From Ira Kapitonova in Kyiv (Day 614):
The Lord looks down from heaven on the children of man,
to see if there are any who understand,
who seek after God.
Psalm 14:2
I am not a big fan of wilderness, and I’m not good at all the survival things. I mean, I could know many helpful tips, but I’m not eager to test them out.
Recently, I was struck with the realization that our soldiers not only have to fight the enemy, but their life in trenches is full of different survival aspects. For example, the main challenge in this season is mice. The trenches teem with rodents that are searching for food and warmth. They eat the food of the soldiers, they ruin the cords, they keep the soldiers awake at night, and they often bite their calloused hands. It feels like it’s not enough to fight for your life in the frontline, but you must level up the challenge.
At the same time, I’ve seen quite a few pictures of Ukrainian soldiers with a small animal called a marbled polecat. I’ve never heard of it before. Apparently, it’s a polecat that’s exclusive to the Luhansk and Donetsk regions, and it’s been among the vulnerable species because of the loss of its natural habitat. It was believed Ukraine had about 100 polecats, but it must be more because I’ve seen a couple of dozens of pictures with it. Scared by the explosions, trapped by the trenches, and attracted by the food smells, these wild animals are drawn to the Ukrainian soldiers and bond with them. It’s incredible to see some good come out of this war. Indeed, the Lord is sovereign in power!
Voice of Ukraine 
3 responses to “10/31/2023 – I am not a big fan of wilderness, and I’m not good at all the survival things…”
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A year ago:
11/1/2022 – War update and commentary
From Jamie Peipon: Today’s picture comes from Mykolayiv. It is a sad reality that it is necessary to create these bomb shelters for people who happen to be outside when air raid sirens go off. But it is a testament to Ukrainian spirit that they cannot abide the installation of a naked, concrete structure. Bomb shelters have no functional need for art work on the outside, but Mykolayiv is better off for it.
Today, 93 missiles and drones were reported to have been fired by russians into Ukraine. The russian dictator said in a press conference that the mass attack was a response for the attack on russia’s Black Sea fleet over the weekend. They were again attacking civilian infrastructure, which, lest you forget, is a war crime. Here’s a brief digression on the Overton Window: The Overton Window describes how things can go from being unimaginable to entirely ordinary. This is a real danger for Ukraine. Nine months ago, the idea of a European country being invaded was absolutely unthinkable. Seven months ago, war crimes seemed horrendous. Now, we’re completely used to both of those ideas because they’re happening every single day. This is undoubtedly part of putin’s plan. Historically, he has often turned the outrageous into the mundane to the point that people become too bored to care. Don’t become too bored to care or any less outraged by war crimes mass murder.
Back to today’s despicable attacks: As 93 missiles and drones were fired by russians at Ukrainians, Kyiv’s mayor reported that 350,000 homes lost access to electricity. As of 12pm (Kyiv time), 80% of homes had no access to water. As of this evening, about 40% of Kyiv was still without access to water. In addition, electricity to 450 cell towers was interrupted which caused issues with communication all day. One online acquaintance wrote that, over the past couple weeks, she had not had water, electricity, and communication service at the same time at any point. Life is day-by-day.
The vast majority of the missiles and drones were taken out by Ukrainian air defense. According to official numbers 44 of the 55 missiles were intercepted. This is great news, but as I mentioned in a previous post, the ammunition required to make that happen is extremely expensive.
Power outages remain an issue. It is not just necessary civilian infrastructure; it is also a major economic and logistics issue. The transformers and other specialty items that are being destroyed can be extremely difficult to replace in the best of times. Thankfully, twelve countries have already agreed to work on supplying energy-related equipment.
In stranger news, a video appeared on social media today showing someone placing explosives on a russian Ka-52 helicopter and claimed to be in the russian city of Pskov. Sources from russia had reported that helicopters were damaged by explosions yesterday, but didn’t have additional information. This video seems to be the explanation. Ukraine does not have Ka-52s in their fleet, so they wouldn’t be able to forge such a video. Any russian citizens who have no desire to come and die in Ukraine will certainly be encouraged by Ukrainians to continue sabotaging their own equipment.
“Give ear to my prayer, O God,
and hide not yourself from my plea for mercy!”
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Six months ago:
From Ira Kapitonova in Kyiv (Day 431):
5/1/2023 – Today’s picture is of a pear blossom in our garden. This pear tree was planted during the first covid lockdown in 2020 (another great time of uncertainty). It looked weak and struggling. Finally, three years later, it presents us with this beautiful blossom. What is this if not a message of hope?
“After this I heard what seemed to be the loud voice of a great multitude in heaven, crying out, “Hallelujah! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God, for his judgments are true and just; for he has judged the great prostitute who corrupted the earth with her immorality, and has avenged on her the blood of his servants.”
Revelation 19:1-2
If you ask me, I’d say that the most encouraging book of the Bible is Revelation. Even though it is filled with terrifying images, it carries a beautiful message – the ultimate victory belongs to the Lord. What a loving God we have that He didn’t keep us in the unknown but revealed how everything would be resolved in the end. And this hope helps us persevere during the dark days.
My son often asks when the war will be over. I don’t know how to answer his question. What’s worse, I don’t know how the war will end (even though we hope for the best and trust in God’s mercy, it’s still different from knowing the outcome). We don’t know if all the threats of more massive missile attacks or nuclear strikes will be carried out. We don’t know if or when Bakhmut may fall. We don’t know when or how Crimea will be liberated. We don’t know how long or how much it would take to restore all that’s been destroyed (visible and intangible losses).
In all this unknown, I look to the One who holds the whole world and all the answers in His hands. I know that there will come a day when He will wipe away every tear, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore (Revelation 21:4). When I am overwhelmed with the uncertainty of today, I will look for this certain future He has promised.
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