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Ira Kapitonova Draw the spear and javelin against my pursuers! Say to my soul, “I am your salvation!” Let them be put to shame and dishonor who seek after my life! Let them be turned back and disappointed who devise evil against me! Psalm 35:3-4 Today, I came across an opinion piece by Yaroslav Zubchenko of the Strategic Communications Department of the Ukrainian Army. It is written about Kharkiv, and it touches my heart even though I visited Kharkiv only once. At the same time, I feel that very similar words can be written about Chernihiv or Sumy or Zaporizhzhia or many other cities I have never visited before, and only God knows if they will stand for me to see them after the war. The opinion piece can be found at the link (https://t.ly/ObZx2), but I will share a few quotes: ~~~ "On their own, Kharkiv’s struggles turn into its routine. After the Russian shelling, not a single operating electrical substation was left in the city populated by over a million before the full-scale war. Tens or even hundreds of thousands of people must take turns cooking, climb the stairs to the upper floors, take care of themselves, and raise their children in the dark. Is this why our partners and allies can’t see it?" ~~~ "The number of Kharkiv residents is equivalent to Barcelona. In terms of its area, Kharkiv could accommodate about three Paris cities. All of Hungary has only twice as many universities as Kharkiv alone. And when missiles hit this city, they hit cultural landmarks of national importance, like the Slovo House, where the poets of the Executed Renaissance lived. One hundred years later the same executioners come back." ~~~ "Today, however, the situation looks like an apartment from which strangers can hear screams, but no one wants to look into the window. Except that in Kharkiv, each shelling breaks out eight hundred windows at a time." +++++ Please pray for Kharkiv, they are under attack presently. Al Akimoff and the Slavic Ministries Team Today's picture – smoke rises above the houses after a Russian military strike on Kharkiv. March 22, 2024. Photo by Suspilne  Ira Kapitonova Affliction will slay the wicked, and those who hate the righteous will be condemned. The Lord redeems the life of his servants; none of those who take refuge in him will be condemned. Psalm 34:21-22 There was an air raid warning this morning while we were at school. The kids quickly went into the basement. I kept glancing at my phone while my students were working independently on an exercise. I was trying to find out if there were any missiles in the air. It turned out that there were missiles in the air, but they were aimed not at Kyiv. Chernihiv was attacked with three cruise missiles. It was a direct hit to the object of social infrastructure. The eight-story building was destroyed, and four multi-story buildings, a hospital, and an educational institution were damaged. As of now, 17 people are reported dead, and over 60 people (including children) suffered injuries to the limbs and chest, as well as blast injuries and head trauma. People may still be buried under the rubble. Every attack like this is a low blow to each Ukrainian, no matter where we live. Every successful attack like this results from stalling in providing air-defense rockets and systems. We shall take refuge in the Lord. Please pray for the air defence systems to be released. Pray for the governments of the world to respond to this need. It is so needed to save lives. Al Akimoff and the Slavic Ministries Team Today's picture – Chernihiv after the missile strike this morning. Photo by State Emergency Service.   How many people have been blessed by the story and the words of Corrie Ten Boom? Yarik, one of our Ywam leaders in Ukraine has a vision to distribute the recently published “Hiding Place” in Ukrainian to the people of Ukraine. We helped him buy the first 50 copies at a reduced price of $6.00 a book. Those were distributed to doctors, therapists and wounded soldiers at a hospital. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to keep the ministry and message of Corrie alive in yet another troubled nation that needs this now? Can we help Yarik distribute hundreds, maybe thousands of copies to those who need hope? How many books would you like to help to distribute? Please pray with us that Corrie Ten Booms message will spread through Ukraine and bring hope and the presence of God into the darkest places. Al Akimoff and the Slavic Ministries Team  One family’s story in Ukraine Five years of working hard they were able to buy a home. They were happy, step by step they renovated it. Life was moving along. They heard the news about the possible war in Ukraine, but they did not want to believe it. They woke up from the sound of explosions, The cold, grey, food cellar became their home. Sounds of explosions, the phone calls, the fear of death, the fear of Russian soldiers became their “typical” life. When the mother looked at her small children, she saw in their eyes, full of tears and fear. They did not let go of her for days. The parents knew it was time to leave, but it was so difficult to make that decision. A couple of days later after they left, their house was bombed. She got a phone call that her husband was wounded, but at least he was alive. He will remain crippled but is able to walk. They really want to go home, live on the land, do their own gardening. The family are on the waiting list to receive a home from Waves of Hope Project. Our Ywam team wants to restore the families hope, and express God’s mercy. Would you pray with for the teams that are coming with the waves of hope this summer. Pray for more teams, maybe you can be an answer by forming a team from your church or base. You can donate to the project below. Al Akimoff and the Slavic Ministries Team https://www.ywamslavicministries.org/donate/  Ira Kapitonova May the Lord give strength to his people! May the Lord bless his people with peace! Psalm 29:11 I was too exhausted to hear anything at night. After the air raid alert on my phone, we crawled into our apartment hallway and went right back to sleep. However, the morning news hit us hard. There were more strikes on energy infrastructure. The largest generation facility (thermal power plant) in the Kyiv region (that supplied electricity to the central regions of Ukraine) is completely destroyed. The situation is as dire in several other regions. We don't even want to imagine what the next winter may feel like. In such hopeless times, how much more precious it is to read about Lithuania promising to supply equipment from their suspended power stations and about Latvia signing a long-term security agreement with Ukraine, promising to provide annual military aid to Ukraine in the amount of 0.25% of their GDP. Thank you, dear brothers and sisters! Providing military aid to Ukraine now is not about military gain. It is about our survival. Please, contact the office of your political representative and ask them to stand with Ukraine. "For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’" (Matthew 25:35-40) Please continue to pray for protection for the power grid. Give thanks for the kindness shown by the neighboring nations. Al Akimoff and the Slavic Ministries Team Today's picture is an illustration by Oleksiy 'Kusto' Kustovsky. It's a tribute to our incredible power engineers.  