Oh, Renate! The Lord is with you! Thank you for sharing the work you are doing in Ukraine--all the pictures, your writing and details mean so much--💐. The people are truly blessed to have you with them. These past two months as you have been working on the ground there, my husband and I have been reading every morning (I read out loud) Fire By Night by Richard & Sara Michalski. It is a true story of Christians miraculously and prophetically led by God out of Eastern Europe, Ukraine, through Russia, into China (during the Communist Revolution), and eventually to freedom via Australia to the U.S. As we read this story, you were always on the forefront of our minds with prayers. I pray that God would lead your team at every turn, lives saved, and keep you safe always. In Christ's Jesus' Love Always, Rhonda
Dear Rhonda, my heart is just teeming at your words - thank you! We were on the ground in Ukraine for a bit more than a week all told, and I think most of us wished it could be a lot longer. How I did NOT want to leave Mykoliav especially! But, I thank you so kindly for your prayers. Yes, thank you! And, this book Fire by Night sounds fascinating! How lovely to read aloud in the morning with your husband...Thank you always for your encouragement, prayers, and support. My great love to you both!
I read your latest newsletter...and tears. So beautiful! I felt like I was there with you as I read your words ♥️ you are a true hero. How wonderful that angels worked with you and Pastor Igor to get a walker for Tamara!! And so sweet that Anna went home and brought you back a natural salad.
Thank you, Joni, for connecting emotionally to this letter. When the walker was just...there for Tamara, I was so relieved and thankful I think I jumped up and down! All my love and gratitude to you for reading.
Second, you have an immense talent for bringing us there with you. It’s like I was there watching it all happen. Only the best writers can do that and do that well.
Lastly, I want to say that I’m experiencing what my therapist says is multiplicity. I wish you were still there helping and loving people and I simultaneously don’t ever want you to hear a bomb go off ever again. Alas, it does not matter what I want. You will continue to travel and offer your love all over the world and it will be good. And it will be exactly what it needs to be. I am so proud to be your daughter.
My child, thank you. Your words well up in me with such warmth and love. Thank you so much for your comments here. What a lovely word: multiplicity. I wish I were still there helping, too. You know how when you are in a place and you know with everything in you that it is exactly where you belong in that moment? That's how I felt in Mykolaiv and in Ukraine in general (and in NYC during the pandemic and in the ER as a nurse and when sitting down to write). That's a lot of multiplicity! I love you, my beautiful daughter. Thank you for understanding that I "must needs go."
Ah, dear Renata....my heart feels torn and broken and also warmed and grateful as I read your account. Thank you for all you have done/are doing! May you continue to bless these wonderful people and may they and you be showered with blessings. So much love!
Dear Lisa, thank you. My heart was so torn and broken that day but, just as you say, it was also warmed and grateful. Your words, as always, are such a balm and I am so grateful to you for writing them here. So much love to you, too!
Thank you, Bonnie. It is quite something indeed to experience what is happening in Ukraine up-close. I am so entirely thankful for the opportunity. All my best to you.
Oh, Renate! The Lord is with you! Thank you for sharing the work you are doing in Ukraine--all the pictures, your writing and details mean so much--💐. The people are truly blessed to have you with them. These past two months as you have been working on the ground there, my husband and I have been reading every morning (I read out loud) Fire By Night by Richard & Sara Michalski. It is a true story of Christians miraculously and prophetically led by God out of Eastern Europe, Ukraine, through Russia, into China (during the Communist Revolution), and eventually to freedom via Australia to the U.S. As we read this story, you were always on the forefront of our minds with prayers. I pray that God would lead your team at every turn, lives saved, and keep you safe always. In Christ's Jesus' Love Always, Rhonda
Dear Rhonda, my heart is just teeming at your words - thank you! We were on the ground in Ukraine for a bit more than a week all told, and I think most of us wished it could be a lot longer. How I did NOT want to leave Mykoliav especially! But, I thank you so kindly for your prayers. Yes, thank you! And, this book Fire by Night sounds fascinating! How lovely to read aloud in the morning with your husband...Thank you always for your encouragement, prayers, and support. My great love to you both!
I read your latest newsletter...and tears. So beautiful! I felt like I was there with you as I read your words ♥️ you are a true hero. How wonderful that angels worked with you and Pastor Igor to get a walker for Tamara!! And so sweet that Anna went home and brought you back a natural salad.
Thank you, Joni, for connecting emotionally to this letter. When the walker was just...there for Tamara, I was so relieved and thankful I think I jumped up and down! All my love and gratitude to you for reading.
First of all, incredible writing.
Second, you have an immense talent for bringing us there with you. It’s like I was there watching it all happen. Only the best writers can do that and do that well.
Lastly, I want to say that I’m experiencing what my therapist says is multiplicity. I wish you were still there helping and loving people and I simultaneously don’t ever want you to hear a bomb go off ever again. Alas, it does not matter what I want. You will continue to travel and offer your love all over the world and it will be good. And it will be exactly what it needs to be. I am so proud to be your daughter.
My child, thank you. Your words well up in me with such warmth and love. Thank you so much for your comments here. What a lovely word: multiplicity. I wish I were still there helping, too. You know how when you are in a place and you know with everything in you that it is exactly where you belong in that moment? That's how I felt in Mykolaiv and in Ukraine in general (and in NYC during the pandemic and in the ER as a nurse and when sitting down to write). That's a lot of multiplicity! I love you, my beautiful daughter. Thank you for understanding that I "must needs go."
Renate Flynn I can only imagine the joy and heartbreak in each moment of each day. So thankful that you were there for those individuals!
Viv, you captured my heart perfectly with your words: there was indeed joy and heartbreak in every moment of that day. Thank you, dear friend.
Ah, dear Renata....my heart feels torn and broken and also warmed and grateful as I read your account. Thank you for all you have done/are doing! May you continue to bless these wonderful people and may they and you be showered with blessings. So much love!
Dear Lisa, thank you. My heart was so torn and broken that day but, just as you say, it was also warmed and grateful. Your words, as always, are such a balm and I am so grateful to you for writing them here. So much love to you, too!
My heart breaks and rejoices at your letter. I appreciate you sharing what is really happening in Ukraine, vs wha the news tells us.
Thank you, Bonnie. It is quite something indeed to experience what is happening in Ukraine up-close. I am so entirely thankful for the opportunity. All my best to you.