Ukraine Update

 These past days have kept my focus on Ukraine and the people we love that are still there.  Without going into detail yet there are many things going on.  Please pray that God will protect the innocents!  We are helping where we can and hoping to do more.  

If you would like to give- here are three places you can give and I can assure it will be used for the purpose that is stated.

First our church

Grace Church

7060 Berry Road

Zephyrhills FL 33540

send a check and put Ukraine at the "for" line.  We have several situations going on where we can directly give to certain individuals in order to buy supplies food medicine and hopefully get some folks out of the country!

Another long time ministry that has been in Ukraine for almost 2 decades Life2Orphans  Yall know I've mentioned them many times.  They have worked all over the country of Ukraine for all these years and are still helping.  LIFE2ORPHAN Facebook  is there current fund raiser.  Please give

Then there is this family.....wow! I'm surprised they have not been on the news....  This mama was running into Ukraine when every American I knew was running out!  She managed to get 2 of the boys out.  There is a glitch for the last boy- he is legally their child yet his paperwork was not correct (Ukraine's fault) and he is still there.  And that crazy Mama, she's getting ready to leave to go back and get him.  I don't think she is going into Ukraine but to a bordering country.  Pray for them and give to them.  I'm sure the fees are going to be high.  What their account is showing is all the money that has come in during the past year or so.  Most if not all of that money has been used so they will need more to get this little fellow.  I have to say this woman has earned my respect!

Miss.hildebrant@gmail.com

this is her and her new 15 YEAR old son who just spent several weeks in the hospital.  Yes you  read that right this child is 15 years old.  Please give and help this family to have the finances to get the remaining boy.

My heart is heavy for friends and loved ones.  In all my years I've never ever felt such darkness.  There is everything going on in the world and I have some heavy situations in "my world"  All I can say is But God.... 

There are several situations I'm involved in and we are just praying that God will make a way.  I'll share more when I can but God knows and He alone can work things out.  

Just a quick note for anyone who is in doubt about what is happening in Ukraine.  The GOOD guys are the Ukrainians.  There is no question.  If you read or hear things differently do not believe it.  It is not made up.  My mind is blown by some of the stupid things I'm hearing...

Quick lesson - Ukraine is its own separate country with its own identity.  The country's roots go back over a thousand years but it has always had to deal with Russia/Poland.  The most recent history was Ukraine was recognized as a sovereign country in 1917 but in 1922 (100 years ago) Ukraine became one of the founding members or the Soviet Union after fighting.  Of course Russia held control over Ukraine and managed to kill about 5 million Ukrainians by starving them to death.  That is called the Holodomor.  During WWII Ukraine was occupied by both Germany and Russia.  Many Ukrainians fought against both.  In the words of a Ukrainian friend "it was a very complicated situation"   

In 1991 when the USSR was dissolved Ukraine became a sovereign nation.  They have had some things to overcome but year by year the country was becoming more Westernized with the idea of freedom!   The Ukrainians fought against corruption and managed to overthrow corrupt presidents including the one in 2014.  At the same time Russia overtook Crimea and some of the Doneskt region   Now the Russians want to take over all of Ukraine.  But this is only the first step.  Putin wants the old USSR back and on this the 100 year anniversary of its beginning he is fighting to start it again  

In 1994 Ukraine gave up their nuclear weapons and signed a memorandum for security Assurances which basically said they give up their weapons but we would protect them....  What the Budapest Memorandum means for the U.S. on Ukraine - The Washington Post  it is a bit murky but I do not think the world is living up to this.  

When we were in Ukraine everyone talked politics to some degree.  They all wanted a free democratic country where they could live in peace.  It is so sad to see what is happening while the world lights up buildings in blue and yellow.....

Please pray and give to the organizations I mentioned or to others you know about personally.  But be careful to where your money goes.