98 Days of War in Ukraine
As we begin the month of June, I have wonderful news to share. It has been three and a half weeks since I last wrote an update. Life in the capital city of Kyiv has been quiet, outside of the daily air raid sirens. People in Kyiv are returning to normal patterns of daily life, at least as much as they can under the duress of the war in the southern and eastern parts of Ukraine. The threat of missiles hitting Kyiv keeps alert levels high.
Yesterday, June 1, was a day of celebration. Our office is back operating as the center of our mission in Kyiv. All our staff currently in Kyiv returned to their work in the offices today (see picture). The rest of our staff, who are spread out around Ukraine and Europe, will continue their work from their current locations. Those not in Kyiv are targeting the end of summer as the time they can safely return their families to Kyiv.
Left to Right… First row: Volodya B., Valentina Y., Pastor Ruslan M., Serhiy B., and Sergey K. Second row: Sasha A. and Vika K.
We are also celebrating the Kyiv Symphony Orchestra and Chorus singers, who started rehearsals again on Tuesday, May 31. I had the pleasure of seeing the group briefly on a Zoom call Vika shared with the staff. Not all of the singers have returned to Kyiv, and some singers are still fighting on the front lines. We are praying diligently for the men (and their families) in the heat of battle. May God keep them from harm and return them to us safely.
St. Paul’s Church has been meeting in person for a month, and the widow’s Thursday Bible study and food voucher distribution have too. Dr. Vadym Shevchenko has been able to reestablish our medical and eye care program on Thursdays. Many are taking advantage of this service. We are distributing needed medicines and praying there will be no shortage of medicines. We are blessed to offer this care to those in need.
Serhiy Basarab’s son, Miroslav, has begun treatment in a clinic in Belgium connected to St Jude’s Global Hospital network. He is receiving excellent care while Olga watches over him and his sister Lena. Serhiy has cataract surgery on Thursday in Kyiv, and we are grateful for him to have this corrective surgery and still be in a relatively safe place. Miroslav, Serhiy, and the family remain in our daily prayers, and I ask you to continue praying in faith with us.
The orphans and directors of Stara Basan orphanage have returned to the orphanage facilities. There are no reports of any major damage to the orphanage. We are grateful they are back at their home base where they can feel safe and protected. The two times Russian soldiers occupied the premises were very tense for all of us. We continue to get multiple updates from the orphanage director through Serhiy and Oksana Polevichenko. The boy treated for the tumor was seen on May 31, and we are waiting on his report.
Volodya and Lena have returned to their apartment home in Bucha. This is amazing news considering all the destruction in Bucha and Irpin. Lena’s health is improving, which is another answer to prayer. Hopefully, God will continue to heal the horrible memories they have of the atrocities committed by the Russian soldiers.
We sent a total of 40 sets of bedding for the refugees to two churches we partner with in the Donbas region. Unfortunately, the war encroached upon them over the past several weeks, and they escaped through the refugee corridors and relocated to western Ukraine. Pastor Volodya (Design of the Gospel Church) and Pastors Dima and Luba (Light of the Gospel Church) are all reestablishing their ministry in their new locations. We will continue to support them with a 3-month stipend to help them get settled with the people who followed them to western Ukraine.
Pray
Pray for God to bring closure to this war sooner than later.
For the USA and European countries to stay the course on the sanctions against Russia until all Russian troops are withdrawn.
For all the civilians experiencing health issues and facing challenges with treatments and needed medicines.
For all the workers and volunteers working in the organizations providing humanitarian aid in Ukraine and with Ukrainian refugees in European countries.
For the food shortages caused by this war and how this will have harmful effects beyond Ukraine.
For the depression and anxiety caused by families separated by the war.
Extra prayers for the men and women on the front lines fighting for freedom.
For the economy of Ukraine to stay stable and ready to rebound when the war ends.
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. Even if you have already called or written them, please do so again. I cannot overstate the importance our influence can have on our government to do more.
Greg
CEO | Music Mission Kiev