March 28, 2022 News Update
28 March 2022
Dear Friends,
I cannot thank you enough for your prayers for Ukraine and our loved ones there. We also give thanks to our heavenly Father who is supplying abundant grace through you to help with relief of people suffering the ravages of the war. Your gifts are causing much praise to the Lord from our Ukrainian friends. One hundred percent of donations will be used for this ministry; there are no “administrative fees” being taken out.
Russian navy, air, and ground forces continued to launch missiles and rockets at both cilivian and military targets over the weekend. These targets are located all over the country, from the far east to cities in the west, from Kyiv in the north to cities on the Black Sea. We received a report of large explosions in the southern part of Kyiv. It is now forbidden for civilians or journalists to give details about strikes or to post photos or videos of attacks because the enemy can use this information for their own purposes. The good news today is that all of our people are safe. We are not consumed because of the Lord’s mercies. Praise Him!
Our church met online yesterday. What amazing fellowship, love, and compassion for one another. And what praise to our sovereign Lord who rules over all. There is no complaining or whining or self pity. It is marvelous to behold.
I received a note from Denis, our student who fled to Poland with his wife and son. His orientation is not toward personal comfort, but toward the Lord. My heart was made glad by his news:
Mr. Myers, hello. Today we were in church. We have rented an apartment next to it, and after the service we stayed for fellowship. We took an unbelieving woman from Kyiv with us and I was able to tell her the gospel. She is very interested. We also gave her the Gospel of John to read. We will take her every Sunday with us to church. Her mother is disabled, and she was able to bring her here. Pray that God will work in her heart.
Thank you for teaching us how to give the gospel so it is understandable. We plan to go with the church to refugee centers to help them and to give the gospel. Pray about it.
We are able to do this because we know Russian and can help the [Polish speaking] church here. We are very glad that God allows us to serve here. That's why we went to college. Thanks to you. Thanks to God!
So Putin meant it for evil, but God meant it for good (Genesis 50:20), for now the gospel is being spread not only in Ukraine but in at least five other countries where our “missionaries” have been scattered by the war. The Word of God is not bound.
Psalm 128:6-9, “Blessed be the LORD, Because He has heard the voice of my supplications! 7 The LORD is my strength and my shield; My heart trusted in Him, and I am helped; Therefore my heart greatly rejoices, And with my song I will praise Him. 8 The LORD is their strength, And He is the saving refuge of His anointed. 9 Save Your people, And bless Your inheritance; Shepherd them also, And bear them up forever.”
By His grace,
Jim
Loving the Battle: Extraction from Kyiv
Jim has given permission for the presentation he made with Robby Dean about their adventure getting out of Ukraine to be hosted on this website.
This was presented on Wednesday, March 9, 2022 at the 2022 Chafer Pastors' Conference - about a week after they returned to the USA from Ukraine.
What an adventure! And, what wonderful promises our gracious God has given us so that we can “Love the Battle.”
March 26, 2022 News Update
26 March 2022
To my fellow soldiers in the spiritual battle:
Stand firm. Be alert. Continue earnestly in prayer. Your role as prayer warriors is vital. As you pray without ceasing you are functioning as a priest, representing others before our heavenly Father. This is a privilege and an obligation. Remember how on the night before the cross when Jesus went to the Garden of Gethsemane He asked Peter, James, and John to pray with Him? He desired that they spend time in intercessory prayer for Him. We have loved ones in dire circumstances, and how much they need our intercession. Prayer can be very hard work. Will you not labor with me this day on behalf of our loved ones in Ukraine?
I talked with a man today who is involved in helping Americans to get out of Ukraine and who is trying to get needed things into Ukraine. He reports that there is a lot of donated material on the borders of Ukraine, but not very much is actually getting in. What a shame that bureaucracy and politics would hinder the distribution of food, blankets, clothing, and medical supplies to people who need them desperately.
The reports we see on the news is very confusing. On the one hand they speak of the Russian offensive being stalled, and yet the bombs and missiles continue to fall in many cities. The news channels tell us that the Russians are focused on cities in the east and the south, and yet there was increased bombing of Lviv in far western Ukraine. A message I received was that they heard bomb blasts all day long in Kyiv. Let us not grow weary in our prayers.
