kingdom travelin'

Beginning today, I will be publishing updates about Oleg, the son of Anna, our longtime friend and ministry partner in Ukraine. Throughout the war, Anna has been our key person in Ukraine, giving us information and providing them with funds.

Her son Oleg, 19, has been serving in the army, on the front, and about 10 days ago. He and his comrade were attacked by Russian drones in their position a short distance from the Russian line. The house they were based in was directly attacked by a drone that killed Oleg’s comrade.

For several days he was avoiding further drone attacks. As he moved through a forest, he stepped on a mine seriously injuring one foot. He joined up with some other soldiers, some also wounded. After a few more days they were evacuated to a forward medical unit and then to a hospital in a large eastern Ukrainian city. His mother traveled there to be with him.

After three surgeries, trying to save his foot, Oleg was sent to a hospital in Vinnytsia, their hometown. Many soldiers are sent there to receive treatment and recover from their serious injuries throughout the war.

This morning he was taken in for another surgery as the doctors appear determined to try to save his foot. Otherwise, his foot will have to be amputated.

Please pray for these surgeons and pray that God will touch the nerves, tendons, and muscles. It would seem, that the doctors must have some level of hope. We too must have hope.

I spent an hour on the phone with Anna yesterday and I was so encouraged at her faith in God. She was giving God glory that her son was alive, that his injuries were no worse than they are, and that the protective equipment that the family had bought him did its job and prevented more serious injuries. She gave God glory. We should as well.

Please pray that her faith remains strong, and that people will see the power and comforting nature of our Lord throughout this saga.

Thank you for praying.

Please feel free to send the link to others who may pray. We believe in prayer. But above all, we trust in God. May he get glory even through this.

I will update as information warrants. If you are interested, you can sign up on the right to get email updates.

“God understands the way to it, and he knows its place. For he looks to the ends of the earth and sees everything under the heavens. When he gave to the wind its weight and apportioned the waters by measure, when he made a decree for the rain and a way for the lightning of the thunder, then he saw it and declared it; he established it, and searched it out. And he said to man, ‘Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, and to turn away from evil is understanding.’”
‭‭Job‬ ‭28‬:‭23‬-‭28‬ ‭ESV‬‬

A letter to inform and thank.

Friends, 

Four years ago, at 5 am on the 24th of February, Russia invaded Ukraine.

Almost weekly, someone asks me what is going on in Ukraine. Well, I say, our friends have between 3 and 6 hours of electricity a day. They had to set up a battery system to keep their refrigerator running. Last month was the coldest winter since the 2010s. Imagine 18 hours a day with no heat when he daily average temperature is 21 degrees Fahrenheit.

Last night the air attack from Russia was moderate. They sent 126 drones and missiles to destroy electrical infrastructure, houses, and damage hospitals and schools. It is a failed terror campaign because the resolve of our Ukrainian brothers and sisters is strong. On many nights over these years, the numbers of drones and missiles has been near or above 500 per night.

During these four years of horror our partners in Vinnytsia, Ukraine have prepared and sent hundreds of thousands of meals to the battle lines, to villages in the line of fire, to wounded in hospitals, and to feed thousands of refugees who slept at the camp between one night and several months. Over 25,000 people sheltered there in the first months of the war.

Our partners at the Stream of Love Camp continue working as they have since day one of the war. Neighboring people still rely on meals from the camp kitchen. That kitchen is equipped to operate even when the electricity is out. It was outfitted and upgraded for long term use by donations to CEO. I thank God for the foresight He gave the leader of the ministry as the war has no end in sight. Buildings that house families and a day school a were retrofitted with extra insulation thanks to the financial supporters of CEO. Thank you for being our financial partner. Today, all kinds of people from houses, and even tents, near our partner facility come to warm up, drink tea, get news, and charge their phones.

I remember four years ago realizing how strategic the camp had become during the war. I thank God for his sovereignty as He guided CEO into partnership with our Ukrainian friends. 24 years ago the camp was purchased through the donations of CEO partners like you and the collaboration of our CEO team and the camp ministry founders in Vinnytsia. 

All of this is possible only through the gracious and merciful hand of God. He has, is, and will provide. The Lord is faithful. Please continue to pray for Ukraine and their needs. We still send funds monthly. But those funds run out in April. We trust God. Please pray.

Thanks to God’s provision through our supporters like you, during these four years, I figure that we’ve sent $167,000. Thank you so much for being part of this story. Glory to God indeed. 

Peace from Grace,

Tom

Without it, you’re like a leaf in a storm drain.

“May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭15‬:‭5‬-‭6‬ ‭ESV‬‬