In Independance Square, (Maidan Nezalezhnosti) known during the protests as The Maidan, many thousands of people stood for freedom. I’ve been here many times and was surprised to see this square still in an occupied condition.
The stage remains a place for the voices of protest. Today they sought an end to corruption.
Filed under Eastern Europe, photos along the way, shifts, Ukraine
In the following few posts I will be sharing some pix from my visit to the main square in downtown Kyiv.
Repairing the sidewalk.
The “weapons” of the battle were paving stones broken into throwing size. Today the sidewalks are being replaced with new paving stones.
Though in the posts to come you will see plenty of the old stones standing as part of the reminders, memorials really, of the months long battle.
Filed under culture, Eastern Europe, photos along the way, shifts, Ukraine
In the midst of a war memorial park in Kyiv there are a couple of bridge like structures worked into the park to give you the impression that you are underground. On either side of the sort-of tunnel that is created are bronze (?) statuary that, if it were painting, would be a mural. These are scenes from WW2. In the midst of the soldiers and partisans, the workers and farmers (this was the Soviet Union after all) is a lone figure.
I’ve seen her several times over the years, she always caught my eye, this matriarchal figure, but recent events made me realize that her heart is breaking again. She is still weeping.
Filed under Eastern Europe, experience, photos along the way, travel notes
Even though other news events have shifted USA attention from what’s going on here in Ukraine, the crisis continues to develop.
EuroNews video on the flight from Donesk: click here
Part of the reason is an intensifying of the fighting. Yesterday either Russia or pro-Russian insurgents fired a battery of short range missiles at Ukrainian army positions and killed 19 soldiers. Ukrainian TV reported that military sources said the trajectory of the missiles may have been from across the border.
Meanwhile in Kyiv, military officials displayed an enormous quantity of Russian munitions captured from insurgents. These munitions included everything from AK-47s to large multi rocket launching systems.
I’ve heard stories that if people try to drive west out of Donesk they have to pay the pro-Russian insurgents to let them through. On friend told me of a cousin who was beaten and his car taken by these thugs.
Then there are the soldiers and journalists who were captured and are held for ransom. I’m told that teens from group home are being used as human shields.
Now we’re hearing that shots are being traded across the border. Meanwhile Merkel and Putin talk cease fire in Ukraine while Putin cheers for GER. If Putin wants a cease fire, why doesn’t he stop the incursion of his people. Merkel seems to be putting German industry and Russian trade over Ukrainian sovereignty.
Please pray for Ukraine.
Filed under Eastern Europe
Weeks ago when I was planning this trip there was discussion about dates and the the places I would preach.
Originally, I was to have been here a week earlier but as the plan developed and today was the Sunday I would be serving with the brothers.
As it turns out this was a baptism Sunday. Here are the 124 candidates for baptism who have had basic Christian training and have been examined as to the sincerity of their faith:
The Pentecostal church buildings in town were empty today because this is the Sunday when they all come together at the lake for singing, preaching and the baptisms. I am told there are several thousand on the hillside:
As I was saying hello to one of the pastors it hit me that had my schedule not changed I would have missed preaching at this event. I’m so glad that God is orchestrating my itinerary.
I’m told this is a bit of a higher number of baptisms and it was hypothesized that recent events are causing people to realize their need for a relationship with God.
The newly baptized believers then received a Bible that I urged them to read daily.
What will it take for us to realize and act on that need for God?
Even though other news events have shifted USA attention from what’s going on here in Ukraine, the crisis continues to develop.
EuroNews video on the flight from Donesk: click here
Part of the reason is an intensifying of the fighting. Yesterday either Russia or pro-Russian insurgents fired a battery of short range missiles at Ukrainian army positions and killed 19 soldiers. Ukrainian TV reported that military sources said the trajectory of the missiles may have been from across the border.
Meanwhile in Kyiv, military officials displayed an enormous quantity of Russian munitions captured from insurgents. These munitions included everything from AK-47s to large multi rocket launching systems.
I’ve heard stories that if people try to drive west out of Donesk they have to pay the pro-Russian insurgents to let them through. On friend told me of a cousin who was beaten and his car taken by these thugs.
Then there are the soldiers and journalists who were captured and are held for ransom. I’m told that teens from group home are being used as human shields.
Please pray for Ukraine.
Filed under Eastern Europe, shifts, travel notes
kingdom travelin' 