3 John 1:4, “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.”
I truly understand what John meant when he penned these words. As I hear from our people from our church in Ukraine, I am overjoyed at their display of faith in the face of disaster. Here is a letter from a great saint of God, a sister in the faith:
Jim, thank you for the lesson yesterday [taught online].
I wanted to encourage you that all that work of teaching for years in our church and college was really effective. I talk to the people of our church and they really have peace in their hearts regardless of what is going on in their lives. I noticed they quote scripture to me, they remember lots of your sermons, they see God acting in their lives and trust Him strongly. Lucia told me that now she understands what you meant when you said we should use this time of freedom to serve the Lord because if we don't, God can take it from us. I can say God prepared us very well through you for this time of distress. May God bless you and give you many more years to continue to teach and to build up this church in free Ukraine.
Knowing the Word of God, believing it, and acting on it is the key to joy, confidence, and tranquility of soul, no matter what.
Proverbs 6:22, “When you roam, they will lead you; When you sleep, they will keep you; And when you awake, they will speak with you.”
Thank you for your prayers, your notes of encouragement, your support. You have had a great ministry to us and to those in Ukraine.
He who keeps you will not slumber.
Jim
March 25, 2022 News Update
25 March 2022
Dear Friends,
We are so thankful for all you who draw near the throne of grace to obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. The Father has indeed been hearing your prayers, your intercessions, and your praises.
Apparently the enemy is being pushed back in several places in Ukraine, which is very good news. But the war continues. The missiles continue to be sent against buildings housing civilians: apartment buildings, hospitals, schools, theaters and others places where there might be people taking shelter in basements or bomb shelters. It is evident that these are deliberate targets and not inadvertent accidents.
According to one source who has contact with the military Russia is expected to send paratroopers into Kyiv, special forces units, with the intent of taking out communications and other things vital for the defense of the city. Many Russian saboteurs have been caught, but probably not all. Thousands of Ukrainian civilians have been taken captive and are being deported to Russia. I don’t know why. Perhaps they will be used in prisoner exchanges; perhaps they will be forced to work for Russia against Ukraine; perhaps they will just become slaves. Many of these are children. Horrible!
The high power lines that run through our village have been taken out, so now they have no electricity or internet. In some cities they have been without electricity, water, gas or heat. In some instances they have also run out of food. This is a desperate situation.
But our people are standing strong in faith. What a testimony to the grace of God and the power of His Word. So many have expressed their gratitude for having grown in their spiritual understanding, which enables them to face this crisis with peace and confidence.
I was able to teach an online Bible class with them today. What a joy! I was able to see faces and hear familiar voices. I will include a screenshot of the more than 40 people who opened the Word of God together today.
Psalm 27:13, “I would have lost heart, unless I had believed That I would see the goodness of the LORD In the land of the living. 14 Wait on the LORD; Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the LORD!”
Jim
March 23, 2022 News Update
23 March 2022
Dear Stalwarts in the Spiritual Fray,
I received a text about an immediate prayer alert. Vova is on patrol in the area of our village. He sends a short message to his wife. Pray. Danger. His wife, Natalie begins to hear gunfire not far from the house. A half hour later I received another text. All are safe, but the enemy has escaped. The danger is ubiquitous, the danger is imminent.
Someone sent me the following poem. I am sorry that I don’t know the poet or I would acknowledge him.
Pray for Ukraine
I woke up warm and safe in my bed
While someone else heard bombs overhead.
I jumped into a nice hot shower
While someone else has lost all power.
I hugged my family, we were altogether,
While others said good-bye, perhaps forever.
While I fear the money I will spend,
Others fear losing the country they defend.
In the time it took me to write this post
Many have lost the things they love most.
So when I bitch and want to complain,
I will stop myself and pray for Ukraine.
We are thankful to each of you standing with us in prayer. As we receive news we will keep you informed.
