Featured Photo: These 2 photos are from stock photos that have been approved for media distribution. See the slideshow below for more or search the web for many others.
NOTE: The photos shown in this report (and all other communications) are NOT to be forwarded or published in any way! The environment and censorship requirements mandate that I make this point.
Today’s visits and hourly briefings reminded me of the promise in Psalm 68:30, “He has scattered the peoples who delight in war.” Think about this phrase. The Psalmist’s prayer is a rebuke of militaristic nations; aggressive warmongering “forever wars.” God’s holiness demands that warmongers be “scattered.”
How tragic that the Devil has followers who “delight in war.” “Delight” describes their compass in life—they are not content with peace. They only want war.
Satan is the “Lord of this world” (1 John 5:19; 2 Corinthians 4:4). Among the destructive “tools” of the Devil is the constancy of carnal wars. The Lord warns us, “And you will be hearing of wars and rumors of wars” (Matthew 24:6). And so, begins today’s report…
The first communication I heard today summarized the Russian attacks upon Kyiv. 138 missiles were launched (and 38 were intercepted by Ukrainian air defenses), and 600 drones were launched (and 600 were intercepted and destroyed by Ukrainian defenses).
The missiles that penetrated the defenses struck a number of civilian buildings in Kyiv. All day long, hourly briefings continued to raise the civilian death toll. Photos received reinforced the communications and were emotionally draining.
I had been scheduled to visit a children’s rehabilitation center, and the Regional Governor was with us. During the visit, he received word that a fallen soldier from the Region was being returned for burial. When this action occurs, there is a long procession of cars following the body. As the procession proceeds, oncoming vehicles stop, and drivers get out; people on the streets and roadsides kneel in respect. At some of the village streets, the villagers had lined either side of the road with flowers and greenery. As the procession winds its way to the graveyards, vehicles stop and people begin following the body on foot.
We stopped and joined the crowd walking up the road. It was a heartbreaking walk. The village members wailed in grief. As the body was unloaded, the soldier’s wife fainted, and that added to the emotional uproar. The body will be buried, and a Ukrainian flag will be planted at the headstone. It will join hundreds of thousands of similar graves across the nation.
Ukraine is not the only “war” in the world. It would be shocking if readers actually knew the number of armed conflicts. You know of Nigeria, Syria, the Congo, Haiti, and other conflicts reported in the media. This massive conflict simply illustrates our Lord’s word, “My peace I give you; not as the world gives, do I give to you” (John 14:27).
The only peace that is possible in this world is the peace offered by Christ Jesus. “For He Himself is our peace” (Ephesians 2:14).
The message we are heralding in this war-torn nation is the exact message heralded in another century to a war-torn world: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among people with whom He is pleased”!
Approved photos are below—reread the note at the beginning of this report.
Again, I ask you to remember my trip in prayer with the Apostle’s request in Ephesians 6:19, “(O)n my behalf, that utterance may be given unto me in opening my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel.”
We are awaiting the Madison, AL group to arrive! They are eager to meet and fellowship with the Church of Christ in Ivano-Frankivsk, Ukraine!
John L. Kachelman, Jr., UKRAINE MISSIONS, Dalraida Church of Christ, Montgomery, AL
