Author: ba

A friend of ours in Kyiv recently sent us her newsletter. Since we are often asked how our friends are doing in Ukraine we thought we would post her update. It is a bit long, but as we know, the situation does not call for trite, short responses.

The storm of revolution and possible war has not passed. Rumor, propaganda and fear is rife. What is happening is no real surprise. In 2008 the world expected the Russian government to come after the Crimean Peninsula, but many thought they’d be stupid to actually do it. Now, in a time when Ukraine is vulnerable, that government took advantage of the Ukrainian people. Instead of supporting their brother, and they took over. A revolution that started from people who said, “enough of this struggle,” and were fighting for a new future, has now turned into a fight for borders and again independent identity.

There is this poisonous Soviet mindset that lingers in this part of the world, but that mindset is NOT what defines Ukraine…it’s not who they are. Russian people are not meant to have this mindset. This mindset kills creativity, rejects Biblical truths, and turns loving, caring people into greedy, power striving, selfish people claiming to care but misunderstanding the truth.

People in Ukraine are praying like never before, volunteering to serve in anyway possible, and I believe the hundreds gathering daily/weekly for prayer is resulting in holding back bigger forces against this nation and fewer deaths in this process. We need to keep praying.

I’ve delayed giving an update because I honestly didn’t know what to say. The news only shows what they think will grab attention. Unfortunately this distorts reality. While one part of a city has gatherings and protests the other side is normal. The spring weather has brought more people out to walk with their kids, dogs and friends. Slavic people have a great way of making jokes to help process and deal with these tensions. They’ve lived time after time with fear and threats. Unfortunately some believe so strongly in the word of their government that even propaganda is viewed as truth, no questions. A lingering effect of the Soviet Union. Others disagree but for what result? Is it worth it? Instead they will go to the market as usual and drink tea with friends. Again, others (thousands of others) are standing strong, resilient, for what is possible to change. We can be as humanitarian as we want and it’s good to bring harmony, even a slice of peace, to a troubling situation. But…what hope of change, of something new, does this bring? The God of the Bible is a god who understands war, stress and tough choices in life and He’s always a god who brings change, lasting change if possible. So for that reason I trust Him, I keep my hope in those principles that have for centuries resulted in lasting change in hearts and lives of man in every society. I encourage others to remember or believe in this same God who cares for individuals as they are.

Currently, the Russian government is continuing to invade from the East, but they won’t say that, of course. However, Russian soldiers have announced their status as they take over community buildings. Why isn’t the Ukrainian army doing something?! Because they aren’t strong. They are no match against what the Russian government has put up. Why doesn’t NATO help? Well Ukraine isn’t part of NATO, so how can they? Why doesn’t the US do something? Can they afford it? There was hope for help from these outside nations for a time, and I understand Ukraine needs to do something, but how? These are questions being asked for weeks and weeks. The integrity of treaties have been broken, etc. While the questions take weeks to answer, Russian military continues to move. The Russian government has even sued the former Russian president who allowed the Soviet Union to fall. Russian people are not their government and I pray also for what this is doing to their country and them as people as a whole. It’s not good on either side.

I work with incredible Russian people who love Ukraine and are heartbroken by all of this. I pray too the churches between Russia and Ukraine can unite for the care of their communities and love for people regardless of the government’s decisions. God loves government, it was designed to serve the people not create divisions. Yet our worldviews today have taken a different perspective.

Sigh…the topic can be talked about forever. To live among the fear of war and destruction is not easy. It creates a level of stress no one was made to handle. That’s part of my daily prayer for my roommates, my friends, myself. No matter how you paint it, it’s tough. In order to maintain mental and emotional health we all need hope and daily healing. We here in Kyiv try to respond to every situation from a place of peace, logic and truth instead of emotions and fear. We have to keep strong, to be conductors of hope, peace and trust. God is a commander of armies, a King, a protector, a refuge, a firm foundation, a Prince of peace, an anchor of Hope, and a provider. Jesus is our source.

When Jesus told a parable, He was the master of the surprise, the twist, the unexpected! We’ve had a lot of fun studying the parables of Jesus these past 3 weeks looking for the surprise. Ben has been teaching a class for the adults in our church on Sunday mornings, and we have one week left. It has been really fun being home and still having the opportunity to teach.

We opened the door and…

the walls were painted, the rooms were decorated, the beds were made, the kitchen was stocked with food! Surprise!

We felt so loved and cared for the moment we walked in the door! It was overwhelming that so many people spent time, energy and money to make our house into a home. Our kids immediately felt comfortable and relaxed.

Thank you so much to everyone who helped, gave, worked, and prayed to start our time off in Canada so wonderfully! We cannot say thank you enough, or even find the right words. But we are overwhelmed…and amazed!!!

In 30 minutes from now we will leave for Canada. It seems hard to believe that we will be home for 6 months. We are definitely looking forward to seeing our family and friends!

As we reflected on our past 6 years of full time ministry we realized that we haven’t had a long break of more than a month since we started this career. Of course for normal jobs that is to be expected, but for a fully immersed overseas worker there is very little separation from work and life, therefore longer breaks outside of the foreign culture are needed (so we have been told).

While of course we will be busy with teaching, fundraising, education and serving in our home church, we hope this time at home will be a time of rest and refreshment.  We look forward to coming back to Ukraine with a renewed spirit and excitement for all of our work here!