Ira Kapitonova The Lord is the strength of his people; he is the saving refuge of his anointed. Psalm 28:8 I read an interview with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba. Recently, he's been on a mission to get more air defense for Ukraine. The Patriot systems are the priority as they are the only ones capable of intercepting the deadliest ballistic missiles. Ukraine needs 26 batteries to create a total air shield over Ukraine, yet even seven systems would help protect the largest and most targeted cities. Kuleba said they have identified more than 100 available Patriots (some neighboring countries have more than one battery guarding a port or airfield), but they are faced with the reluctance to provide them. Of course, why should someone bother to provide aid to Ukraine, especially since so much has already been provided? It's a legitimate question in a world run by interests and gains. However, I would like to believe in miracles and see room for values. Because each day of the delay comes at the cost of human lives. Today, during the strike on the Odesa region, 14 people were injured and 4 killed, including a 10-year-old girl. During the strike on the Kharkiv region, two women and a 14-year-old girl were killed. That’s not the complete statistics and definitely doesn't include military losses. I just wonder if those who bargain and delay the provision of military aid understand the severity of the situation. Do not drag me off with the wicked, with the workers of evil, who speak peace with their neighbors while evil is in their hearts. Give to them according to their work and according to the evil of their deeds; give to them according to the work of their hands; render them their due reward. Psalm 28:3-4 Pray fof the release of defense systems. Al Akimoff and the Slavic Ministries Team Today's picture is an illustration by @bright_arts  “A picture worth a thousand words” Suffering within Ukraine Photo below is a father by the portrait of his son who died defending Ukraine. The pain of loss is unbearable for families who lost a loved one in war. Please pray for those grieving. Pray for our Y teams that go to bring the love of Christ to many. Grieve with those who grieve. Pray for the many fathers and mothers both in Ukraine and Russia who are grieving the loss of their loved ones. Al Akimoff and the Slavic Ministries Team  Ira Kapitonova O my God, in you I trust; let me not be put to shame; let not my enemies exult over me. Indeed, none who wait for you shall be put to shame; they shall be ashamed who are wantonly treacherous. Psalm 25:2-3 Attacks on Ukraine grew by almost 50% in March compared to February. Russia is producing more than 30 drones a day and expects to produce more than 80 drones a day by the end of the year. This year's strikes on energy infrastructure weren't as painful for the population, yet they are debilitating to the industry. Russia used high-precision missiles and targeted less protected regions. Some power stations are too damaged to be restored by next winter. Hits on civilian infrastructure in the Poltava, Sumy, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kharkiv regions with injured civilians, including children. Turn to me and be gracious to me, for I am lonely and afflicted. The troubles of my heart are enlarged; bring me out of my distresses. Consider my affliction and my trouble, and forgive all my sins. Consider how many are my foes, and with what violent hatred they hate me. Oh, guard my soul, and deliver me! Let me not be put to shame, for I take refuge in you. May integrity and uprightness preserve me, for I wait for you. Psalm 25:16-21 Can we pray this prayer with Ukraine, it cries out the heart of these people. Let’s join our hearts with theirs. Al Akimoff and the Slavic Ministries Team Today's picture — illustration by Nikita Titov.  Seven children and their families were successfully evacuated from the Temporarily Occupied Territories of the Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions. Some of the families endured horrible experiences during the occupation, witnessing Russian forces looting homes, threatening residents into taking Russian passports, carrying out violence against Ukrainians, and enforcing education according to the 'Russian world' ideology.” Families with teenage boys left the Temporarily Occupied Territories to prevent their children from being enlisted into the Russian army in the future. More children and their parents need to be freed. Please pray many more will be released from captivity. Al Akimoff and the Slavic Ministries Team  Ira Kapitonova Though they plan evil against you, though they devise mischief, they will not succeed. For you will put them to flight; you will aim at their faces with your bows. Psalm 21:11-12 Five missile and drone attacks on Kharkiv over the past 24 hours. The strikes hit residential buildings with nothing of strategic importance in the neighborhood. Four people were killed. Three of them were the rescuers of the State Emergency Service, working on the site when the Russians struck again. There was a video of a young rescuer weeping as his father (also a rescuer) was killed while he was working in a different location. You can find advice people give each other on increasing their chances in case of attacks. One of them is to keep dog treats in your pockets at all times, as it would help motivate rescue dogs. No movie would ever be able to come up with as dramatic plots as Ukrainians are living through every day. Please pray for Kharkiv and the neighboring cities, they have been under a constant attack for weeks now. Pray for survivors, pray for those hidden in basements and tunnels. Pray for peace. Al Akimoff and the Slavic Ministries Team Today's picture — one of the damaged buildings in Kharkiv after the recent attack  |
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