From Ira Kapitonova in Kyiv (Day 657):
My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast! I will sing and make melody!
Psalm 57:7
Russia’s terrorism continues. Today, it’s in its cyber form. This morning, the network of one of the largest cell phone operators was hacked, leaving millions of users throughout the country without cell phone reception and mobile data. I discovered it on my way to school (thinking something was wrong with my phone or my account), so it meant I couldn’t call my husband, check messages, or use GPS. I wasn’t sure if it would still send me an air raid notification to my phone. Thankfully, we still have wi-fi, but many people, especially the elderly, have no connection to the outside world. For example, there’s no way for us to reach my grandma and check on her.
It might sound like a simple inconvenience, but this paralyzed the operations of several banks; people had no way of calling an ambulance or the police, and the air raid sirens were disabled in several regions. The communication of our soldiers on the frontlines was also disrupted.
The experts say it may take another 24 hours to resolve this problem. We mentally prepare ourselves for it taking longer as nothing of this scale has ever happened in any country and because our “kind neighbors” will not give up.
Once again, we were surprised to notice that it could have caused panic and anxiety last year, but it causes mostly annoyance today. We know that we have survived worse things (it’s mid-December, but thankfully, no blackouts), and we trust the Lord will carry us through anything that might still come our way.
Voice of Ukraine 
2 responses to “12/13/2023 – Cyber Attack: We trust the Lord will carry us through anything that might still come our way”
12/10/2023 – 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.”
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