We went to the Maidan today, and then on to the street that used to be called “Institutska” (now known as “Heroes of the Maidan”), where many of the protesters were shot. That was really hard to see – it was hard not to cry. We got to stand on a sidewalk where, on the news, we saw bullets flying through people. This is now hallowed ground.
Tomorrow in Crimea, there will be a “referendum” to the people of Crimea. Basically that means that everyone in Crimea will be able to vote on whether or not they want to be a part of Russia; however, no one is really expecting a fair count, either, especially with Russian troops prowling the streets of Crimea and other parts of Southern Ukraine.
Please pray for this situation. Please pray that God would convict the men and women involved in this sham that they are sinning against God and their own people. Pray that God-fearing men and women would stand up against this unconstitutional vote tomorrow and that God would somehow foil Putin’s plans to annex parts of Ukraine.
Picture Credit – by liz west on Flickr.com, some rights reserved.
There are many people that are asking, “What are you doing next? Are you still going back?” Our answer is, “Yes.” God has called us to Ukraine. We know that He hasn’t changed that calling, so we are going back as planned on April 15th. Please pray for safe travels and that we would be able get the things we need to bring back to Ukraine. Also, please pray for favor with Lufthansa Airlines. They normally only allow one bag per person, but our travel agent said that they may allow us one extra bag because we are missionaries, but she won’t be able to know for a couple more weeks.
Please pray for Ukraine and please call your representatives, senators and the president asking them to respond! In 1994 the US signed the Budapest memorandum in which Ukraine gave up nuclear weapons at the promise of the US and EU to help protect Ukraine’s territorial integrity! We must respond and support Ukraine! Russia is attacking them!!!
If you live in Indiana, our senators’ phone #’s are – Joe Donnelly: 202-224-4814 Dan Coats: 202-224-5623. The representative may be different for you but Susan Brooks is mine 202-225-2276.
Click here to read a BBC article about Russia deploying troops to Ukraine.
Katya and I were glued to the news Tuesday night as we literally watched Kyiv burn. Thank God it wasn’t the buildings there on fire. It was the barricades on Independence Square.
I don’t know how well you can make out what’s going on in the picture, but those walls of fire are what were defending the lives of several hundred people from being killed by police.
The police are trying to take the square again, and the protestors there, in order to fend them off, set their barricades on fire. That night, they survived over 12 hours of constant attack by the police through the night. They were able to take a breath Wednesday in the daylight to rebuild their barricades.
Another thing that’s been hard is watching Katya through all of this. Seeing her heart break as the nation, the place she knows and loves and was born in, is torn apart is something that no husband is prepared for. Please pray for us, but pray for Ukraine… They need it so much. If you would like to read more, please click on the links below… and PRAY! Please even pray for the news. I was watching Fox News this morning, and they were TOTALLY biased in their presentation against the protestors.
God, please save Ukraine.
If you would like to follow the situation on the news, please use the following links:
It is so hard to be here in America when all these things are happening in Ukraine and I have no idea what Ukraine will be when we will come back.
All that to say, I see more and more that this is not all about politics any more; it is a spiritual battle against those “who call evil good and good evil,” (Isaiah 5:20,21). It is a battle for justice and truth. I love that churches have an important role and influence in this protest, so that even the government saw it and began to threaten them. A lot of priest, pastors, spiritual leaders and just believers are at the “Maydan” to share the Gospel, to preach, to pray, to encourage, to help…. and people are coming to God! Is’t it awesome!?!?! But my heart hurts, because still those people get hurt.
Let us hold fast and pray for Ukraine. These days are very important for our country.
Let us pray for:
Thank you and God bless!
David & Katya 