Voice of Ukraine

From Ira Kapitonova from Kyiv (Day 502):

Why do you boast of evil, O mighty man?
The steadfast love of God endures all the day.
Psalm 52:1

On July 9, Russian troops shelled a residential area in Orikhiv, Zaporizhzhia region, during the delivery of humanitarian aid to civilians. Seven people were killed and 13 injured due to the attack.
Also, Russia has intensified attacks on the Sumy region along the border. People are encouraged to evacuate as the attacks continue daily.

When I get overwhelmed with the cruelty and losses, I remind myself to look for those who do their best to overcome this evil and inspire others.

Two stories inspired me today. One is from an 86-year-old woman who paints flowers to support the Ukrainian Army. Her simple paintings show me that you don’t need extraordinary abilities, advanced technology, or a big team to help us advance toward our victory. You need to do what you love for those you love.

The second story is from a 9-year-old boy, a member of the Lviv State Academic male choir “Dudaryk,” who has been giving street concerts with his dad to fundraise for the Ukrainian Army. They have raised over 2.5 million UAH (about $68,000) in the past year. His story tells me that big things need consistent small steps and that there is no age limit for helping your country.

By the way, “Dudaryk” became the only international choir invited to the annual Latvia Song and Dance Festival this year. They were honored to perform the Ukrainian national anthem with the 15 thousand people gathered at the event (see Link). This performance gave me goosebumps. The Latvian Song Festival has a rich history, and it’s been my inspiration since I learned about it five years ago from a dear friend. It makes this report even more special to me. Actually, Latvia is one more inspiration that’s worth mentioning. The support we’ve seen from this nation shows me that sometimes being bold and standing up for your convictions means more than being big and influential.

May these stories inspire you, and may we find more sources of inspiration. It is the steadfast love of God that allows us to see these glimpses of hope when the darkness attempts to surround us.