I remember the summer of 2019; it was my first time in Ukraine. When I flew out of the Kiev, Ukraine airport to return home, I was staring down from the window seat of the plane watching the ground become smaller and smaller. It was then that the Lord spoke to my heart. He told me that I would return to this land and people to preach the Good News of Jesus. I wasn’t sure at the time how or when that may happen. Then in 2020, Covid broke out, and after that Ukraine saw the escalation of war from Russia.
However, my colleague Daniel Rus of Global Network of Evangelists, who lives in Romania, started taking multiple humanitarian relief trips into Ukraine, and even into the eastern part where the war is so intense. Daniel asked me about going back to Kiev (the capital). Daniel and I had visited there in December of 2019 and started building relationships with a group of pastors and leaders.
Finally, I was able to return to Kiev, Ukraine just a few weeks ago. This trip was the beginning (not complete fulfillment) of that word God gave me on the plane in 2019. We did return and I did preach the Good News to approximately 650 people over three days of seven outreaches. We saw 208 professions of faith in Christ. Also, we partnered with Daniel’s ministry and delivered food to people that are in need.
This was the first time I was in a country that is amid war. It is somewhat chilling to hear air raid sirens going off and knowing that missiles were launched into the region. Now, most of the time missiles get intercepted, but occasionally one gets through. I was told that the sirens went off at night while I was there, but I slept through them. However, I did hear the sirens one time about 7:30 in the morning. I went downstairs to the lobby of our hotel and asked the attendant what to do. He replied in broken English, “Oh, about 90% of the time, it is no problem, sometimes we get in the lower parking deck (bunker) if it sounds closer.” I jokingly told him, “Give me a cot to just sleep in the bunker, 10% is too much risk for me.”
UPDATE: The day after we departed from Ukraine, there were reports of a massive missile attack on the city. One place bombed was (from my understanding) Ukraine’s largest children’s hospital. There were also other places bombed, such as residential and business areas. Daniel and I had driven past those places many times on our mission. The latest news report I heard, the death toll had risen to 48 and counting. Please pray for the hurting people of Ukraine.
I want to share one testimony from a teenager who prayed to dedicate her life to Christ. This was recorded on the response card which churches receive to follow up with new believers for ongoing discipleship.
Anastasia is 15 years old: "I am very enthusiastic about the act of God, I want to be always with Him, to have a relationship with Him. Today's sermon touched me to the core. I am beginning to understand God more and more. I prayed to dedicate my life to Jesus Christ.”
