Bringing Hope and Light to Ukraine

In the darkness of war, we were given the opportunity to share some light.
 

Following Sunday service, 54 members of Nativity Episcopal Church came together in a powerful act of compassion and solidarity—assembling 80 solar-powered light kits, each valued at $135. These “Ray of Life” kits not only provide critical lighting but also offer a power source to charge cell phones for Ukrainians living without electricity. Each charge lasts up to 25 hours.
 

The light kits were designed by John Prusa, a refugee from the Russian occupation of Czechoslovakia. Just three days after John's passing, the first kits were distributed to families in war-torn Ukraine carrying his legacy forward in light and hope.

Since 2022, Dave Nonnemacher—of Two Harbors with New Horizons-USA has made six trips to Ukraine. There, he delivers these light kits to the Mariupol Chaplain Battalion, who ensure they reach families near the front lines. Hand to Hand Logistics, along with Pastor Lee of Isanti, MN, organizes shipping—transporting the light kits, along with medical supplies, clothing, shoes in 40-foot containers.
 

We learned on Monday that the Ray of Life light kits will ship out to Zaporizhzhia before the end of the week.
 

Dave’s dedication to the people of Ukraine is powerful—and his passion is contagious. We began our time in prayer, setting the intention that these light kits would carry more than just power—they would carry Christian hope. A sign that we care, that we’re standing with them, and that we’re praying for them. 
 

As we finished assembling the kits, several people remarked how strongly they felt the presence of the Holy Spirit. It filled the room—not just during the hands-on work of learning to build the kits, but especially as we paused to write personal notes and prayers for the families who would receive them. A participant shared that, "It felt good to do something with our hands that allowed us to be the hands of Christ in the world."
 

Our youngest summed it up best, repeating what she’d heard Dave say: “Mommy, that guy told us to go to sleep tonight happy we did something good.” 

I encourage you to experience what it means to do something—anything—to bring hope.  Where there is light, there is life. And where there is life, there is hope.

To bring this project to your faith community contact Dave Nonnemacher at dave_nonnemacher@new-horizons.ro or Rev. Dana Fath Strande at dana.fath.strande@NativityMN.org.