Editor’s note: The war in Ukraine was greatly escalated in February 2022. In light of developments in Israel, for some of us that conflict is half forgotten; but obviously not for Ukrainians, including Tikkun emissary Vladislav. We bring you his report:
The Great God of Israel still performs miracles! During the devastating war in Ukraine, people still gather for services. Yes, some have been evacuated, but others remain to live here. With faith and trust in the Creator, we will overcome the intimidation of missiles, drones and bombs. One early morning, a missile landed just a few hundred meters from my house. I saw it from my balcony. Scary? What do you think? But a few minutes later, I opened the Bible and found God's comfort in Isaiah 41:13.
“For I am the Lord your God; I hold your right hand, I say to you, ‘Do not fear, I will help you.’”
So please do not be discouraged! Fear nothing! God is always near! He holds your right hand! The God of Israel is ready to help in whatever situation you are in right now! Call upon Him, and He will answer! Seek Him, and you will find Him! He is the same God who:
"…led Moses by the right hand with His glorious arm, and divided the waters before them, to make for Himself an everlasting name..." (Isaiah 63:12)
He is the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; the God of Isaiah and Jeremiah; the God of Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego; the God of the apostles! He does not change!
“For I am the Lord, I change not; therefore you, sons of Jacob, are not consumed.” (Malachi 3:6)
Recently, two elderly men came to our Messianic congregation on Shabbat. I talked with one of them, a Jew seeking God and taking his first steps of faith. What joy there will be in Heaven when all Israel is saved! We in the Messianic communities in Ukraine constantly pray for it (Psalm 122:6).
Our Messianic Jewish congregation is in the city of Kharkiv tens of kilometers from the border with Russia. That's why we are like northern Israel under Hezbollah attacks from Lebanon. We are in the same situation, but we pray constantly! Our main pastor with his family was evacuated to Germany, and I have helped to pastor for two years. We have a shabbat service and two online services during the week. People in Germany, Switzerland and elsewhere connect with the congregation by internet. Baruch hashem!
Many here have experienced extensive damage to their homes and apartments including broken windows; and many of the poor don’t have money for food.
In Ukraine there are many Messianic Jewish congregations despite the war here. We seek to be a Messianic bridge between the synagogue and church as we share with Christians the Jewish roots of Christianity.
I put my faith in Yeshua as Messiah in 1998 after a journey of dealing with illness and having to be in 4 hospitals from 1997 to 1998. My mother and I had wanted to move to Israel in 1997, but God wanted me to remain and serve here in Ukraine.
