Ukrainians, may we see you

Someone pulled a strip off my heart and opened it up.

Someone made water well up out of my sight to make me see.  

It hit me like a ton of bricks that day : the lived experienced of this entire nation.

 

Ukrainians may we see you.

 

 20 refugees came to the Romanian church in vans as they fled their home.

There was a meek grandma with a huge paper towel in between her glasses holding them together. There was a kind mother who gave a welcoming smile over her grieving heart. 

 

They’d been oppressed by war.
They were in this together.

The least we could be is a refuge, even for a moment, providing a warm meal and the loving Presence of Christ in us. 

 

Three Ukrainians little girls became my dear friends.

We drew together, and I told them that it was Jesus who sent me here. Their innocent little eyes and dried up faces still wanted to play, still wanted to wonder.

But how could their parents hold it together and provide that in such a time as this? 

 

The one sweet little brown-eyed girl told me, we have to go now, but I love you so much. 

 

How could this happen to these people? How could so many be experiencing the destruction of their homes and murder of their people? 

 

This world is fallen and the devil is still the prince of this world (Ephesians 2:2, 2 Corinthians 4:4). That’s how.  

The experiences of Ukrainians we have met…

Trying to get your depressed little boy to do his online school work. When you arrived in Romania he told you “wouldn’t it be better if I just killed myself?” 

 

Living in the same hotel room with your entire extended family for an indefinite amount of time.

 

Living in a country all the sudden where you couldn’t speak the language. You’re away from all your friends.

 

Constantly worrying for your family still in Ukraine that could lose their lives at any point.

 

Split up from your husband who legally cannot leave the country – left to nurse your baby and take care of your other kid alone. 

Taking on the title of “refugee” and going through the trauma of fleeing war months into your pregnancy.

Sleeping in a basement for a month with 30 others waiting for the bombs to stop, trusting Jesus to provide food. 

 

All of your routines and rhythms thrown at the window. Searching to find work to provide for your family in a new country. All you had worked for your entire life becoming as nothing. Unable to sleep, unable to stop looking at the news. 

 

Seeing videos as a teen of buildings in your hometown exploding. 

The moment your town heard news of the war, panic hit and you ran to get food and to get money out of the ATMs.

 

Do we move back to our home and risk our children facing bombs again or do we fly across the world to Canada to start completely new, away from all we ever knew? 

 

Their resilience, joy, and faith in Christ has amazed me. 

 

Above is a screenshot of what a Ukrainian mother told me over Google Translate. 

Yet, the trauma of an entire people group is overwhelming. Pray that they’d have space to process their trauma and get on their feet again. 

 

 

Thank you Jesus that you weep with us. Thank you Jesus that one day you will wipe every tear and make all wrong right. Thank you Jesus that you were nailed to a Cross and suffered like us, that you were born a refugee and identify with these people. Thank you that you overcame on the third day when you rose from the gave. Thank you that ALL people – the refugee and the millionaire can have access TODAY to freedom and abundant life and purpose simply by making you Lord of their lives (John 17:3). Thank you that you are a Good Father who cares for every part of your children’s lives and that you give access to your comforting, life-bringing Spirit to all that receive Jesus.

 

 

Thank you that anyone reading this isn’t helpless.

In fact, they can give, pray, and serve refugees and partner with your Kingdom coming to bring light in darkness.

A Jesus Mission, whom 3 of my teammates are staying in Romania to serve, is delivering food to Ukraine and providing refugee care. You can sign up to volunteer or donate here!

 

Thank you that when we don’t understand, You are with us. You are our Defender. 

 

Lord I cry out to you may Ukrainians know you so deeply in this time, may they find their hope in you Jesus, may they know you bring justice, may you provide their every need Lord, may you stop this war.

Lord we cry out!