Kids Christmas Party

 

Last weekend Tanya hosted the Christmas Party for the children who attend Bible Classs on Saturday. There were seven precious children present. I remember the carefree days spent with many of these children before war entered their lives and created a new normal that should be considered an atrocity, not just "the way things are!" I am so thankful that in a very uncertain world, Jesus is using us to provide some certainty and rythym for their young souls. Please keep praying for the people of Ukraine and for a lasting peace.

Please Keep Praying for Peace

The past two days have been very quiet in Gorlovka. Please pray that the ceasefire will continue to hold and that a lasting peace process can be started to end the violence and restore community.

Silent Tuesday and the Days that Follow

Yesterday, Tuesday, December 9, 2014 was "Silent Tuesday" in Eastern Ukraine, as the rebels and Ukrainian forces agreed to try to restart the ceasefire that was signed back on Spetember 5th. While things were heating up considerably the days before Silent Tuesday, it was actually very calm on that day. Now it is Wednesday after Silent Tuesday and it is still calm. Please keep praying that the peace will be extended and a diplomatic solution can be found rather than a return to war. The people of Eastern Ukraine are suffering and they are more than pawns in a political game! Keep praying!

Worship in Gorlovka

Four ladies and three children met Sunday to worship in the middle of the war zone that is a daily reality in Gorlovka. They gathered to sing praises, read Scripture, offer prayers and share the communion meal together. Please keep Ukraine and especially our Christian sisters and brothers in your daily prayers.

Continue Praying for Ukraine

It is easy to forget to pray for the people of Ukraine because the war has been going on for so long and it has largely disappeared from our news outlets. However, the fighting is intensifying and people are tired, scared and low on hope.

But even in the middle of the new reality of war, kids still want to have Bible class! Tanya had five kids at class on Saturday. Enjoy the pictures and pray for the kids and their families.

Gorlovka Update October 20, 2014

The fighting continues in the Donetsk region despite the official ceasefire. While the center of Gorlovka is mostly quiet, all the outskirts are subjected to daily shelling and fighting.

The weather is changing and winter is on its way. Tanya reported that the heat came on today - not sure about tomorrow! Please be praying for the people of Ukraine to have heating this winter!

Tanya and some of the girls cleaned up the playground on Saturday, October 18. Enjoy the pictures...

First Worship Service After Cease-fire

In my last post I niavely stated that it may be several "days" before there is any resolution in Gorlovka. Those days stretched into almost two months! Thanks so much for your continued prayers and support for the people of Ukraine.

Today they held their first worship service since late July. Three ladies and two children who were eager to meet with their church family and try to get their lives to return to some sort of normal. Please continue praying, as even during the cease-fire there continues to be shelling and rocket fire.

As this war winds down there is going to be a tremendous amount of work to do to restore infrastructure and even more importantly to restore damaged and strained relationships! Please continue praying.

Crisis in Ukraine: How Can You Help?

            We thank our Cross Culture family for the prayers and concern expressed for the people of Eastern Ukraine during this time of crisis. Since Sunday, July 27^th, there has been shelling in Gorlovka with civilian deaths. To our knowledge no one in our church family has been wounded or killed. Most of our church family has fled the city, but several of our church family and many of our neighbors are still in Gorlovka. The situation is tense and it may be days before there is any resolution in Gorlovka. Please keep praying for the people there.   

            Due to the fighting in Eastern Ukraine there are many refugees fleeing to Kiev and surrounding cities. One place that is assisting in the placement of refugees is Jeremiah’s Hope, run by Andrew and Jenny Kelly. (Visit on Facebook by searching “Jeremiah’s Hope” or visit their website here: http://www.jeremiahshope.org).  Since May 8^th they have been providing shelter, food and care for refugees from Eastern Ukraine in their facility north of Kiev. We are greatly encouraged by their work on behalf of these refugees and want to partner with them. We are asking for those of you who support Cross Culture and the Payne family to consider making a donation to Jeremiah’s Hope for the express purpose of helping refugees from Eastern Ukraine. You can donate directly to Jeremiah’s Hope by mailing your donation here: Jeremiah’s Hope Inc. PO Box 3411 Abilene, TX 79604-3411  Or you can give on-line here: Make a Donation to Jeremiahs Hope, Inc.

