Some stories from this week and some Great News!!

#1   On Tuesday, May 10th, we spent much of the day visiting the different International relief stations.  Chernivtsi is a primary destination for 1000's of Ukrainians fleeing the constant shellings in the East.  People come here because it is basically free from the violence of the other areas and because it is only a half hour to the Romanian border.  Men between the ages of 18-60 are not permitted to leave the Country, without special permission, but many women and children are moving to Europe and North America from here. Actually the new passage way for most Ukrainians is through Mexico andnthen into the U.S.  

The woman with the black baseball cap on is a doctor who is dispensing medications to a long line of refugees! Her name is Alena and when we met she was so weary I thought she might collapse!  After only a couple of minutes talking about their work she started to water up and just fell forward and said can I hug you, and  held on!  After she had had a chance to take a breath, we continued on with the tour and she asked where we had traveled so far? When I told her that I had just come from Kharkiv, she started tearing up all over again!  She is from Kharkiv, her family and many friends are still there.  Alena went to medical school there and fears for her family under the constant bombing we experienced, that goes on day and night!   

I am preaching this Sunday in Max's church and have asked Alena to join us.  It would be really great if she could get connected with a local fellowship while she is so far from loved ones!   

#2   The temporary eating hall for the Italian aid station

#3   The Italian aid station had a fun play area for the kids while their parents get medical care and other services

#4    Max Kushnir volunteers at the Samartan's Purse aid station here in Chernivtsi, primarily as an interpreter between refugees and doctors to help explain their particular needs.  They also have a surgery tent and surgeons for more serious medical issues!  

I only have two non-descript photos for Samaritan's Purse.  They, like several other places, don't want their identities or locations published, primarily for fear of bombings.  We met some really great folks there who are dedicated and hard working and helpful...and one grouch!  

Our travels have covered a large part of Ukraine, including one of the most bombed out cities in Ukraine, Kharkiv. One thing I didn't realize before our arrival is that all of the humanitarian groups are all operating along the Western borders- either just outside or inside Ukraine, in order to provide a quick exit if necessary. We didn't see any non-Ukrainian aid workers anywhere in the interior of Ukraine! This means any one who needs immediate medical attention from the War are at least hundreds of miles from the International medical stations, which renders them impractical for triage.  

The International aid comes to the border, then Ukrainians, often risking their lives, haul it from there 100's of miles to various cities in need.  

There are some disappointing notes in the midst of this too. Some of the aid is under the control of pretty poor leadership.  And sadly, as in almost any situation, there are both Internationals and Ukrainians, who have found ways to illegally profit from the huge amounts of materials and finances that are pouring into the Country!  It has been a disappointing week to see some of this first hand, but still God has many faithful servants making a huge difference in 1000's of people's lives... 

Many of our Russian friends are likewise going to their side of the border to care for Ukrainian refugees!  I am proud of their sacrifucial giving and love for others even as the War has devastated so many families and relationships!  Their actions are not political but simply living out Christ's love for those in need! 

#5    We have been walking together in life and ministry with many of our young leaders for 15 years or more and we love being together for a potluck or any excuse, every chance God provides!  

It is amazing the depth and breadth God has added to their work for Him! One of our tall brothers in the back there, Vova, is a professional musician.  When the War started he was called to serve as part of the military band.  They are responsible for military parades, official events and funerals.  Vova says that he plays at funerals for these very young soldiers from our Bukavina region here, every single day...  

Another couple in the photo is Valera and Rhema, they own a private school that is one of the best I have ever seen!  They have a long waiting list of students who are desperate to get in! It is not only the best but they have decided to stay open when all the other schools in town are closed during Marshall Law.  This is a blessing for students and their parents! The reason they can continue operating in person is that the lower part of the building they are in used to be a bank and the vault has steel and concrete walls two feet thick!  It is safer from bombs than any of their homes so the officials said OK on staying open!   

Actualy, the children love it because it has been fixed up so nice!  This week they didn't have any air raid alarms so the kids were disappointed not to get a trip to the bomb shelter where they could play with all the stuff there! 

This past week in Chernivtsi has been a great opportunity to reconnect with our primary ministry partners in Ukraine that have been a part my life for the past 28 years!  

One family that invited me to their home for lunch was a woman that cooked for our feeding program 15 years ago.  She prepared a great meal and one of the first things she put on the table was pickles!  I rarely see them as part of the meals here but they are a favorite of mine!  She was waiting for me to say something and when I did she said , I remembered how much they pleased you- I didn't forget... it is touching to me that in the midst of all that is going on here someone would care about something as small as pickles just to show affection!  

We had a great time at Max and Nastya's home Bible Study last night and Sunday I am preaching at their church on "Hearing the Voice of God!" By His grace...  

There are so many questions and life changing decisions that this is a critical issue everywhere we have gone!  When people have their routines down and feel like everything is under control, the need to check in with God about everything seems to be a bit overkill!  But in the crisis people are aware that everything makes a difference- our speech, decisions, relationships and every event!  I wish we in the West desired to underdtand this better, even when we are not under the threat of crisis!  John 10:3,4,27...    

Tomorrow morning after the Church Service, Max and I will be leaving for Romania.  We will spend the night together there and then on Monday I will fly out to Frankfurt and then on to Miami on Tuesday to meet Sue and stay with our daughter Sarah and her family for a few days before returning home to Seattle!  I am very anxious to be with my beautiful wife and the rest of our family!!     

(the transcriber of this Blog is so excited about this tremendous news that she can hardly contain herself - and just couldn't resist the opportunity to interject a big thank you!!!!!  Thank you Lord for covering absolutely every part of this trip in beautiful, miraculous ways - including the upcoming travel home!)

God has given peace about all the work we were called to do here for this time and He has been absolutely miraculous and faithful! The War, however, still rages on and there is much that God might call us to do in the future!