Day 16: War in Ukraine
It is Friday afternoon, and I have received many updates from Ukraine. Only a handful of our people have been able to leave in the last three days. We are grateful for the families who have made it to safer surroundings. We now have refugees in Poland, Hungary, Germany, and Sweden, plus many scattered around Ukraine.
On Wednesday, Music Mission Kiev wired funds to purchase medical supplies in France and contracted a driver to bring them to Kyiv. We also sent money for our staff because many of them left with very few material belongings. These funds enabled Pastor Ruslan to purchase some medicines and food for widows still in Kyiv.
Great news arrived today, that the Russian tanks left the Stara Basan orphanage, and we are relieved. However, it is not clear if there are still soldiers continuing to sleep in the dormitories or not. They did send word that everyone at the orphanage is scared to death. God, please protect these young hearts, minds, and souls.
Kostya Vikulkin, a former MMK staff, went to the village our bookkeeper, Volodya, and his wife, Lena, were trapped in by Russian forces (see photo). Kostya got them on Thursday and brought them to our apartments in Kyiv. I sent Kostya a private message to let him know how grateful we are and that he is my new hero.
Volodya said it was harrowing to walk past the destroyed burning vehicles and armored carriers. He said dead soldiers were lying in the streets and appeared to be left where they fell. These are the types of images many of our Ukrainians will be haunted by from this day forward.
The lady in the picture is Olga Lisenko, who called our team this morning, crying and desperate for important medicines for herself. Our team worked together and found a pharmacy with them in stock, and Pastor Ruslan delivered them to Olga within several hours. What a courageous team we have in Ukraine (see photo).
A couple of our staff members are now in harm’s way—they are part of the defense initiatives guarding important utility and power stations in different areas of Ukraine. These are valuable strategic areas. Several others who lived in the surrounding villages of Kyiv have shared pics and stories of how their village has been burned and flattened, literally flattened.
I was notified yesterday that my airline ticket to Ukraine from May 3-31 was canceled due to new government regulations and policies. This was disappointing. I will reschedule as soon as they give me the option. However, this signals that the airlines expect it to be a drawn-out conflict.
News this afternoon says the Russian forces are turning toward the western part of Ukraine. This is where many of the people from Kyiv went to be safe. Now they are going to have to flee again. This will cause more of them to become refugees in other countries, and many of them do not want to, but they know there may be no choice if they are to remain alive and free.
Psalm 9: 8-10 says, “The Lord will judge the world by what is right. He will decide what is fair for the nations. The Lord defends those who suffer. He protects them in times of trouble. Those who know the Lord trust him. He will not leave those who come to him.”
Powerful judgement is on the way for those killing children and innocents. Whoa to the invaders! May there be mercy and justice for Ukraine.
Prayer Items
Pray for our people and their homes and possessions like you would if this was happening to your family.
For the protection of the rich culture and historical buildings in Ukraine that enrich all of our lives.
For the Ukrainian economy, that is going to be severely impacted. Restoring their economy will be a process of years, not months.
Prevent mercenaries and soldiers who want to join Putin’s forces through experience, calamity, and confusion.
For greater air support to reach Ukraine and for more anti-air and anti-tank weapons to make it to the Ukrainian soldiers.
Pray that chemical weapons and nuclear options are not used against Ukraine.
For the Russian people to see the truth and rise up against this regime.
Give
ONLINE: You can give online to musicmissionkiev.org
CALL: You can still call our U.S. office and donate your credit card. Our office phone number is 407-699-7172.
CHECK: You can also avoid the credit card fees and send a check to Music Mission Kiev, PO Box 161849, Altamonte Springs, FL 32716.
Thank you in advance for your incredible generosity.
Contact
Please continue to contact your government officials. We must get a cease fire and removal of troops now. Ukraine cannot hold out much longer, but our government can increase the sanctions and penalties. Call or write them again, even if you have already contacted them. They are there to represent our interests, so make your voice heard.
- Greg
CEO | Music Mission Kiev