruINJYNjiNQPGSCPOvTdMhem16EMORzDKaknE-BtCPxoU9wcK6aZhNFyxrLLwBipR8o9cI4/w400-h300/IMG_7032.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><span><div style="text-align: center;"> Taken from the balcony of our office at Agape</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDSevKyzYPV3O66EDLByTJLO6d58s-O2fyvnmN18KDehSNUluWwoPWG79vdrYHQ3F-xtveAEIQzSUuFUn6RYtxQ8RF0QpgWSuyb52nP4Ox1UBrZJGPAC3vH6FJBDdskD2jbzKkm94ZzUw/s1600/D8A1CBAC-9CD9-414D-90D5-B6FE21022B87.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1197" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDSevKyzYPV3O66EDLByTJLO6d58s-O2fyvnmN18KDehSNUluWwoPWG79vdrYHQ3F-xtveAEIQzSUuFUn6RYtxQ8RF0QpgWSuyb52nP4Ox1UBrZJGPAC3vH6FJBDdskD2jbzKkm94ZzUw/w299-h400/D8A1CBAC-9CD9-414D-90D5-B6FE21022B87.jpeg" width="299" /></a></div></span><div><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span><span>The Agape dog has found his new favorite lookout point</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijIT27CsPVhetrUtaJwGtD0dFcLWwXY5pKP8o7Zl-zd80KULumlSmC-3T9HzzcX5YBdkKdnLCVLFBk_hw03OvqEKCKnqkI2hb0_9X59L5kCyxc84wPr8KBkOFFpSag-WMFaX4UNxDNDJQ/s2048/IMG_7035.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijIT27CsPVhetrUtaJwGtD0dFcLWwXY5pKP8o7Zl-zd80KULumlSmC-3T9HzzcX5YBdkKdnLCVLFBk_hw03OvqEKCKnqkI2hb0_9X59L5kCyxc84wPr8KBkOFFpSag-WMFaX4UNxDNDJQ/w400-h300/IMG_7035.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQqthKdfsXM09FtBQSun6O2w6hf3nUPAmD3Dfd_i7gZJa3dCGPH6t1fQ921slX3RDInnsgdk655gWbrMV-lDpmpPPRwSnAhE0hqPvbXJTuUGs_57vooeU5eoNfY1XEeK_zdgPzCf5AbY8/s2048/IMG_7068.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQqthKdfsXM09FtBQSun6O2w6hf3nUPAmD3Dfd_i7gZJa3dCGPH6t1fQ921slX3RDInnsgdk655gWbrMV-lDpmpPPRwSnAhE0hqPvbXJTuUGs_57vooeU5eoNfY1XEeK_zdgPzCf5AbY8/w400-h300/IMG_7068.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTGk2Al41m1vgPQVQ5udrot88tIlCWjRzm0TUmBy2OQ_oiZFPGZLlRnpgquzo2I0Ttv9hMHmuBxI6MDaPboRX3XjGx1kXHsP9rYcRrvKE3cwOfYsKoSPaQgZh9FgWWXuJ-dY42TymKa-w/s2048/IMG_7075.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTGk2Al41m1vgPQVQ5udrot88tIlCWjRzm0TUmBy2OQ_oiZFPGZLlRnpgquzo2I0Ttv9hMHmuBxI6MDaPboRX3XjGx1kXHsP9rYcRrvKE3cwOfYsKoSPaQgZh9FgWWXuJ-dY42TymKa-w/w400-h300/IMG_7075.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><span> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span>We definitely got a workout clearing the driveway for our car!</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs835JxRBkP1ct15sXoNF1AycoDr-r1doSO_4mPTEfmv2Bqmhiu4acYJGh48E5vdhlP8Elu-Zm2yE_Gf6yeLYG3_x8ScfFV86EazpZJSZ8ENVU2atfGqHVPBpEocdxBQrRHbpBbhdmXV4/s2048/IMG_7108.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs835JxRBkP1ct15sXoNF1AycoDr-r1doSO_4mPTEfmv2Bqmhiu4acYJGh48E5vdhlP8Elu-Zm2yE_Gf6yeLYG3_x8ScfFV86EazpZJSZ8ENVU2atfGqHVPBpEocdxBQrRHbpBbhdmXV4/w400-h300/IMG_7108.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHFxMCeQq1VGrxl53svhixocesXUa_S3CeN4U232WjF6jDkU19nnkQ17F5ssr5eM7gVfWHuWMgBoGG_QyKg8GkV5MwZyb0hp5WcuZxLt1_nDxD6fGCjspUvp5ux9KEmBAhHEI_IS0ncaU/s2048/IMG_7113.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHFxMCeQq1VGrxl53svhixocesXUa_S3CeN4U232WjF6jDkU19nnkQ17F5ssr5eM7gVfWHuWMgBoGG_QyKg8GkV5MwZyb0hp5WcuZxLt1_nDxD6fGCjspUvp5ux9KEmBAhHEI_IS0ncaU/w400-h300/IMG_7113.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeqFtfg6jmjDJQIJbBmQicqDb1An1fzgTKjuXxpFcgfjjvpp_5fFHcnF4jtxdC1omTg1GUOCyto-OEUDoJFMaeeBa2PG_xkv7Vq1ZgAuZAFcKiv8HBfynIopHroAxYHhPF4qPFPCSTmSk/s1804/Screenshot+2021-02-01+at+20.19.29.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1304" data-original-width="1804" height="289" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeqFtfg6jmjDJQIJbBmQicqDb1An1fzgTKjuXxpFcgfjjvpp_5fFHcnF4jtxdC1omTg1GUOCyto-OEUDoJFMaeeBa2PG_xkv7Vq1ZgAuZAFcKiv8HBfynIopHroAxYHhPF4qPFPCSTmSk/w400-h289/Screenshot+2021-02-01+at+20.19.29.png" width="400" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Lutsk city center</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">With the growth of the rehab team, the current building at Agape is rapidly becoming too small to accommodate both rehab patients and temporary residents. So plans are actively moving forward to begin construction of a separate residential building on the property that will house 8-10 people with disabilities. This will allow the main building to be devoted to the housing of rehab patients, which will allow us to invite more people for rehab as we have the therapists to provide them with services. Please join us in praying for the planning, construction process, and necessary finances to begin and complete this next phase at Agape. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">That's the quick update from here. We are thankful for the Lord's provision, protection, and grace in our lives these first months of 2021 and look forward to what lies ahead for Agape and the work here in the months ahead. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div>Carriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01004999497733503209noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7774391233259808025.post-16535506918328167422021-01-03T10:54:00.001-08:002021-01-03T10:54:52.199-08:002020 is a wrap!<p>I join all of you in acknowledging that 2020 was a strange year that presented unique challenges. We here in Ukraine, and specifically at the Agape Rehabilitation Complex, were also challenged in new ways and yet we also continued to witness the faithfulness and goodness of God. </p><p>Due to the pandemic, Agape closed for nearly 3 months in the spring and another 2 weeks in November. Despite these closures, we were still able to provide inpatient rehabilitation for over 130 people, conduct over 60 one-time evaluations, complete two sessions of the PT Training Center and provide temporary residency for another 20-30 people with disabilities. Our work system has been altered more than once, but God has protected, provided, and sustained and for that we are so grateful! </p><p>Here is a brief year-in-review of the work at Agape in photos:</p><p>PT Training Center sessions...</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgplZDLpNR0AScds9Y8wWJiYYsyAx7M7tW132eej3RG4x4ToIzNacG9FB_VoVoBu6RLL_PXUXVmnYD0dwgjg1VHYT6_nm72a667qPKiJ5obIepbmJTyVvO5UgJ_3_dAbkls_aRPara-r_E/s2048/98063340_2826982194015931_1842039296328990720_o.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgplZDLpNR0AScds9Y8wWJiYYsyAx7M7tW132eej3RG4x4ToIzNacG9FB_VoVoBu6RLL_PXUXVmnYD0dwgjg1VHYT6_nm72a667qPKiJ5obIepbmJTyVvO5UgJ_3_dAbkls_aRPara-r_E/w400-h266/98063340_2826982194015931_1842039296328990720_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrXW-YEuz5h91JM40AM0xJm4CvJKcS-DkGfajY10iPKjdaFASTd-NQbnE1PaAjisGr3GKnnW9SbdL9h8fvRKgsg08oYV8N1ileNztJ1g81s3ZAKxyJsx04DI6L7rz7ttd_XdPspevliRo/s960/118888476_3138349116212569_816667067855205838_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="757" data-original-width="960" height="315" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrXW-YEuz5h91JM40AM0xJm4CvJKcS-DkGfajY10iPKjdaFASTd-NQbnE1PaAjisGr3GKnnW9SbdL9h8fvRKgsg08oYV8N1ileNztJ1g81s3ZAKxyJsx04DI6L7rz7ttd_XdPspevliRo/w400-h315/118888476_3138349116212569_816667067855205838_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /> Rehabilitation...