On route to Lviv...

Yesterday (Wednesday, April 20th) we had a chance to visit several staging locations for much of the humanitarian aid coming into Ukraine. One of our dearest friends is the principle director for all this work and it is a massive operation. He took time, along with his father, the former governor of the region, to treat us to lunch and spend several hours explaining the work there.  They have sent over 100 full semi's to the East in just over a month- but even more is needed... They are also helping to house the 1000's of refugees in homes, churches and public buildings. We left $3,000 at a large church that is converting Sunday school rooms into multi-stall bathrooms with showers.  Many of these refugees were thriving in the East- nice homes, cars, good schools and businesses- flourishing financially, then everything changed for them in one day!  Now homeless and looking for clothes, food, shelter.

One caravan of family members were fired on as they headed to Western Ukraine for safety, and several in the family died in their relatives' arms, as they sped away! They could do nothing for their lost loved ones but to leave them behind! As they continued in the midst of this terror, they started to run out of gas and when they finally found a source, they were charged $200 for only five gallons.  The stories they bring with them about the brutally and horrific abuse of young girls especially, cannot be repeated in this accounting...      

Right now we are driving to Lviv from Chernivtsi, it is about a 5 hour drive these days. As we are traveling we see more fortifications than any place before.  Lviv has been under increased bombing this past week and it may be an indication that more Countries will soon be involved. Poland is only 50 miles away and I have seen a booklet they recently published for their citizens on what they should do when the invasion comes.   

In Lviv we are scheduled to meet up with Dr. Lev Prystupiuk who will take us on to Kiev tomorrow, Lord willing, and also Roman Bokoch who is from Kiev and shuttling people to the Polish border and then bringing supplies back to Kiev.  We are planning to stay in Kiev until Monday and then on to Kharkiv. 

This weekend is Easter (on the Orthodox calendar) and all the security alerts have been about an expected flurry of bombings and terrorist attacks in the major cities, to kill as many people as possible while they gather. So we will not try to travel further than Kiev this weekend.   Our dear friends in Kharkiv said they have an apt. prepared for our stay. They know it is a difficult time but are 'excited' about our arrival!  Everyone is weary from the shelling and the awful sufferings from the death toll, injuries and loss of property, etc.

I believe we have been called to bring God's encouragement and love to these dear ones who are just exhausted! By God's grace, we have seen this merciful gift of the Holy Spirit's encouragement have an impact on every place we have visited so far!  I hope that you know we are all doing this journey in a time of crisis together dear friends!  Your prayers, Scriptures, fasting, and sacrificial giving is renewing both hearts and lives!  I hope you do not become weary in well-doing because we can't do our part well without you!  

With great love and respect in Christ, jerry and Rolfe