What's Going on Between Russia and Ukraine?

Up to 100,000 Russian military forces are gathering along the Ukrainian boarder after President Putin expressed his disapproval and frustration with the west and Ukraine wanting to join alliances under NATO. He accuses the U.S. of breaking promises saying that NATO would not expand eastward and the U.S. and NATO leaders deny ever making those promises. They refuse to discuss their expansion, but they are open to talking security matters with Russia. Russia feels Ukraine wanting to join with NATO is like a slap to the face since they share Russian history, but Ukraine still feels like they can't truly be free from Russia because of the heavy influence it still has especially on the east side of their country. Nevertheless, Russia isn't happy and an invasion and potential war is thought to be around the corner. While we don't know this for sure, some are thinking that if there is going to be a war it wouldn't be a surprise if it happened within the next couple months.

Call to Action!

NATO and the U.S. are trying to help Ukraine best they can, but if an invasion were to happen it may be devastating for Ukraine. A few countries have strongly advised Ukraine to initiate a peace talk, but as tensions rise there may still be a lot of different conflicts needing to be diffused and to be done quickly.

With that being said, we need to pray! As Christians and Americans we value freedom, and we fight for it because we know that it's worth the cost. Currently, Ukraine is not free and we need to be praying for both freedom and peace over them. Pray that the disputes will be settled and that freedom will come to those who feel afraid and enchained both spiritually and physically. Most importantly, pray for God's presence to fall upon both Russia and Ukraine. Pray for an unsaved nation to be radically transformed and saved. 

Ephesians 1:18-21

"I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which He called you, the riches of His glorious inheritance in His holy people, and His incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength He exerted when He raised Christ from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also the one to come."

This verse automatically came to mind while thinking of this situation, pray this verse with us over them today. No more fear, thirst for power or chains... we want peace, freedom and God!

UPDATE 3/8/22

Currently, Samaritan's Purse is starting an Emergency Field Hospital on the outskirts of Lviv, in western Ukraine. The hospital will have two operating rooms, providing the capacity for 14 major surgery operations and 30 minor per day. The disaster response team being sent includes doctors, nurses, and logistics and other personnel. There will be around 60 total inpatient beds, including four intensive care unit beds and four step-down beds. altogether they will be able to assist up to 100 patients per day.

ADDITIONAL SAMARITAN'S PURSE UPDATES:

• Our disaster response specialists are in Ukraine, Poland, Romania
• More than 2 million refugees have fled Ukraine.
• Smaller medical clinic bound for Moldova on an additional flight this week.
• Partnering with more than 3,200 churches inside Ukraine. As conflict erupted, we were in the process of distributing 600,000 Operation Christmas Child gift-filled shoeboxes. We remain in contact with ministry partners in the country to see how we can assist during this crisis.