            If you prefer you can make a donation to Cross Culture, Inc. P. O. Box 505 Luverne, AL 36049 and we will forward it to Jeremiah’s Hope. They are housing and providing care for more than 75 refugees. Most refugees come with no or few supplies.  

            Here is a story from Andrew on Tuesday, July 29, 2014: A babushka called us from the Kyiv train station a few hours ago. She asked if we had a place for her to stay. A refugee from Donetsk. We called our families we have placed in apartments and found one of our families who will squeeze her in. We called her, she has just been sitting on a bench at the train station for several hours waiting for us to call her back. We are sending a car to go get her. Jenny is crying as we write this, if she is sitting and waiting, then how many more are worse off? May God continue to show us how we can serve the refugees flooding out of Donetsk and Lugansk.

            Please continue praying for the people of Ukraine, but if you also want to give material support then please consider joining us in supporting Jeremiah’s Hope. We hope to raise $20,000 in the next couple of weeks for the care of refugees. Your help will be greatly appreciated and will make a difference in the lives of many people.   

Following the Prince of Peace

(Right now there is great uncertainty in Gorlovka and Ukraine in general. There are people on both sides of the political divide who are willing to kill for their beliefs! And this is a country that has a long Christian heritage! I wrote this article today about how we are to live as disciples of the Prince of Peace. I hope it will be a good reminder of who you are in Christ and a call to prayer for Ukraine.)


            When we decided to follow Jesus, we knew that we would be expected to become like him. That is an intimidating thought, because, of course, Jesus is perfect! (and, remember, we are not!). Sometimes disciples are tempted to notice the great difference between themselves and Jesus, using that distance as an excuse for disobeying Jesus.  Listen to this…

“You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles. Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you. (Matthew 5:38-42 NIV)

             Everything within me wants to resist an evil person. Hearing these words from Jesus makes me think he is “rewarding bad behavior!” I want to scream, “How will that evil person ever learn to be good if I just let him practice his evil?” It turns out that Jesus is not talking to the evil person, rather he is talking to his disciple! Jesus is willing to leave the evil person in the hands of God – who is perfectly capable of rendering just judgment and executing fair punishment, if need be. But Jesus is very interested in teaching his disciple how to live in such a way that he or she never becomes the evil person! And that is why this is such a difficult teaching.

            Here are some wise words from Stanley Hauerwas: “A people of truth is sure to have enemies. This makes Jesus’ command against retaliation-as well as his call for those who would follow him to love their enemies-all the more extraordinary. He does not promise is that if we turn the other cheek we will avoid being hit again. Non-retaliation is not a strategy to get what we want by other means. Rather, Jesus calls us to the practice of non-retaliation because that is the form that God’s care of us took in his cross.”

Peter picks up this theme from Jesus when he writes “Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble. Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.”  (1 Peter 3:8-9) We have been called to follow the “Prince of peace.” He set the example for us in turning the other cheek, in giving his all to those who asked, and in going the extra mile. When we follow, we may have hurting cheeks, but we will also have a proud savior – and we will inherit his blessing! Keep following Jesus…

The Past Creates the Present, the Present Creates the Future

(Here is something I wrote almost 9 years ago on May 9, 2005 concerning Victory Day celebrations in Gorlovka, Ukraine. It seems pertinent to me today as we are awaiting the "vote" in Crimea concerning succession from Ukraine and intergration into Russia. Please keep praying for Ukraine.)


