Pray for Ukraine

"Ukraine is in the midst of the most sustained bombardment since the early stages of Russia's full-scale invasion, with a sharp increase in the number of drones."

"Large-scale Russian drone attacks on Ukrainian cities are on the rise."

These two quotes are taken from a recent BBC article regarding the war in Ukraine. Please do not be fooled by lack of reporting in your part of the world - the statements above are absolutely true. The war in Ukraine rages on and the intensity of Russian shelling is markedly increasing, targeting cities and civilians. 

Here are some statistics of the projectiles fired at Ukraine in the past week alone: 

• June 3: 112 drones 
• June 4: 95 drones
• June 5: 102 drones, 1 missile
• June 6: 407 drones, 45 cruise and ballistic missiles
• June 9: 479 drones, 20 cruise and ballistic missiles
• June 10: 315 drones, 7 cruise and ballistic missiles

The trend is impossible to miss, whether reading about it or actually experiencing it!

On Friday, June 6, all residents of Lutsk were awakened to the sound of air alert sirens followed quickly by drones buzzing overhead in all directions. From my window, I observed the scan of lights across the night sky (yes, of course it was night - evil prefers to work under the cover of darkness!), heard the sudden rattle of machine gun fire, and watched the orange "flares" from the air defense systems shooting into the sky to take out the drones and missiles. Loud explosions could be heard at times, marking successful interception of a projectile or a direct strike on a target. 

My city came under its worst attack of the war. For several hours this cycle continued and unfortunately, in the end, several missiles successfully struck our city, killing and injuring residents and damaging property. I understand that the photos below are poor quality, but they show my city of Lutsk, taking direct hits from some of the six missiles shot at us. 

Missile descending from the upper right

One of our church members had significant damage to her apartment (she lived in the building below), but thankfully God protected her and the others in her apartment from injury.

While a military target may have been Russia's aim, they actually killed and injured civilians and damaged civilian property. And this is happening in cities across Ukraine on a daily basis and at an increasing intensity!! Ukraine is fighting an existential war. Please remember and pray for this nation and its people! 

• Pray for Putin and his aggressive plans against Ukraine to be stopped and for the war to end! 
• Pray for the physical and mental strength of front-line soldiers and for their protection from the enemy.
• Pray for soldiers operating air defense systems to have adequate supply of weapons and be diligent in using them to protect cities and civilians. 
• Pray for Ukrainian government and military leaders to lead with integrity and be wise in decision-making. 
• Pray for partners around the world to remain unwaveringly strong in their support of Ukraine and to take action to help end the war. 
• Pray for those injured in the war or returning to Ukraine from Russian prisons, for their rehabilitation and reintegration into their families and society. 
• Pray for God's people to be beacons of light in increasingly dark and difficult times, sharing the hope of the Gospel while also providing practical assistance to the hurting and needy. 

Also, please thank God and rejoice with the Ukrainian soldiers and their families who are celebrating their return home from Russian prisons!

The attack on Lutsk last Friday ended around 6 am. After a brief snooze, I began my day. My Bible reading plan that morning had me in Psalm 140 and oh how fitting it was for just that day. I will finish now with a few verses: 

"Deliver me (Ukraine), O Lord, from evil men; preserve me (Ukraine) from violent men, who plan evil things in their heart and stir up wars continually." (v. 1-2)

"I say to the Lord, You are my God; give ear to the voice of my pleas for mercy, O Lord! O Lord, my Lord, the strength of my salvation, you have covered my head in the day of battle." (v 6-7) 

"I know that the Lord will maintain the cause of the afflicted, and will execute justice for the needy." (v 12) 

Please join me in praying to the God who maintains the cause of the afflicted to be merciful to Ukraine and to execute justice on Russia.

Hello!

Hello all! It has been a very long time since you've heard from me here, but I hope I was able to see most of you while I was in the US recently. It was a blessed time filled with both relaxation and work, gatherings with friends and family, a little travel, and quite a few projects at home. I am thankful to have had the time and thankful to have met many of you who are new to following these updates. If that is you, feel free to scroll down and read past blog posts for more details and pictures related to what's been going on these past few years. Since it has been many months since my last post I will not try to fill you in on all that has taken place, but instead jump straight to the recent past! 

Soon after my return to Ukraine, I joined a team of American prosthetics and surgeons for a week in central Ukraine. They met with patients and fabricated prosthetic limbs while I got to teach the patients exercises and also work on gait training immediately after receiving their new limbs. I would say 80% or more of those who came for prosthetic legs were soldiers injured in the war. 

