2014 started with the Euromaidan revolution and is closing with the tragic loss of thousands of lives in Eastern Ukraine. What started as a people’s movement for change brought more change than anyone ever wanted.
As 2014 comes to a close Ukraine is deeply wounded as a nation. The government isn’t stable, the currency has lost half its value, the war in the East won’t go away any more than the feeling of great disappointment and disillusionment felt by all Ukrainians!
A Broken Nation
A year ago I stood in Central Kyiv as Euromaidan was in it’s early stages. There seemed to be hope in the air. 12 months later the fires of war in Donetsk and Lugansk have slowly but surely choked out the last remnants of hope.
It seems I rarely have a conversation here where someone doesn’t mention the war or their bleak take on the future. People are on edge, waiting for that bomb to explode in their town. Living on edge is draining, it sucks the hope right out of you.
God Is Still Here!
Where did God go when the fighting broke out in the East?
He began to do a work like he’s never done before!
God is at work in hearts in Ukraine and he’s using the church to do it!
God is moving mightily through thousands of believers and hundreds of churches. He has gathered an army to fight the real battle, the spiritual battle.
God is using the brokenness of war and the hopelessness of a broken government to draw people to himself!
A Unique Time
In 23 years Ukraine has never experienced a time like this. This is a unique time, a time God has given us to put our shoulders to the work, to plant seeds of hope in hopeless lives and to reap the harvest of broken hearts, hearts open to hear the truth of the gospel.
Churches all over Ukraine are responding to the call. They are rising up to help, to comfort, to send aid and to preach the gospel to those who have fresh ears, desperate to hear the sound of hope.
An Opportunity
You have and opportunity to be part of what God is doing in Ukraine. We are calling on the Church to support Ukraine during this rare moment in her history!
Support Ukraine through prayer!
If you’re not on our special e-mail list, you can join here.
If you’re already on the list, that’s great! Will you please forward this to a friend or two or three and ask them to join?
Support Ukraine through giving!
You can make it real by giving a year-end gift. These gifts are a huge help to the ministry and they’re tax-deductible!
Learn how you can give a year-end gift here.
Bill (cycleguy)
December 17, 2014God is still here! Absolutely the truth!! Thanks for the perspective Caleb. Still praying.
Caleb
December 17, 2014You’re welcome Bill! Thanks for the prayers! I hope you’re looking forward to a wonderful celebration of the birth of Jesus!
TCAvey
December 17, 2014Amen! God is still alive and on His throne. He hasn’t left us. And in times of great distress we often see Him more clearly.
Thank you for your service to God and His people.
Caleb
December 18, 2014I have to keep reminding myself of these things and one of the greatests reminders is to spend time with believers here who are on fire for God and have not let the tough times here keep them from serving Him!
floyd
December 17, 2014It’s amazing the wisdom that can see the hand of God in the strife, but I’m with you, Caleb; God is going to do great things in the hearts of the people. That is the real battle ground!!! Praying, my friend.
Caleb
December 18, 2014It’s a battle ground here in more ways than one. If we’re going to get something done for the Kingdom I can tell you that from my experience there will be resistance. The Evil one doesn’t like to see hearts and lives redeemed and turned back to God. Nevertheless we press forward knowing that the resistance is evidence that we are on the right path and that God is at work!
Jennifer Dougan
December 18, 2014How wild and neat of God to bring beauty and hope through this time by addressing the pain and war deep inside each soul that is wrestling for eternity. May he do amazing things for this glory in this time. I still ache with the sadness and loss that people are experiencing in Ukraine, Syria, and around the world.
Merry Christmas, Caleb and family. Do you have neat care packages come in the mail for you from friends and family at home over Christmas?
Jennifer Dougan
http://www.jenniferdougan.com
Caleb
December 18, 2014Yes, Jennifer the heart aches when we see how sin is destroying lives and nations! It should ache. The challenge is to see how God is working despite these aweful things.
Merry Christmas to you and your family too!
Loren Pinilis
December 18, 2014Will keep praying for you and for the area, Caleb. It reminds me of Esther being where she was “for such a time as this.”
Caleb
December 18, 2014Esther is a good reminder of how God can do amazing things during tragic times. Thanks for praying Loren!
Dave Arnold
December 19, 2014Thanks for sharing about the Ukraine, and, especially, that God is still at work. Is that not the message of Christmas? In one of the darkest times of history, the Light of the World came.
Caleb
December 19, 2014It is the message of Christmas Dave. I love how Isaiah puts it,
Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD has risen upon you. For behold, darkness shall cover the earth, and thick darkness the peoples; but the LORD will arise upon you, and his glory will be seen upon you. And nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising.
(Isa 60:1-3)
DS
December 22, 2014Thanks for being willing to serve with your family Caleb, and thanks for being a beacon of hope in a dark and uncertain time for many in Ukraine. Also, thanks for sharing your perspective knowing the realities of both the West and Ukraine.
Caleb
December 23, 2014It’s my privilege David!