More bombings in Kharkiv...
Last Friday night we had some information we couldn't pass on because of an impending counter-offensive that the Ukrainian forces were planning to push the Russian army further away from Kharkiv, the city we are in. It was a bold move and they understood that there would be a serious Russian counter response! The concern was that their response would involve chemical warfare. We were encouraged to leave the city last Friday because of the increase in hostilities. But our God had made clear that the departure date was not until the following Tuesday, May 3rd. We figured that regardless of the new threats, there was nothing that was unknown to God before this latest development! So we, Lev, Rolfe and I, were all in agreement about staying... I have not seen any news, so I am hoping that my posts are not too redundant! The bombing has in fact increased this weekend and even though today (Monday the 2nd). Areas that were previously open without military passport checks have changed now in our part of Kharkiv. I have included some of the pictures from the latest bombings, taken from Saturday and Sunday. Actually a Lot of explosions have been going off around us even as I write. Unfortunately, the bulk of the attacks have been in residential areas and the small stores they depend on for food, etc. The battle is heating up and to be honest, leaving is going to be much more difficult than our efforts to get here. Not because of the difficult travel between cities but because some of the dearest friends we have in the World are staying...they are committed to care for their flocks- the church members, the poor and those who have lost everything! Sometimes people say, "you are our hero's for being here with us!" But that is not true, we are just here to visit the real heroes...
(I only received one picture from Jerry, so I will post again as soon as any more come in - but I knew you would want to be praying with me!)
2 Comments
I am having some difficulty in keeping my prayers from focusing on my human urge for revenge and ill will against those who are invading Ukraine when I know I should be praying for peace, love and compromise. I jknow I should be praying for acceptance that all of this is in God's plan...and for His will to be done; Not the violence I would be happy to see taken against those inflicting all this pain. Thanks to loving pastors and church body, I, at least, recognize what I should be praying for and not what I shouldn't be praying for. Baby steps, I guess, but steps all the same. Your example and the example the Ukrainians are demonstrating everyday during this war makes the words written in the Bible and spoken by Jesus REAL, LIVING and ACTIVE. I pray for your well being and safety. While you dodge bombs, I will continue to keep the one who lies, cheats and steals chained up, in a foot locker, buried in a 20 foot deep hole with about 30 yards of cement on top of it in my back yard. I don't want him loose and causing me to hate people I don't even know. I look forward to hearing you are in Kiev...that would be cause for celebration. To get a blog from you on Star Wars day stating you have made it safe and sound would be AWESOME. As Obi-Wan Kenobi would say: May the fourth be with you and Rolphe. with much love - anita
On one hand I admit to wishing that you’d left on Friday, Jerry and Mr. Carawan. But Sue is teaching me/us to be at peace with God’s specific leading. I am glad for your active model of Jesus reaching out to those who could use some help, hope and hugs.