Every day I receive multiple reports about developments related to Ukraine and Russia and detailed updates on the military conflict between these two neighboring countries. I track what is happening on the front lines and carefully follow diplomatic relations between the United States, NATO, and the European Union, as they work together to support Ukraine. The most painful documents to read are the reports from the home front and the harsh reality they describe for vulnerable Ukrainians who are struggling every day with missile and artillery attacks on their apartment buildings, homes, and the infrastructure in their villages and cities that supply water and electricity. Russia has a long history of barbaric attacks on civilian populations in Chechnya, Syria and now Ukraine and its national security leadership supports Putin’s tactics without dissent.
One cry for help got my attention: “If this daily barrage of Russian missiles and drones over Ukraine continues for another week or two, all of us here will be left without any electricity and water . . . What human being in any high-rise in Kyiv can live this way for more than a week without elevators, water, electricity, etc.? How do you live like this through the entire winter? All of these people will have to go somewhere with heat, water and food . . . At the same time, Ukraine is not permitted to destroy the launching platforms of the Russian rockets and drones that are well-known to be in Belarus and Russia. Why not? The reason why we cannot destroy the source of evil (missiles and drones) is simple: it’s because the Western countries are afraid. They fear that offending Putin will result in a direct confrontation between the West (NATO and U.S.) and Russia (a nuclear power). To me, it’s unbelievable that the almighty America and NATO are afraid of provoking a dictator . . . We must suffer this destruction, day by day, like a boxer with hands tied behind his back.”
This plea captures the painful daily struggle of Ukrainians—and some of the most vulnerable victims are the elderly. I have seen so many photos of elderly Ukrainians, especially women, who are isolated, often poor, and in bad health. They are emotionally tied to their crumbling family homes and many simply have no one to help them relocate, even if they wanted to, while some refuse to leave. Many of the elderly have lived through the terrible famine initiated in the 1930s by Joseph Stalin that killed an estimated four million Ukrainians and then World War Two with its massive loss of lives at the hands of Nazi and Soviet armies. Their posture is: “We will stay here—this is our home and where we will die!”
In light of the desperate reality facing so many Ukrainians under the relentless Russian missile and drone attacks, I decided to encourage you to get involved by purchasing wood burning stoves. Mission Eurasia is an agency I have worked with for years, and its leaders have stepped out in faith and ordered the construction of 2,000 stoves from a factory located at one of their centers that is using a workforce of displaced people. Once the stoves are built and delivered, Mission Eurasia and their partners will install the stoves both to produce heat and to be used for cooking. The recipients will also get a two-week supply of firewood. The cost per stove is $250. Click here to read a flyer that describes this initiative. The best way to make a contribution for the stoves is to use their website: www.missioneurasia.org.
There are also other channels for donations, though I caution that before making a donation to an unfamiliar organization, be sure to take the time to check out their rating on Charity Navigator or any other independent organization that evaluates the reliability of the ministry. Unfortunately, in times of war, various scams emerge, so I always encourage due diligence before making a donation.
Scholars have called for a rescue effort like the “Berlin Airlift” of 1948-49, which saved the city from the blockade created by the Soviet Empire. They have emphasized that butter is as important as guns, and this is something we all can do to help relieve the pain and brutality that the Ukrainian people are confronting every day. Stoves will save lives, and their production and installation also creates work for people who badly need work opportunities.
This is a great way to help deny Putin’s plan to destroy Ukraine.