Situation with Russia still not any better

Hello everyone! Finally writing an update this month! If you are still following the news the situation with Russia hasn't really changed all that much. Still there is very high tension, and no one is really sure what Putin will do next. Some Ukrainian forces have tried to take back some buildings in Eastern Ukraine from pro-Russian forces, there was some success but not much. We believe these forces are either payed for and/or backed by the Russian government, and there is even believed to be Russian agents trying to cause some of this dissension to destabilize the interim Ukrainian government before elections in May.

Some of these pro-Russian forces have even captured some individuals from the EU, some Ukrainian diplomats, and members of the Ukrainian armed forces, and I even heard that someone was found dead and was believed to have been tortured as well. It is a very sad situation because not all the people in the Eastern parts are wrong. Some are just normal Ukrainians who have bought into the lies told to them through the Russian run and Russian controlled media, so there isn't a simple solution to these tensions. Please continue to follow this situation and pray for Ukraine. Just remember I am on the other side of the country and far from these situations. It is safe in my area for now, so no need to worry. (The photo is some Ukrainian forces moving in on a checkpoint controlled by pro-Russian forces.) This last week I celebrated my birthday. I actually thought I wouldn't really celebrate I didn't expect anything special, but my friends threw me a surprised party. I had some English lessons that day so I really wasn't expecting anything. It was a very fun evening and was a blessing for me. We had a great time fellowshipping with one another, eating, and playing games. It was great! I have English lessons just about every evening. It is mostly to help support myself here, but pray that God would use it as well. Also this week we are starting a new youth ministry. We have been wanting to start some ministry for young people for a while, and have been planning it, and will meet the first time on Wednesday. It will be a social outreach to youth where we will basically discuss together different problems we see in society and in the world. We will then give them a biblical solution to these problems or say what does the bible say about them, and we will discuss together will them what can we do to make a difference. We hope to brainstorm with these youth and come up with ideas, then together with them to actually do something about it. For example if they say the parks are dirty and it is a problem, so we will all go together and clean-up in some way. Our church is partnering with another church in the are to do this so please pray that God would bless this, and that many young people would come. I also hope to invite many of the people I know from Horodok where I was living last year. Thank you all for you prayers and support! It is very appreciated. If you have any questions feel free to ask or leave comment! God Bless you all this week! Another update coming soon.

Spring Update

Just a quick post to keep everyone updated on how I am doing. First of all, thanks everyone for your prayers. It really felt like there would be a war here. It has so far remained peaceful. Many people, including myself, are not happy that Russia was able to annex Crimea with really no repercussions besides a few weak sanctions, but at least there has been no real fighting for the last month. People are still a little scared of what can happen because there remains a large force of Russian troops on the Ukrainian border. Many think that Putin will try to do in Eastern Ukraine what he did in Crimea. Praise God however that prayers for peace, at least at the moment, have been answered. Continue to pray for Ukraine and for peace here, and also that the new government that is forming would be wise and not so corrupt as in the past. Also please pray for wisdom for European and American leaders, and that they would make good decisions with how to deal with this situation with Crimea, and with Russia. They say its the worse relations have been since the Cold War, and I really pray Ukraine doesn't suffer from this anymore than it already has. As for me I had a very busy month sorry I didn't update for a while. I started teaching English many times per week. It is a a good way to develop relationships, and keeps me busy, as well as providing a small portion of my support. Also please pray for Trinity church where I am serving. We are trying to start a youth program here at the church to reach out to young people. We are currently in the planning stages of that and deciding what we will do, when, where etc. Thanks also for your prayers for me as I travelled to Krakow, Poland. The Ukrainian Embassy is in Krakow and I had to go there to make my visa which allows me to register to live here for a year. Everything went perfectly, and I got my visa for 45 days in which time I must complete the registration process. It is a long, arduous process so please pray that things go smoothly as we navigate all the government channels to complete this process. It requires many documents and of course can be denied in which case I cannot stay here. So again, please pray for this. A big thanks all of you who continue to support me both financially and in prayer! If you have any questions or anything that you want to know please ask! I would love to tell you or talk you about Ukraine and about what we are doing here. God Bless =)

Crimea Referendum

Today is the day when Crimean residents are voting whether to join Russia or to become independent. This vote, according to most of the world, and according to the Ukrainian constitution is not valid and is illegal. Putin, however, doesn't want to listen to the rest of the world and is doing things the way he wants. It is a very tense situation now in Ukraine as both Russian and Ukrainian forces are growing larger and larger. A lot of hired Russian protesters/aggravators are stirring things up in some of Ukraine's western cities, and in Crimea, enticing violence so that Putin can say that things are dangerous and he needs to send troops there to protect Russian citizens. This is the same lie he used in Georgia in 2008. Also Russian troops just invaded the mainland Ukraine and took over a gas plant there citing that they were afraid of terrorist activity there. Also a lie. Even in Moscow thousands are standing up against this aggression and the lies. I just hope Putin will listen, but seems he will not. He has had his eye on Crimea for a long time, and sees himself as the restorer of the Russian (or Soviet) empire.