<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRciieU_G-gkoThAE3KqYpEX6JYi5qThBOuUg15bFMuXLu_N4gvYYcqYYFwYfhaILv6O1Kov9tDSKXUM6rje1MSPqEqI6Han5JJQvlMd3SkIXkNKk013JkH_HhyEaO-I4L_LhKjbdCg-s/s2048/IMG_1524.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRciieU_G-gkoThAE3KqYpEX6JYi5qThBOuUg15bFMuXLu_N4gvYYcqYYFwYfhaILv6O1Kov9tDSKXUM6rje1MSPqEqI6Han5JJQvlMd3SkIXkNKk013JkH_HhyEaO-I4L_LhKjbdCg-s/w300-h400/IMG_1524.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLHl_6O6q49pT-Kn9I1AGBRSMHYN5E60cU29dX2ceTQTOYmtzhYBllrnmYA2p2_F3_ViT0y8BOcr25do8Bf_DZKpCmS0Vi6QoMmAEpHh5QiUUrPPfLtWug47AiIN5p_yFYY15Z2v1AUBE/s2048/IMG_1996.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLHl_6O6q49pT-Kn9I1AGBRSMHYN5E60cU29dX2ceTQTOYmtzhYBllrnmYA2p2_F3_ViT0y8BOcr25do8Bf_DZKpCmS0Vi6QoMmAEpHh5QiUUrPPfLtWug47AiIN5p_yFYY15Z2v1AUBE/w400-h300/IMG_1996.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikO7Uq2SQhsinZk21F13wv89yk8GKEY2EGrCieLEFnz2xlOhPbhF95i-1iPV87liJ-OPdUrqSOqRKcUAGqtEhfKaeTiKSHMc8Fb08racbcgBLbUXciBZKtzb3hkDI3YF8-LllRTrYFOzQ/s1178/Screenshot+2021-01-01+at+19.56.47.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1178" data-original-width="828" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikO7Uq2SQhsinZk21F13wv89yk8GKEY2EGrCieLEFnz2xlOhPbhF95i-1iPV87liJ-OPdUrqSOqRKcUAGqtEhfKaeTiKSHMc8Fb08racbcgBLbUXciBZKtzb3hkDI3YF8-LllRTrYFOzQ/w281-h400/Screenshot+2021-01-01+at+19.56.47.png" width="281" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvlepxPJgSWgfBhALjXG6PDlDCbD5Jwoj2y8_vDj8d5XzDG1be1SU-sYaF2sKtohawdB2lRvXysvnzU2bdGTEbqQoMMJg0Ll2RiDbxVHGcHr47d3-4PPhESWFR52TXw_-t7hTM6qY6oDc/s2048/%25D0%2594%25D0%25B8%25D0%25B2%25D0%25B8%25D1%2582%25D0%25B8%25D1%2581%25D1%258F+%25D0%25BD%25D0%25B5%25D0%25B4%25D0%25B0%25D0%25B2%25D0%25BD%25D1%2596+%25D1%2584%25D0%25BE%25D1%2582%25D0%25BE+2.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvlepxPJgSWgfBhALjXG6PDlDCbD5Jwoj2y8_vDj8d5XzDG1be1SU-sYaF2sKtohawdB2lRvXysvnzU2bdGTEbqQoMMJg0Ll2RiDbxVHGcHr47d3-4PPhESWFR52TXw_-t7hTM6qY6oDc/w300-h400/%25D0%2594%25D0%25B8%25D0%25B2%25D0%25B8%25D1%2582%25D0%25B8%25D1%2581%25D1%258F+%25D0%25BD%25D0%25B5%25D0%25B4%25D0%25B0%25D0%25B2%25D0%25BD%25D1%2596+%25D1%2584%25D0%25BE%25D1%2582%25D0%25BE+2.png" width="300" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI_SSORec-3GwElRRKTcv78w_R2lhmeXx3Ie0oBc_5ZK_xrEIEOKo51WXw4zRLu05f3GRkVyXcd2v9i2lgP551GmHX9f6nKsPsiirXwuLUR-TbIRWkbqBtO9lPWBsHGLcas-TFVYp-i5w/s2048/%25D0%2594%25D0%25B8%25D0%25B2%25D0%25B8%25D1%2582%25D0%25B8%25D1%2581%25D1%258F+%25D0%25BD%25D0%25B5%25D0%25B4%25D0%25B0%25D0%25B2%25D0%25BD%25D1%2596+%25D1%2584%25D0%25BE%25D1%2582%25D0%25BE+3.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI_SSORec-3GwElRRKTcv78w_R2lhmeXx3Ie0oBc_5ZK_xrEIEOKo51WXw4zRLu05f3GRkVyXcd2v9i2lgP551GmHX9f6nKsPsiirXwuLUR-TbIRWkbqBtO9lPWBsHGLcas-TFVYp-i5w/w300-h400/%25D0%2594%25D0%25B8%25D0%25B2%25D0%25B8%25D1%2582%25D0%25B8%25D1%2581%25D1%258F+%25D0%25BD%25D0%25B5%25D0%25B4%25D0%25B0%25D0%25B2%25D0%25BD%25D1%2596+%25D1%2584%25D0%25BE%25D1%2582%25D0%25BE+3.png" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I recently had to function as an OT for a few weeks when this patient's OT got sick. And then I simultaneously became his PT when one of his PTs also got sick. Craziness - but he was such a fun patient!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGezph9t7SD81FZ9sJYfMDi57KXJHjd-cayzOTHaqE09of1ioQuftr5kYNEfmJ9cZMtuWIlUGxRuK1EstRxadlvOydPUeFZuG5IXU_ZYBmzXytAFPyM1J1gorTzQldLtgk-08YeKhf3KM/s2048/%25D0%2594%25D0%25B8%25D0%25B2%25D0%25B8%25D1%2582%25D0%25B8%25D1%2581%25D1%258F+%25D0%25BD%25D0%25B5%25D0%25B4%25D0%25B0%25D0%25B2%25D0%25BD%25D1%2596+%25D1%2584%25D0%25BE%25D1%2582%25D0%25BE+5.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGezph9t7SD81FZ9sJYfMDi57KXJHjd-cayzOTHaqE09of1ioQuftr5kYNEfmJ9cZMtuWIlUGxRuK1EstRxadlvOydPUeFZuG5IXU_ZYBmzXytAFPyM1J1gorTzQldLtgk-08YeKhf3KM/w300-h400/%25D0%2594%25D0%25B8%25D0%25B2%25D0%25B8%25D1%2582%25D0%25B8%25D1%2581%25D1%258F+%25D0%25BD%25D0%25B5%25D0%25B4%25D0%25B0%25D0%25B2%25D0%25BD%25D1%2596+%25D1%2584%25D0%25BE%25D1%2582%25D0%25BE+5.png" width="300" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p>Beautification of Agape with a new outdoor lighting system...</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgppC0lpyFD4YYFEsw2BGNdpoxVgVbXINJI4JDU6lkfVBufXZ7gQ-Skw575M32OJc300MrJzNMaHp_m0QSuftm0E2cSNk07Ru8x2cODefJP4qLftLTNVCxlCIot__GdQZUImmIWP0lZ6F4/s1996/120197891_3187502474630566_660332912852013052_o.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1496" data-original-width="1996" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgppC0lpyFD4YYFEsw2BGNdpoxVgVbXINJI4JDU6lkfVBufXZ7gQ-Skw575M32OJc300MrJzNMaHp_m0QSuftm0E2cSNk07Ru8x2cODefJP4qLftLTNVCxlCIot__GdQZUImmIWP0lZ6F4/w400-h300/120197891_3187502474630566_660332912852013052_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXZL9C2rqBCG1EeFdoHn3sij4FnkcmXoLZL6fjjxB91HNAIBysJMOAAOnY8t6sREyBkeyqDwRb5wmo06QL6NT-KhumMWTKwXMXIN9u-OzbRzSkfRvvQJFTKRVzZq5d-H0BPqJhpDHEdg4/s2048/120199164_3187486884632125_7710635256790922733_o.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2048" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXZL9C2rqBCG1EeFdoHn3sij4FnkcmXoLZL6fjjxB91HNAIBysJMOAAOnY8t6sREyBkeyqDwRb5wmo06QL6NT-KhumMWTKwXMXIN9u-OzbRzSkfRvvQJFTKRVzZq5d-H0BPqJhpDHEdg4/w400-h225/120199164_3187486884632125_7710635256790922733_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>The pictures do not adequately portray the beauty and light that Agape now shines into our village - it truly is a beautiful sight! But those of us who get to work at Agape seek to shine a much greater Light, one that has potential to reach far beyond our village to all of Ukraine - the Light of Christ. Let me share a couple of the ways I have witnessed this Light being shone into the lives of people with disabilities and their families members over the past year. </p><p><b>One-on-one conversations:</b> When our therapists spend 1-2 hours daily with a patient for 3, 4, and even up 6 weeks, relationships are developed and conversations about many topics inevitably take place. The opportunity to share truths from Scripture often come up naturally in the course of conversations. Not long ago, Katya shared her testimony at church about how Christians intentionally built relationships with her to share the Gospel with her, leading to her eventual repented. Near the end of her testimony, she talked about her work as a PT at Agape and the opportunities it provides for evangelism. One comment particularly stuck with me: she said she doesn't have to go out looking for people to share the gospel with because they come to her from all over Ukraine and are waiting for her to come to work every day. That is so true! The people who come for rehab (sometimes also accompanied by a member of their family) are hurting and in desperate need of hope. They are seeking physical restoration, but over the course of rehabilitation we also have the chance to share with them what their souls need - Christ! And our therapists are doing just that...</p><p>A few weeks ago, I was working with my patient on the mat next to another PT and his patient. They immediately engaged in a conversation about God and this conversation lasted the entire 50-minute session and even continued for another 20-30 minutes afterward (it was the last hour of the day). The patient never even transferred out of his wheelchair or began any physical rehabilitation. But he was given spiritual truth for his soul, which is eternally more valuable than any rehabilitation. