Update 4 from my friend in Lviv, Ukraine: I am not sure where to start as there are so many layers and facets to the current situation. I will try to give you the contours of the daily Ukrainian realities. -Across Ukraine over the last week thousands have volunteered and thousands have been trained in emergency medicine for war. People anticipate thousands of wounded and a shortage of nurses etc. -Ukrainian children who have been exposed to graphic violence through TV footage have to process that horror with parents who are struggling to deal with it themselves. MTW Team Ukraine (made up of four city teams) has 28 children who are also working through the tragic events of weeks ago and the constant word on the street of imminent invasion. God is gracious and kids are resilient but it does take a toll. The younger the child the easier, in many ways, but the teenagers have allot to process. Our kids attended the Monday assembly in their Ukrainian school where the director discussed in detail the deaths on the streets in Kiev. Nika has been asking if the tanks are coming to shoot us (she is 7) and Chas (8) has many questions about who is good and bad in all this and asks, Whose military trucks are being shown on the TV, Russia or Ukraine? Please pray for all these children and parents. On the bright side Sophia (2) is happy singing and dancing but mainly concerned about making demands and getting her way. We informed her that Putin already has filled that position. -The military has begun to mobilize toward the eastern border putting up the appearance of resistance. It has been reported that mines have been planted along the border between the region of Crimea and the rest of Ukraine. The sword of Damocles hanging over Pandoras box is not much of on overstatement for this tense standoff. -Troops from Lviv rolled out today headed for the East. I am still unsure if one of our church attenders is in that convoy. -Lately the womens group in Lviv has had a different tone. Many in Western Ukraine know several prayers but they are typically rote such as the Lords prayer, which is beautiful. Normally the group studies and there are a few who pray. During this crisis every person, including visitors are praying. We may not all know how to put words together but the cries of the heart are clear and steady. -The stress of this constant situation is impacting most Ukrainians but what can you do about it? We have to go about our daily routines of school, work, groceries etc. but the background and foreground noise is all about an unstable situation that we, locals, have no power to control. I have grown in my admiration of Ukrainians in how they have responded to the threat to their lives. Walking through it with them I am humbled at how people have suffered under oppression and how they have responded with courage. My wife and other Ukrainian team members are exhausted with the situation but glowing with pride in their people. I still have much to learn from Ukraine but so far it is hard to measure how much these people have given to me. -The international community of 49 countries, except for Syria, is against Russia. While the world asks for measured diplomacy, Russia, even as I write, is grabbing more land. BBC reminds us that possession is 9/10. Our hope is not in the international community but it is sure hard, in light of recent European war history, to not be a little shocked at the deja vu of it all. God have mercy. -The Lviv, Kiev and Odessa teams are well and we appreciate your prayers. The Church of the Holy Trinity in Lviv is very thankful for all of your care and love that you demonstrate through your prayers. -Continue to pray for the pathways of anyone planning evil to be dark and slippery. Pray for believers to have peace amidst this trial. Pray for this peace to shine forth to the weary and shepherdless.
Posted on: Sat, 08 Mar 2014 21:22:52 +0000
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