Only by grace,
Jim
March 22, 2022 News Update
22 March 2022
Dear Friends,
I was able to teach a Bible class for the church from Kyiv. Of course, most of them are no longer at home. Many are in western Ukraine, but others are in other countries – we had people in the Bible study from five different countries. It was a time of joy as we prayed together and praised God for His mercy and abundant grace. What an incredible testimony of how the Word of God can sustain the believer in the midst of great pressure. As the apostle Paul said in 2 Corinthians 4
For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us.
8 We are hard pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair;
9 persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed--
10 always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body.
11 For we who live are always delivered to death for Jesus' sake, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh.
Below is the text I just received from Denis Shamrov, the student I told you about in a previous letter. He and his wife and son are now in Poland. His nationality is Belarusian, but he doesn’t want to return there for fear that he would be conscripted and forced to fight against Ukraine. So he is seeking to be granted official status by the Polish government to be able to stay there and work there.
Mr. Jim, we thank you for your financial help. This will help us now while we are not working. We are very grateful to you. We have good news - Paul Miles helped us find a biblical church here. The pastor of the church knows Russian and studied in Kyiv at the Bible Institute. He understands the gospel very well. We are now praying that we will have the opportunity to minister to unbelieving refugees from Ukraine. The pastor wants to receive them whenever possible. We can help them in this ministry as we know Ukrainian and Russian. Pray for our opportunity to serve.
Thank you for teaching us the pure gospel, free and unconditional. It changed me a lot. If not for college, I would have gone in a different direction. but you showed me what the scripture says about salvation. I am grateful to you for this. I saw the truly great grace of God.
Thank you very much for your concern. Now our greatest need is for the Lord to help us serve here. Pray that we can obtain documents and be able to work in the church and for people so they can continue to study His word and come to know God. Both I and my wife want to devote our whole lives to serving Christ. Pray that we have this opportunity. Thank you. We love you and look forward to seeing you in the future.
So we see that the Word of God is not bound. Even though driven from their homes, we now have Ukrainian missionaries in several countries in Europe. They have been equipped for the work of the ministry and are serving the Lord where they are. What a blessing to see this in action!
The suffering of being displaced and losing almost all material things, and the grief of families being separated is great. Please pray for these wonderful saints of God, that they will be sustained by His grace and mercy, that they might have that perfect peace that comes from having a mind focused on the Lord (Isaiah 26:3-4).
Pray for the peace of Ukraine,
Jim
March 21, 2022 News Update
21 March 2022
Dear Friends,
The war continues. It may seem far from America, but how it grieves me to see videos of the destruction of places I know very well, places where I have stood. Just this morning I was talking with Oleg when he said suddenly, “I have to go, the air raid sirens have started.” Earlier in the conversation he said that there were no places that can be considered safe because the Russians may target any building, be it a hospital, a church, a residence.
There seems to be s little bit of a lull in the Russian offensive around Kyiv right now. We don’t know why: supply problems? tactical problems? But we are sure that the heavy offense will begin again soon.
One of the couples from our church are part of the territorial guard or militia for their village. The Ukrainians are taking advantage of the lull to train these volunteers. She wrote that she and her husband were involved in training yesterday with amachine gun and grenade launcher. He he did great with both weapons. Her hands were too weak to handle the grenade launcher, but she did fine with the machine gun.
Learning to use a weapon when there is no live person in front of you is one thing, but having to use it in the life and death horror of combat is another. Can you imagine your wife training to mow down the enemy with a machine gun? The stark reality is that the enemy may soon be in their own front yard. When I think of who she was and what her life was like a little over a month ago, there has been such an incredible transition. War rapidly and radically changes everything. But it is do or die; fight or become a slave. I am so proud of the courage they are demonstrating — courage that stems from their relationship with God and His Word.
This woman has a sister who had been living in Mariupol, a city in southern Ukraine which has endured horrible bombing over the past few weeks. Almost 90% of it buildings have been destroyed. Her sister has been “relocated” to Russia by Russian soldiers, her passport confiscated, and she was told that she had to stay there for the next three years. She also reported that more than 2,000 children have been taken from Mariupol by the Russians, snatched from their parents. What will become of them?
