Pray For Ukraine

Dear Friends and Prayer Partners,

We have been praying for the political climate in Ukraine since November. In the last couple of weeks, the revolution/protest has turned extremely bloody and violent.  To bring us up to speed, I will touch upon a few key events:

Around a week ago, the police (and snipers) were ordered by the president to aggressively fire upon protestors in the center of the capital city, Kiev.  Nearly 80 people were killed and the downtown was burned and all but destroyed.  Shortly after, the president was impeached and deemed a “criminal of mass murder”.  He has since gone into hiding and a Baptist pastor, who has been part of parliament for many years, is acting as interim president until elections in October.

While things in the capital city seem to be settling down a bit, tensions very serious in the southern peninsula of Crimea.  Apparently Russia is preparing to annex Crimea because of the large Russian naval fleet stationed in the harbor of Sevastopol.  In the last two days, there has been mass protesting in the city of Simferopol.  Some of my dear friends have been among the tens of thousands who have congregated.  Nearly half of those present are in favor of remaining a part of Ukraine while the other half wants to become a part of Russia.

The situation, as you can imagine, is very tense and volatile.

As a result of the protesting now in Crimea, it has become significantly difficult for me to be able to safely wire money to Ukraine for our workers and projects.  It has also left me in question of the future of Mulberry in Ukraine should Crimea fall into Russian hands.  My concerns go far beyond Mulberry, however.  My heart breaks for the Ukrainian people and yet I am so proud of what they are doing.

Prayer requests:

• Ask for our Father’s protection over His people in Ukraine; that He would strengthen and embolden the Church there.
• Pray for Ukraine’s future.
• Pray for me to have wisdom in knowing how to lead Mulberry through this turbulent time and to continue faithfully serving our Father amidst so much uncertainty and instability.
• Lastly, pray that through this revolution, many people would come to a true relationship with Jesus as Lord and Savior and that through this, Ukraine would find true freedom.

Thank you for coming together in prayer for Ukraine.  It is deeply appreciated.

Rachel Gilmor

Director

Mulberry International