Our new home is in crisis.
I hope very much that you’ve been following the news concerning the revolution in Ukraine. If you haven’t seen anything, Google it now and learn. The situation here is extremely serious. We haven’t been talking much about it on social media simply because we are trying to use wisdom and just ask the Lord how He would have us respond online. Our hearts are with our Ukrainian brothers and sisters and they know that. We stand with them and we tell them that daily. It’s just so difficult to know what to say “online”. How can we share what is happening with wisdom, while upholding the dignity of the people? We’ve never been in a situation remotely like this and are just trying to navigate it properly, and with grace.
Tonight we could be silent no more. You simply must know the beauty of the people of Ukraine. You simply must know that they stand now for their children and their children’s children. They stand for a future. They stand for freedom. Men and woman stand right now, in Kiev, in the snow, in 3 degree (F) weather because they love their country and they see that there is no future for them and their children if they do not stand until the end. For centuries they have been beaten down- over and over- and now they have had enough. Change must come. We Americans have NO IDEA what it means to live in a country where laws can mean nothing. We have no idea what it means to live in a country where your rights can easily be stripped from you, without warning, and even if you want to flee, you have no option but to stay. We have no idea what it means to live under generations of oppression. We have no idea.
I am in awe. I am in love. I have never loved the Ukrainian people more than I do today. (And that’s saying a lot!) 🙂 They are so courageous. If I were in the same situation in the US would I stand as they do? I hope I would.
So now we pray. We love the people around us and we pray; all the while knowing that God has placed us here at this moment for a reason. When we boarded the plane in Portland, Oregon on November 12th He knew that this day would come. He was not unaware then, and He is not unaware now. God said to come serve the Ukrainian people, and here we stand until we hear otherwise.
Photos by Andrey Kolodich ©
Tonight we worshiped and prayed as a family before bed. We have explained to our kids some of what is happening here and five-year old Havalah explained it best:
“I’m two kinds of sad. I’m joy sad because this is a peaceful moment, but I’m cry sad because I don’t want anymore Ukrainians to die.”
The Ukrainians who stand in Kiev tonight, and in squares all over the country, stand for justice and hope for a better future. Tomorrow I’ll go to Romaniv to love on our boys- boys who have only known a life of injustice. I pray that justice will prevail in Ukraine in hopes that ALL people in Ukraine may have the hope of a better future. Whether they know it or not, the protestors on Maidan are standing for our boys. They stand for all the forgotten ones who can not stand for themselves. And so, in the small ways we are able we will stand for them too.
Will you join us? Stand up in prayer for those who are risking their lives for their country. Stand up in prayer for those who can not stand for themselves. Lift your voice and break the silence. Tell whoever will listen about our beloved Ukraine and her beautiful people. These are our people, the people of our hearts. May their sacrifice never be in vain.
“But if I were you, I would appeal to God; I would lay my cause before Him.
He performs miracles that cannot be counted…
The lowly he sets on high, and those who mourn are lifted to safety…
He saves the needy from the sword in their mouth; he saves them from the clutches of the powerful.
So the poor have hope, and injustice shuts its mouth.”
Job 5:8-9,11,15-16
Photos by Andrey Kolodich ©
Yes, our hearts are broken for Ukraine. We adopted our youngest son from there, so the country has a special place in our hearts and has become part of our family’s identity. We pray daily for Ukraine and it’s people.
Elliott, thank you so much for praying faithfully for Ukraine. The Ukrainian people definitely have a way of winning hearts. 🙂 Also, I’m so glad to hear you adopted from here! AWESOME.
Standing with you…
Thanks my dear. I knew you would. 🙂
Praying with you now!
Hi there! Thank you for praying. I sure wish we could see each other again 🙂
Praying for Ukraine!
THANK YOU Merlin!! We very much appreciate it.
Kimberly, I have not seen you in years and I think I only met Jed once, but I want you to know that I am praying for both of you, your children and those in the Ukraine. Esther 4: 14 And who knows but that you have come to your royal position (in my words, right where He wants you) for such a time as this?”
Thank you! It’s so cool to hear from you! It really does bless us tremendously when we hear of someone praying for us who has never met us, or hasn’t seen us in years. THANK YOU!
Praying for your family and Ukraine!
Thank you Sue. 🙂
Beautifully written. Praying for you guys.
Thank you Crystal! 🙂
I was in Kiev for 5 days for a friends wedding at the start of January this year. I loved the Ukranian hospitality, they sure know how to organise a wedding, eat dance eat dance. Tanya’s friends were very generous with there time, showing us around all the sights in Kiev. We stayed near Maidan Square, so I visited it everyday day. I was impressed by the courage, conviction and the organisation that went in to the protest.
One fella that left an impression on me, he was ” hardy and wiry and had great go in him” as we would say in West Cork. He could just as easily be a neighbouring farmer in Clonakilty.
Naturally I’m saddened that 3 people have lost their lives in this quest for human rights, these people could be my family, friends or neighbours here in Cork.
I pray to God that there will be no further loss of life.
Oh Francis, thank you for sharing! I’m so glad you were able to see Ukraine with your own eyes, and meet her beautiful people. Now you know better how to pray. Thank you!
I’ve been praying for safety, for courage, for peace, and for the TRUTH to stand. The past 6 years of my life really opened my eyes and my heart in so many different ways. It made me realize the freedom and luxuries we truly have in America, yet it still so hard to comprehend having none of it. Even when I lived somewhere else, I still had the choice to leave. It makes me respect and love my friends living in those other countries even more. So brave. So strong. So resilient. I definitely stand with you guys for Ukraine and the ones you love. I praise God that he placed you there at this time! Your sensitivity, awareness and love are surely blessing your friends who need the support right now.
Thank you my dear Keira!!! Love, love, love you.
Love to you each! We are praying for you and for Ukraine. God’s timeing is perfect. It might not totally make sense right now, to us, but He is in control and has you guys there for such a time as this!
LOVE YOU!!
Thank you Robin! We sure love you too. Thanks for praying and for letting us know, and for the encouragement. It’s a crazy time, but we trust in Him. Today we have a lot of peace. 🙂