Friday JohnKu – AKA – TGIF – Fri-Yay Good News

~ John W. Howell
Ukrainian refugees attending Orthodox Church in Minneapolis – credit American Service

Today’s good news story comes from the Good News Network. So here it is in its entirety.

Recently Arrived Ukrainians in Minneapolis Head to Mississippi to Help Tornado Victims

By

Andy Corbley

The mainstream media is filled with headlines about how the United States is helping Ukraine, but under the radar is how some Ukrainians are returning the favor.

Having arrived in Minneapolis, Minnesota, as recently as a few months ago, a group of 7 Ukrainian refugees has signed up for a 2,000-mile road trip to Mississippi to help with tornado relief.

Tornadoes tore a path of destruction across rural Mississippi and Alabama on the night of Friday the 24th. The nonprofit American Service is just one of several aid organizations heading to help the victims.

They quickly organized a team of volunteers and headed down to North Fork, MI, expecting to arrive on Tuesday.

American Service’s Director of Operations, Sofiia Rudenko, is a Ukrainian who has only been in the country since Christmas. Still, after receiving help settling in from American Service, she quickly dedicated her time to helping other new arrivals.

“Here in America, a lot of people helped me to establish here, and we have this kind of culture that we want not only to take but also to give back and to help the others,” Rudenko told MPR News.

“I found a group of people, Ukrainian, that is not working today and willing to go immediately, and now we’re packing and going. It’s so exciting. I hope we can do something great for this world.”

American Service has so far helped 80 Ukrainians like Rudenko find temporary housing, jobs, and a bit of community in Minneapolis.

Their first trip down to Mississippi is to bring water exclusively, and a second trip will follow based on whatever they discover is in short supply after the first trip.

The good news here is those who have been helped are repaying by helping others who need help. Today’s JohnKu talks about repayments. I hope your weekend is lovely.

Payback by John W. Howell © 2023

There are some who take,

With never a thought to payback . . .

Sowing yields reaping.

69 thoughts on “Friday JohnKu – AKA – TGIF – Fri-Yay Good News”

  1. Wow, the mainstream media deciding not to show something positive and constructive that can actually be a unifying social commentary on the world? I’m shocked I tell you! Shocked!

    Good thing for us we have places where we can find this great stuff, because we most definitely need to feed on some of the redemptive qualities of the human race, rather than the empty and wicked calories we’re getting on the regular. And good thing for us you’re here to deliver us a Friday soul story.

    Great job Boss, as per.

    Liked by 2 people

  6. This is such a heartwarming story, John. I wish more of these stories appeared on mainstream media, but they’re too busy ranting about politics and forecasting gloom and doom.

    Great news!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. These are very grateful for the help and want to payback something. That story doesn’t fit media agendas right now. Also the act of payback is so rare it could be seen as a fluke. Thanks for the comment, Joan. I hope you have a super weekend.

      Liked by 1 person

  8. I have been meaning to check out your Fri-Yay series for some time, John, but have been running so far behind, I haven’t made it over here, until this morning. I’m so glad I stopped by! This is just the type of news we need to hear more often. It might not be as common as the typical headline subjects, but it’s so important that we don’t lose track of the kind and caring folks in the world, who are trying to make a positive difference in the lives of others.

    Now that I’ve had to cut back on some of my activities, I’m being very careful and choosy with how I spend my time. I plan to check out more of your posts, overall, as I’ve always wanted to, and this Fri-Yay series will be where I start. (In fact, I’ll probably go back through some past posts to see some of the good news I’ve missed out on. Good news is GOOD, even if it’s a bit older.)

    Thank you for this heartwarming story! 😀 ❤

    Liked by 2 people

  10. Heartwarming and life-affirming, John. Thank you very much for sharing. My life’s work has been in service. I’ve seen things that haunt and taunt, seen the good and the evil. And I’ve tried to understand why – why do some reach out and others simply point or demand. I have no answers, but this story highlights a dynamic of gratitude, one that springs from a destroyed way of life. The Ukrainians knew safety, but it was taken from them, and now they’ve found hope. I wonder if that is the path before us all.

    Liked by 2 people

  11. At last, a heartwarming story about refugees, instead of about law-breaking. Not surprised the press wouldn’t carry this – it doesn’t follow the “if it bleeds. it leads’ premise. I am so impressed by what the Ukranians are doing!

    Liked by 2 people

  14. Thank goodness for peeps like you who choose to highlight the wonderful stories like this one. Funny how “those immigrants” are helping and not just taking, as media likes to share. Funny how they understand the give and take.
    Beautiful Friyay story, John.
    And a happy Friday to you !

    Liked by 2 people

  21. I appreciate you sharing this story, John. Refugees are too often portrayed negatively when all they’re trying to do is survive.

    Liked by 1 person

  23. It’s wonderful, John.
    Good karma is being sewn and reaped all around. It could manifest into a perpetual motion of good.
    Your JohnKu speaks loudly.
    OX OX OX OX

    Liked by 1 person

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