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQaSg7fieLgZohmswGDG2AoSJ1qNFJUyu6C3pzyLUMgsGqaXykQlG-42jTvvDjF3c7_JH_jM5GhYhHXdQJ32mlQEZS6k1xb-H8y0K8H104NiygkqYbIGmngEwNZipXMWCFFTj-x__DiUE/s2048/IMG_6873.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQaSg7fieLgZohmswGDG2AoSJ1qNFJUyu6C3pzyLUMgsGqaXykQlG-42jTvvDjF3c7_JH_jM5GhYhHXdQJ32mlQEZS6k1xb-H8y0K8H104NiygkqYbIGmngEwNZipXMWCFFTj-x__DiUE/w400-h300/IMG_6873.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p><b>Bibles: </b>Since Agape opened, we have sought to give a Bible or New Testament to each patient on their day of discharge. One of the therapists writes a note in the front and presents it to them along with encouragement to read it. Obviously, we do not know how many people actually read them, but we recently heard a story that encouraged us all. Mykola was a patient at our center this fall who came to us straight from the hospital following a spinal cord injury. He had also been an alcoholic and the resulting memory impairments meant that he retained little to nothing from day to day of the new skills he was taught during his rehab sessions. But he did make some progress over the time he was with us and on the day of his discharge he too received a Bible. His wife called this past week to tell us that he was hospitalised about a week after leaving our facility. Every day, when his wife or daughter visited him in the hospital, they read the Bible to him. Mykola heard Scripture daily for about a month before he died and his wife has continued to read the Bible at home and found it to be encouraging! We don't know the state of their souls, but we rejoice that we do know this: </p><p style="text-align: center;">"For the word of God Word is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart." Hebrews 4:12</p><p>May God open the eyes of people as they read His Word and may He grant them repentance and eternal life!</p><p>And so, I look back at 2020 with gratitude for the challenges and the blessings God brought our way! And I look forward to 2021 with great anticipation for how God will continue to use Agape and the godly men and women who work there to shine the Light of Christ into the lives of people with disabilities and to then watch that Light spread out from our village to all of Ukraine as patients return home having heard the Gospel and now carrying it in their hands! </p><p>If anyone is interesting in financially supporting the work at Agape on a one-time or on-going basis, we now have a non-profit organization in the US, Agape Ukraine, Inc, that can receive tax-deductible donations. Please feel free to contact me at cmoss19@hotmail.com for further information. We would be extremely grateful for your support!</p><p>Please be in prayer for Agape as we resume work on January 11 after being closed for the holidays. We will immediately be conducting the 3rd session for the current class of PT Training Center students, as well as resuming rehabilitation. Please continue to pray for protection for both employees and patients and wisdom for the best ways to continue our work. </p><p style="text-align: center;">Happy New Year and may God abundantly bless you all in 2021! </p>Carriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01004999497733503209noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7774391233259808025.post-31149245671383982292020-09-19T10:15:00.000-07:002020-09-19T10:15:08.883-07:00Another session completed!The fourth class of the PT Training Center returned to Agape on August 31 for their second session. As usual, the session began with a test over the material from the previous session. A few students needed two attempts, but eventually everyone passed, earning a certificate of completion for the first session. <div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTpQo4f6600SGgX14hU5DdQPo1yuKpwK9QNdEWFd0AHcYeYAq6OXPJrnSm5WS6eOnyuTUpYSu6-YewW8GXBlXo8bqIAmMfwQGJmYlil6nKNDyshF7JaRsVSK8OTq49PG5jAVp0PEqwd0Q/s1490/Screen+Shot+2020-09-15+at+7.25.11+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="842" data-original-width="1490" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTpQo4f6600SGgX14hU5DdQPo1yuKpwK9QNdEWFd0AHcYeYAq6OXPJrnSm5WS6eOnyuTUpYSu6-YewW8GXBlXo8bqIAmMfwQGJmYlil6nKNDyshF7JaRsVSK8OTq49PG5jAVp0PEqwd0Q/w400-h226/Screen+Shot+2020-09-15+at+7.25.11+PM.png" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSx2otfwrb2d1SVhcGuosSzAQb8lcwZ2Ua1OwkhjLWiAqXr-axHGGR6EMUME9lq7NTTxF6ux7dKhaLF3Fa_rtH02lBvW-ZZ7RaIYEvUTBjXRgcEd5KYsD962cXrcGVVu3EPE_MFEc5ovU/s952/Screen+Shot+2020-09-15+at+7.31.36+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="782" data-original-width="952" height="329" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSx2otfwrb2d1SVhcGuosSzAQb8lcwZ2Ua1OwkhjLWiAqXr-axHGGR6EMUME9lq7NTTxF6ux7dKhaLF3Fa_rtH02lBvW-ZZ7RaIYEvUTBjXRgcEd5KYsD962cXrcGVVu3EPE_MFEc5ovU/w400-h329/Screen+Shot+2020-09-15+at+7.31.36+PM.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div>Between students, temporary residents, and rehab patients, Agape was full to the brim for these two weeks! Since spinal cord injury was a big topic for us this session, it was extremely helpful to have so many residents currently at Agape with spinal cord injuries. Another plus for the students was to have multiple members of our rehab team (Alina, Katya, Veeka, and Pasha) participate in teaching. All of them are former students of our program and I really enjoy seeing them now teaching other Ukrainians!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbkCb5ayaGsKVd0zDGsbFzlTa_d6cPmJYuCMsm-dqAXB9BiEdgehkBwkL0NDctReLoXRhFSZqkVjMYWYjOhu5TfcbnQFVNkkasIYMb7TWOL5aoIjEPEBVHOt3XtJ1nJ9fAphIqSVZxLDs/s2048/IMG_6387.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbkCb5ayaGsKVd0zDGsbFzlTa_d6cPmJYuCMsm-dqAXB9BiEdgehkBwkL0NDctReLoXRhFSZqkVjMYWYjOhu5TfcbnQFVNkkasIYMb7TWOL5aoIjEPEBVHOt3XtJ1nJ9fAphIqSVZxLDs/w400-h300/IMG_6387.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLklqxbaqQRprRsZlwIEmzOjkj6QjjIwBRDkzXlKa9Nz26k5-q-jzosPBOJait330cX5FHT5_dMHOwzf7BH5vCznYriPA6Zmw2WcYRzd0kLyF28WvnXjc9RusAvs408HbeRbQn2MrZVK8/s2048/IMG_6390.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLklqxbaqQRprRsZlwIEmzOjkj6QjjIwBRDkzXlKa9Nz26k5-q-jzosPBOJait330cX5FHT5_dMHOwzf7BH5vCznYriPA6Zmw2WcYRzd0kLyF28WvnXjc9RusAvs408HbeRbQn2MrZVK8/w400-h300/IMG_6390.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBNghzASbRFQOxSp34MVkWAbgYJmWkoqA8r6ZLB3QHyCrDRbexuYnIJR_09rPKhp4NtHDVUBGs2MDx4L0OAHqjyzpiQpfeRyaT8jKVhL1T5X5sTVDTdS8Ph860zxXvO0UtiBjPOvjnEXA/s2048/IMG_6400.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBNghzASbRFQOxSp34MVkWAbgYJmWkoqA8r6ZLB3QHyCrDRbexuYnIJR_09rPKhp4NtHDVUBGs2MDx4L0OAHqjyzpiQpfeRyaT8jKVhL1T5X5sTVDTdS8Ph860zxXvO0UtiBjPOvjnEXA/w400-h300/IMG_6400.