From: Maia Mikhaluk in Kyiv (655th day):
Today at our church the second Advent candle was lit up – candle of Peace. Lighting Peace candle during the second year of war has the depth of personal meaning that we didn’t comprehend before.
Sasha spoke before worship sharing that one of the most underlined Scripture verses in YouVersion Bible App is Isaiah 41:10:
So do not fear, for I am with you;
do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
She asked if people have experience fear or worry this past year, “maybe in the middle of the night listening to enemy drones passing by your house or when you read news, or when you were waiting for news from loved ones, or maybe you worried when you heard a hopeless diagnosis or had financial challenges or from uncertainty. You may even felt anxiety that you couldn’t explain.
God knows our tendency for fear; that’s why in the Scriptures, He constantly reminds us not to fear, not to worry, not to be troubled.
As soon as Peter turned his eyes from Christ and looked at the waves and wind, he began to drown. Don’t turn your eyes away from Christ! “Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me.” (Ps 23:4)
On the shepherd’s staff, there are markings that stand for every time he saved one of his sheep. Let’s keep an eye on God’s staff and be reminded that every marking on it speaks of His goodness and protection. Let’s surround ourselves with reminders of God’s care. May this give you peace and comfort.”
Voice of Ukraine 
3 responses to “12/10/2023 – So do not fear, for I am with you;do not be dismayed, for I am your God…”
From: Sergei Nakul (pastor of Big City Church in Kyiv and military chaplain):“Rejoice for the Earth!” Christ has come! Welcome the King of kings! “. Praise is in Big City Church, Kyiv – Церква Великого Міста, Київ ! Let not the darkness of war overshadow the holiday of Christmas, but the light of Christmas Christ illuminates the darkness of war and warms us with the warmth of hope. Because Christ is our hope. A living hope. Have a blessed Advent.”
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One year ago:
12-21-2022
Today President Zelenskyy arrived there for an unannounced visit. Bakhmut is not just near the front line. Bakhmut IS the front line and it is where all of the worst fighting has been going on for the past month. The morale boost that this will provide for those soldiers, and even for the rest of the military and country, is impossible to calculate. The city is a living hell, and these soldiers have been living in it. They’ve been killing others, and seeing their own get killed. Every day. To have a leader demonstrate that he is willing to go to the same places to which he sends his soldiers is a big deal. He visited actual front line positions and also handed out several awards to soldiers with the sounds of artillery explosions in the background. As the soldiers greeted the president, they gave him a signed flag. You can see that interaction in the picture below. Rather than complaining, these soldiers asked the president to pass this flag on to a specific group of people as a symbol of their sincere thanks.
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