163 Days of War in Ukraine
Our mission had a good week in spite of the challenges they face. You may recall mass transportation became fully operational at the beginning of June. Whenever there were air raid sirens, the subway would momentarily stop until the sirens ended. People could still get around by the mass transit options on the street. However, starting this week, all mass transit options completely stopped during air raid warnings.
I know of at least one widow who travels two hours each way to come to our Thursday Bible study and our St. Paul’s Saturday worship service. Many of the others travel over an hour each way to participate. Can you imagine how long it could take if their transportation continues having delays? We continue to monitor the situation and adjust so no one is left out.
Our Bible study on Thursday had another good attendance even though they had the air raid siren delays. The pictures always make me smile when I see faces I recognize, and I’m sure many of you will recognize a few of the faces in these pictures. Many in attendance have picked up the food vouchers and printed spiritual lessons for the week so they can deliver them to all the homebound members. This week all of the printed lessons were taken, which is a very encouraging sign of the spirit and unity of what we all do together.
Each Tuesday, as our group from Ukraine, Europe, and the USA gathers, we can see how the distance is taking a toll on our staff and their families in Europe. The isolation and feeling of disconnectedness is something we are intentionally working to overcome with them.
Lena S and Viktoriia S are sending me multiple reports and pictures they have translated from our widow’s ministry team as they visit or make phone calls. Each week I hear about their visits with many of the people we serve, and I always feel this pride and joy in how our team continues to serve through their own pain and distance.
In Germany, a local church asked Ira D. to lead a women’s Bible study group for Ukrainian refugees this past Thursday. They asked her to include the PTSD training she is now certified to teach others. I hope to have pictures next time to show you how God is working through Ira in Germany to serve Ukrainians.
Last week, in another part of Germany, several local churches asked Oksana Polivechneko if she would lead and coordinate a youth camp since she had done these many times with our mission. She sent me a picture of her and a couple of the children, and I thought, “this is nice, but I wish more children had been touched by her teaching.” Oksana is a gifted teacher for any age group. Apparently, she is a good ship’s captain as well.
Silly me! Several days later, she sent more pictures of the youth camp. As you can see, over eighty children attended and sat under Biblical teaching as refugees in a foreign country. How amazing that God would give our team opportunities to teach and point others to Jesus that we would never have met without this war. God continues to work together all things for good for our mission’s purpose.
Oksana actually came back to Kyiv on Wednesday so her oldest son could take his college exams. She will only be here for ten days—just long enough for him to take his exams, see her husband Sergei for two days (whom she has not seen in six months), and take her father Vasily back home to Stara Basan to visit her mother’s grave. You may remember Valentina died last October while I was in Kyiv. The only family member missing is Volodya, her brother, who is serving on the front lines again.
In Orlando, we are excited and preparing for Vika K. and Sergii G. to arrive on Monday, August 15 from Kyiv. They will spend most of this coming week traveling by train to Poland to get their visas approved and then a couple of days in Germany until their flight leaves to bring them here. I can’t wait to hug them both and spend some time with them. They are phenomenal and well-known conductors in Kyiv and beyond but also incredible individuals. Plus, they love Jesus. Does it get any better?
Thank you again for your prayers and support. Although we may not see the ending date of this war, our opportunities to bring hope and aid to Ukraine have not diminished. We are confident of this very thing, that God, who began a good work through us (30 years ago) will continue to see it through until we have accomplished more than we could ever dream or imagine.
Pray
Pray for the continued safety in Kyiv from any more attacks.
For the widows and pensioners to continue to be encouraged and cared for by our mission.
For our staff and families separated from us and living in Europe.
For no interruption in delivering needed food and medicines to everyone we care for and serve.
For the staff in Kyiv as they pick up Vika’s work while she is in the US. What a sacrificial but talented group we have.
For the growing number of wounded soldiers and civilians being treated in Kyiv.
For God to bless all of our supporters in the USA. May they experience God’s good pleasure in their generosity and compassion.
Give
ONLINE: You can give online to musicmissionkiev.org
CALL: You can still call our U.S. office and donate with your credit card. Our office phone number is 407-699-7172.
CHECK: Send a check payable to Music Mission Kiev, PO Box 161849, Altamonte Springs, FL 32716.
Contact
Please take the time to contact your government officials. We are all feeling the impact of the war and we do not want our government to back off the sanctions and pressure to end this war.
Greg
CEO | Music Mission Kiev