INDIANAPOLIS — Ukraine is 5,200 miles from Indianapolis, but to Barbara Paturel, it feels much closer.
Paturel lived in Ukraine for three years in the late 90s and worked at a missionary treating addiction with her late husband, Wayne.
She says she still feels a connection to the country.
“Those people are just so very precious, and even after all of these years being back in the states, my heart still hurts for them a lot,” she said. “We just fell in love with [the Ukrainian people]. They would invite us into their home for dinner and you would have thought we were a king and a queen,” she remembers.
Brittany Swanson also went on mission trips to Ukraine. She taught English there in 2018 and returned the next year. She forged friendships with Ukrainians still in the country.
MORE | Hoosiers with connections to Ukraine watch Russian invasion from afar
“They are just trying to cling to their faith and pray that God will protect them and keep them,” Swanson said. “They're fearful, but they're hopeful. There's just something about them, they're so strong, they're resilient.”
Paturel has been able to get in touch with her friends, but communication is limited.
“They haven’t been on social media much. I think they’re afraid to say anything,” Paturel said of her friends.
The two women are watching the Russian invasion in horror, worried about the loved ones still within the war-torn country.
MORE | Indiana University students peacefully protest Russian attacks on Ukraine
“It's just really hard to see all these different attacks. I hoped it would never happen, and I really did not expect for it to be this volume,” says Swanson. “These people are just like you and me, wanting to live a good life and be happy.”
“Why would you hurt and kill people who have done nothing to you? What is the purpose of going into a country and destroying people who, to me, seem innocent?” said Paturel.
Although Paturel feels helpless with an ocean between herself and the troubles in Europe, she believes there is some help we can all send that is never hindered by distance.
“Pray for the Ukrainian people, pray for the government, pray for the violence to stop," she said.
-
Fever forward Chloe Bibby ruled out for remainder of season; Bree Hall signed
Chloe Bibby joins four other Fever players on the injured list with a season-ending knee injury. Indiana signs guard Bree Hall as replacement.
Urban farmer navigates funding shifts with Farm Bill expiring
Urban farmer struggles with federal funding delays as Farm Bill expires. Indianapolis' Soul Food Project forced to furlough workers, shut down operations for months.
Neighbors near Wheeler Mission notice increase in homeless population in area
Ohio Street neighbors say they’ve noticed an increased number of homeless people in the area surrounding Wheeler Mission.
Free Books Instead of Chips: Greenwood schools install reading machines
With a free coin and push of a button, students at all four Greenwood Community Elementary schools can get their hands on a new book.
