On August 24, 1991, Ukraine declared its independence from the crumbling Soviet Union, as did 14 other countries in that same year.

This date also comes exactly six MONTHS after the Russians began their illegal and unprovoked invasion of Ukraine, destroying entire towns and cities, killing thousands of civilians, and causing millions of others to flee the country.

This year gatherings were banned in Kyiv on this day and some other cities are under curfew, but many Ukrainians courageously celebrated their independence. Normally on this day there’s a huge parade in the capital city. This year a collection of captured Russian tanks are parked on the same boulevard.

As your missionary to Ukraine, currently in the USA, I’m sure you want me to answer questions like, “When will the war end?” and “Who Will Win?” While I am not qualified to answer those questions, I can give you an example of how the Lord is caring for Ukrainians today.

Although members of Irpin Bible church fled for safety during Russia’s assault on Kyiv, the church is no longer empty. It’s packed full of new members! Faithful church leaders are holding services, evangelizing, baptizing new believers and teaching them to follow Christ. The war has ignited a deeper passion to reach out and meet people’s physical and spiritual needs. Not only is the church full on Sundays, but recently the church opened a daily evangelistic ministry in a nearby town that reaches about 70 people a day with the Gospel.

Please join us in praying for peace in Ukraine.