Today is May 9, 2005 - the 60th Anniversary of VE Day. Sitting in Gorlovka, Ukraine, today is the revered holiday "Victory Day." All day long I have been watching the news and reading some email journals about the differing opinions concerning Victory Day. The Baltic States do not count it as Victory Day because years of Nazi oppression were replaced by decades of Soviet oppression. In Ukraine there are mixed feelings - in the Russian leaning East (where I live) the day is celebrated with gusto. In the nationalist West there is less gusto because of perceived domination by the Soviet Union (some in the West welcomed Hitler's troops as liberators from the Communists). The Baltic States are demanding that Russia offers an apology for the nearly 50 years of communist oppression - and with President Bush's visit to Latvia, the international press is making a lot of their demands. Russian President Putin, however, is saying that the USSR already apologized in 1989 and will not do so again. "Will we have to do this every year? Every day?" And Putin refuses to grant an apology - even putting the world on notice that a great debt is owed the Soviet Union for their costly role in defeating Hitler. The Soviet Union lost nearly 25 million people during the War.

In my city of Gorlovka there is a monument to the fallen soldiers of the Great Patriotic War (what the Soviets call WWII). More than 10 years ago I saw some elderly women laying flowers at this monument in respect for the dead (maybe their husbands, fathers or brothers). The kids loved to play on this monument for it was built to create a hill and it was rather large (in Soviet fashion). Seeing the elderly ladies fussing at the children for playing on the monument I remember writing in my journal about the tension between a "sacred memorial" and a "sacred playground." The past always creates the present and new generations do not understand the past well. I wrote then that those who died paid such a high price so that their children would be free to play in parks like the one where this memorial was located. By playing on this monument, these kids were unknowingly paying tribute to the sacrifices given for them. When does the past give way to the future?

There is a lot of tension right now about how exactly to talk about the past - particularly the events of May 1945. It seems to me that everyone needs to ask for and/or offer forgiveness. If we keep seeking to blame others and shame people we will never move forward. The Germans offered the people of Ukraine an apology for the events of those years and it was graciously accepted. Perhaps if more leaders would humble themselves and reach out to those they have hurt the world could move closer to healing.

Forgiveness is the answer. Repentance is the key.

My Thoughts Concerning Ukraine

            Some of my friends have suggested that I produce an explanation, from my perspective, of what is happening in Ukraine. I am reticent to write about it because the situation is very complex and trying to sum it all up invariably leads to oversimplifications that may not be helpful. But noting that there is danger here, I will wade in and share my thoughts.

            I have been connected with Ukraine since I visited there in October of 1991. I have been on the ground in Ukraine as they moved from part of the USSR to an independent nation, as they held various elections, as their national currency changed (twice), and through various protests and “revolutions.” I have struggled alongside Ukrainians to live through “deficits,” corruption, and a myriad of social problems. I have spent endless hours discussing Ukrainian political life and problems with my friends there. I can’t count the hours I have spent in prayer for Ukraine. I love Ukraine deeply.

             The events of the recent protests, known as “EuroMaidan” (Euro for European, Maidan for Square as in Independence Square where the protest started in Kiev) began as a response to President Yanukovich’s refusal to sign an agreement with the European Union and change the policy of Ukraine from moving towards integration in the EU towards closer ties with Russia. As the protests grew the president resisted them with a show of force, hastily changed laws concerning protests, and finally violence and shooting by snipers. This led to a “compromise” of sorts that would have led to a return to the 2004 Ukrainian Constitution, early presidential elections and the admission to parliament of opposition leaders from EuroMaidan. It looked like a deal that all would accept and none would appreciate (the essence of compromise). The protestors did not like the agreement because it allowed Yanukovich to remain in power – something totally abhorrent to the protestors after he ordered the slaughter of his own people. Russia refused to sign – although they had a representative there – because they despise the opposition and are not willing to work with them as legitimate governmental representatives. The president did not like it because returning to the 2004 Constitution removed powers that he had consolidated due to his control of parliament.