I just heard from an American friend, a missionary who has been working in Russia for the past 25 years. He and I worked together in Belarus for 3 years when I first went to the mission field. Please pray for Steve and his wife, Natalie. Because of sanctions against Russia, he cannot use credit or debit cards, he cannot receive money from any bank, and the ruble has no value. He can’t leave, either, because he must care for her aged parents who cannot travel.
I am blessed that so many of you have written of your unflagging prayers for Ukraine and our people there. Please, labor intensely in intercession.
Because of the multitude of tender mercies,
Jim
March 20, 2022 News Update
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
March 18, 2022 News Update
18 March 2022
Dear Friends,
Psalm 4:8 I will both lie down in peace, and sleep; For You alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety.
The war is in its fourth week with no end in sight, although there are reports that the Russian supply lines are not doing well in getting ammunition, food, and other supplies to its troops. The Ukrainians continue to hold their ground and inflict considerable damage on the enemy. However, Putin still has many ways to increase the pain and suffering on Ukraine. I pray that the Lord will soon put an end to this conflict. He may have other plans, but we are told to pray for what we desire.
I received a letter from a pastor today, who wrote: "Please pray for Larisa Chaplaeva’s brother and his family. They live in a village in the Kherson region. This territory is now controlled by enemies. There is a very terrible situation, the Russians are killing civilians, women and children ... Larisa's brother and his family will try to escape from this village. I don't know how they can do it ... We trust in God's help.”
I spoke with Larisa today. She said that the Russian soldiers would enter a village and first would confiscate the cell phones of any people they might encounter. Then they would just shoot them, no matter who they were. She said also that they would open the doors to houses, throw in a grenade and just walk away. This certainly has nothing to do with conquering the country; it is just evil.
Pray for Thomas Stevens, an American Christian who is still in Kyiv. He is concerned that his residence permit expires in a couple of weeks. The government has extended all deadlines, so this shouldn’t be a problem for him. I don’t know this man, personally, but he found us and has not missed a Bible class in the past two months.
I have been able to wire money to several of our people, some of whom are still in Ukraine and others who are in Poland. They are without jobs, hence, without income. They must find shelter in refugee camps or with kind people who have opened their homes. They need food, medicine and other things. Thanks to you who have given for their support. God’s grace is exhibited through you.
We are still able to communicate through the Internet. I am grateful that this technology is still open to us. We continue with our prayer meetings and Bible studies. What a blessing this is. May the Word of God be an anchor in the soul of these believers.
Continue earnestly in prayer,
Jim
March 17, 2022 News Update
17 March 2022
To all who are coming with confidence to the throne of grace:
Senseless killing and devastation. In spite of this, the plan of God moves forward. The war in Ukraine continues. He is able to make all things work together for good to those who love Him.
We are blessed to receive reports from our loved ones there that they are redeeming the time in these evil days.
One pastor wrote:
Yesterday I was able to bring my uncle to us. He had remained in Irpin as long as he could, living under shelling and serving his unbelieving neighbors. He helped evacuate families. He also shared the gospel with them.
He asked me to thank you, Jim (and I also join in his gratitude), and other teachers of the Bible College. It is thanks to you, your time invested in our training and education, that we can stay here to serve people no matter what. It is your sound Bible teaching that has shaped our character, our trust in God and confidence in the better future that God has prepared for us - whether in life or death....
One young couple with a small child, from our church, was able to leave for Poland just before the enemy invaded our territory. As soon as they were in Poland, in a small town called Rabka (near Krakow), they started talking to local authorities and businessmen. In this way they were able to organize a refuge for 500 Ukrainians. There they are provided with housing, food, medicine, if necessary, help to find a job, learn Polish, etc.
In this, too, there is your merit Jim, yours and other teachers. You taught me, I passed on your teaching to others... Now this young couple (Sasha and Yulia) serve in their place, and I in mine.
Thank you for preparing us for these difficult times, your work was not in vain.
