From: Ira Kapitonova in Kyiv (Day 658):
Let them vanish like water that runs away;
when he aims his arrows, let them be blunted.
Psalm 58:7
It was another sleepless night. Ballistic missiles came around 3 am, so we woke up to explosions. There’s no time to turn on air raid sirens when ballistic missiles are coming, as our air defense has about 1 or 2 minutes to react once they see those on a radar. Russia has been enjoying this type of weapon lately.
Thankfully, all 10 missiles were shot down (thanks to the modern air defense systems we received from our partners), but the debris caused a lot of destruction. In several Kyiv districts, they damaged apartment buildings, private houses, a preschool, and cars parked in the yard. Over 50 people were injured and had to evacuate from their homes.
My students had their semester finals today. I felt bad for them, and I know they tried their best, even though most of them were woken up by the night explosions. I guess it’s their chance to learn to mobilize themselves despite the circumstances, and it’s our chance (as parents and teachers) to learn that test results mean very little as there are bigger lessons to learn.
As I looked through the pictures from the sites of fallen debris, I was shaken. However, I realized it was a blessing that the attack happened at night, during curfew, so at least there were no people in those cars and no children in that preschool or the playground. We’re still learning to count our blessings.
Voice of Ukraine 
One response to “12/14/2023 – Let them vanish like water that runs away;when he aims his arrows, let them be blunted.Psalm 58:7”
Our Savior lived as a Jew under Roman oppression
Luke 2- It came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be TAXED. [Forced relocation, to force money from nations Rome had attacked and conquered] All went to be taxed, every one into his own city. Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) to be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. She brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. [Sounds like sleeping in subways, doesn’t it?]
There were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
And the angel said unto them, “Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.”
Suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.”
And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, “Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.” And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. When they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.
[Why did this happen? Because God “was reconciling to world to Himself”. The history of Joseph, in the Old Testament, gives a clear demonstration of what we often cannot see- ‘you intended it for evil, but God intended it for good, to save many lives’ – 20 years after Joseph was betrayed, sold and imprisoned on false charges!]
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