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTS-jK5tHIVQ9soSZfQrPdKmkQMzvcMWcetjKIjW60PgwC7bbsrRC8nNi8WO9pOYWOSUJ9Myxaen9iAVqYYW6wrKsEaIZ8nwlvLsSHvt7kpAPyT8CV0VZuWRdtpLfD4a7gRd7QgrqCmWw/s1484/Screen+Shot+2020-09-15+at+7.29.57+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="830" data-original-width="1484" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTS-jK5tHIVQ9soSZfQrPdKmkQMzvcMWcetjKIjW60PgwC7bbsrRC8nNi8WO9pOYWOSUJ9Myxaen9iAVqYYW6wrKsEaIZ8nwlvLsSHvt7kpAPyT8CV0VZuWRdtpLfD4a7gRd7QgrqCmWw/w400-h224/Screen+Shot+2020-09-15+at+7.29.57+PM.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We covered many topics and learned many new skills, often moving out and about in Agape to practice on one another: </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcH77jDW2jJtoh1kEOxqdjTSV5hSU9cf-PETY-E5p1q4Q5UHDe4gjbqosIv-MMIR2fT7czOzhBJCyejh4C_S2J1rOxdPZVsqJQV4oRBPG_PAube-55kOQJRnYJVNSc7lAi6dF0WIHeLp4/s1484/Screen+Shot+2020-09-15+at+7.25.31+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="994" data-original-width="1484" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcH77jDW2jJtoh1kEOxqdjTSV5hSU9cf-PETY-E5p1q4Q5UHDe4gjbqosIv-MMIR2fT7czOzhBJCyejh4C_S2J1rOxdPZVsqJQV4oRBPG_PAube-55kOQJRnYJVNSc7lAi6dF0WIHeLp4/w400-h268/Screen+Shot+2020-09-15+at+7.25.31+PM.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxSNXhkpzmAZueUKQ4VRLxbZvalVcV4zlGRrY99OCIUDmvoLt719WPJCHGgjfmTXetkW5ugHPmkj8YzkkSlZdHOEBeUloBWtyqGI_jhU4sR3x4tklvcl5TSgAx0W-3EA3KCeRfApaSSN0/s1490/Screen+Shot+2020-09-15+at+7.25.56+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="988" data-original-width="1490" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxSNXhkpzmAZueUKQ4VRLxbZvalVcV4zlGRrY99OCIUDmvoLt719WPJCHGgjfmTXetkW5ugHPmkj8YzkkSlZdHOEBeUloBWtyqGI_jhU4sR3x4tklvcl5TSgAx0W-3EA3KCeRfApaSSN0/w400-h265/Screen+Shot+2020-09-15+at+7.25.56+PM.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLVFrU_7bQlNEichTLWu4hf0PXM2kJVJdpA0nMMXwJAAI27-TGzNabVysO-JZIN81G1KfWVMr91AZ2wvq_bj8OADZrb-mkYVSXwi2ebVTGu81rBH3NiCR2O3yMF17zDxFEAGOUZLl3_ok/s1490/Screen+Shot+2020-09-15+at+7.27.08+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="996" data-original-width="1490" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLVFrU_7bQlNEichTLWu4hf0PXM2kJVJdpA0nMMXwJAAI27-TGzNabVysO-JZIN81G1KfWVMr91AZ2wvq_bj8OADZrb-mkYVSXwi2ebVTGu81rBH3NiCR2O3yMF17zDxFEAGOUZLl3_ok/w400-h268/Screen+Shot+2020-09-15+at+7.27.08+PM.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSzaLt_o29IOFUGgcS4ed6Os83qId2kA80RsWTiF9VmnKI46B37-BfDetkGMl0lYf5Nztldeuj1qUf4i4XLGiWUHmln7LENaoaAr9kXITB8ihMPbitJrExKpC-W9A4b-fzL83frTWCVt0/s1368/Screen+Shot+2020-09-15+at+7.28.00+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1368" data-original-width="834" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSzaLt_o29IOFUGgcS4ed6Os83qId2kA80RsWTiF9VmnKI46B37-BfDetkGMl0lYf5Nztldeuj1qUf4i4XLGiWUHmln7LENaoaAr9kXITB8ihMPbitJrExKpC-W9A4b-fzL83frTWCVt0/w244-h400/Screen+Shot+2020-09-15+at+7.28.00+PM.png" width="244" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyzBRHhcMP7POyusp36fblvl-VqgBZOqeUAn6jMSvRm1UlAYHhOP0F1zW6otERbI4a2FRiikXEpFCBRJOKlAvQXGZszU8wNSTBSuiyIL4zqz8G6WjOc1tQMJdXOmQpf7jMc0p3psAVaX4/s1484/Screen+Shot+2020-09-15+at+7.29.06+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="990" data-original-width="1484" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyzBRHhcMP7POyusp36fblvl-VqgBZOqeUAn6jMSvRm1UlAYHhOP0F1zW6otERbI4a2FRiikXEpFCBRJOKlAvQXGZszU8wNSTBSuiyIL4zqz8G6WjOc1tQMJdXOmQpf7jMc0p3psAVaX4/w400-h268/Screen+Shot+2020-09-15+at+7.29.06+PM.png" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmqPl79erXQfOSAdjEQkOEnlqsW4BgFKL3iPMo1ALl5J0wI2BLCMMf32jnsh3rz_GZ12UReN1bL4XpeLVApi9I-Pzu3BhFyjU3xtsELhI9QZrT5KB-3jJ2F8WVew1hTbq81-lFxYq0iZY/s1476/Screen+Shot+2020-09-15+at+7.30.22+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="976" data-original-width="1476" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmqPl79erXQfOSAdjEQkOEnlqsW4BgFKL3iPMo1ALl5J0wI2BLCMMf32jnsh3rz_GZ12UReN1bL4XpeLVApi9I-Pzu3BhFyjU3xtsELhI9QZrT5KB-3jJ2F8WVew1hTbq81-lFxYq0iZY/w400-h265/Screen+Shot+2020-09-15+at+7.30.22+PM.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR8ZM7nkk7aAr7sM86LPD2jIpyOV4DsZCOwV6yxvM9RuwUtB0lkOporWIYcgp62PTBd5SCCOrO6ed-4-iVsdQTsJWhV_Pa0x0O_Ar-q1C7PFo89NmVFt7AvtklLbCmOTsJUS_LZE4sfHs/s1418/Screen+Shot+2020-09-15+at+7.30.49+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1418" data-original-width="970" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR8ZM7nkk7aAr7sM86LPD2jIpyOV4DsZCOwV6yxvM9RuwUtB0lkOporWIYcgp62PTBd5SCCOrO6ed-4-iVsdQTsJWhV_Pa0x0O_Ar-q1C7PFo89NmVFt7AvtklLbCmOTsJUS_LZE4sfHs/w274-h400/Screen+Shot+2020-09-15+at+7.30.49+PM.png" width="274" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This group is now halfway through the program and will return in January for their third session. Several of them are from the Lutsk area and have the possibility of joining our rehab team in the future. The other three work in Rivne with some former students to provide rehab at their church. God is calling more and more people to use rehabilitation as a means of sharing Christ with people with disabilities in Ukraine and we are grateful for the role we are called to play in their training! Thank you to all who prayed for us during this session! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Looks like we have said good-bye to summer, but God's beauty continues to abound as we say hello to fall! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-qL0G3E6em39heM9_XVmUxQNagGA6sgV5E0N_xUCi75a7FO3r7lQvplKfS-u_XuznFbxmmagN_ovyvtxsEghwy7TyffsQ-rGWG42WUntReg8N1H7sH7Epk_8sPjRhzPHyI3aIKD7KbSY/s2048/IMG_6413.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-qL0G3E6em39heM9_XVmUxQNagGA6sgV5E0N_xUCi75a7FO3r7lQvplKfS-u_XuznFbxmmagN_ovyvtxsEghwy7TyffsQ-rGWG42WUntReg8N1H7sH7Epk_8sPjRhzPHyI3aIKD7KbSY/w400-h300/IMG_6413.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>Carriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01004999497733503209noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7774391233259808025.post-84115472907308206272020-08-23T08:13:00.000-07:002020-08-23T08:13:57.302-07:00The Summer in Review<p>Summer is rapidly winding down here and it seems like it went by so quickly! Praise the Lord, Agape has been operating in our normal capacity since mid-June! We are thankful for the Lord's protection that enables us to continue to provide rehabilitation and temporary residency for people with disabilities. There have been and continue to be challenges to our work in this era COVID-19, so we continue to pray for wisdom to address the various situations that arise, for the health of patients and employees, and for God's continued provision and protection. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo_FFMccJHH0-3fciFcpkRV6WJcub9rKRiNaO82QgF1dSsU3mHkX91hKPLzqP8Fapct5pRPnetU7Vz2Az30CYEp_Y6asc6T9eOsnq2X-uap1YTnuUPOJ6Zwm0a7NSUAM7QQ7zYXG6P1UE/s1450/Screen+Shot+2020-08-23+at+5.05.39+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="814" data-original-width="1450" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo_FFMccJHH0-3fciFcpkRV6WJcub9rKRiNaO82QgF1dSsU3mHkX91hKPLzqP8Fapct5pRPnetU7Vz2Az30CYEp_Y6asc6T9eOsnq2X-uap1YTnuUPOJ6Zwm0a7NSUAM7QQ7zYXG6P1UE/w400-h224/Screen+Shot+2020-08-23+at+5.05.39+PM.