It’s been really hard to navigate all of this. There truly are no words for the atrocities happening in Ukraine. Saying “I have no words” has become my standard response. But I know those of you praying want updates so please bear with my attempt to put some words to this.
Ever since Thursday (2/24) morning, waking up to the sounds of exploding shots its been survival and terror for our friends in Ukraine. In and out of the underground root cellars, under stairs, moving from one location to another to try to stay safe. Stepping out to smoke and seeing 3 missiles shot towards Okhtyrka. The last I heard from them this morning is that flames can be seen from Dusya’s house, either the forest and cemetery which is behind our house or maybe the next village over. Maybe both.
In a statement yesterday, President Zelenskiy named Okhtyrka along with the capital and some of the largest cities in Ukraine because of how hard it has been hit. The videos and pictures we’ve gotten from friends in Okhtyrka and Sumy contain horrific images of people dead in their streets, buildings on fire and the sounds of bombs and gunfire going off in the background. Friends say they’re terrified of the night. Today one friend told me she thought today was so bad, she thought it was going to be the end.
We don’t know what this will look like from one moment to the next. Access to food and medicine is very limited or non existent for many people there. We are collecting donations (click here to donate now) and sending them to whoever we can, to those who are able to access them. Please know that if you donate, we will distribute your generosity and support as quickly and responsibly as we can. Many stores are simply empty or are taking only cash. As soon as we find needs we can help with, we’re sending help.
So far, thanks to friends in the Sumy region, we’ve been able to use your donations to buy diapers for an orphanage, food and supplies for civilians and friends in the military. We will continue to keep you posted as we can and we are so thankful for your generous support! Our friends there have been thanking us repeatedly for the little that we’ve been able to send so far.
If you would like to pray for someone by name, please send a dm to me @anushkajoy on Instgram. I’m going to get a list of people we’re in contact with and their latest update so we can have prayer warriors covering them in prayer by name.
Please pray for the safety of our friends and the whole country of Ukraine. Pray for President Zelenskiy, who is leading with incredible bravery and fortitude. Pray for the church and local Christians as they offer help. Pray for the military as they fight tirelessly, day and night. Pray for those who are safe and fighting guilt. We are heartbroken beyond anything I know how to say. Thank you for standing with Ukraine, for your support and for your prayers.
💙Anika