Voice of Ukraine

From Lyuda Betina (Day 365): Dear brothers and sisters, Tomorrow it will be a year, we lived through three hundred sixty five days of the war. The year was very long. When it just started there was a hope that it will not last long, the war should be over soon and we expected it to end in summer, then in fall, the counteroffensive began and we expected the end of the war in winter. And now there is a feeling that there is no end. The enemy is still strong and all that our army can do now is to deter the attacks. They say that Ukraine is preparing for a new counteroffensive and it gives hope.

We were encouraged by the talk with Paul, our brave soldier, at the weekend. He quoted Scripture and told that there is nothing new in this world. He made parallels with the attacks of Assyria and Babylonian king on the nation of Israel. His message was that there is no reason to lose hope because God is always in control and we just should be faithful. I remember when Paul was a little boy I was his Sunday school teacher and now this young man is a big encouragement for his church.

Another pain that is in the heart of every Ukrainian is the prisoners of war who are being held in Russia. Our warriors are being tortured, bullied and humiliated there. Our prayers are for them with the hope that they will be able to return home and be reunited with their families. They will need rehabilitation and recovery and psychological help, of course.

Today our counselor Roman is travelling to Kherson with a group from his church. He makes these trips every month, they help people and churches there, bring them food, construction materials and other things they need. Kherson is regularly shelled, it the revenge of the enemy for losing this city. Please, pray for the protection for Roman and his team.

On behalf of many people here I want to thank you for standing with us during these 365 days, for your prayers and encouragement. We will defeat this enemy together.

Love in Christ,
Lyuda