Warsaw Again
Here we are again, bringing life-saving medical supplies for soldiers and civilians from the USA to Ukraine. Today, my husband and I flew 10 x 70-pound duffle bags stuffed to the brim with tourniquets, military first aid kits, binoculars, anti-biotics, surgical instruments, and other critical care essentials. Each bag is valued at about $1,500-$2,000 worth of Amazon Wish List items that donors like YOU ordered and had shipped to our Atlanta office. We cannot thank you enough!
It Takes a Village -- Or at least an Airport!
Upon arriving in Warsaw, it took 2 drivers and vans to get us and our bags out of the airport and to the hotel. Over the weekend, we will meet up with a couple of Hope Now volunteers who are now based in Poland. Then early next week, we will drive ourselves and the bags across the border and into Ukraine, where many of our dedicated team members will be waiting for us! We plan to have a much-needed time of R & R in the Carpathians – which is especially needed for many of our male volunteers who cannot leave Ukraine. It will be wonderful to see them all! In the meantime, several of our field workers sent me photos of the last batch of medical supplies we sent over to Ukraine recently. Just one look at these soldier’s faces tells you how important these duffle bag missions are – and why, with your help, we will continue doing them.
Front Line Thanks
Another way Hope Now supports the war effort in Ukraine, is by providing funds to several trusted Ukrainian army volunteers. Recently, we had a request for help from one of the battalions on the front lines. They needed picks, shovels, and other hand tools to dig trenches. Can you imagine that Ukrainian soldiers, in this day and age, are digging trenches along the Russian border of their homeland? And that those same soldiers, ill equipped as they are, are fighting tooth and nail to protect their land, their people, and their children? Please continue to give, so that we can pass these much-needed funds onto those who need it most in Ukraine. Dia’Koo’u!
Psalm 35
1 Contend, Lord, with those who contend with me;
fight against those who fight against me.
2 Take up shield and armor;
arise and come to my aid.
3 Brandish spear and javelin[a]
against those who pursue me.
Say to me,
“I am your salvation.”
4 May those who seek my life
be disgraced and put to shame;
may those who plot my ruin
be turned back in dismay.
5 May they be like chaff before the wind,
with the angel of the Lord driving them away;
6 may their path be dark and slippery,
with the angel of the Lord pursuing them.
7 Since they hid their net for me without cause
and without cause dug a pit for me,
8 may ruin overtake them by surprise—
may the net they hid entangle them,
may they fall into the pit, to their ruin.
9 Then my soul will rejoice in the Lord
and delight in his salvation.
10 My whole being will exclaim,
“Who is like you, Lord?
You rescue the poor from those too strong for them,
the poor and needy from those who rob them.”
11 Ruthless witnesses come forward;
they question me on things I know nothing about.
12 They repay me evil for good
and leave me like one bereaved.
13 Yet when they were ill, I put on sackcloth
and humbled myself with fasting.
When my prayers returned to me unanswered,
14 I went about mourning
as though for my friend or brother.
I bowed my head in grief
as though weeping for my mother.
15 But when I stumbled, they gathered in glee;
assailants gathered against me without my knowledge.
They slandered me without ceasing.
16 Like the ungodly they maliciously mocked;[b]
they gnashed their teeth at me.
17 How long, Lord, will you look on?
Rescue me from their ravages,
my precious life from these lions.
18 I will give you thanks in the great assembly;
among the throngs I will praise you.
19 Do not let those gloat over me
who are my enemies without cause;
do not let those who hate me without reason
maliciously wink the eye.
20 They do not speak peaceably,
but devise false accusations
against those who live quietly in the land.
21 They sneer at me and say, “Aha! Aha!
With our own eyes we have seen it.”
22 Lord, you have seen this; do not be silent.
Do not be far from me, Lord.
23 Awake, and rise to my defense!
Contend for me, my God and Lord.
24 Vindicate me in your righteousness, Lord my God;
do not let them gloat over me.
25 Do not let them think, “Aha, just what we wanted!”
or say, “We have swallowed him up.”
26 May all who gloat over my distress
be put to shame and confusion;
may all who exalt themselves over me
be clothed with shame and disgrace.
27 May those who delight in my vindication
shout for joy and gladness;
may they always say, “The Lord be exalted,
who delights in the well-being of his servant.”
28 My tongue will proclaim your righteousness,
your praises all day long.
Also in News
Happy Independence Day, Ukraine!
Last School Bell in Ukraine has Rung
Memorial Day is Everyday in Ukraine
Meanwhile, just in the past year, Ukraine has suffered 124,500-131,000 total casualties, including 15,500-17,500 killed in action and 109,000-113,500 wounded in action, according to the document entitled "Russia/Ukraine - Assessed Combat Sustainability and Attrition." And not just on Monday, but on every day in Ukraine, people just like us remember and honor the loved ones who have died these past 457 days defending their country. With your help, Hope Now does whatever we can to help protect Ukrainian lives – civilians and soldiers alike.