The team also partnered with the local medical academy to host a one-day conference, open to both students and professionals. A local Ukrainian physician lectured on pediatric rehabilitation, an American physician lectured virtually on amputations, and I lectured on rehabilitation after total hip replacement. Since physical therapy deals with human movement, I do not just stand behind a podium and lecture for long. I like to demonstrate and have my students actively participate. With a crowd of about 150 people, it was not feasible to get much active participation from them, but I still prepared equipment and demonstrated as much as I could. This seemed particularly intriguing to them as (to my surprise) phones started popping up across the auditorium to take video! In the end, all parties involved considered the conference to be beneficial and informative and would like to conduct something similar when the American team returns to Ukraine. 

Panel discussion with Ukrainian and American medical professionals

Ukrainian physician who also lectured

So what is going on at Agape these days? Well, much is the same. Rehabilitation for civilians and wounded soldiers continues. But recently we have had some of our youngest patients ever. Makar is a 9-year-old boy who was hit by a car while crossing the road after getting off the school bus. He spent three weeks with us and progressed with holding his head, standing, and communicating. We hope he will return for more rehabilitation in the nearest future! 

Our team also recently worked with little Tima, who lives nearby and has CP. His mother repeatedly requested rehab at Agape, so the administration decided we would do it. We traditionally only work with children with acquired traumas, like Makar and a few other boys recently. For this bout of rehab, the classroom was converted into a pediatric therapy room and Tima worked there with his therapists. We will see what the future holds as far as further pediatric rehab at Agape. 

Below is one of my patients from last summer. He is a pastor at another church in Lutsk and came for rehab following a stroke. I really enjoyed working with him and helping him achieve his goals. Toward the end of rehab, he even helped me wash my car one evening at Agape. And on his last day, we strolled through the nearby forest because his biggest goal was to be able to walk on the uneven terrain so he could mushroom hunt in the fall. By the way, mushroom hunting is really big in Ukraine. I have been a few times, but always have to ask my Ukrainian friends if I found safe, edible mushrooms or poisonous ones.  

In addition to rehab, Agape continues to send teams twice a month to the de-occupied areas of Ukraine to deliver clothes, food, medication, etc to the residents of those regions. Construction of the Resource Center also continues, with the emphasis currently on completing the underground shelter. 

There are also some new things to report about Agape. While I was in the US, we were granted a medical license! With that naturally come standards we must adhere to, one of which is implementing electronic documentation. So, at this time, I am assisting with understanding that and getting it implementing. Also, Ukraine is "soon" to require that physical therapists acquire a certain number of continued education hours annually. This is a step in the right direction of holding the profession to a higher standard. So, we are in the process of applying for Agape to become a provider of courses. If and when Agape is given this status, I will begin holding courses for our team and, Lord willing, later also welcoming professionals from outside Agape. Thank you to those who have been praying for clear direction for me upon my return. These are the two new directions of Agape that I am currently actively participating in.

Please, continue praying for Agape and Ukraine: For the war to stop. For the many wounded soldiers who come through Agape to maximally regain their independence through rehab. For all of our patients and their family members to hear the gospel while at Agape. For the financial provision needed for Agape to continue functioning. For finances necessary to proceed with the construction project. For protection for our men from army mobilization. For safety for our teams traveling to the de-occupied regions of Ukraine. For implementation of new processes at Agape necessary with a medical licensure. For peace across Ukraine! 

Thank you for your continued support and prayers!!

The Cost of Independence

While Americans celebrate the independence of our country today, Ukrainians continue the fight to retain their independence. The effects of this war are seen, heard and felt daily all across this country and the cost that war continues to require from the people of Ukraine is great... 

For all in Ukraine, THE COST is currently alterations of our daily lives due to hours of planned power outages. The power outages are necessary due to persistent Russian shelling of Ukrainian energy infrastructure resulting in an inadequate amount of power for the system. This month there are also planned take downs of partially functioning power stations for repairs, further limiting electricity nationwide. As a result, we all live without power up to 12-14 hours per day (in 2-4 hour increments). Thankfully, the next day's schedule is published late each evening, so we have some awareness of what to expect each day, but that does not eliminate the need to alter our lives and plans. Tasks such laundry, cooking, and bathing are not necessarily done when desired, but when power is available. Some houses and apartments are also without water when there is no electricity. Some have gas stoves for cooking, but many homes operate fully on electricity. BUT...it definitely helps that it is summer because it is warm and also light late into the evening. If this continues into winter, however, it will be much more difficult to cope. 

