In the early hours of Sunday September 28th, Russia launched another massive attack on Ukraine’s capital city, Kyiv.
Oleksandra
Oleksandra Polishchuk, 12 years old, a 7th grade student, was killed during the attack. She died in her home, while her mother was hospitalized in critical condition. The Kyiv school she attended declared a week of mourning. One of our granddaughters is 12. 
Oleksandra went to bed with the sounds of sirens. She heard them almost every night. When morning came, it was always someone else who was wounded or killed. Until September 28th.
What were you doing in the early evening of September 27th? Alberta is nine hours behind Kyiv. Sometime around 5 or 6pm on the 27th Oleksandra’s life ended after only 12 years.
When Jocelyn and I over nighted in Kyiv in July, there was a massive drone and rocket attack. We heard the warning alarms but went back to sleep in our hotel room. Just like Oleksandra and her mother.
Praise In The Ruins
During that same attack, Russians destroyed the home of a Kyiv Evangelical pastor.
The pastor and his family survived the attack.
His name is Mark. This is the second time Russia has taken the pastor’s home. Originally from Melitopol, Mark’s family was forced to flee due to Russian occupation. They moved to the safety of Kyiv.
On Sunday morning, the members of his congregation and neighbours showed up to sing songs of praise to Jesus amid the ruins. 
This is Ukraine.
This is the Ukraine that the media doesn’t show North America. Ukraine is the most actively Christian and freedom-loving nation in Europe; the nation Russia is trying to erase.
Pray
Remember Oleksandra. Say a prayer for her mother.
Pray for Mark and his family and his congregation.
Pray that bitterness and anger would not win. That evil will not win.
Pray for Ed Dickson, Loads of Love, and all the pastors and believers who risk their lives everyday to offer hope and help to their neighbours.
And as you pray, thank God for your safety and peace. It came at a price and that price is still being paid.
What do you think? Please join the conversation and post a comment below. Thank you.
Hope grows here. We share stories that inspire people, build faith, and offer lasting purpose.
We’d love to have you Subscribe to REVwords. We’ll put helpful content into your inbox Mondays and Fridays.
