Life in Gorlovka

Everyday when I talk with Tanya I ask the same question. "Is it quiet?" Sometimes the answer is "yes" and sometimes "no.' Sometimes I get a story about being awakened in the middle of the night by bombs falling, not miles away on the outskirts of town, but blocks away in the center. This morning those bombs fell on the bus terminal at the other end of Pushkin Street about four blocks from our house.

On Sunday morning it was three blocks away in the other direction on Rudakova Street. There are no military installations at these sites, just neighborhoods where ordinary people live. Unfortunately it is also becoming more frequent that these are the sites where ordinary people die. Please keep these people in your prayers.

Despite the bombs falling, life goes on. Tanya sent some wonderful pictures of children attending Bible class - these young people are living in a life-threatening situation 24/7 and they are needing a source of hope and love. Tanya is teaching them that Jesus is that source!

Thanks for being ministry partners with us as we share the love of Jesus with the people of Ukraine. Please keep them all in your daily prayers.

Be Faithful in Prayer for Ukraine

There was heavy shelling in Gorlovka over the past 24 hours and several people were killed. There is growing fear among the citizens of Gorlovka, because at any time rockets can rain down from the sky and destroy your home and family. At the same time, there is a growing sense among some that because of the inability to control "your fate," since the rockets seem to fall indescriminately, it is up to God "to save and protect you." Please be faithful in daily prayer for the people of Gorlovka and other cities in Eastern Ukraine where daily bombing is the new normal. Your prayers may be the encouragement someone needs to remain faithful in both love and service in a difficult time.

Prayers for Ukraine

The conflict in Eastern Ukraine is beginning to esculate again as the shelling that had recently been confined mostly to overnight hours has increased to round the clock fighting. A man was killed outside his home in Gorlovka yesterday by an explodign shell. The people there are tired, scared and ready for peace, but they must endure continual fighting because the armies are fighting in their territory. Please keep the people of Eastern Ukraine in your prayers each day.

Keep Praying for Ukraine

This morning while reading Prayer by Frank C. Laubach, I was stopped in my tracks by this quote. It is a great reminder of how important prayer is, especially the prayers we are offering on behalf of Ukraine.

Prayer is likely to be undervalued by all but wise people because it is so silent and so secret. We are often deceived into thinking that noise is more important than silence. War sounds far more important than the noiseless growing of a crop of wheat, yet the silent wheat feeds millions, while war destroys them. Nobody but God knows how often prayers have changed the course of history.

Praying for Peace!

It was bittersweet to Skype with Tanya this morning. She was working at the worship room and I could see that place that I love so much. In the background I could hear the noise of artillery exploding. I could see the weariness in Tanya's eyes as she lives under the constant threat and strain of possible explosions. We talked about the people she is helping through the difficulties of life in Gorlovka.

As I looked around the room each thing I saw brought back joyful memories: playing darts with the boys, learning lessons about loving God and loving people, playing air hockey with the children, painting the walls and installing the ceiling tiles, playing crazy ping pong with so many friends.

The war has driven many people away from Gorlovka, and driven a wedge between friends and neighbors who once loved each other deeply. The longer the conflict wages, the more bitter the fruit it will bear. We continue to pray daily for a deep and lasting peace, including the restoration of love and friendship.

Please keep peace in Ukraine in your daily prayers.

P.S. The pictures are from Summer 2012

Spring Cleaning in Gorlovka

The fragile cease-fire is still holding, although there are repeated violations. But spring is coming to Gorlovka and Tanya and some neighbors decided to clean up in the neighborhood last weekend. We always want the neighborhood around our worship room to be a clean and welcoming area for our friends and neighbors.