PRAYER: Please pray for successful repairs of the energy system and protection of the power stations from further shelling. 

For some THE COST is constantly feeling the weight of uncertainty regarding army mobilization. A new law passed in May increasing the requirements for men aged 18-60 to update their information with the army and the penalties if they do not. By completing the process, however, they also increase their risk of being mobilized. Even men with legitimate reasons that previously exempted them from army service (certain disabilities or medical diagnoses, for example) have had great difficulty completing the process, basically being given the runaround. They all understand the difficulty and the risk, so it is very challenging time for men and families. By law, men have until July 16 to comply with the requirements of the new law. 

PRAYER: Please pray in particular for the men at Agape. First of all, pray for their hearts to have peace at a time filled with anxiety. Pray that they would continue to trust God's good plan for their lives. And pray, if it be the Lord's will, that they would not be mobilized by the army.

For some THE COST is financial and material. Ukrainians, as well as many people abroad, continue donating for the needs of the army and for civilians living in the de-occupied territories of Ukraine. Teams from Agape and from Fimiam Church make routine trips to the east of Ukraine to deliver aid. 

PRAYER: Please pray for continued financial provision for supplies and travel as well as safety for the men. 

For many THE COST is safety and sleep. Russian shelling in the night awakens people all across Ukraine to the sound of air alert sirens and explosions. Of course, the intensity and frequency vary based on location in Ukraine, but few are completely exempt. Although the air alert sirens can often be heard in Lutsk, we fall into the "not frequent" category for actual explosions. About 2 weeks ago, however, we were targeted and the visible and audible explosions in our night sky were Ukrainian air defense systems shooting down Russian drones. Praise the Lord the only damage was from falling debris, but it was a good reminder that we are never completely safe as long as Russia continues to attack this country. The picture below shows the missiles and drones launched at Ukraine that particular night. Lutsk is located in the upper left where the yellow lines converge. 

PRAYER: Please pray for God's protection day and night for Ukraine. Pray that air defense systems function properly and effectively to protect people, structures and cities. Pray for the provision of necessary weapons to continue this fight.

For too many THE COST is their lives or their health. This is the cost we witness most often at the Agape Rehabilitation Complex. We continually have soldiers and/or civilians injured in the war undergoing rehabilitation. Their injuries are often devastating and leave them with permanent disabilities. Here are just a few from the recent months...

Please follow these links to patient videos:

Yevhen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r-Aq_WpKViI

Dasha: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6-0p78v5A2s

Of course, we also still have many patients undergoing rehabilitation at Agape who were not injured in the war. Our team has added 3 therapists over the past year, so we are now able to treat a larger number of patients consistently. 

PRAYER: Please pray for the patients undergoing rehabilitation. Pray that they will improve physically and meet their goals. Many of our patients are young and middle-aged men and their injuries have significantly altered their lives, how they relate to others and their ability to provide for their families. Please pray that while providing physical rehabilitation, we can also be a source of emotional and spiritual support.

I have described only a few of the costs of war in Ukraine. The price for freedom is high and it is ongoing in Ukraine. Please continue to pray for Ukraine and Ukrainians. 

If you have a desire to help support the Agape Rehabilitation Complex, please visit our website: https://www.agapeukraine.com/en/golovna-english/

Pray for victory to come soon to this beautiful country! 

February 24

Today marks the two-year anniversary of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine and this month marks the ten-year anniversary of the Russian annexation of Crimea and the beginning of fighting in the east. While I have my own thoughts regarding this day, I prefer instead to share the words of one of our local pastors regarding this anniversary: 

Probably every resident of Ukraine will forever remember the morning of February 24, 2022, which divided our lives into before and after.

We did not realize at the time how well we lived without knowing what blackout, javelin, PTSD, bomb shelter, air raid sirens, checkpoints, displaced persons, etc. are. We knew little about such cities as Bucha, Chornobayivka, Izyum, Bakhmut, Avdiivka. We did not know what the "brotherly people" and army of "liberators" were capable of in order to de-Nazify us, as a result of which many Ukrainians would die. We did not know how many traitors, greedy people, bribers and corrupt people there are in our country.

At the same time, we did not know that we could face a much larger country and army. We did not know that we have such a strong army, such self-confident doctors, such active volunteers and such self-sacrificing people. We did not know that we could donate and serve so much. Of course, it would be better if we never knew all this, but now we know that we can be strong, indomitable and united. Moreover, the whole world now knows about all this and about Ukraine.

