Episodes from the War - Day 5
July 17th 2023
Day 5: I should have written here: "We return with a deep sense of satisfaction from what we have accomplished during these days, with joy in realizing our involvement in great and noble deeds." But I won't write that. There is little satisfaction or sense of accomplishment. Seems like we didn't do anything grand or significant.
Instead, there is emptiness. From the endless stories of pain and suffering. From shattered destinies. From lost lives. From extinguished eyes, especially those of children in basements. From the faces drained of color. From human sorrow. From the habits people have developed, like scavenging for humanitarian aid and distinguishing between incoming or outgoing volleys when hearing the sound of an explosion, and from self-deception, pretending that everything will soon be back to normal. And all this in the areas of Bakhmut and Lyman, where the "liberators" have been particularly relentless.
Then I recalled how we covered a broken window with plastic in Druzhkovka a couple of days ago. It seems to me that our entire activity is like that plastic on the windows. It doesn't really solve anything. It has little impact. Long-term results are minimal. We simply address the immediate needs. And those under our care don't have any long-term plans either.
So, I wonder, is it worth it - just plastic on some windows? And I answer myself - it is worth it. If many of us take care of at least one window, we can rebuild the house. We just need to know that someone in the neighboring apartment is also working on a window. I speak figuratively, referring to our efforts in this war.
I know so many people are doing what they can. That's when the despondency fades away, and satisfaction emerges. I have done everything I could. Pillows, generators - to the hospital, first aid kits - to the soldiers on the frontlines, bread, water, stoves - to the population, the Word of God - to the surviving church.
Others have done and are doing their part too. That means there will be results! And that's why we are already planning our next trip. While it's summer, while the days are long - we must accomplish a lot. Thank you to everyone who stands with us! May the God Almighty bless you.
With love in Christ,
Andrey Malov and the Team of the Light of the Resurrection Mission
Instead, there is emptiness. From the endless stories of pain and suffering. From shattered destinies. From lost lives. From extinguished eyes, especially those of children in basements. From the faces drained of color. From human sorrow. From the habits people have developed, like scavenging for humanitarian aid and distinguishing between incoming or outgoing volleys when hearing the sound of an explosion, and from self-deception, pretending that everything will soon be back to normal. And all this in the areas of Bakhmut and Lyman, where the "liberators" have been particularly relentless.
Then I recalled how we covered a broken window with plastic in Druzhkovka a couple of days ago. It seems to me that our entire activity is like that plastic on the windows. It doesn't really solve anything. It has little impact. Long-term results are minimal. We simply address the immediate needs. And those under our care don't have any long-term plans either.
So, I wonder, is it worth it - just plastic on some windows? And I answer myself - it is worth it. If many of us take care of at least one window, we can rebuild the house. We just need to know that someone in the neighboring apartment is also working on a window. I speak figuratively, referring to our efforts in this war.
I know so many people are doing what they can. That's when the despondency fades away, and satisfaction emerges. I have done everything I could. Pillows, generators - to the hospital, first aid kits - to the soldiers on the frontlines, bread, water, stoves - to the population, the Word of God - to the surviving church.
Others have done and are doing their part too. That means there will be results! And that's why we are already planning our next trip. While it's summer, while the days are long - we must accomplish a lot. Thank you to everyone who stands with us! May the God Almighty bless you.
With love in Christ,
Andrey Malov and the Team of the Light of the Resurrection Mission
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