Not so much in the news lately but the war in Ukraine continues. Here is a post from our friends the Sobies, who live and work there.
Dear family and friends,
We can’t believe that this war has been going on for more than four months. Today is the 133rd day.
We live now in Zaporozhia which is still, thank God, under Ukrainian control.
Scott is very busy with different ministry opportunities. He is invited to share in many churches around us, he donates time at a city volunteer center and regularly shares salvation messages at meetings with refugees where they are receiving humanitarian aid. (Here’s a link to a video update from him today)
We also try to meet the needs of individuals around us.
One of them, with whom we recently met and shared humanitarian aid, is a young lady named Nastya. I want to share a little bit of her story because it might help you get a glimpse into what so many are experiencing here.
I met her on an internet chat thread for people evacuating from our area. She used to live not far from us and like so many Ukrainians, she decided to leave her town because of the enemy occupation.
She had to travel in a car with several other people but when they got to Vasilievka, the last Russian-controlled town, they were stopped. Russian soldiers at the checkpoint didn’t allow civilians to leave the zone. The convoy of cars which was trying to leave was enormous. Nastya, with her 1 1/2 year old daughter, sat in the car waiting all day and then all night. Then came the second day and the second night. Russian soldiers were unmoved even by the little children. They said, “You need to go back. We have our orders. We won’t let you through.”
Nastya didn’t want to live under Russian oppression, so she was determined to stay and wait. She told me that after a third night in the car she felt like she was going to go crazy. The days were stifling hot and you can imagine the smells and the weariness of the people all around.
“On the fourth day, there was a miracle! Two hundred of the vehicles were allowed to leave,” Nastya shared. So, they made it to safety!
Of course, you’ve heard of the cruelty of the Russian army and the Russian government, but there is so much more than even what you have heard in the news. So many people have left the Russian occupied zones (in some areas, 60-70% of the population) that the Russians are now trying to make it very difficult for people to escape their control. “Who is going to work for us?” is their very practical question.
Also, they have announced that all the possessions of people who are leaving can be confiscated by the Russian authorities. Homes and businesses are not exceptions. It was also announced (even in our town) that due to the small population which is left, people from Russia will be allowed to come and claim houses and apartments that belong to Ukrainian citizens who have left the area. Just imagine your lovely home, everything you’ve invested in over the years, all the work…and if it wasn’t bombed or destroyed, it was simply taken away from you. A stranger from Russia can claim it, sleep in your bed, use your dishes and not even appreciate all that you’ve poured into that place to make it a cozy home.
When people were fleeing they couldn’t take much. We understand them. When we left it was April and we traveled in coats and boots. Now, it’s the hot summer and all our seasonal clothing was left behind. Scott brought only three shirts and a few pants with him. We girls were able to squeeze in a little bit more! But I’ve seen people coming to safety with almost nothing, grateful just to be alive. (By the way, don’t worry, we’ve found some good second-hand stores here and our family is doing fine with clothing now :-)
Over the last months, there was a lot of clothing, food and hygiene supplies donated and many churches here in Zaporozhia have been transformed into warehouses as well as spiritual help centers. Refugees can come and receive humanitarian aid while hearing and experiencing the good news of life and hope in Jesus Christ. The local churches are truly rising up to meet the needs and pass along the generosity of so many from the west.
Yes, dear friends, we are surrounded by suffering and devastation here in Ukraine. But we are continuing to hope and to plead with God for deliverance. He is our Anchor in this dark time.
Thank you for continuing to lift our family up in prayer and to ask the Lord, with all of us here in Ukraine, for a miracle to bring an end to this war and an end to the evil being unleashed upon these people.
With love, Oksana
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