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSFAKCMgjC4Vo2alOYWzf9K7rL3llUuJnRQxsnmhCjzY9ORFht8FpKz2pqutcCuBpBC00bAwA1rOTQ-RtqeskNLrscfDs6msOQ_2DSIacUc80bdTIN7pO8Ml4fAYjIg1GH_LaHhGDZTcg/s1500/Screen+Shot+2020-08-23+at+5.06.03+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="842" data-original-width="1500" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSFAKCMgjC4Vo2alOYWzf9K7rL3llUuJnRQxsnmhCjzY9ORFht8FpKz2pqutcCuBpBC00bAwA1rOTQ-RtqeskNLrscfDs6msOQ_2DSIacUc80bdTIN7pO8Ml4fAYjIg1GH_LaHhGDZTcg/w400-h224/Screen+Shot+2020-08-23+at+5.06.03+PM.png" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzQFgQ_P0BsVRVog2TQcU1VYPxAANkiAPT2136CHEWfWM13qPOOawfG6y_rJWQd9J6MvGkyeMCKw5Ne_QADWcck8yvzllSRVYPefM_xyvSX59LHRQ54viajuJka61Ppt5Ks05TvmtnfUY/s1444/Screen+Shot+2020-08-23+at+5.50.04+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="810" data-original-width="1444" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzQFgQ_P0BsVRVog2TQcU1VYPxAANkiAPT2136CHEWfWM13qPOOawfG6y_rJWQd9J6MvGkyeMCKw5Ne_QADWcck8yvzllSRVYPefM_xyvSX59LHRQ54viajuJka61Ppt5Ks05TvmtnfUY/w400-h224/Screen+Shot+2020-08-23+at+5.50.04+PM.png" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXFM0pOXQCVU45khG0d_u25DfQwvnwdl30nIgc8IITQ8UXJFhjQgOe12X0pZoOFmm3kc9QrbqHNi8FrhbHjv4hpx5NweSzJzvP5jgNkHjPOVIe-_G7rrrJhWG5v-rBI41Rl2gHRhg-mJo/w300-h400/IMG_5715.jpeg" style="text-align: start;" title="The rehab team minus the guys" width="300" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The rehab team gals!</div><p style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjslu5abqE8x2g4h_npdRK0ALjsAIRybARzjn6jgWh9gmgJwqicPOMfjJRxkH0UuBrvfjlOOV6cQSOd2BR4f5usFkHVn0gc1ECG9MPWwYkyrHMrqOymCItT_d4BE27mki0Rm5uzStTnJa0/w400-h300/IMG_5859.jpeg" width="400" /></p><p>Summer camps took place in abbreviated and atypical formats so we were unable to participate this year. Children with disabilities and their families had an online camp followed by one day together at a campground. Adults with disabilities had a 3-day day camp at a nearby campground. The overall number of participants was lower, but all expressed gratitude for having the opportunity to host and attend camps.</p><p style="text-align: center;"> <img border="0" data-original-height="1026" data-original-width="1490" height="276" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjou2KtM0xPjwOCdzLLsKo184oJd4qhMaybX_xquUXv_7yGp2cDy5Gh88NkXHOcBxiYWnBc7vW2qjZOFhQ1t1ZI4xhBaY8UfkB_cpzuOUoXxk_eI0C2j9g2y8mezKWuBSmnlDQOpy5r5qM/w400-h276/Screen+Shot+2020-08-23+at+5.03.21+PM.png" width="400" /></p><p>Other events of the summer for us included hosting a 4th of July cookout complete with a game of touch football (but no fireworks): </p><p style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj05qmrrKDyPeicHt6tMywpEF4yZjxS70d-a1fgNKE9NbTjQUBbPdAJ6hRlGNesw9_jFQ1Tlcyb_1jOQn0LW_owc72OhzMULZb9k3gjfEwl3bDJVQBy0YSxz4s7zsMXLtYAyO3gaUJzyog/w300-h400/IMG_5726.jpeg" width="300" /></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSyk_k9J_voTUhOY4JzxzBp1vTdyJsv31t6KUDR2MNYUm_8BR6RXGFNf95gAyc5f-AJZVTqaQGrr2rRMNl-_o1Yanj15oTSeUqSa1eOeDx5Tn4dIiaVOrRBnW_xMMGsbKfbCFBThwRQvA/s2048/IMG_5733.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSyk_k9J_voTUhOY4JzxzBp1vTdyJsv31t6KUDR2MNYUm_8BR6RXGFNf95gAyc5f-AJZVTqaQGrr2rRMNl-_o1Yanj15oTSeUqSa1eOeDx5Tn4dIiaVOrRBnW_xMMGsbKfbCFBThwRQvA/w400-h300/IMG_5733.jpeg" width="400" /></a> </p><p style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWYVYvdRR3iXmzDt_3R8VnGsteU3oKZxuZqWwLB4u6M_w7XoEtJdkwK7xQcnz1KuIMY096C8RbHa9tPtXDddogt35-mwfsE0KHGG54lcjGimDkrWg-rIwNrWvuTxqSeFOY0ddQIbyxg7A/s2048/IMG_5739.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWYVYvdRR3iXmzDt_3R8VnGsteU3oKZxuZqWwLB4u6M_w7XoEtJdkwK7xQcnz1KuIMY096C8RbHa9tPtXDddogt35-mwfsE0KHGG54lcjGimDkrWg-rIwNrWvuTxqSeFOY0ddQIbyxg7A/w400-h300/IMG_5739.jpeg" width="400" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;">The football players above and the spectators below...</p><p style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1O0mVkiAqCNeGiPP9r70v210_RmTG7mVa_g2GmVM6kyPnkXsCk1w8NR-09HRCHSaPesTG65r1_Oe3ZapQHILFRlfe1DJ-u6irNZf2cx9MmvWIfiVl1e1SUDmpIQ_Y6toTRMRzOsDWtek/w400-h300/IMG_5740.jpeg" width="400" /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We had birthday celebrations for various members of our rehab family which took us on evening picnics to the local river and all-day trips to the lake: </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq2y2qVtSZN3xOIX3KpR9BtR7b0Q-kRq9zMvfiuNb5wX8yntFRnqUWSexjjhWfcPhHJ-nB8u1wB5xo0XzRxv384OavtwShlUIEo4Rkh01YdqCuuarMW_WyMOiCT5vs93AlBQ3jiybnFZU/s1600/IMG_5820.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq2y2qVtSZN3xOIX3KpR9BtR7b0Q-kRq9zMvfiuNb5wX8yntFRnqUWSexjjhWfcPhHJ-nB8u1wB5xo0XzRxv384OavtwShlUIEo4Rkh01YdqCuuarMW_WyMOiCT5vs93AlBQ3jiybnFZU/w400-h300/IMG_5820.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIbH0Qk82QsUzzMlk3AFcZewm93D3gBnsosHmu59NagDzxgfURldfff8HFUU7Kmgi7och4vYHVUwsocEhr7BrXz9TERsKPxTi7vDrwp3wuqToiY4MorE0SVxiUyczZjI3wJ6o_JF09J1g/s2048/00000IMG_00000_BURST20200815182806416_COVER_Original.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIbH0Qk82QsUzzMlk3AFcZewm93D3gBnsosHmu59NagDzxgfURldfff8HFUU7Kmgi7och4vYHVUwsocEhr7BrXz9TERsKPxTi7vDrwp3wuqToiY4MorE0SVxiUyczZjI3wJ6o_JF09J1g/w400-h300/00000IMG_00000_BURST20200815182806416_COVER_Original.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhynlEDu0HjjXG-dzEb3U1Sv9d85vrtPX6u1bT0bXCWux0gQRQ5FjpPNXf7A9nvMiW7nwjo7x_FBwmwsCmJ-QmKfoGFaBmdSB8JhkNH1m30sqao2oSMz1D9RPH31tTMPBA-1C4kdgg53wk/s2048/IMG_6349.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhynlEDu0HjjXG-dzEb3U1Sv9d85vrtPX6u1bT0bXCWux0gQRQ5FjpPNXf7A9nvMiW7nwjo7x_FBwmwsCmJ-QmKfoGFaBmdSB8JhkNH1m30sqao2oSMz1D9RPH31tTMPBA-1C4kdgg53wk/w400-h300/IMG_6349.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Sveta and I spent 5 days hiking and relaxing in the beautiful Carpathian Mountains:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixfEIYXITWGw9kGNjYqD2fXCuhfNXh5YlQxSCCgopk4KSZm6-_AUdyKN9PE-XfY-5JBLr7f6bRdIq6JjVJjnnzvfx4ehVIgnIWKOFf0zYnK7ha4I2uogtR40U-8UZs0o3Lv2I2Jo0jqTI/s2048/IMG_2328.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixfEIYXITWGw9kGNjYqD2fXCuhfNXh5YlQxSCCgopk4KSZm6-_AUdyKN9PE-XfY-5JBLr7f6bRdIq6JjVJjnnzvfx4ehVIgnIWKOFf0zYnK7ha4I2uogtR40U-8UZs0o3Lv2I2Jo0jqTI/w400-h300/IMG_2328.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0oSMZN853h2JWkRWkd-_2JgVOoi59yZePAUfAkbmh6OYAH7gt-LT7t0_ciGget-O5xmalufLWpp3z8xAWMGCqYnjnE0bkw4XFOFjDnNFMT_eKBidU9iaonvszKh_X7sDL6o_49FKP5xE/s2048/IMG_5880.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0oSMZN853h2JWkRWkd-_2JgVOoi59yZePAUfAkbmh6OYAH7gt-LT7t0_ciGget-O5xmalufLWpp3z8xAWMGCqYnjnE0bkw4XFOFjDnNFMT_eKBidU9iaonvszKh_X7sDL6o_49FKP5xE/w300-h400/IMG_5880.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBTicf6UzdCNSIMfMWLWkxPHPugm-qUmdP-AyVJCYlaNcoJLqNQXhd_YV9QA42EJ8C3ySKU8oeVMJhpgNl-3BdS7IOMEjI5PKI5alZ7cqi6FUsnmlJCbetVlQpbHqkSnWWf8WfqvT54VQ/s2048/IMG_5977.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBTicf6UzdCNSIMfMWLWkxPHPugm-qUmdP-AyVJCYlaNcoJLqNQXhd_YV9QA42EJ8C3ySKU8oeVMJhpgNl-3BdS7IOMEjI5PKI5alZ7cqi6FUsnmlJCbetVlQpbHqkSnWWf8WfqvT54VQ/w400-h300/IMG_5977.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghvDqYsQapgzpPX0OUmbldcxPWuLR4Kgc414tVtnY07L3C7P3PXPrfgyDsPiazYIghCakmsBFEzYxCTau_LjhQSBHuYszWXJpQ38HNP6jtp9ZniFzfPJwZ0vY5INMMWjWM5m8DOnK_k04/s2048/IMG_5984.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghvDqYsQapgzpPX0OUmbldcxPWuLR4Kgc414tVtnY07L3C7P3PXPrfgyDsPiazYIghCakmsBFEzYxCTau_LjhQSBHuYszWXJpQ38HNP6jtp9ZniFzfPJwZ0vY5INMMWjWM5m8DOnK_k04/w400-h300/IMG_5984.