Overcoming Evil With Good: A Report from the Ukrainian Front

“You simply do what can be done; you put your house and final will in order to the best of your ability, and trust God for the next step.” 

With intermittent air-raid sirens going off as background noise, this was my response to a Ukrainian pastor who was privately expressing anxiety over being drafted, leaving his family, and potentially getting sent to the war front.  He simply asked me how I was able to take the “risk” of coming to visit him in rural Ukraine. I had no idea that God would use my words and presence to bring such comfort to this dear brother.  

All the years of this Heartland District church-to-church partnership and all my years of Siberian missionary service had led to this special moment with one of God’s choice and faithful Ukrainian ministers.  We communed and prayed earnestly in Russian together beyond 1 AM.  His entire family had piled into one small room to provide me with a small private guest room. They sacrificially gave me their best.  We all slept on thin pads on the floor. I quietly wept and prayed for my Ukrainian brother, his family, and his people as I fell asleep... READ MORE…

He is worthy!