            Regardless of how all the parties felt about the compromise it became a moot issue only hours later as President Yanukovich fled Ukraine and eventually ended up in Russia. The new parliament of Ukraine passed legislation with clear majorities, including the impeachment of Victor Yanukovich. Unfortunately they also passed a bill about suppression of the Russian language. This led to greater tension between the eastern Ukraine and western Ukraine. Seeking a pretext to protect their legitimate interests in the Crimea, Russia acted swiftly to secure the Crimean peninsula. Russia has a paid up lease for military bases at the Port of Sevastopol (pronounced Sev–a-stopol). It is still under debate if they are within the legal terms of their lease, or if their actions are well beyond those allowed by their lease. It is also still a live question as to whether Russia will scale back their aggression or increase it to include the eastern portion of Ukraine, or even the entire nation. As you know, this is a continuing story (I am writing on March 5, 2014). I am praying for peace.

            What about the people of Eastern Ukraine? How do they feel? This is a question without an easy answer for many people live there. Some of my friends support the aims of the EuroMaidan protests and see the current government as legitimate. Other friends wonder if this is not just more of the same corruption they have lived with all their lives. Still others think that siding with Russia might be the best path to peace and security. I can understand all three reactions.

            My friends and neighbors prefer peace to war. They would like to live in a world without governmental corruption. They want to know that their pensions are secure. They want better roads and other government provisions. They do not want higher taxes. They want a higher standard of living. They want their families to be secure and free. They do not want to live in fear. And they do not know which “side” can provide all these wants – the new Ukrainian government, Russia, the EU?  I have my own questions about these issues as well. I know that a political solution must be found or there will be more violence. I doubt that any political solution can make everyone happy.

            I am praying for a mighty redemptive act of God in Ukraine, resulting in peace and security in the entire region. I am sure that for a win-win solution to arise, all parties are going to have to “love their neighbors as themselves” as Jesus said. I invite you to pray as well.     

 

Letter from Vanya Litvinov concerning the situation in Ukraine

An appeal to all my Russian friends!

I am Ukrainian, I am from Donetsk and I want everybody to hear my words and share them with others. There is no other danger in Ukraine right now than the danger of a war with Russia! Inside our country we have no confrontation among our citizens, Ukrainians, Russians, Tartars, or any other nationalities. I live in the East of ...the country but travel a lot around Ukraine. Do not believe the lies of Russian mass media that people of western Ukraine hate and threaten those who live in the east, south, the Crimea. This is disinformation and an outright lie! We are one country, one people, and the only threat we face now is the undisguised aggression from our northern neighbour in the face of the Russian President! WE ARE NOT ASKING HIM FOR HELP, WE CAN DEAL WITH ALL OF OUR DIFFICULTIES IN OUR COUNTRY ON OUR OWN!
I read Russian news, I spoke with my friends in Russia over the phone and it's obvious that your are being lied to by your own government. Make your own conclusion as to why Putin wants his troops in Ukraine but don't believe that we, Ukrainians, need it!
We want peace, we want to live in our own country and solve our problems with our own efforts! And the biggest problem we have now - is the Russian threat to invade my country!

Do not let this happen - tell the truth to everyone who doesn't know it yet!

By Vanya Litvinov

Violence has resumed in Kiev

Please continue praying for Ukriane. The protests turned violent again today with deaths on both the side of the protestors and the police. Pray that they can reach at least a state of cease-fire so that diplomatic avenues can be tried once again.

If you are interested in reading about todays events in Kiev, follow this link: http://www.kyivpost.com/content/kyiv/renewed-violence-breaks-out-today-near-ukraines-parliament-at-least-one-injured-336993.html

Our friends in Gorlovka are safe for the moment, but fear of greater conflict and national disaster is on the minds of the people in Ukraine. Thanks for your prayers.

Pray for Ukraine

As I am sure you have noticed the protests in Ukriane turned violent recently. As the conflict intensifies, please pray for wisdom and patience on both sides of the conflict. Violence will not lead to good solutions and the country will suffer for poor choices by either group. Only the willingness to respect and listen to one another, combined with the desire to love each other as God loves will lead to a much better day in Ukraine.