Mother’s Day In Ukraine

Mothers in Ukraine thank you.

Mother’s Day

I was invited to speak at a church in Truro, Nova Scotia on Sunday. Because it was Mother’s Day my message was succinct and sincere. I asked them, “How much is a smile worth? How about a smile in the middle of a war?” Then I thanked the pastor and congregation for raising an offering for children’s day camps in Ukraine last summer.

Their giving put smiles on the faces of Ukrainian mothers. Their children came home with smiles after a day or sometimes a week of fun, crafts, snacks, songs, games, and teaching about how God loves them. He hasn’t forgotten them.

How can you put a price tag on the enthusiasm of these kids?

The camps were a respite from the war; solace to those whose fathers are fighting on the frontlines for their freedom. And some whose fathers will never come home from the war.

Jocelyn and I saw in person the smiles and heard the kinds of joyful sounds only happy children can make. We believe an eternal difference was made in their lives.

And in the lives of the volunteers. They feel the strong prayer and support of Canadian Christians’ generosity through Ed Dickson’s Loads of Love.

You are a lifeline of hope.

People always remember who stepped in when the rest of the world stepped out.

Pasha

As we shared on REVwords, one of our Ukrainian bishops, Pasha, was taken out of his car by the conscription agents about six months ago. Despite the best legal efforts, he was sent to the front line. The Pentecostal Assemblies of Ukraine churches were praying every day for him.

Then, suddenly, he was taken into a special course to potentially become an army paramedic. Many of the 150 men who were selected for the course had medical and combat experience. Pasha did not. Today, with only one exam left, Pasha forwarded a copy rating of all 150 men. Pasha was in first place.

He wrote, “Respect for believers, in the Ukrainian army, is growing. ‘Some men trust in chariots, some in horses, but we will trust in the name of the Lord our God.'”

Thank you for praying for Pasha and our friends in Ukraine.

This war will end.

We pray soon and that Ukraine will be free and protected from future invasion.

Pray for Ukrainian believers as they share the love of Jesus in their communities.

Ukrainian Humour

Did you see the Ukrainian sense of humour on full display this week in the first joke presidential decree in Ukraine’s history?

In 2022, Russia planned to hold a parade in Kyiv after taking the capital in three days. Four years later, it needed Kyiv’s “permission” to hold its own parade in Moscow on May 9^th. President Zelensky turned heads for a second look when he posted his official decree. Click on the image to read his message.

Please post a comment in the chat below. What are you seeing or hearing about Ukraine?

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