Mark Allchorn, Chair of DHM Board of Trustees, reflects on a weekend of fellowship and faith:

Some of the trustees of DHM  recently had the opportunity to stay at Nether Springs, the mother house of the Northumbria Community, not far from Alnwick. We were so warmly welcomed, and the community’s heart of prayer for Ukraine underpinned much of our all too brief stay there, as we celebrated Joshua’s 40th birthday weekend. It was a very special few days of fellowship, meeting new and old friends and sharing how our dear partners are faring in Ukraine. When the tides were right, at the end of the weekend, Amanda and I were privileged to spend a long morning on Lindisfarne in some glorious spring weather. And that weekend helped put much in perspective.

We have all been reminded once more in the last month that this terrible war is far from over and continues to affect millions of Ukrainians and Russians. We might see and read news articles and videos of the impact of warfare on ordinary people and be motivated again to make a difference by praying, giving or lobbying.

Over that weekend I heard more about how Sasha, a local pastor and our longest standing friend and  partner in eastern Ukraine, narrowly escaped death and saved a woman to whom he’d brought food and water. He was just 2km from the front line and was targeted by a Russian drone team. His minibus (donated six years ago) was destroyed. He then had to shelter with the woman until nightfall and the drone threat was diminished. Sasha was kept safe. And then borrowed another vehicle so he could go back and provide relief once more. Sasha is incredibly brave yet so modest and with such a servant heart. We thank God that he’s safe and continue to pray for his ongoing protection.

In my opening paragraph I mentioned the Northumbrian monks of the seventh century we now call saints. They lived and served out on the bleak though sometimes beautiful paths and lanes of the north of England, taking little for themselves but going to where people were so they could be Christ’s hands and feet. Sasha and so many others now model just this servant leadership day by day in Ukraine. We are rightly humbled by their example as we journey into Holy Week.

May God bless you at this Easter time.

Mark