Vova Lozinsky, brother of Oleg, is with the territorial security force from our village. His wife Natalie, who stayed in the village with him wrote to say that the Russians are hiding tanks between houses in the villages and that they have been inserting groups into neighboring villages, some of whom are saboteurs. Vova is part of the territorial guard that is fighting the saboteurs. Every night they have been catching several saboteurs. She reports that over 100 enemy armored vehicles and other vehicles were destroyed by the Ukrainian forces.
Pray for the safety of these people, for wisdom and skill for the Ukrainian leaders, and for God to foil the plans, weapons, and logistics of the Russian army.
Psalm 144:11-15:
11 Rescue me and deliver me from the hand of foreigners, Whose mouth speaks lying words, And whose right hand is a right hand of falsehood--
12 That our sons may be as plants grown up in their youth; That our daughters may be as pillars, Sculptured in palace style;
13 That our barns may be full, Supplying all kinds of produce; That our sheep may bring forth thousands And ten thousands in our fields;
14 That our oxen may be well-laden; That there be no breaking in or going out; That there be no outcry in our streets.
15 Happy are the people who are in such a state; Happy are the people whose God is the LORD!
Thank you for standing with us in prayer.
Jim
More...
March 16, 2022 News Update
16 March 2022
Dear Friends,
The good news is that our people in Kyiv report that all are safe even though bombs and missiles have fallen close by. The threat to our village is lessened, although its invasion reportedly is potential. I just received this from a woman who lives in the village. She wrote: It is quiet now, but the enemies are trying to regroup to take Kyiv. They hide tanks in neighboring villages between houses so that ours do not get them.
The bad news is that the Russians continue to bomb the cities, even purposely targeting civilians. In the city of Chernigiv, 10 people standing in a bread line were murdered by Russian soldiers. Pastor Lyosha Savchuk and his family are from that city. Pastor Sasha Petrenko is in that region. He is currently sheltering 38 people.
Please pray for these brave pastors. Pray also for Anatoly, Yuri, and Ivan, college graduates who are serving in the Ukrainian army.
The city of Mauriupol in the south has been unmercifully bombarded for almost 3 weeks, and today a theater sheltering hundreds of people was targeted by the Russians. The Ukrainians had even painted a large sign on the street in front of the street to inform the Russian that it was housing children. Alas, it was of no avail. Such wanton attacks have no military purpose but are intended to break the will of the Ukrainian people. How I admire the courage and perseverance of the Ukrainians.
I also rejoice that the people we have ministered to are ministering to others. Vasya Munko, pastor in Lviv, is working tirelessly. This is what he wrote today:
Yesterday, we settled two more people in our house, a mother and a son. So now we have 10 refugees living in our house.
Also I was contacted by two families from Kyiv. I know them very well. They left Kyiv and now live in a village near Belaya Tserkov. In one family, the husband (Sergei) and eldest son (Andrey), stayed in Kyiv. They joined the army and are now defending their city. The wife (Oksana), is a believer, and her two other children (Ira and Sasha) moved to the village. Before the war, she worked in a kindergarten, but now she is unemployed. Her daughter also lost her job because of the war.
The second family has two children. The husband (Yura) worked in an orphanage, with his wife (Lena), they are believers too, adopted two children (Zhenya and Valera). Now they've lost their jobs. They also took their mother, Galya, with them from Kyiv. We also help them, we support them financially so that they have something to buy food.
Please pray for the safety of the lives of Sergey and Andrey, that God will protect them from enemy bullets and give them courage on the battlefield. Also pray for Yura,=. He is a diabetic and constantly needs insulin. And now in the place where they live, it’s not so easy to find the right medicines.
We also continue to minister to those people who are sheltering in our church. We provide them with food, a place where they can sleep, and certainly we share the gospel with them.
Volodymyr Zelensky, President of Ukraine, spoke to the US Congress today. It was a forceful and moving speech. I am so glad that there was a very positive response from the US which has pledged to provide more weapons to the Ukrainian forces.
Continue earnestly in prayer. The needs are great.
