War in Ukraine

While I am sure you have all heard or at least read the headlines about what is going on in Ukraine, the reality is that Eastern Ukraine is now at war with a group of Russian insurgents/terrorists attempting to destabilize the nation as it nears it's Presidential Elections set for May 25th.

This week, I should have been in Ukraine, in Kramators'k where heavy terrorist activity has turned this quaint town into a war zone.

In Kramators'k, is a small city by comparison to most of Ukraine's major cities with around 173k inhabitants. The transition home that Ukraine Orphan Outreach and Agape Ministries partners together to run and support is located on the outskirts of town.

 

Pro-Russian insurgents have occupied this area for the last month, stirring up trouble. Over the weekend, the Ukrainian special forces arrived and have attempted to overthrow the terrorist stronghold in the city. 

 

 

This week, I, along with several other ladies were to spend the week at the transition home visiting with the house parents and the boys living there. Today we saw what happened outside of the hotel where we were supposed to be staying. Terrorists had seized some busses and vehicles and set them on fire in hopes to stop the approaching troops.

 

 

We are currently asking for prayer for the family and boys living in our home. They want to evacuate but the situation is dire and very dangerous to leave their town which is surrounded on one side by terrorists and the other side by the Ukrainian army. Their desire is to move to Western Ukraine where it is safe from the violence. The house parents have two small children and a baby on the way. It is a very scary situation, but God is able!

 

Please pray for Maxim and Lena and their children, and the boys at House of Grace for safe passage out of the city to safety!