From Lviv to Kiev...

This week Ukraine has faced an extraordinary amount of bombing, virtually everywhere, but life still goes on... We were in Lviv, near the Polish border, for the past two days visiting friends.  Dr. Lev, Gabrielle Weber and I stayed at the Best Western for those two nights and they gave us an incredible price- but it turns out there was a reason!  Because of all the bombing this week, all the European Countries and the U.S. put out a warning for their citizens to get out of Ukraine!  The great part for us was, with the exception of one other lady, this normally packed hotel in the Central Square was all ours!  They usually have a complimentary buffet in the morning but with just four people it would be very wasteful!  So instead, they served an amazing four course breakfast with everything we could want and more!  We were treated like royalty!    

Russian rockets hit several power stations around Lviv which knocked out our power as well. One sort of funny thing I realized was how smart Dr. Lev was to take his shower the night before! When the sirens went off in the morning I was thinking that they were going to force us to the basement for several hours without a chance to clean up- small thing, but if there is a chance to clean up in the evening, I've decided I'm going to take it!  

We went to church this morning with our dear friends Anna, Nastya, and Alyona. Afterward, they took Gabrielle home with them to stay until she leaves tomorrow morning (Monday), for the U.S.  Dr. Lev and I drove for about 7 hours to Kiev, our next stop!  When we arrived at 9 pm, a whole house full of our dear doctor friends were waiting for us with a large dinner, with all the fixin's, and one of them took my dirty clothes home to wash them! Sometimes I feel overwhelmed with the respect and love that they pour out everytime we are with them!  

It is almost midnight again, but I just wanted to check in and let you know how faithful our loving God has been to hear your precious prayers!  You all are amazing!!  

We will only stay in Kiev one day, and then Tuesday (18th), we plan on traveling to Kharkiv, one of the most heavily bombed cities in Ukraine.

There are a number of meetings planned there including a pastor's conference on Sat. the 22nd.  The pastors are weary and many are just feeling empty!  It has been a very hard time, including one of our dear Baptist brothers who was killed by a rocket a couple of weeks ago! As I prepare for my time with them, I could use your prayers for clarity from the Holy Spirit and just the right words that will bring encouragement...but I clearly understand that only God's Presence and Power can bring the healing and renewal needed to restore these dear pastors to their congregations, fully recharged and empowered for the work of God's Kingdom!