20 March 2022

The word from Kyiv this morning is that all of our people have once again been spared by the tender mercies of the Lord. Word of God Church met online. Most of our congregation was able to join, along with numerous visitors. What a blessing that they still have access to the internet! Pray that the Lord will keep this connection intact.

The wanton destruction, especially in southern Ukraine and around Kyiv continues unabated. I pray that God will bring a swift end to this horrible war, that He will drive out the enemy, that He will give victory to those whose homeland has been invaded without cause. Please stand with us in prayer.

Luda, a single woman, one of our ladies from Kiev, a warrior for Christ, a heroine of the faith in my estimation, posted photos of the shelter being provided by a church in a village close to Lviv. It is just space on the floor for sleeping, often with people you do not know, but who are in the same situation with you: homeless, alone, without any material things left in the world.

Putting the shelter in place.

She writes:

How much does it hurt!? How can I handle it all, Lord?

A grandmother who was left alone without a home, and even without her city because Volnovakh doesn't exist anymore.

A boy student who saw how Russians shoot their own because they want to go home. "You have a bullet to one end!” are the words of the shooter. “They are murderers, they were sent to us to die, they don't need their homeland.”

And who are we? We can only make a drop in this sea of suffering: to listen, to give shelter in a warm place, to warm your arms, to pray. They left us with these words: "We will stop in on you on the way back, very soon, after victory."

I pray to God not to despair of this pain and not to become indifferent. Suffering together with my people and rejoicing in our victories. Just a little longer, let's hold on!

We are supporting Luda and others who are providing shelter for as many as they can. The numbers are staggering. Millions have been displaced, fleeing for their lives because of the destruction that rains down on their cities, on their homes. We pray that God will bring people to her who will be open to the gospel. She is a wonderful evangelist. We pray that she will be able to offer comfort from the Word of God to those believers whose faith needs bolstering.

We have others around Ukraine who are ministering in this same way. Not only that, but we also have our people ministering the Word in at least 5 other countries, having been scattered there by the winds of war. May the seeds of the gospel find much fertile soil in all these places.

Psalm 37:37–40
37 Mark the blameless man, and observe the upright; For the future of that man is peace. 38 But the transgressors shall be destroyed together; The future of the wicked shall be cut off. 39 But the salvation of the righteous is from the LORD; He is their strength in the time of trouble. 40 And the LORD shall help them and deliver them; He shall deliver them from the wicked, And save them, Because they trust in Him.

Jim