“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overtake it.”
John 1:5 NRSV
For our neighbors in Kharkiv, Ukraine, the darkness has been near pitch black in recent weeks. Increased and life-threatening violence, forced evacuations and a state of constant fear have blanketed many of the most vulnerable residents — including children, the elderly and disabled.
The driver points to the bullet-ridden car that carried residents to safety.
When 17 villages in the region came under brutal attack, the local government needed to urgently evacuate residents to safety. Such an effort required significant material resources, of which they had little.
Thanks to your generosity, they were able to act immediately.
(Caption: Residents of Kharkiv receive LWR Mission Quilts and Personal Care Kits after a forced evacuation.)
After the war began, Lutheran World Relief set up warehouses in order to bring relief to those who needed it the most, when they needed it the most. You provided fuel for transporting residents and LWR Quilts and Personal Care Kits to those in desperate need of comfort. Your love carried 975 people, both figuratively and literally, through their darkest moments, through gunfire and shrapnel.
Thank you for your help in a timely manner! We wish you peace! — excerpt from a letter of gratitude from Ukrainian authorities
It is amid this horror that your light has shined brightest, illuminating hope and reassurance to all in its purview.
Thank you for being the light.
All photos courtesy of the Lipetsk Rural Military Administration
To learn more about LWR’s work in Ukraine here.
Watch and share:
