Dear Friends, Today I received the email below with the attachment of Bill\u2019s Fall 2016 report. Bill & Mike work with the Ivano-Frankivsk congregation and Bill\u2019s report discusses the camps from this summer. Bill & Mike give information that continues to validate the fact that Russian invasion and occupation of pockets in eastern Ukraine are being destroyed so Putin can have his \u201csecurity buffer zone.\u201d Such continues to illustrate the savagery of Russia! Please pray for the request that is mentioned!<\/p>\n
Best wishes,<\/p>\n
John<\/p>\n
Mike\u2019s Note\u2026<\/p>\n
Dear Friends of Ukraine Missions:<\/p>\n
A situation has developed in our former \u201ccamp\u201d town of Toretsk (formerly Dzerzhinsk).\u00a0 The town is without water due to shelling by Russian backed Sepratist.\u00a0 Please read Bill Wharton\u2019s e-mail and add our brothers and sisters in Christ, friends, and this city to your prayer list. Mike Lawson<\/p>\n
Bill\u2019s note\u2026<\/p>\n
EMERGENCY \u2013 BULLETIN CALL FOR FERVENT PRAYERS<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n We are attaching a report we had been preparing to send you about our work this year in Russia and Ukraine.\u00a0 However, we have just learned of a very serious emergency resulting from the current war in eastern Ukraine that is threatening the lives of hundreds if not thousands of the residents in Toretsk (formerly Dzerzhinsk).<\/p>\n A large pipe that carries water from Horlivka to Toretsk has been damaged extensively by artillery fire from the rebel-held city of Horlivka.\u00a0 This pipeline – about 36″ in diameter – supplies the entire city of Toretsk with drinkable water. Since last Monday, there has been no water coming through the pipe. Laborers who went to the site to repair the pipe were driven away by gunfire. Officials estimate it would take three days to a week to make the repairs when the repair crew is able to approach the site of the damage.\u00a0 No one knows when\/if the crews will be allowed to do their work.<\/p>\n There will be a domino effect if the water supply is not immediately restored. Without water, the central heating must be shut down. Most residents are dependent on the central sources of steam and hot water for heating.\u00a0 Officials have said that if the heating source shuts down it is unlikely that heating can resume this winter. (By the way, the official forecast is for sub-freezing temperatures day and night for the next 10 days.)<\/p>\n This is a call for fervent prayers that the water supply can be restored.<\/strong>\u00a0 Many of you know people who live in Toretsk or have been supporting them through your prayers. Please pray fervently for their restoration of water necessary for heating, cooking, drinking, and certainly toileting.<\/p>\n For additional information, please see the news article below.<\/p>\n Toretsk is on the verge of humanitarian catastrophe.<\/p>\n