There is so much unrest there, so many people who are acting on injuries which have long-laid dormant. I agree; this pain and injustice up to this point should not go forgotten. I admire their protests and how (initially) they were peaceful and persuasively sincere. Now, however, they have become violent. More government-sent troops to quell the masses of protestors, rocks thrown, clubs swung, and shots fired. I desire so much to see God's Hand work in Mighty ways there for resolution.
As one of my friends, Nick, reported to me in a message online:
"Our citizens are being kidnapped by authorities. We still don't know where are the most of them now. Furthermore, in recent days several of activists here were shot dead by Internal Troops. The downtown looks like hell - there's smoke, fire and ashes are everywhere. We've got hundreds of activists injured and taken to hospitals. But police comes there and takes them away in unknown direction."
Picturing Independence Square in this way is painful. I had the tremendous privilege to visit Kiev, Ukraine after graduating High School. This trip played a big part in my life, in so many ways. I made many new friends, and learned that God's kingdom isn't just in little churches in Texas. His people are from everywhere, and He desires that everyone would know Him. Nick is just one of the people I met, and get to pray for now.
Here is a picture from our trip - oh lovely, rainy Kiev. You can't see much of it, but this is the day we visited Independence Square.
My heart is especially hurt when scrolling through my Facebook news feed, and seeing the stark contrast between my friends here in the States and my friends there in Kiev.
There, my friends are posting articles, videos, and statuses calling others to respond and pray. The pictures are vivid, and often violent. I hear that the government in Kiev is moving to close down all access the people have to internet. I hope I will still be able to contact my friends, and that what little voice they have now won't be snuffed out.
Here, where warm weather usually abounds, we've been posting pictures of "Snow! #feelingcold" and icy car windshields. We take pictures of footprints in the frost, artistic angles of the frozen wonderlands. Yes, it's beautiful, and it's different from the Texas heat and worth celebrating.
It's challenging to me, however, to see these posts side-by-side; blissful celebration of snow next to vivid images of burning tires, beaten people, and hurt Ukrainians. Their pictures have snow, too, but they can't enjoy it with the tumult going on around them. The cold weather only makes their protesting more trying, and more difficult.
This issue taking place in Ukraine has received very little attention. I'm not ignorant of the fact that fighting, revolutions, and general unrest are commonplace in the world. So much goes unnoticed by us as we sit bundled in our cozy, comfortable homes here in the USA. I'm guilty of this indifference, too.
Even so, going somewhere will change you. Kiev changed my life. I am honored and joyful to say this. As I watch this place that I love face such trying times with murky solutions, I feel compelled to bring it up. Please research it. (Here's a good place to start: http://www.businessinsider.com/understanding-euromaidan-2014-1)
Don't take it lightly. Believe me when I say that the lives there are actively facing this issue, and it's such a pivotal moment for the country, as well as the individuals. God could step into this time and move in big ways.
Please pray. Kiev needs the Lord, and His Kingdom, peace, and grace. It needs the love found in Christ.
Please pray for ...
... Nick- safety and judgement
... Vitaly and his family with small children - safety and strength to continue directing the UEC
... God's work that is being done in the UEC (Ukrainian Education Center), and for lives to individually be touched here by the gospel (through the Bible Studies, etc)
... the believers there - that they would be a light during this time, and would receive strength and wisdom from the Holy Spirit to point others to Christ
... for Christian leaders to rise up and direct the country
... the protests and unrest - for justice, peace, love, and mercy to abound, through Christ
Thank you.
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