Day 7 of the War in Ukraine
I just got off the phone with Serhiy. It’s 7:30 PM in Kyiv, and the air raid sirens are going off again. He had to end the call to help get his mother to the bomb shelter. Serhiy and his family will once again sleep in their foyer and Lena in the bathtub. He made a very authentic comment to me when he said, “my heart is no longer breaking; it is completely broken.” I went numb at his words.
He also said he “realizes our mission is being redefined. However, until someone forces Putin to cease fire and remove the Russian troops, we will not be able to respond.” He also does not believe Kyiv can hold out for many more days and definitely not weeks. He shared that he is so discouraged, exhausted, and irritable.
He gives me daily updates on all our staff and some musicians. Irina Donchenko is isolated in her small hometown village, and Irina Loktionova is having bombs explode down the street from her, are both calling our widows to check on them. In the middle of war and threat to their own safety, they are calling to check on those most vulnerable.
I broke down at this news, and it has taken me more than 30 minutes to continue to write this update. Many of us are being broken in spirit every day as we cry out for God’s mercy in Ukraine. It is humbling to serve with these courageous examples of love and commitment. I am so proud to be associated with our amazing team in Kyiv.
The Russian tanks have rolled through Basan, where our orphanage Stara Basan is located. No one believes they will even pay attention to the orphanage. I pray this is true.
Serhiy also shared that most of the small villages are down to potatoes, carrots, and cabbage because the local and regional stores are empty and unable to get new food and supplies delivered. This is just another way the genocide will continue.
The greatest concern is the Russian troops that are placing explosive mines in many of the areas they are in or moving through. This is criminal and will have long-lasting destruction in these areas. This is an outrage!!!
How can you help?
Pray.
Here are some specific prayer points:
IMMEDIATE AND PERMANENT CEASE FIRE because of the growing civilian casualties.
For a supernatural intervention, including angelic intervention, confusion for the enemy, failure of the Russian equipment, for Russian soldiers to put down their weapons, and Russian people to rise up in protest to stop this war and bring PEACE.
Pray for the men, women, widows, and children who are having to live in shelters, basements, and underground garages.
Pray for the many refugees who are having to flee. This is creating a humanitarian crisis of unprecedented proportions.
Protection for our men conscripted into the military to protect their families and cities.
Our Pastor Ruslan has sent his family away and stayed with his elderly mother in Kyiv and is now joining the civilian military forces.
For many to come to faith and belief in Jesus Christ as they realize how powerless we are in some events in life but God is faithful to never leave us or forsake us.
Wisdom for all of us leading Music Mission Kiev, as the response and support is growing, we want to be prepared and positioned to respond at our first opportunity in all areas of need with the funding we have. We are hearing from people all over the world.
Give.
Second, you can give! We need your financial support to enable us to respond to every need. We already know medicine and food will be a huge necessity. There will be an epic refugee crisis for weeks to come. Many of these people have left EVERYTHING they own to flee to safety. There are going to be continuous needs beyond what we are able to do, but we will be faithful with what you give to support all God places in our care.
Please give now, and we will place your gift “Where Needed Most” as we prepare for unprecedented humanitarian aid. We know there will be categories of need we have never before addressed.
Checks can be mailed to:
Music Mission Kiev
PO Box 161849
Altamonte Springs, FL 32716
Write/Call.
Last but not least, you can write or call your congressional leaders and ask them to respond to Ukraine’s cries for help. We are not doing enough to get the cease-fire order implemented immediately. Isaiah 26:3-4 says, “You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are unwavering because they trust in you. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord, the Lord himself, is the Rock eternal.”
God is our Hope in this desperate time of war. This is so easy for us to say but hard to live out in the terror and horror of war. Please contact your congressional leaders.
Thank you for your love and concern for Ukraine. Thank you for your prayers and generosity in helping restore Ukraine.
- Greg
CEO | Music Mission Kiev