Day 4 – Lviv, Ukraine
After a long journey the day before, we arrived In Lviv, 50 miles / 80 km from the border with Poland. It is a beautiful city that blends architecture from the East and the West.
Lviv has become a destination for many Ukrainians who are escaping Kyiv and other conflict zones. It is also a resting point for many who are traveling on to Poland and other European countries.
We were treated by our host, Yura, to a traditional Ukrainian breakfast – eggs, beets, and buckwheat.
Yura has done so much for so many. Despite not getting paid – the conflict broke out the day before payday – he has used his savings to rent apartments for the brothers and risks his own life and uses his own money to pay for gas to transport refugees fleeing from the conflict zones. Last night he left for Kyiv to pick up people in a bus to bring them back to Lviv. Keep him in your prayers as he has expressed a sincere desire to be restored.
We then hopped in Yura’s van to go to a nearby forested park for a morning prayer together in sub-zero temperatures. Yura’s the gentle bear second from the left.
Note that he advised that we not walk together in a group on the streets as it may be viewed as suspicious by the police, who are vigilantly keeping an eye out for foreign Infiltrators. Understandably, everyone, especially the police and military authorities is on high alert.
We were so encouraged to meet Koyla, a fiery young disciple who had just arrived on an overnight train from Kyiv. He stated that no one goes out in Kyiv due to the danger. He is a former kickboxing champion in Ukraine and is full of zeal to get out and fight for the Lord with the brothers in Lviv.
We inquired about the writing on the wall of Yura’s apartment building. This is directing people to the basement, which serves as a bomb shelter in case of a missile attack.
This is Sasha, a medical technician for cancer patients in Kyiv, with her sweet daughter, Anya. Sasha speaks fluent English. She shared that the bombing was getting very close to her home so she and Anya fled to Lviv five days ago. They are staying at this clinic in one of the many offices which have been converted into a refugee shelter. 70 refugees are staying here. Sasha shares the spirit of all Ukrainians, vowing to never give up.
These are drawings from children who attend the clinic! The writing on the bottom drawing says, No War!
We closed out the night sharing a meal with the Ukrainian disciples here in Lviv at a very famous restaurant called, ‘Arsenal’, a former armament warehouse dating back hundreds of years.
It was so encouraging to gather the disciples together as a family, share a delicious meal (mouth-watering ribs), and have a Bible study and a time of sharing.
A family photo to close out the night, with the Tesla graphic in the background. Tesla in Ukrainian means “carpenter”. How fitting, for as disciples we are called to follow the true Carpenter!
Day 4 – Complete
