Some sad and disturbing news from our brothers and sisters in the Separatist controlled area of Eastern Ukraine. I recently wrote about this new law which has many churches in Eastern Ukraine worried about government persecution.
Please take some time to read this letter below from a Church in Eastern Ukraine and pray for them!
“Dear brothers and sisters, on March 27, 2018 in the town of Stakhanov, Lugansk region, in the territory controlled by the People’s Republic of Lugansk, 15 people dressed in military uniforms drove up on two cars in the evening to the House of Prayer which is located at Talmana 15.
They entered the house when no one was there. According to eyewitnesses, all the lights were turned on and they began to ransack the House of Prayer. At approximately 11:00 PM two more trucks arrived. People in military uniforms took literally everything out of the house including:
- The pulpit
- The cup for communion
- Benches
- Sound equipment
- Air conditioners
- Musical instruments
- Tables and other furniture
- A gas water heater
- A voltage regulator
- Radiators
- Gas oven
- An electric oven
- A sink
- All kitchen furniture
- A refrigerator
- All pots and other utensils,
- Food and preserves
- A water tank
- A water pump
- A bathroom
- Sinks
- Tiles were removed from the walls
- A baby stroller
- Baguettes and curtains
- Chandeliers and lamps
- Removed the MDF panels in the hall and all interior doors
- Linoleum
- Vinyl windows
- Light switches
Other property was also taken, including from the attic and shed.
They loaded everything into trucks and drove away in an unknown direction. On March 28th 2018 friends appealed to the police and to the head of the city administration, they promised to get back to them within two weeks.
We also inform you that in our region on the territory of the Lugansk People’s Republic on February 2, 2018 the Law No. 211-II “On Freedom of Conscience and Religious Associations” was adopted and entered into force, according to which a religious organization is subject to mandatory registration within 6 months from the date of entry into force of the Law (the concept of a religious group is excluded); religious organizations that have not passed the registration procedure are considered to have ceased their activities; The building used for worship can not be a used as a dwelling place; religious rites can be held at the place of residence of citizens at their request, only if they are not large meetings; religious organizations that have received money and other property from foreign citizens are required to submit to the executive body a full report on their activities. We ask all sincerely loving Lord to support us in prayers, that the Lord will help all to overcome to stand and remain faithful to Him”