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi62nqGZ27sVdDw6q_EPjADN1GASzk7ABbaNAlejQcVjAFv0zcfj8FYLJw066u7t6In6SN1JKJM2Ikxe_1PEvYmpPAauRqKRhQlV4pGpAq412kf477z1ueaA-XNe_nj0ZQhBKrVd_AmQu4/s2048/IMG_6008.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi62nqGZ27sVdDw6q_EPjADN1GASzk7ABbaNAlejQcVjAFv0zcfj8FYLJw066u7t6In6SN1JKJM2Ikxe_1PEvYmpPAauRqKRhQlV4pGpAq412kf477z1ueaA-XNe_nj0ZQhBKrVd_AmQu4/w400-h300/IMG_6008.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And we enjoyed some of God's beautiful nature from our own yard...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfPOdHS37jyIZiIi5TpvyJbMgZ6AzEFY6a9D-YwER0NpBm_NhuT8H2EgslNLVaD7582TKlKZ0esVfRqLLwv1gEKAnuI2QlW5mIGLCtksdfpOj4yPhINtGuzkU3FDGJ5bFfaHZympUKqfI/s2048/IMG_5847.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfPOdHS37jyIZiIi5TpvyJbMgZ6AzEFY6a9D-YwER0NpBm_NhuT8H2EgslNLVaD7582TKlKZ0esVfRqLLwv1gEKAnuI2QlW5mIGLCtksdfpOj4yPhINtGuzkU3FDGJ5bFfaHZympUKqfI/w400-h300/IMG_5847.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlNOIFhQdBKjBiC-Zdngc7GPpdM24t5YqKQ1tdDF9hKLZjKPeq_R166hAd9wVywHLmdo-EdgeFXL_rVTcxAdt1-LNbXGGN2ipGK_6HEc-q0tdDj_aScfQW3cLlDROuOGcHlKam2TxXQN0/s2048/IMG_5798.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlNOIFhQdBKjBiC-Zdngc7GPpdM24t5YqKQ1tdDF9hKLZjKPeq_R166hAd9wVywHLmdo-EdgeFXL_rVTcxAdt1-LNbXGGN2ipGK_6HEc-q0tdDj_aScfQW3cLlDROuOGcHlKam2TxXQN0/w400-h300/IMG_5798.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRnHiCqEkgf-5J4uWXDOHTut7uihJpQPg_HUX7IuEzgfrgrSPWR7WHgcq9I0oNm_L3fnLgbcJnz92ItYDS6JbcUQFveYTSoPzyjsE9y5cLGudZMGEOcwtqpEvOU7RZS4JR5EGjFKb38BM/s2670/IMG_5679.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1178" data-original-width="2670" height="176" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRnHiCqEkgf-5J4uWXDOHTut7uihJpQPg_HUX7IuEzgfrgrSPWR7WHgcq9I0oNm_L3fnLgbcJnz92ItYDS6JbcUQFveYTSoPzyjsE9y5cLGudZMGEOcwtqpEvOU7RZS4JR5EGjFKb38BM/w400-h176/IMG_5679.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX45JoKOyLf5pNskeIdZzDIDk_fNIn2um50C8l5dDjTOe0cW6wsSQKYoWX5yPm2XB4KIhyphenhyphenI0zKqKKnRfzXxBjvFNVMYV2rXoIakmzO78of3BCkbpwd3hsKD54z0F5leH9WJaOAHxNZmtU/s2048/IMG_5751.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX45JoKOyLf5pNskeIdZzDIDk_fNIn2um50C8l5dDjTOe0cW6wsSQKYoWX5yPm2XB4KIhyphenhyphenI0zKqKKnRfzXxBjvFNVMYV2rXoIakmzO78of3BCkbpwd3hsKD54z0F5leH9WJaOAHxNZmtU/w400-h300/IMG_5751.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div>The second session of our PT Training Center for the 4th class begins on August 31st. Please join us in praying during these 2 weeks for clear teaching/translation of the material and for the students to comprehend and retain the information. <div><br /></div><div>Please also continue to pray for the work at Agape, for the health of employees and patients, for wisdom for those making decisions regarding our work, and for God's continued protection. </div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcB3LPEK8xGNxokP2jAQirtrgMhat43VAMOJWo9bfvfxvCja7AJu3vcIuWyqX__MODAUXr-2JB7EOQFp3XQPwllWWaoTn10DNId2Q92byzVmbBiF-0F9iSXU3WXY68JorsHqpSBakWMTk/w400-h300/IMG_6374.jpeg" width="400" /></div>Carriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01004999497733503209noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7774391233259808025.post-90862642297652358712020-06-14T05:01:00.000-07:002020-06-14T05:01:03.094-07:00Two steps forward, one step back...Well, in this case it was actually "two weeks of work, one week off." Agape was open for two weeks of outpatient rehabilitation and then had to close again as that format was simply not sustainable. Thankfully, however, we only closed for one week and tomorrow reopen with our normal inpatient rehabilitation format. Of course, our work will not be completely "normal." There will be less residents in the building initially, new guidelines for how we work, and all employees and residents have undergone/will undergo testing for COVID-19, but we are excited to be taking this step back toward normalcy.<br />
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Of course, opening Agape is not without risk. Ukraine is still in the process of easing the quarantine restrictions and the number of people diagnosed with COVID-19 in Ukraine actually hit record highs this past week. Much prayer and discussion went into the decision to open Agape and much prayer and discussion will need to continue as we begin our work. Our trust is in God to provide, protect, and guide! We ask you to join us in prayer!<br />
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In other news, summer finally hit here - at least for one week! Warm, sunny days were a welcome change and the week off from work allowed us to travel to visit friends and spend plenty of time outside.<br />
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Late spring and early summer in Ukraine are truly beautiful as everything grows and blossoms. Tulip season (my favorite) is now behind us. Wheat fields have taken on a lighter green color and are now often dotted with red poppies. The bright yellow canola fields of May are gone, but large fields of sunflowers will emerge before long. The sky provides some incredible views and rainbows can often be seen after the rain, particularly here in the village. I hope you enjoy seeing some of Ukraine's beauty...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmcxxer_rtEHX_vjUElz7ctGEnvtiuTP4bDuAa4OhMBTHli2WrL-jQQ4n9yFmcimQYr1qQpUjXecedkvPg-NOkJZ3SwrC0qU7W4gJejuIJGe8O4eyRHQ3OI8HMSF7F3CXVrXYFcKUafPE/s1600/5DB52E01-2F36-4D54-B0D4-69CFD8DA7BDD.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmcxxer_rtEHX_vjUElz7ctGEnvtiuTP4bDuAa4OhMBTHli2WrL-jQQ4n9yFmcimQYr1qQpUjXecedkvPg-NOkJZ3SwrC0qU7W4gJejuIJGe8O4eyRHQ3OI8HMSF7F3CXVrXYFcKUafPE/s400/5DB52E01-2F36-4D54-B0D4-69CFD8DA7BDD.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"And the waving wheat, it sure smells sweet..." from "Oklahoma" suddenly popped into my head while taking this picture. I have yet to smell that sweetness but I do enjoy the beauty of the rolling wheat fields!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">While this may not be part of the "beauty of Ukraine," shooting around on this little court in our village park has brought me some extra joy lately. Now to convince some friends to join me!</td></tr>
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In closing, I want to thank those who responded to the request to help us raise the salaries of our therapists. God has used you to answer our prayer and we believe we now have adequate funds to raise their salaries beginning in July. The caregivers are the next group of employees for whom our administration wants to raise salaries. These men and women work 24-hour shifts every 3-4 days to care for the residents and patients of Agape. They help them dress, eat, bathe, transfer to and from wheelchairs, turn in bed, go for walks...whatever the need is, they are there to help fill it. It is physically taxing work, but the opportunities to share the gospel with patients are also abundant. If you would be interested in helping to raise the salaries of our caregivers, please contact me (cmoss19@hotmail.com) and we will discuss how that is possible. Please join us in prayer for God's provision of this need.<br />
