Easter morning did not bring with it the typical beauty of painted eggs and little girls in new dresses for many people near the Eastern Ukraine town of Slavyansk.
Instead they were met with the news of more violence in an early Easter morning shootout that left several dead.
Two bodies lie in the back of a truck at the scene of the shootout. Photo Reuters
Shooting outside of Slavyansk
The shootout took place before sunrise on Easter Sunday morning near Slavyansk. Russian media quickly blamed a pro-Ukrainian group called “Right Sector” for the shootings but they denied it. What’s really strange is that Russian news channel “Life News” published this story on youtube about the shootings the day before they happened!
It’s unclear exactly what happened and who did the shooting but what is clear is that at least 3 people lost their lives and the tensions in Eastern Ukraine have risen dramatically!
American/Jewish journalist held hostage
Simon Ostrovsky, an American and Israeli citizen and reporter for Vice News who had been documenting the conflict in Ukraine is currently being held hostage by separatists in the city of Slavyansk along with a few others. It is becoming more difficult and dangerous to be a reporter in Eastern Ukraine.
Body of pro-Ukrainian city councilman discovered
Volodymyr Rybak, a Horlivka city councilman who was a member of the new ruling party in Kyiv was abducted by last week. Today his body along with the body of another unidentified man turned up in the river. No one has yet claimed responsibility.
Ukrainian president preaches the gospel
The news coming out of Ukraine doesn’t look good but here’s something we can be thankful for! Interim president Alexander Turchynov preached the gospel in a short sermon on Easter morning in Kyiv’s Central Baptist Church!
It’s encouraging to know that even during some of Ukraine’s darkest days the good news of Jesus is being preached and it’s being preached by the president!
Bill (cycleguy)
April 23, 2014Sad news Caleb. But also some Good News! Still praying.
Caleb
April 23, 2014Thanks for praying Bill!
William Smith
April 23, 2014Thanks for the update. Pretty sad when the propaganda team messes up on the timing. As if we needed any further evidence that Russia is knee-deep in this mischief already.
Caleb
April 23, 2014Yes, Russia does an amazing job controlling the media but I guess they didn’t think about the fact that you can’t upload news story the day before it actually takes place!
floyd
April 23, 2014Heart breaking… A person standing up and delivering the Gospel of God to the world under those circumstances is literally the hand of our Father. I pray for peace and God’s word to change the hearts of the masses.
Caleb
April 23, 2014So true Floyd! I always amazes me how you can always find the hand of the Father even in the darkest hour!
DS
April 23, 2014I was surprised that Simon Ostrovsky hadn’t disappeared earlier. I was hoping that being a US Citizen would help. I’d grown to appreciate his reporting.
Here’s a prayer for Ukraine I read yesterday via @everyonegetsit “God bless all those who are not indifferent to the destiny of Ukraine! Pray their efforts to change our country for the better were not in vain.”
As always thanks – and blessings Caleb.
Caleb
April 24, 2014Yes, I had that thought about Simon yesterday. I’m praying that they’ll release all the journalist being held in Slavyansk right now, I think the count is up to about 13!
TCAvey
April 24, 2014While my heart aches for all the pain transpiring there, I’m encouraged.
Praise God that there are leaders willing to not preach the gospel!
Thanks so much for sharing. God is good. His timing is perfect. And His will, will be done.
Caleb
April 24, 2014It is heartbreaking what’s going on in Eastern Ukraine right now. I just talked with a Ukrainian friend who was supposed to go to Donetsk to do a evangelism seminar in a church there but ended up not going because of all of this.
TCAvey
April 24, 2014That is heart breaking. But God’s still in charge. We must cling to Him like never before.