It is, at times, overwhelming to read about the flurry of events and activities (some meant for, and some against) the people and nation of Ukraine. We have to guard our hearts, minds, and spirits from the very human emotional responses which are a natural occurrence when being intimately tied to so many who live and serve there.
There is hope in the efforts of peace. Even if we must resolve to accept concessions now, we can continue to pray for restoration which God (and history) has shown can occur decades after loss. So we pray - earnestly and passionately - for a peace which can help return lives to a place of safety … and return hearts, minds, and spirits to a place of greater hope, reassurance, a powerless anxiety.
As we continue to bring the encouragement and help we can to this country, we are always warmly welcomed by grateful people surprised that anyone outside Ukraine would still come. In our most recent trip, we spent an entire day in a large city and surrounding villages that are in the direct line-of-fire from the enemy. It is surreal to be singing and preaching in an underground shelter with the sound (and vibration) of falling mortars outside. And yet, the peace of God which surpasses all understanding is the only presence we feel. The resolve and courage of the local pastors and residents is hard to imagine or describe.
We are grateful to continue building partnerships with those we have both served, and served with, for nearly three years. And equally grateful to meet (as we did in January) new friends and heroes of the nation and of the faith (Pastor Angela from a Foursquare church in central Ukraine) who continue to preach the gospel of hope in what often seems like a hopeless situation.
So we will return in April - as Jesus has called us to do - to continue helping, supporting, and encouraging pastors and churches as they do the same for the beautiful Ukrainian people in the communities they are called to serve. Responding in faithfulness with compassion, as we pray in faith for peace.