Aid van coming through again.....maybe.(part one)


This may seem like the start of a funny aid run for me. I picked up Fi in Kyiv, having come from Kharkiv. Onwards to Krakow, where Fiona remained in order to try to get her Ukrainian visa extension at the consulate, so that she can continue working in Ukraine .
I returned to England to pick up funds. I only remained two days. It's very expensive sending money by Western Union or banks. You can lose up to £250 on each £1000 sent, so coming back to England and raiding the piggy bank makes a lot of sense. 

The return journey to Ukraine was really long and has made me question if it is possible to continue doing these extreme long runs on my own.  
I love delivering aid to people. I love the little moments that happen. Yesterday for example, whilst having my morning break at a lakeside, a woman angler passed me. And stopped for a natter, as you do. We got by. More or less. Just as she was about to leave, she looked in her plastic bag and offered me a largish fish. I gently declined. 

Fiona is now wanting to concentrate her resources in Kharkiv, which she really likes and where she has found a very positive role to play in Hell's Kitchen. We are both good at different things. That leaves us with a decision to make, as to how we go forward, both in relationship terms and area commitment terms. There are many factors in play here.
I love working in Kherson, which couldn't be further from Kharkiv if it tried. This is work in progress. 

Today I picked up 250 kilos of bread to deliver to Kherson. Pastor Viktor, and the baker and helpers, prepared the fresh bread in a place called Letichiv with a beautiful lake, the top photo. 
I've nicknamed Letichiv bicycle town. Nowhere in Ukraine have I seen so many bicycles as here. When I say bicycles, please don't think, bright, shiny and new. Think bone shakers with extra shake.
The drive to Odesa took some 10 hours including the loading and short rest stops.
Tomorrow I will continue to Kherson.
To make a donation, please:
1. Open PayPal and, when asked for name of payee or email, enter trawden4ukraine@hotmail.com

Or, if you live in/near Trawden:
2. Use the Ukraine collection box in Trawden Community Shop. 

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