Thank You, Friends

On Thursday Natalya will go for her sixth chemotherapy treatment. Funds had been donated (by Ukrainians and Americans) to cover this treatment, but this past week many of us had begun to realize that the funds for the 7th and 8th treatments were going to be very hard to come by, let alone funds for the additional medicines that have been recently prescribed to be taken between chemotherapy treatments and most likely those medicines will continue after chemotherapy treatments are completed. About $150 was left and we really had no idea how we would be able to help Natalya cover the 7th treatment, to come in about 2-3 weeks. On Sunday, she brought the bills from the pharmacy to show us the names of the medicines and the costs. Though we hadn't asked for this, I guess she wanted to show that the medicines really were so expensive.

A blog reader that we don't even know last week sent in a bit of money as did a few others. We are very thankful for that unexpected generosity.

Today a donor who wants to remain anonymous informed us that their family is providing the funds needed for a chemotherapy treatment and for the interim treatment. What an incredible blessing that is for Natalya and for all of us!!!

THANK YOU--you know who you are!!

Our small group tonight was so excited to hear this great news. I think so many in the church have just been really involved in trying to help Natalya. Many have given sacrificially here. It was a tremendous witness to the group that someone from abroad would give so sacrificially as well. It was a genuine witness to the goodness and glory of God. This gift also gives the church time to collect funds to help with the 8th, and hopefully final, chemotherapy treatment. Once we get through that, unless something else comes up, it seems that the resources Natalya has access to including the church's help, we will be able to handle later medical costs. What a great joy it is for us to see Christ's body reaching across the ocean and meeting this need, the need to give one life a chance to keep living.

In other news, it snowed here early in the morning, and we have the space heater running. The holiday season temporarily comes to an end today. Next weekend is another very long weekend for many. The president fired one of the justices on the Constitutional Court and possibly a second. That leaves 16 justices. It takes 10 for a binding decision.