We still don't know when and how the war will end, we don't know when peace will come and what the future will be, we still have many open questions, but we know the One who knows everything and will one day put everything in its place. We know for sure that one day Putin and his cronies will die, and even if they don't stand before the Hague Tribunal, they will definitely stand before the righteous judgment of God. We know that one day the criminals will be punished and the memory of February 24 will be forever erased from our memory. We know that one day all the weapons on earth will disappear, there will be no sound of air raids or missile explosions, no more pain, tears and death, because the long-awaited eternal peace will come over the whole earth. This day will surely come and it will be even more glorious than the victory of Ukraine in this war, which, we know, will surely come. And until that day, we continue to strengthen our hearts with the words of this psalm: "I will lie down in peace and sleep, for You, Lord, are the only one who makes me live safely."

Today, Ukrainian churches are united in a day of national fasting and prayer for God's protection, victory and peace in Ukraine. If you would like to pray with us, below are some specific ways to pray that we received from our pastor. 

Pray for:

• Ending the war with the victory of Ukraine and the establishment of a just peace.

• Saving the lives and health of our defenders and the civilian population of Ukraine.

• Healing and rehabilitation of wounded Ukrainian soldiers.

• Strengthening the spirit and protecting the souls of our defenders.

• Wisdom for the government leadership and military commanders of Ukraine in managing and making effective decisions.

• Conversion of Ukrainians to God and the spread of God's light in all spheres of social life.

• Restoration of destroyed cities and villages, in particular, the homes of Ukrainians and critical infrastructure facilities.

• Development of the economy, the flow of investments into the country, the emergence of new opportunities for the work of small and medium-sized businesses.

• Healing the wounded bodies and souls of Ukrainians who have suffered in this war. Gaining hope in the Lord for further life.

• Release of Ukrainian prisoners from Russian captivity - both servicemen and civilians.

• Return to their homeland of Ukrainians who were forced to go abroad. Creating favorable conditions for this. Reuniting families separated by war.

This Christian young man from a town just outside Lutsk was killed in the fighting in Avdiivka just two weeks ago. A sad, fresh reminder of the cost of this ongoing war. 

Thank you for standing with Ukraine! 

What is it like?

The changing of years is always a good time for personal reflection and analysis of the previous year and planning for the coming year. While I’m not going to use this space to share my personal conclusions regarding 2023 and plans for 2024, I do want to dedicate this post to writing a bit more detail of my impressions of living in Ukraine during a war. I find some of my thoughts, emotions and reactions repeating themselves, others have intensified, and yet others have diminished or disappeared. The war has continued for nearly two years now. While I understand why it is not ongoing front and center news all over the world, we in Ukraine are not allowed or able to forget about it. To varying extents, depending on our location and activities, we daily live with the reality of war. So what does that look and feel? Here are just a few of the ways I could answer that question:  

WAR in Ukraine looks like being awakened multiple times in the night to air alert sirens. First they go off to alert you of the threat of attack. Then later they go off to cancel the alert. Then another threat is detected and they go off again. And so the cycle goes all night. And you know that if they are going off in Lutsk, they are most likely going off everywhere and so all of Ukraine is under attack. And when you hear them multiple times in one night, you are not surprised (you expect it, in fact) to read the news in the morning of multiple cities hit and civilians targeted and killed. Just recently, 158 cruise missiles and drones were launched at Ukraine - in one night! 

WAR in Ukraine means simultaneously feeling sorrow and thankfulness when you read the morning news. Because along with seeing the high number of missiles and drones launched at Ukraine in the night, you also note that a high percentage of them that were shot down by our air defense systems. You are thankful that our men have the weapons, skills, desire, diligence and attentiveness to protect Ukrainians day and night. 

WAR in Ukraine means that as you walk to work surrounded by fresh snow all around, you do not fully enjoy the beauty as you once did. Instead, you feel a measure of guilt because in a few minutes you will trade the bitterly cold, single digit temperatures for a warm building while our soldiers sit, stand, and sleep in this weather day after day while defending this nation. You express gratitude to God for their sacrifice and pray they have adequate warmth, food and clothing.   

WAR in Ukraine looks like hearing the air alert sirens during the day followed by the groan of a coworker whose child is at preschool or school. Why? Because they know their child will now spend 30 minutes...an hour...maybe even several hours down in the cold basement bomb shelter instead of in the warm classroom learning or playing. 