Jim
https://jfmministries.org
March 15, 2022 News Update #2
15 March, 2022
Dear Friends,
Here is an updated prayer list from our church in Kyiv. I know that many of the names and places mentioned are strange to Americans. But if you pray for them, God will understand our stammering lips.
This is very personal for us. These are loved ones, fellow members of the family of God, and people who until recently were entrusted to me. I ask you to please hold them up in prayer.
Jim
God, defend Ukraine, help us!
We are in prayer:
- For those who are on their way to a safe place:
- The Slavinsky and Klyushev families.
- Sveta (with special needs) - from Warsaw to Riga.
- Sasha Petrenko - car repair and delivery of provisions to Smolino.
- For those who need to be evacuated:
- Natalia (Oksana Senko's sister) and family, obtaining documents, evacuation from Moscow 15-16.03.
- Igor (son of Nadezhda Pamfilova) and his family from near Sumy.
- Gena and his mother - Irpin.
- Alona with her husband and six adopted children - applying for adoption and moving to the Netherlands.
- Lena, Serhiy, Dima (with special needs) - from Odessa to Europe.
- For Baryshivka Church. (left without a pastor).
- For those who need to be cured:
- Nina has remnants of the disease.
- Delivery of medicines for Dasha,
- Delivery of medicines for mother-in-law of Sergey Tregubenko.
- Delivery of medicines for Galya, Vova (friends of Oksana Senko).
- Serhiy - pneumonia (Vicka Savchenko's parents stayed home. her father is sick).
- Anatoliy (father of Natalia Rekeda), broken leg - recovery.
- Tamara (mother of Natalia Rekeda) - shingles.
- Phyllis - cough.
- Oksana - injured her foot.
- Svitlana Khyzhniak - allergy.
- Vova Lozinsky - constant headache.
- Nadezhda, Yana - covid.
- For Vitalik, for he won't get chickenpox.
- Sasha - bilateral pneumonia (brother of Natalia Lozinska, wife of Oleg).
- Natasha Hryniuk - stomach pains.
- Larisa Chaplaeva - symptoms of covid.
- Natalia Rekeda - exacerbation of gastric disease.
- Nadia (Nina's mother, suspected cancer and many other diseases).
- Kolya (Vova's Lozinsky friend) - temperature.
- Territory defense and the Armed Forces, their security while on duty.
- Vov, Father of Anya Maksimova, Ilya, Viktor Chayukov, Alexander (from Irpin), Dima.
- Sasha - a soldier from Goncharovsk, Yura Chugai, Sasha , Oleg’s brother in law, Van
- the Armed Forces.
- Alexey Vitaliy Rekeda brother in law - medical battalion.
- Safety of those who stayed in their homes:
- Sasha Petrenko and all 38 people with him, p. Smolino.
- Sister of Anya Maksimova, near Kyiv.
- Masha (niece of Oksana Senko, not a believer), Kyiv.
- Vladimirov Alexander, Kyiv.
- Vasya Andreev, Kyiv.
- Valentina Yakovlevna (blind), Kyiv.
- Mazurenko family, Kyiv.
- Katya, David, Lydia and her family, Sasha Shapovalova (Katya Khmelevskaya's friend), Kyiv.
- Mother and sister of Lyudya Ugrymova.
- Lucy Ustinova's mother and family.
- Protection of our cities / villages:
- Baryshivka, Pasichna, Irpin, Bucha, Gostomel, Rozhivka, Brovary, Smolino, Goncharivske (there Sasha Petrenko).
- Safety of the station and people - Energodar, Yuzhnoukrainsk, Varash, Chernobyl.
- Kyiv, Kharkiv, Sumy, Okhtyrka, Chernihiv, Kherson, Mykolaiv, Melitopol, Volnovakha, Mariupol, Borodyanka....
- The village of Larisa Chaplaeva's mother.
- Settlement and registration of official status.
- Denis Shamrov.
- Svintsitsky family, housing and school for Elijah and Oleg.
- Max Zabara - housing.
- Olya (Nina's friend) with her family - housing, children to school.
