When I saw my Ukrainian friend, Oksana, and her youngest child in Michigan a few days ago, it was bittersweet. Oksana’s family was to host my (adopted) son Jake and me in their home this coming summer. We were scheduled to lead English camps through our nonprofit, Nourished Hearts, in Yuzhny, Ukraine. I still hold my plane ticket.
When Oksana and her child told me they were now to live here, I was overjoyed. I knew her husband was fighting for Ukraine in Kyiv. But where was David, her older son?
My friend’s smile faded, and tears began to fall.
“He is still there, Kim. He is trying to catch up to us. We have visas. David still needs one. He is walking into Moldova, trying to get to the U.S. Embassy in Poland.” The tears streaked my dear friend’s face.
There must be millions of similar stories. It hits differently when you know and love the people involved. I prayed as I consoled my friend.
I’ve been struggling to pray lately. I find it hard to pray for God’s will, though I know it is always best. I fill my quiet time with clear-cut requests—for individual people, and for specific events to happen. Not my usual.
Nothing feels usual.
I fill my reading with the book of Psalms. I find many soothing chapters and verses there. I’ve claimed different passages for Ukraine—including chapters 18, 27, 144, and more. However, the verses that keep coming back to my mind are from Ephesians.
As encouragement for my Ukrainian brothers and sisters around the world:
“For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore, take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.” Ephesians 6:12-13 NKJV
Back to my plane ticket. The reservation I made in June 2021 included a flight to Odessa, Ukraine, with a stopover in Warsaw, Poland. The reservation was just changed. While I prepare to go and find David, I ask for your continued prayers for Ukraine, for Nourished Hearts, and for our leaders there who are reaching into the community to help as many as possible, and for David. May God direct my steps to him.
If you’d like to support Ukraine with funding, you have many choices. I hope our Nourished Hearts (501c3) is one of them.
I stand with Ukraine,
Kim de Blecourt
You can donate on the following sites:
Direct Donate Link for Nourished Hearts: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=ZPHVCSE5ASET4
Direct link to our GoFundMe campaign: https://gofund.me/b7c327a2
Friends, in the comment section, feel free to give Kim a word of encouragement, or leave a prayer, or a scripture verse you’re clinging to during these turbulent times.
Prayers for you and all the Ukrainian families. May God’s peace be with you and may God direct the steps of David.
Thank you, Gloria. We are still praying for help.
Prayers for you and all the Ukrainian families. May God’s peace be with you and may God direct the steps of David.
Thank you, Gloria. We are still praying for help.
I stand with you in prayer, dear one.
I am encouraged that Holy Spirit continues to lead you back to the passage in Ephesians regarding spiritual warfare. That is the truth about this situation.
The individuals certainly matter to God. He knows each by name. Every day of their lives were written in his book before one of them came to be, according to Psalm 139.
Yet, this is a Kingdom issue. This is a “clash of the kingdoms” issue. An Elohim vs elohims issue. What is occurring in heavenly realms is being manifested in the earthly realms. Our prayers matter.
Standing! Believing!
Our God reigns!
Because of Jesus!
Diana Pintar
Thank you, Diana. We must stay on our knees.
I stand with you in prayer, dear one.
I am encouraged that Holy Spirit continues to lead you back to the passage in Ephesians regarding spiritual warfare. That is the truth about this situation.
The individuals certainly matter to God. He knows each by name. Every day of their lives were written in his book before one of them came to be, according to Psalm 139.
Yet, this is a Kingdom issue. This is a “clash of the kingdoms” issue. An Elohim vs elohims issue. What is occurring in heavenly realms is being manifested in the earthly realms. Our prayers matter.
Standing! Believing!
Our God reigns!
Because of Jesus!
Diana Pintar
Thank you, Diana. We must stay on our knees.
Dear Kim, Thank you for taking the time to share your heart and mission with us this week. My prayers are with you, friend. May God grant you safety and may His mighty hand protect and bless you on this important mission. Love and prayers, Jennie
Dear Kim, Thank you for taking the time to share your heart and mission with us this week. My prayers are with you, friend. May God grant you safety and may His mighty hand protect and bless you on this important mission. Love and prayers, Jennie
Praying for you and your family. May the Lord direct every step of the journey and cover David with protection. May the peace of God guard your heart and your mind during this uncertain season. May the God of Hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him.
A sister in Christ,
Teresa Harmening
Praying for you and your family. May the Lord direct every step of the journey and cover David with protection. May the peace of God guard your heart and your mind during this uncertain season. May the God of Hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him.
A sister in Christ,
Teresa Harmening
I’m continuing to pray for the people of Ukraine and for an end to this horrible war.
May this lead many to Christ…
I’m continuing to pray for the people of Ukraine and for an end to this horrible war.
May this lead many to Christ…
At age 8 or 9, Harriet Tubman began to pray – every day – that God would make her strong and able to fight. May God make us all – especially the people of Ukraine- strong and able to fight. May God’s peace fill Oksana and her family, may he keep her husband safe from the enemy, and may she be re-united with David soon.
At age 8 or 9, Harriet Tubman began to pray – every day – that God would make her strong and able to fight. May God make us all – especially the people of Ukraine- strong and able to fight. May God’s peace fill Oksana and her family, may he keep her husband safe from the enemy, and may she be re-united with David soon.