Voice of Ukraine

From: Ira Kapitonova in Kyiv (Day 1314)

Not to us, O Lord, not to us,
but to your name give glory,
for the sake of your steadfast love and your faithfulness!
Psalm 115:1

Bulbs of hope. These words have been on my mind the whole day today.

It’s our break week at school, but a number of my students were able to come today to meet someone special – someone who comes to bring hope, encouragement, and God’s love to Ukraine. I got to meet Arend Steller in May, during his first visit to our school. Back then, my students were trying to remember facts about the Netherlands, and they asked him if Arend owned a tulip farm. He said he didn’t, but he knew a farm nearby and promised to come back with tulip bulbs for our school yard. Today, we planted the tulips and spent a couple of hours with Arend before he continued his journey to other parts of Ukraine to bring hope to them.

This story is not really about tulips. It is about people who care and remember the simple questions of children. It is about solidarity. It is about sharing God’s love. It is about showing how many people see us and care about our country. It is about God’s miracles.

As we planted the tulips with the kids, we agreed that it would be a beautiful reminder of the many people praying for us. I also reminded them that after we plant the bulbs, we won’t see anything happening, but it’s a crucial time that prepares the flower for its breathtaking bloom. In the same way, even when we don’t see or don’t feel it, God is at work, preparing us for the magnificent display of His glory.

Simple tulip bulbs brought a powerful message of hope to our community today. It is days like these that help us look past the nights.

Today’s beautiful graphic illustration was created by Julia Ilkova (@ilkova.art) while she worked on illustrations for my book “Tulips and Ashes,” so tulips hold a special place in my heart.