Renewal Team Update: Standing with Ukraine on Independence Day
This August, musicians and veterans from the United States joined us in Ukraine for a very meaningful trip – arriving to serve on Ukraine’s Independence Day.
Kyiv: Hope for the Displaced
Our journey began in Kyiv with four gatherings for displaced people (IDPs) and for families who have lost loved ones in battle. These spaces became moments of comfort, encouragement, and shared grief.
Dnipro: Celebrating Resilience
From there, we traveled to Dnipro to join Independence Day celebrations. Together, we heard stories of resilience and courage that reminded us of the unbreakable spirit of the Ukrainian people.
We sat with senior adults who have endured loss.
We met children who are growing up without parents.
We listened to wounded soldiers share their stories of survival.
War has touched every corner of society – everyone carries a story of loss.
Dnipro, Ukraine
Serving Together
Collaboration is one of TRI’s core values. In Dnipro, we partnered with friends on the ground to provide care packages for children and adults. Along the way, we also met medical professionals who continue to serve in unimaginable conditions.
One surgeon recounted surviving an attack on his hospital that claimed the lives of colleagues and patients. Traumatized, yet undeterred, he continues to serve those most vulnerable.
Why We Go
The Renewal Initiative exists to restore dignity and hope – and to support those who care for the vulnerable. On this trip, we saw both suffering and resilience up close, and we stood alongside those who refuse to give up.
What’s Next
Our next Renewal Team will return to Ukraine in mid-December. We invite you to pray, partner, and consider how you might come alongside this work of renewal.