- Tanya Reizvih, Vova Lozinsky sister in law.
- Ustinov, Sonia, Seraphim - school (Czech Republic).
- Anya Maksimova and her mother - housing, documents (Frankfurt).
- About our service to believers / non-believers in those places, where we are
- Grinyuki, Horodyshche -construction
- Luda Ugrimova, Larisa, Lviv.
- Nina, Krakow.
- Katya, Nadvirna.
- Oksana Senko and the Church in Chornobay.
- Gleb who is a pianist, for the salvation of his soul.
- Delivery of humanitarian aid (to be able to deliver to the place to those who need it).
- Internal political order.
Where we are?
Download these requests in a PDF document: https://bit.ly/UkrainePRAY
|
Lozinsky Oleg and Natasha |
Kyiv |
|
Lozinsky Vova and Natasha v. Rozhevka |
near Kyiv |
|
Khizhnyak Sergey, Oksana, Vlad, Sveta |
Kyiv |
|
Pinkovskaya Natasha + Dasha |
Kyiv |
|
Shahrayuk Olesya, Katya, Roma, Vicktor |
in the Volyn region (Western Ukraine) |
|
Ugrimova Lyuda |
a suburb of Lviv |
|
Grinyuks Kostya and Katya |
Gorodyshche (Central Ukraine) |
|
Kudlayev Sasha, Ira Gorodyshche |
(Central Ukraine) |
|
Zabara Maxim Khmelnitsky |
(Western Ukraine) |
|
Bosenko Olya + Ulyana Prague |
(Czech Republic) |
|
Ustinova Lusia + Sonya + Sima |
Brno (Czech Republic) |
|
Ustinov Edik |
is a village in Cherkasy Oblast. (Central Ukraine) |
|
Tregubenko Sergey Fastov |
(near Kyiv) |
|
Senko Oksana |
in a village in Cherkasy Oblast |
|
Rekeda Vitalik and Natasha |
Baryshivka |
|
Stetsenko Sasha and Irina with Katya and Cedric |
in France. |
|
Ezhova Kristina and Van |
Stryi (70 km from Lviv) |
|
Maksimova Anya with her mother |
Warsaw (Poland) |
|
Nina |
Krakow (Poland). |
|
Lida with the Chaplaevs |
Lviv |
|
Olesya Turok |
London (England) |
|
Katya Dmitryshyn |
near Ternopil (western Ukraine) |
|
Svincicki Sasha, Sveta, Ilya, Oleg |
Gdynia (Poland) |
|
Vladimirov Alexander, |
Kyiv. |
|
Andreev Vasya Kyiv. |
Kyiv. |
|
Shtanko Anya |
near Kyiv with her family |
|
Lozenko Marina |
in Italy with her daughter |
|
Hodezhda |
in Germany with her granddaughter. |
|
Kravchenko Volodya and Masha |
Lvov. |
|
Artak with his family |
in Germany |
|
Shamrovy Denis, Albina, Luka |
near Krakow (Poland). |
March 15, 2022 News Update
15 March 2022
Dear Prayer Warriors,
Thank you for praying for our loved ones in Ukraine. Please continue earnestly, pray without ceasing as things are getting ever more intense.
The report is that there will be a major attack on Kyiv tonight or tomorrow. I just received this note from Natalia, the administrator of our Bible college.
Please pray for us Tonight or tomorrow morning the enemy will try to get Brovary and Kiev, our village is on their way. And Yulia (translator for the college) is in Brovary now.
Natalia’s husband is with the territorial security force for our village. Intel reports are that the Russians may invade the village because it sits on a bluff, below which is an empty plain which extends for miles. In fact, from this bluff you can see all the way to Kyiv, 20 miles away. We were told that the Ukrainians are prepared to level this village in the event the Russians invade, so as to prevent them from gaining any advantage from what might be there.
I also heard that a group of 400 Russian special forces have donned civilian clothing and are trying to avoid the check points and infiltrate the city to plant explosives and take out defense positions in advance of the big attack.