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Also, we would ask for prayer for summer camps for adults and children with disabilities. They were on, then one was cancelled, then both were cancelled, and now they are both back on. Please pray for the leadership teams of both camps to have wisdom and discernment as to whether they should hold the camps and if so, what they should look like in these partial-quarantine days were are living.<br />
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Nearly three months of closure at Agape is coming to an end and it's back to work we go!</div>
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God is good!</div>
Carriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01004999497733503209noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7774391233259808025.post-24403512047784844022020-05-18T00:11:00.001-07:002020-05-18T00:11:31.074-07:00Moving forward!!!Like most, if not all, of you we have started to see an easing of the quarantine restrictions here in Ukraine! Although we are still only in the first phase, we are extremely grateful for the changes. We are also thankful for God's mercy that the situation in Ukraine with COVID-19 did not look like some of the other European countries (over 18,000 cases, 514 deaths) It is definitely an answer to prayer. <br />
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Here's a quick rundown of some of our quarantine activities:<br />
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- An early morning rise to catch a beautiful sunrise by the river in our village<br />
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- Lots walks and runs, finding new paths and witnessing more and more of God's beauty in His creation. Spring in Ukraine is truly beautiful!!<br />
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- Planting a garden (sorry, no pictures)<br />
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- Road trip to bring one of our therapists back to Lutsk (no public transportation) and stopping to get cool, spring water!<br />
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- Two drive-in church services at Fimiam, including on Easter. For those without cars, live-streaming was still available. It was great to people, even if only from the car.</div>
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- As the restrictions have eased here, we have hosted and visited friends more and more. SO good to see and fellowship with friends again.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My home church gathered yesterday to grill out!</td></tr>
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- And we completed a 2-week session with the 4th class of the PT Training Center! The first week was conducted via Zoom and after a 2-week break we all gathered at Agape for the second week. We finished the session with 7 students and they did great, despite the unusual format. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju1mixkKJYTsW36VDfomoIEuIsZZkdN2f6-IWGHHJlEcH6OMLi3qGwpNP3eM-K4F1392krX8a3OcojQVAo-0I2CpXshRWRyXSpIc0HED-IzskcdwebPMqeTJRAcyPqA_8cbZCJ1Q9q0vA/s1600/IMG_5459.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju1mixkKJYTsW36VDfomoIEuIsZZkdN2f6-IWGHHJlEcH6OMLi3qGwpNP3eM-K4F1392krX8a3OcojQVAo-0I2CpXshRWRyXSpIc0HED-IzskcdwebPMqeTJRAcyPqA_8cbZCJ1Q9q0vA/s400/IMG_5459.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Veeka, one of our OTs, participated in the teaching </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With no residents at Agape, we used anyone we could find in the building to give our students more practice. Olya now tells everyone how she "donated her body to science!"</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lunch breaks were spent driving electric wheelchairs since they have gone unused for almost 2 months. </td></tr>
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Now it's time to move forward from the strict quarantine and Agape has a plan! Starting May 25, Agape will reopen with a temporary new format. We will be treating patients on an outpatient basis, so there will be no residents and fewer employees in the building. Only patients who live nearby and can provide their own transportation or choose to use ours will come and go each day. Of course, this means that not all patients on the waiting list will be given the opportunity to have rehabilitation in the beginning, but it's a start and we hope it will not be a lengthy period. We have been praying for wisdom to know how and when Agape can reopen and I believe this is an answer to that prayer! Please continue to pray with us that God would protect all who come through Agape in the coming weeks and that we would be discerning to know when we can return to our standard operating procedures. </div>
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Please also continue to pray with us for the financial needs of Agape. Being closed for 2 months naturally means we have generated no income and with 50+ employees this has a huge impact on many, many lives. There is a desire to increase the salaries of all of our employees, but at this time there is a particular need to do so for our therapists. We have a great therapy team right now! They have learned so much and gained invaluable experience over the past few years together at Agape. Losing any one of them would have a huge impact on our department and Agape as a whole. Unfortunately, in order to keep the cost of rehabilitation as affordable as possible for patients, Agape cannot continually raise the salaries of our employees. It is truly a difficult situation. </div>
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I consider each of our employees to be a domestic missionary. I witness frequent, often daily, conversations in our rehab gym about God or the Bible. God uses our therapists not only to impact patients physically, but also spiritually. I understand this is a difficult time financially for many people, but if you believe God is leading you to help support one of these Ukrainian missionaries, please contact me (cmoss19@hotmail.com) and we will discuss how that is possible. Even a small amount can have a huge impact since their salaries are roughly $300-475/month. If you cannot or do not feel you should give financially, please pray with us that God would provide this need and continue to provide for Agape and all of its employees in the future. <span style="text-align: center;">Thank you to all who stand with us in prayer! </span><span style="text-align: center;">May your life join the heavens in testifying of God!</span></div>
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<b>"The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork." </b></div>
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<b>Ps 19:1</b></div>