Please pray for Ukraine, and for it's leaders, armies, citizens, and in general for defense and protection from Russian aggressions. Ukrainians are very worried and some have even asked me if Americans know what to do if there is fighting, bombs, and shooting. They said they don't know what to do and they are very worried. Also please pray for the many Ukrainians from the east and from Crimea that will seek refuge in my area. It could open many doors for ministry and evangelism to help these refugees who are trying to get farther away from the fighting or possible fighting. Some of them are already making their way to western Ukraine. As for me I am still doing well. I was sick last week I think from eating something bad, but all is well now and I am 100%. Another big answer to prayer is that I found some English lessons to teach, which will cover about half of my support to stay here, so thank you for your prayers. I still need to find the other half, and I'm trying to invest in a bicycle to get around town, so if any of you would like to help in anyway please donate through this blog (using PayPal), through Calvary, or if you know my parents you can also give it to them. It would be greatly appreciated. The best support you could give me however is through prayer. Thanks, and please continue to pray for Ukraine! I will keep you updated.

Now problems with Russia...

I am sure you all are seeing regularly about the situation in Ukraine in the news right now. It is much worse than a revolution now, it is closer to a conflict with Russia or even a War. Russia is saying, like it did in Georgia a few years ago, that it is just trying to protect its Russian citizens. They have invaded Crimea, a region in southern Ukraine, and are currently occupying some bases there and some other strategic places as well. They apparently have just issued an ultimatum stating that if the remaining Ukrainian bases aren't surrendered they will attack in the morning. Moscow is denying this.

Also Putin asked the Russian parliament to approve use of forces not just in Crimea but in all of Ukraine. This my friends is an act of aggression and of War. Please pray for Ukraine! That no more lives would be lost and that there won't be any war or even mention of war. Pray that Putin comes to his senses and that the rest of the world will do what has to be done to pressure him into backing down. Thanks for your prayers please continue to pray diligently for the situation here. More updates to come soon.

A Big Victory for Ukraine...But Many Things Still to be Decided

A very big victory for Ukraine today. The president Viktor Yanukovych seemed to have disappeared this morning and all riot police as well. The opposition gained control of Kyiv's center and the government buildings there. Later the Ukrainian parliament voted to impeach Yanukovych effectively removing him as the president of Ukraine. This is what many people in Ukraine wanted and probably one of the few things that could really stop the violence.

Things are peaceful now in Kyiv but still very tense. The president has fled to Kharkiv a eastern city in Ukraine, and some are saying a Russian stronghold where Yanukovych has many more allies. He said he is the rightfully elected President and that everything in Kyiv was a coup and done by bandits and is not willing to go quietly, so it is interesting how things will play out. Also it is very important to see how Russia will react. Yanukovych was their guy and now with the olympics ending who knows where Russia will focus it's attention. Keep in mind that Russia controls much of the energy resources for Ukraine and can turn off that supply as it wishes. Some eastern and more pro-russian cities and regions are already talking about splitting from Ukraine if constitutional order isn't restored.

It is a huge victory, but a lot of things can still go wrong. Please pray that there won't be any senseless fighting as power is restored and new leaders chosen. Pray also that the new leaders will be good, honest, and have the people's best interests in mind. Pray for the hundreds of families who lost loved ones in the fighting in Kyiv. Also pray that Ukraine will stay united and not have any fighting between East and West. Altogether, it is a good day for Ukraine. The people here in L'viv, and in most of the country, feel that it is a victory for them and that things will be better now. Thanks everyone for your prayers and support and please continue to pray for Ukraine as there is still a lot to be done here and many things can still go wrong. I hope and pray that the worst is over and that it is all uphill from here for Ukraine! Thanks again and God bless!!! (about the pictures: You can see in the first picture protesters guarding the now empty presidential buildings keeping them safe from vandalizing and looting. The protesters said the buildings are the people's again and they will protect it until the new president comes there. You can see some members of parliament cheering in the second picture after voting to remove Yanukovych from office.)

A Very Tough Week for Ukraine

This week's death toll, last I heard, was at 77, but many think it will be higher. It is a sad week for Ukraine and for many families who lost loved ones in this senseless fighting, but there is hope here. Hope for a better government, a better country, and a better future. Already the Ukrainian parliament is voting to return to the constitution of 2004 under which the president has less power. The current president, Viktor Yanukovych changed the constitution when he took office giving himself more power and the parliament less. Also the government agreed to pull back its riot police and agreed to early presidential elections in December of this year.

Everyone is just hoping this is enough to end the madness and the fighting. Some think it might not be enough...I hope it is and that the fighting will stop. Also some people think these concessions are just a ploy to allow Yanukovych's government to bring in more troops, and many are distrustful of anything he is promising. Already some of my American friends are packing to go home and some who were planning to return didn't. Please continue to pray for Ukraine. I hope you will take a few minutes of your day to do so, and also I encourage you to watch the news and some videos about what is happening here so you will understand better because I can't explain it as well as some of the pictures and videos can. Thanks again everyone for your prayers and support and if you have any questions just ask.

Worst violence in 70 years...

Yesterday we saw in Ukraine the worst violence in 70 years. It was the deadline for the protesters to leave all buildings and stop all protesting.

The Ukrainian riot police attacked the protest camp with water cannons, stun grenades, and some say live ammunition. If any of you are watching the news it really does look like a war zone. Please pray for Ukraine and for the people of Ukraine, and that this will not continue to escalate, but a peaceful solution will be found. Click here for a video that shows more about yesterday and explains a little about this revolution. Thanks for your prayers and support. For those of you worried about me just remember that most of this fighting is in Kiev and I am completely safe. Please continue to keep Ukraine in your prayers!