War

War came to Ukraine this week, Thursday morning for us to be exact. We awoke to news of a Russian invasion with explosions in and around Kyiv. While processing this news still lying in my bed, having just opened my Bible, I heard a strange, unfamiliar sound of something flying through the air followed by an explosion that felt and sounded all too close. I jumped up to look out the window, fully expecting to see smoke, but there was none in view. Soon afterward came a second explosion, then quiet for a time, then two more explosions. Lutsk, my home for the past 8 years and the home of so many people I know and love, was under attack. I wanted to deny it, but my own ears had heard the unmistakeable sound and my own body had felt the rumble. Thankfully, this was the end of the explosions in Lutsk, but it was only the beginning of a completely new and unknown life in Ukraine. War had come to our country and even to our own city. 

We went to work at Agape as normal that day, even though things were far from normal. Our administration decided all patients would go home and Agape would close until it became clearer what war in Ukraine would look like and how our area would be affected. So we set about discharging patients and preparing Agape as per our leadership's instructions. Blocks, purchases long ago for future construction at Agape and standing in the nearby field, were brought by men and stacked in front of all first floor windows. People, our own people, would be living in Agape. For example, families who live on the upper floors of a 9-story building with no basement in which to take cover. And people with disabilities for whom it would be difficult to rapidly get to shelter at the sound of air raid sirens. Each night the number of people residing in Agape has grown and at least once they have all taken cover in the basement, bumping people in wheelchairs down the stairs and remaining there for several hours. 

When we finished work and began parting, it was unlike any other departure from Ukraine. This was not a closure for the winter holidays or for quarantine. None of us were going on vacation. Agape was closing because of war and we didn't know when or if we would see one another again. The following phrase has been spoken many times in the past few days when parting with a friend: "We will see each other again. If not here on earth, then in heaven." It's a sobering and difficult thought to realize it might very well be true that I will not see some of these beloved people again on earth. But, it is also a hope-filled thought to know that, as believers, this world is not the end of our existence. Eternity with God awaits, sooner or later. War heightens that awareness! 

It became apparent that we would need to depart Lutsk and so plans were made and remade and remade. By God's grace, friends in Uzhgorod, a Ukrainian city on the border with Slovakia and Hungary, agreed to receive us. So, for the many who are wondering if we are safe and have contacted me through various means to ask, now you know that yes, we are safe, praise the Lord. This is a peaceful and safe city with even the street lights still aglow when we arrived late last night. 

On Saturday, we drove through the Carpathian Mountains to Uzhgorod. Along with Sveta and I is her mother and a family from Kyiv. We have been given a house to live in by a former Agape patient and his wife. They have not been able to reside in this house since his traumatic brain injury several years ago, but graciously opened it up to us. God is good! Another young woman and her 12-year-old daughter made the journey with us and were welcomed by a local church. They are originally from Luhansk and fled the war there in 2014. They told us how they fully expected to return just a few months later, but haven't been back in the past 8 years! That thought was sobering to me as I drove away from our home yesterday, believing myself that I will be back before long. Will I really? Have I spent time with beloved friends, worked in Agape, worshipped at Fimiam Church, fellowshipped and studied the Word with my brothers and sisters in Christ at our home church, gone for a run in through the streets and fields and along the river in our village, sat and read by the fire in our home...for the last time? Would I really be back? I prayed so, but the uncertainty of it all made for a great internal turmoil while driving away from Lutsk. 

I honestly struggled with what to think and feel yesterday. I had no intense sense of fear that was driving me to depart, and so there was also no sense of relief as we drove away. There was an awareness that this was the right thing to do at this time, but that was also mixed with a lot of sadness, uncertainty, and questions. The first two hours of our drive is a very familiar stretch of road. I began thinking of all the times I've driven it and the reasons for traveling it. We go that way to get to the Lviv airport, either to take a trip ourselves or pick someone up who is coming to visit us. Or we go that way to get to the mountains for our summer vacation or our winter ski trips. Until this particular day, traveling on this stretch road was taking us somewhere exciting and adventurous or to someone we love and haven't seen in a long time. But not on this day. On this day we were refugees. We were leaving our home, driven by war to search for a safer place and not knowing when or if we would return. 

Our journey should have taken 6-7 hours under normal conditions, but in a country in a state of war it took over 15 hours with nearly 8 hours spent in long checkpoint lines. It was an exhausting day, but we were warmly welcomed when we arrived. 

Checkpoint line through the mountains

What else can I say of what I've witnessed, heard and experienced over the past four days? Here are just a few things: 

 

- Ukrainians are fighting! We know and read how the army is fighting and many volunteers in recent days have joined them to fight with weapons. We are thankful for their resolve, skill, and courage. We pray for their safety, strength, and victory. Average citizens, young and old, are also joining in the fight in whatever ways they can. Men are building checkpoints at strategic locations to protect their cities, villages, homes and families. They are standing guard, ready to defend by whatever means they have available. 

Men from Fimiam participated in building several checkpoints

- Ukrainians are helping one another! I can only begin to tell you how many ways this is happening. From gathering supplies (food, clothing, bedding, etc) for refugees flocking to the western cities and heading to the borders, to providing housing in churches for anyone seeking shelter when the air raid sirens go off (which is happening more and more frequently in Lutsk), to participating in the building of homemade checkpoints, to giving money to meet a variety of needs, to driving a bus full of women and children to the Polish border (men ages 18-60 are not allowed to leave Ukraine but are sending their families), to cooking meals for those seeking shelter in Agape...the list goes on and on and every person seems to be finding a way to help another. 

 

- Ukrainian churches are active! They are meeting the needs of people in their immediate community. Fimiam and other Lutsk churches are open for local citizens to seek temporary shelter or for refugees to find a place to reside. Once there, people also find food and encouragement from church members ready and willing to serve them. Churches are also out in the community seeking ways to help refugees and meet the needs of the citizens. And each evening Fimiam holds a time of general prayer for anyone able to attend. 

The "partially" underground Fimiam Church gymnasium, prepared to welcome shelter seekers. 

Sand bags to block the windows

These are difficult days and there is no guarantee of the final outcome of this war. So we plead with God for a Ukrainian victory, for the protection of citizens and soldiers, for our government leaders to have wisdom, for world leaders to maximize their assistance to Ukraine, and for peace to return to this country. Please continue with us in these prayers. We know God is in ultimate control, not any man. 

Thank you to the many people who have contacted me through various means in recent days and weeks. I have not yet been able to respond to each one personally, particularly over the past few days. But do know that I am blessed and encouraged by each message, inquiry, and especially declaration of prayer! The outpouring of love and prayer has been truly amazing and encouraging! Thank you!!!

Some people have inquired as to how they can assist financially in meeting needs in Ukraine. The needs of Agape, our ministry and people with disabilities will be fluid. Agape is closed indefinitely (meaning no source of income for Agape and ultimately its employees depending on the length of closure) and many of our people with disabilities are going to attempt to travel to Europe to be housed by some of our partners there. Needs have and will arise and they will vary as the days pass. If the Lord leads you to participate in meeting these needs, the best means to is through the US non-profit organization Agape Ukraine, Inc. Donations can be made on the website: agapeukraine.com. Select the English various of the website and you will see a "Donate" tab. Thank you in advance to any who participate in this way. 

Please feel free to share this blog via personal means of communication with anyone who may be interested. I only ask that you not publish any of this information or the link to this blog on your personal social media accounts. Thank you. 

Again, thank you to all who love and support Ukraine. We are in God's hands and pray for His mercy and a rapid end to this war.