One piece of very good news is that Ukraine did receive a shipment of Javelin anti-tank missiles which were used to destroy a convoy of more than 90 tanks just north of Kyiv.
Our people continue to minister where they are. Here is a short note from Pastor Zhenya who evacuated from his home in Baryshivka, about 30 miles east of Kyiv and is now in western Ukraine:
Hello Mark, we are working here to help refugees with Gena Zinchenko (pastor of a church near Baryshivka). Every morning I go to teach the Word. I was also invited to the central church to teach on Sunday. As I see and understand it, God is giving us lots of work right now. Baryshivka is still calm around it, but there are constant shootings, explosions.... I am trying to do online services for them in Baryshvika from here for those who remained, but the problem is that most old people find it difficult for them to use the Internet.
This war is devastating, the destruction extensive. I ask you to pray for an end to this onslaught. May God grant victory to Ukraine, that she might have freedom and peace.
By grace alone,
March 14, 2022 News Update
14 March 2022
Dear Friends,
Thank you so much for standing with us in prayer for our loved ones in Ukraine. The situation is catastrophic to be sure. You turn on the news and see the destruction. There are no places that are safe for even hospitals, churches, and apartment buildings are being hit with missiles and artillery. Cities in western Ukraine that were considered safe a few days ago are now the targets for the Russians.
Families are being split apart as women and children flee to safety in other cities and countries while the men must remain in Ukraine. Those who have managed to get out of the country must now find refuge in centers being set up in Poland, Romania, Moldova and Slovakia, or try to find people who are willing to house refugees.
Oleg and his family were warned to leave the village and to go into Kiev. They were able to do this yesterday. It was a 20 mile trip and, to say the least, dangerous. It is of the Lord’s mercy that they made it safely. His family is living at the college and the professor’s apartment for now. With the indiscriminate shelling by the Russians, no place is safe from attack. The eternal God is our refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms.
Oleg’s brother, Vova (nickname for Vladimir) is with the territorial security force in our village. This is not the army, but more like a local militia to guard the area. His wife, Natalie, decided to stay with him rather than going into the city. She is a beautiful young woman, and I fear that she would be much abused if the Russians were to attack the village.
The report that I heard earlier is that there are many Russian tanks very close by, probably waiting for the command to advance on Kiev. Natalie reported that things were relatively quiet during the night, but that at 6:00 in the morning she began hearing loud explosions that shook the house. She said that they continued all morning and all afternoon until about 4:00 o’clock.
We hear reports that a big offensive against Kiev is imminent. We still have some of our church members in the city. Please pray for their safety.
- Two aged widows, both named Valentina, are unable to leave because of their physical condition.
- Eugene is a young man who is working at a Christian radio station named Emmanuel.
- Sasha is an older man who has no family or friends inside or outside of Kiev, so decided to stay put.
- Oleg’s sister, Natasha, is also in the city with her daughter, Dasha. Dasha is autistic and in need of medication which is not available at this time.
- Oleg’s other sister, Oksana, with her husband Sergei and their two children, Sveta and Vladic also remain in Kiev.
- Pray for Anatoly, Ivan and Vova who are bearing arms in defense of their nation and loved ones.
- The rest that we know have gone to the west, some to Ukrainian towns and villages, and some to Poland, Romania, Moldova, and Slovakia.
- Pray for the wives and children who are now separated from their husbands and fathers.
- Oleg reports that at this time they still have electricity, water and internet. There is still food at the grocery stores. All of this could be gone very quickly, as has happened in Mauriupol, Irpin, and Kharkiv and other cities.
Word of God Church met online yesterday with Oleg leading the service from the Bible college. How wonderful that they can stilljoin in a concert of praise to God for His grace, His mercy, His faithfulness. They also meet twice a day for prayer online. And I continue to teach our regular Bible studies online. These wonderful Ukrainian Christians are focused on the Lord and are relying on His Word for their sustenance. It is such a testimony of faith in this time of tribulation.
We are sending support to our staff, students, and others who have needs. Pray that the lines will remain open for us to do this.
Continue earnestly in prayer.
By grace alone,