WAR in Ukraine means cheering when you hear Ukrainian fighter jets fly over head. As you watch them through the window your heart cheers and you mutter words like, “Go get ‘em boys! Thank you for defending our skies!” And then you are really excited when you observe that recently there began to be not just one, but two fighter jets regularly flying over Lutsk! Bring on the F16s!

WAR in Ukraine feels like sorrow and anger when a friend of a friend is killed while defending Ukraine. You see his picture on the internet. No, you didn’t know him, but your friend did, so it hits closer to home. He was only 24, with a wife and little girl. Your heart breaks for that family, for that little girl who will now grow up without her father. And you pray for God’s peace to fill them. And you are reminded again that they are just one of many. In your heart you feel sorrow and anger simultaneously. This war does not have to be!! These men, young and old, don’t have to die this way, leaving behind wives, children, parents, siblings, friends and their country. 

WAR in Ukraine is minor inconveniences and sober reminders. You make a trip across town just to go to one particular store. But as you are driving, the air alert sirens go off, meaning that the store is closed when you arrive. You get back in your car, trying to decide whether to risk that the cancellation signal will soon be heard and the store will reopen or to just turn right around and leave. And while you ponder what to do, you hear commotion and look up to witness the procession of vehicles escorting the body of yet another soldier killed in the war to the cemetery. And you are reminded again that this war is taking the lives of so many in Ukraine. 

WAR in Ukraine feels like rejoicing when over 200 Ukrainian prisoners of war return home. The pictures of them standing near the dark draped in Ukrainian flags, hugging and singing the national anthem capture your attention. And then, when you hear that among them are 48 soldiers who had been missing in action, you feel a glimmer of hope that your coworker’s son, who was declared MIA one year ago, will be among them. Unfortunately, no such news comes. 

WAR in Ukraine sounds like the fellowship portion of weekly home groups including a small or large portion of the conversation about the war. We ask about one ladies’ brother who has long been fighting on the front line. We discuss pending laws regarding mobilization. Someone comments on the large numbers of wounded soldiers recently brought to our hospital. We talk about the recent attacks and ask about the family members and friends still living in the cities from which members of our group fled at the beginning of the war. And on and on... While war itself is not normal, the topic of war has become normal and natural. It cannot and should not be avoided because it is the reality of everyday life in Ukraine. 

WAR in Ukraine means that you now have friends scattered all over the globe - Poland, Germany, Switzerland, Canada, the US. Some of them you haven't seen for two years and some of them you get rare opportunities to see. They are people you were close to before the war. You saw them nearly every day. You worked together, shared an office with them, and frequently shared life together outside of work. So when that rare opportunity comes to see them in person you stay up late talking and laughing, discussing the future and wondering together when they might live in Ukraine and work together with you again. It's truly sad how much separation of families and friends has been brought by the war. I am certain not on person in Ukraine is exempt from experiencing the pains of separation on some level!    

Thankful for a few days with the dear friends not currently living in Ukraine (above and below)

WAR in Ukraine means going to work week after week and month after month at the Agape Rehabilitation Complex and being reminded of the vast numbers of Ukrainian men wounded - often quite severely wounded - in this war. These men and their families will never be the same. Many will spend the rest of their lives in a wheelchair. Some learn to walk again, but not without great difficulty. Many need specialized equipment or prosthetics or orthotics. The mechanism of injury for most is an explosion, so their injuries are often extensive. They go through months of rehabilitation at various centers in Ukraine and sometimes abroad. It can be discouraging when you see how many applications Agape alone receives knowing it is only a small portion of all the wounded soldiers. But, we are thankful we get to help some of them on their path to recovery. 

Please use this link to watch a video about Denis, one of the Ukrainian soldiers who underwent rehabilitation at the Agape Rehabilitation Complex:

 https://www.facebook.com/agapeukraina/videos/813380590474029/

If you would like to financially support the Agape Rehabilitation Complex as we continue providing rehabilitation for soldiers and civilians, delivering humanitarian aid to the de-occupied territories of Ukraine and constructing an bomb shelter/ storage center to align with new Ukrainian laws, please go to:

 https://www.agapeukraine.com/en/golovna-english/ 

And please, continue to pray for Ukraine and the Agape Rehabilitation Complex. We continue to need support and prayer! The war rages on and lives are at stake. 

Our hope is in God as we pray for victory for Ukraine in 2024!