Early Wednesday Feb. 23rd bombs and loud explosions were heard in Odessa. It was still night there. Our son Caleb called immediately. We prayed. Odessa is on the Black Sea and is a key target since it was a major port city. We expected this to happen but it was still hard to believe. Instantly it was on the news around the world.
The next day we realized about 50 cities were attacked. Among them was the capitol of Kiev to the north where our kids, the Gustafsons, lived. They left before the attack. Caleb’s family planned to leave also and head to Moldova. Christina's parents decided to stay on in Odessa. No Russian soldiers had come into Odessa yet but we expect they will eventually. Pray.
City center of Kiev where government offices are and where the massive demonstrations were held a few years ago.
Moldova is a short drive from Odessa of about 60 miles to the west. It is a safe, small, and welcoming country. Suddenly cars were everywhere trying to get gas and get out of Odessa. it was like the Jews leaving Egypt in the book of Exodus. Because of massive numbers of people fleeing to Moldova the road became more crowded as they got closer. It took about 22 hours to drive only 60 miles. They were exhausted and glad to see their hosts on the other side where they will be for a while. Ironically this was very close to where my grandparents came from over a century ago. Now we’re back again.
Arriving and celebrating at boarder crossing into Moldova where they will be staying for awhile.
Next we heard Ukraine was handing out weapons to their citizens who could handle a gun. It was a good idea since they were out gunned by Russia. But Ukrainians know the landscape. Even the previous president of Ukraine, Petro Poroshenko, joined the citizen soldiers with his own weapon ready to protect their country. Pray.
By the end of Thursday Chernobyl was taken, I also heard Ukraine shot down 7 Russian jets, 7 coppers, damaged 20 armored vehicles, and destroyed 24 Russian tanks. A number of Russians surrendered saying they didn’t realize they were hired to kill Ukrainians. Today it was announced that yesterday 130 Ukrainians had been killed and 800 Russians.
So the battle has started and there is a long way to go. Be in prayer often for both sides remembering God is in control. It reminds us to keep our trust focused on the Lord through times like these. Read the full page that goes with the text below about how the enemies destroyed themselves. Amazing.
2Ch 20:20 They rose early in the morning and went out to the wilderness of Tekoa; and when they went out, Jehoshaphat stood and said, "Listen to me, O Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem, put your trust in the LORD your God and you will be established. Put your trust in His prophets and succeed."
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More later. -Pastor Mark