Starting nearly a year ago, we planned for this to be a month of celebrating life!
Our dear Lydia Danielevna, who originally brought our U.S. New Thing and Belarusian "Response of the Heart" teams together, will turn 80 on May 20th.
Since the untimely death of her lifelong friend "The Great Kozovaya" less than two weeks ago, many friends have asked if there's a way to memorialize Kozovaya's life and work in Belarus.
Maybe we still will, at some point.
But for today, I think it would be good to go ahead and celebrate life ... celebrate Lydia Danielevna's amazing decades-long work of compassion in her country.
If friends of New Thing will make a "celebration donation" in honor of Lydia Danielevna's life and work, I'll surprise her with the news of our combined gifts on her birthday, May 20th.
We'll let her "invest" her gift wherever her heart leads her, to meet needs somewhere in Belarus.
Of course, I planned to be in Minsk for the big day, and make a birthday presentation in person.
That can't happen now.
(Belarus reportedly has the highest per-capital COVID-19 infection rate in all of Europe.)
But I'll give Lydia Danielevna the good news virtually — and I know she will be thrilled.
And honestly, I think The Great Kozovaya would approve.
Let me invite you to give as generously as possible.
100% of your gift will go into the work of compassion in Belarus.
Not a penny will stay in the U.S., and not a penny will go to Lydia Danielevna personally.
May 20th will be here before you know it, so I hope to hear from you soon.
Thank you for journeying with us!
Much love,
Doug Brendel