From Maia Mikhaluk in Kyiv (603rd day):
The first picture in this post came up today in my FB memories from 2013 with the caption “Enjoying the view in Ollantaytambo, before heading to the Inca Trail.” We were all looking fresh and strong at the start of a 45 km Inca Trail that would take us 4 days of challenging high-altitude hiking. Getting over Dead Woman’s pass at 4,200 meters (13,780 ft) seemed like the most challenging thing we all have done in our lives. Lack of oxygen, nausea, splitting headache, and 45 kilometers of stairs (up or down), of course, was rewarded with amazing views of Machu Picchu in the light of sunrise. In the second photo we are tired but happy having reached our destination!
Looking at those pictures today I thought that were had been so wrong, assuming then that it was the most challenging life experience.
Feb and March, 2022 (the first month of ruzzian invasion) proved to be harder, emotionally and physically. But our years of hiking experience, as well as our hiking gear, came very handy as we had to “camp” for a few weeks in the corridor between our apartments, listening to air raids and explosions, glued to the news, venturing only quick trips to the grocery store, and praying hard for Briana’s safe arrival into this world.
Our corridor no longer looks like a campsite, but we still have our emergency backpacks and camping mats by the door, now for over 603 days (fifth photo). I am not sure when exactly we put those things in the corridor, but it must have been a week or two before the invasion. The other day I was looking for band aids and couldn’t find them. I asked Nick where they could be and he reminded me that they were probably in the emergency backpack (and they were!).
I so wish we would soon be able to use our backpacks and camping gear for purposes they were created for – for hiking and camping!
Voice of Ukraine 
2 responses to “10/20/2023 – ‘Camping’ in the Corridor”
A year ago: Oct.14, 2022
From Lxx (Day 233): Dear brothers and sisters, We had a night without sirens. Praise the Lord!
It’s a holiday today – the day of Fatherland Defender and this holiday has a special meaning now. Many of my friends of different ages are now in the army, protecting our land. We are very proud of the guys from our church who are fighting for us. We are proud of the workers of our medical clinic, who are now serving in the army, providing medical assistance to our soldiers. I want to say separately about the army of chaplains who serve in the spiritual field in this war. They all are our heroes today.
Among all things of yesterday there was a very special moment. Sometimes you know exactly that the meeting you have is arranged by God. On Thursday we have a Bible study for the group of refugees in our church, I came earlier to help V, our elder, who leads the Bible study, to set up chairs, prepare refreshments and drinks for the meeting.
One lady of the group, L, came earlier. L is from Kharkiv and stays at the building of our Christian clinic and she loves taking care of the plants there, it brings her joy and at the same time is a recovering therapy for her. Her cat Marusya lives with her there.
It was clear that there was something on her heart. We began to talk and she said that she knew about God from her childhood, her grandmother was a believer and L considered herself to be a believer, too. She used to go to the church on holidays was very respectful of church traditions, but now she feels that something was missing in her life.
She has been visiting our church for a while and could hear the gospel not just once. But she needed to have the personal talk with V and have all her questions answered. Some people have a special gift of sharing the gospel and they do it in a special way. I think V can do it addressing the hearts of people in such a way that they see this beauty of the gospel.
Yesterday I talked to our counselor, R. We were talking about our future refugee center and tried to see new directions of our work that we can start, we discussed the aspects of the work we all are doing now and how it can be integrated in one place.
We found a very nice place for the center with good location and if God blesses us to buy it we will start the work there right away.
R is busy like all of us. He does counseling in the office and online counseling, he is also an active blogger and you can see his videos on Facebook and Instagram where he addresses different psychological topics, gives practical tips for people with different problems and he teaches psychological self-help techniques (panic attacks, psychology of relationships, depression, anxiety, psychosomatics, urgent help for refugees, etc.)
Few days ago he did live broadcasting of a very important topic of today, he talked about survivor’s syndrome, when people who survived in mortal danger feel guilty thinking of those who died. Many people were able not only to listen but participate, sharing their experience and asking questions.
R’s wife works as a nurse in the intensive therapy of one of Odessa hospitals. She works very hard now and her work is hard emotionally. R.asks to pray for her health.
Please, pray for our counselors, for the work we do and for us to bring fruits.
Please, pray with us for organizing a refugee center in Odessa and for a facility where the center will be located.
In Christ,
Lxxx
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A year ago: Oct.29, 2022
“From Maia Mikhaluk in Kyiv: 247th night of ruzzian invasion.
Kyiv today was all about life, light, and warmth!
I wish I could say that it was easy to forget that invaders are working hard to bring death, darkness, and cold. But it was impossible to forget. It’s weighing heavy on our hearts and minds. Of course, regular air raids are a constant reminder too.
I was walking with Briana this afternoon and saw so many people with baby carriages and with kids enjoying the sunny warmth of Indian summer. Despite the brightness of the day, there was some reserve, seriousness, and sadness in the faces of people. We all want to live our lives in our own land, raise our children and grandchildren, and enjoy the togetherness of families and the coziness of our homes. Instead, while we are watching our kids playing bathed in the sunshine, we can’t help but worry about the next four months that will bring snow and freezing temperatures. Will we be able to keep our homes and families warm? I imagine for some people, it can be an overwhelming burden.
We all prepare for winter the best we know how. That’s why equipment like generators and portable power stations is all sold out. But this is war winter, and we can’t prepare for all the possible challenges we might face. So we do what we can and trust God with the rest. We know with Him, “even the darkness will not be dark, the night will shine like the day.”
Psalm 139:7-12
Where can I go from your Spirit?
Where can I flee from your presence?
8 If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.
9 If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
if I settle on the far side of the sea,
10 even there your hand will guide me,
your right hand will hold me fast.
11 If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me
and the light become night around me,”
12 even the darkness will not be dark to you;
the night will shine like the day,
for darkness is as light to you.
Reply
Jill says:
Dear Maia,
Amen!
My prayer is that this will be the warmest winter on record this winter!
Wonderful you got to enjoy a beautiful sunny day!
May Jesus light continue to shine brightly through out all of Ukraine!
Love in Christ,
Jill
Reply
Elizabeth Ziegenfus says:
October 30, 2022 at 7:46 am
We will continue to pray that the Lord will be your strength and shield and strong tower as you face the approaching war winter.”
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