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Carriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01004999497733503209noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7774391233259808025.post-64829852699067302782020-04-05T10:38:00.001-07:002020-04-05T10:38:12.560-07:00Quarantining in UkraineLike the rest of the world, COVID-19 is impacting all spheres of our lives and we are experiencing unusual days here in Ukraine. We live under ever-increasing government-issued restrictions as the number of people infected by the virus increases. At the time of this writing, Ukraine has 1251 confirmed cases and 32 deaths with the peak currently predicted to occur on April 14-15.<br />
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<b>So what does quarantine look like in Ukraine?</b><br />
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Like most of you, we have been instructed to stay home, practice social distancing, limit trips to the grocery store, pharmacy and bank (nothing else is open besides gas stations and post offices) and not gather in groups of more than 10. All educational establishments are closed, but not all have implemented a form of online learning. Many grocery stores require people to line up outside, allowing one person in only when one person comes out. All forms of public transportation have ceased. In a country in which so many people rely on public transportation, both within the city and between cities/villages, this had an immediate positive impact on social distancing.<br />
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Those were our restrictions for the past few weeks, but additional restrictions will soon go into effect. Starting tomorrow, we can be in public only alone or in pairs, must be wearing masks and carrying identification and are forbidden to visit parks, recreational areas, playgrounds, and squares. People over the age of 60 are strongly encouraged not to leave their homes or have any visitors. There are also checkpoints set up at the entrance/exit roads to Lutsk and our broader region of Ukraine. We must pass through one when we go to/from Lutsk from our village of Boratyn. At our checkpoint, they have rarely stopped anyone, mostly just watching as the cars drive by slowly. But we did go through another checkpoint this week that stopped every car. The officer asked if we had any health complaints and when we did not he sent us on our way! </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our checkpoint</td></tr>
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<b>So what do our lives look like with the restrictions in place? </b></div>
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<i>No work at Agape</i>: The Agape Rehabilitation Complex closed 2 weeks ago and will remain so until at least April 24 (the current end-date for the government-issued quarantine). If the government extends the quarantine, we also will extend our period of closure. We are saddened by the impact this has on the patients who are not receiving rehabilitation, as well as on Agape and the employees who will be financially impacted the longer this continues. It is also sad to look out our window and see a lifeless Agape during the day and a dark Agape at night. Praying that Agape will be full again and we return to serving people with disabilities soon.</div>
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<i>No gathering for church-related activities</i>: Fimiam Church has moved completely to an online format using live-streaming and Zoom. God is giving our pastors much wisdom to lead the church in this unusual time. One of our church members tested positive for the virus yesterday and is in the hospital. Some of her family members also have symptoms and are self-isolating at home for now. The church territory is completely locked down for the next 4 days as her son works as a church security guard and was in the building this week after having contact with his parents.</div>
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<i>Spending our days at home</i>: We spend our time on individual projects (I am trying to study Ukrainian and complete as many CEU hours as I can), work around the house (we have completed several deep cleaning tasks and a vegetable garden is in the works), projects for Agape (translating a book and scanning documentation) and other activities. Runs/walks take place regularly. Oh, that is a big piece of news for me! I started running at the beginning of March for the first time since before the spinal leak last summer and I feel great! Well, the first few runs were definitely difficult and short, but now I am increasing my distances and feeling good. I am extremely grateful to be running again! </div>
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<b>So what other plans do we have? </b></div>
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Our rehab team is planning to implement a version of telehealth this week for patients on the waiting list for rehab. If their injury or diagnosis occurred in the last 3 months, we will offer them the opportunity to have a video consultation with a therapist and receive recommendations/education. It will be interesting to see how it goes, but we believe it can be beneficial. </div>
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Before the quarantine, we were scheduled to hold the first 2-week session for the fourth class of students at our PT Training Center beginning on April 21. Unfortunately, this can no longer take place at Agape, but we now plan to conduct one-week of online teaching using a format such as Zoom. Although it is not ideal and we will surely encounter difficulties, we think we can cover enough material in this format so that we will only need to complete the second week at a later time when we are allowed to be together at Agape. The online portion will most likely take place the week of April 20. </div>
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As all of you, we continue to pray for God's mercy, protection, and wisdom as we navigate these days. </div>
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<b>Please join us in prayer for these specific requests:</b><br />
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- Financial provision for Agape and the employees during this period of closure.<br />
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- The implementation of video consultations with patients by our therapists. That we can truly provide beneficial consultations using this method and that there would be opportunities to speak to patients and their family members about God and the hope they can find in Him, especially during these tense days.<br />
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- The plans for a week of online teaching for our PT Training Center. That we can utilize the technology well so that our students will truly be able to learn the material presented.<br />
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- For God to heal Lyudmila - the Fimiam church member with coronavirus - and to protect her family and others who had contact with her.<br />
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- For God to give us wisdom in how to use this time at home for His glory!<br />
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We are praying for you and covet your prayers for us! </div>
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Carriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01004999497733503209noreply@blogger.com0