Lives Interrupted

Thursday, February 24, 2022 Ukraine time – 11:08 p.m. (3:08 p.m. (CST)) We woke up this morning to the terrible news that Russia was invading Ukraine on numerous fronts, and attacking with missile strikes on military bases and airports throughout the country. We were contacted early in the morning, asking if our house was ready to receive refugees. After having a time of worship and prayer at Bethel House, our home, we left in two groups to buy up more food and supplies for helping who knows how many people in the coming days or weeks. We saw extremely long lines at every gas station and every ATM. Many grocery stores also had lines in the morning, which had cleared by afternoon. However, we did not see panic anywhere. We have expected for weeks now that this day might come, yet it seemed unreal as it arrived. The reality set in as we began to hear from people we know around Ukraine about what was happening in their areas. Our hearts broke. A deep sadness began to take over by the afternoon, as we started getting calls or messages from men who have been called to report for duty tomorrow. One of these is our church administrator, Misha, and another is our next-door neighbor, V. We were able to spend some time with Misha, his wife, and daughter today. It is so hard knowing he will be joining the battle soon. We housed four refugees from Kyiv last week for six days, and we have seven Jewish refugees in our home tonight. Bethel House was designed by God and built for such a time as this. God called us to Ukraine in 1993 and we have lived here for 26 years. We love the Ukrainian people and this land; they have become our family. They deserve their own land and to be free people. It is maddening to think another country can come in to steal their land and kill their people and dreams of liberty. We are so proud of how the people are standing and fighting for their freedom to be Ukraine. There is nothing that escapes the attention of our Lord, nothing that takes Him by surprise, and therefore, there is nothing we have to fear. Our hope and strength is in Jesus Christ.