Voice of Ukraine

From Ira Kapitonova near Kyiv (Day 536):

But you, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness.
Psalm 86:15

I saw a few people comment on this video before I saw it, but it’s definitely worth the time (full version here https://fb.watch/mp7kNTCDF3/).

A few days ago, at the World Dragon Boat Racing Championships, the Ukrainian team’s boat was flooded because of an incident with a rival boat just a few hundred meters from the finish line. The team was offered help (which would mean disqualification), but they refused and kept rowing. The water was reaching their shoulders, but they kept rowing. You could no longer see their boat as it was completely underwater, but they kept on rowing. They rowed the Dragon to the finish line, and the whole arena and their rivals cheered for them. They did the impossible.

It’s a very inspiring video, and it’s so meaningful to Ukrainians today. Some of it might be because of the wordplay. There is a phrase that can be loosely translated as “row yourself out of trouble,” we think of it when we see this team desperately yet cheerfully finishing their race.
It may look like our country is sinking, but we all will keep on rowing and will get to the finish line.

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
Hebrews 12:1-2