Preparing for Winter at War
Update from Buddy, missionary
It has been an interesting couple of weeks in Ukraine. What you have heard most about, I'm sure, is the retaking of Kherson by the Ukrainian forces. It was truly a big day and a huge victory for Ukraine. However, I would caution everyone not to think that this means a soon end to this war. This war is driven by extremely stubborn pride, which may be the biggest of all of man's sins to overcome. Those of us who minister, must deal with our own while trying to help those living in the backwash of others. In terms of the principals in this war settling differences soon, don't look for it. These are the ways of man after the fall...and will be until Jesus comes again. The role of the believer in all this is directed by the truths we learn from our God. We do not side with nation against nation or one people over another, but we do our best to side with the oppressed against the oppressor. Thus, at this point, we find ourselves in defence of peoples in the area of the world oppressed by an evil regime from Moscow. Our new by mantra has become.."until there is peace..." And it simply means, we stay in our small spot on this big front, until peace is found somehow in this war. And then we hold our ground, to help people find peace for their souls when it is all over. And further, we stay faithful to help those same peoples find peace with God through Jesus Christ. It simply means we're busy till He returns to bring final and everlasting peace.
So, winter has begun. The first snow fell yesterday in Kiev. The parameters of winter in Ukraine are officially somewhere between November 18 until March 12. Approximately 4 months. While I have not spent a winter in Ukraine yet, it will somewhat compare to winters we spent in Russia. Very soon, the temperature will not rise to above freezing. It will be 0 to somewhere below 0 every day. Some days it may reach as low as -22f. Those days are dangerous to live in if you have no shelter of heat. The days are already very short as the sun goes down about 4 p.m. and rises about 8 a.m. The effect is both mental and physical...and even to the spirit.
Russian artillery has now knocked out 50% of the Ukrainian power structure. 10 million people are without power today. While some cities and villages will be without power continuously, every area in Ukraine will be without power for at least some periods of time during every day. As I have said before, this is not a "gentleman's" war where soldiers fight against soldiers. The attack has been especially directed at civilians in order to break the will of the people. In other words, to oppress. This is where the church and God's people should step in to help. We have a small spot on this front to stand with others against the oppressors. May we be found faithful during this long winter.
THIS WEEK IN IZIUM/BAKHMUT
This past week and the week before our team was in the Donbass region of Izium and also in Bakhmut region. The people were so thrilled and thankful for the help and grateful, as they said, "that we haven't been forgotten". Since the fall of Kherson, this region has become the focus of the war. The Russian troops that surrendered Kherson, have now been moved to Bakhmut and further into Donbass region. For this reason, there is the greatest need here. In the three villages where our team was this past week, there are no churches. These are great places to minister now so that we might share to meet physical needs and at the same time share the news of the Gospel. It will be our goal to begin works here when the war is finished. May it be so, that if we have done our part in sowing the seed of God's love to people in need during this war, after it is over, the fruit of that labor will be a great harvest for His Kingdom and new churches set in places where there were none. Beauty from ashes.
CHRISTMAS/NEW YEAR WINTER OUTREACH
For the last 18 years we have done a Christmas/New Year Outreach Program in Russia with our kids in the homes and villages and down in Adyghea with Leonid in that muslim region. We will continue that this year and will have our first Christmas/New Year Outreach Program in Ukraine. Many of you have been with us and helped us for all these years and I hope you can help us to continue and into new territory in these war zones. It will take more than we have ever done before and we will go as far as we can with what you are able to help us with. I will be sending to you an update about this at the beginning of next week.
Thanks for every thought and prayer. Until there is peace...