Harvest time is here.

I face moments every year where I wonder if I can do this again next year.  It’s usually after hosting.  When I am tired.  Or discouraged. Or wallowing in self-pity because something did not go as planned.  This year, when the moment came, my sweet daughter was there to shake me back into reality.  “What?!” she exclaimed.  “Every year, kids you host are adopted!  Every year God brings new people to help you!  You can’t quit!”  And I don’t.   Because, you see, my daughter is right.  I can’t quit.  There is too much at stake.   Now more than ever.  The war in Ukraine brings an urgency to the mission of Grace to Ukraine that must supercede my fragile emotions.  God knew I would face these feelings.  And so He gave me Galatians 6:9:  Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.  And then, just for good measure, He made sure I saw this video from our friends, the Evans.  They got involved with GtU for the first time this summer. They looked an orphan in the eyes; hugged him; opened their homes and hearts to him.  And their lives will never be the same.  I am not giving up.  Harvest time is here. 

Go here to read more of April and Scott's story.

WE ARE COLLECTING FIRST AID SUPPLIES TO HELP VICTIMS OF THE WAR

Last fall, Taryn Kilpatrick and I had the opportunity to meet with the mayor of Krasnadon to discuss our work in his region. This fall, Grace to Ukraine has the opportunity to partner with the Birmingham Sister City - Ukraine Committee in collecting medical and first-aid items for wounded soldiers and civilians in Krasnadon and other areas of Lugansk.   The special needs orphanage that we have supported is located in Krasnadon; we have also hosted from there.  We mourn with them over the loss of lives in their community and cherish this opportunity to minister to those wounded yet alive.

Items that are SPECIFICALLY REQUESTED by the Ukrainian Embassy are
➢ large waterproof pads
➢ large adhesive pads
➢ large sterile non-adhesive gauze bandages
➢ wound care kits
➢ band-aids
➢ gauze sponges
➢ dressing gauze — “ALL SIZES”.
➢ non-adherent dressing
➢ medical adhesive tape
➢ hemostatic blood coagulant burn ointment
➢ bacitracin (triple antibiotic) ointment - NOTE: only small tubes available for minor/small wounds or burns.
➢ painkillers, such as Acetaminophen, Ibuprofen (ADVIL), Tylenol, and Aspirin.

If you would like to purchase and donate these items, and you live in Alabama, you can drop them off at the following locations:

The Church at Brook Hills

3145 Brook Highland Parkway

Birmingham, Alabama  35242

(far end of the lobby near the modulars; near Room 130)

Ridgecrest Baptist Church

7773 Gadsden Highway

Trussville, Alabama  35173

Northwestern Mutual of Alabama

1901 6th Avenue North

Suite 2800

Birmingham, Alabama  35203

Crestway Baptist Church
6400 Crestwood Blvd
Birmingham, Alabama  35212
(Mondday-Thursday, 9am - 3pm)

Eaglepoint Baptist Church

301 Henry Road SW

Jacksonville, Alabama  36265

International Services Counsel
102 Gates Avenue
Huntsville, Alabama
Monday-Thursday 9am - 5pm)

Billy Barnes Enterprises

1626 Alabama 21 Frisco City, AL 36445 Liquid Life 25741 Perdido Beach Blvd. Building A Suite M Orange Beach, Alabama  36561

If you live out of state, you can send them to Grace to Ukraine at 4006 St. Charles Drive, Birmingham, Alabama 35242. If you would like to make a monetary donation please write a check payable to the Birmingham Sister Cities Committee and in the "FOR LINE" write “Ukraine Humanitarian Relief". You can mail checks to:

Scotty Colson
Honorary Consul for Ukraine to Alabama
P.O. Box 55761
Birmingham, Al. 35255-5761

We will be collecting supplies through October 12th.