Ukraine Update: Still broadcasting hope

UPDATE: March 4, 2022

No one is more in need of words of hope than people in a war zone.

As bullets and missiles continue to fly and as even a nuclear plant came under attack on Day 9 of the Russia-Ukraine war, we’re pleased to report that TWR still is able to broadcast hope to the region.

Beginning Monday, TWR will be broadcasting to Russia, Ukraine and Belarus from a second Eastern European transmitter, reports Frank Stephenson, TWR’s communications director in Europe.

This includes two programs in the Ukrainian language, Beacon of Hope and Kaleidoscope, totaling 30 minutes. Both focus on providing encouragement and point to God as the source of comfort.

Two programs are being produced in Russian, including a 15-minute slot produced locally by our ministry contacts. Two programs in Russian also are being produced for our Belarus partner. The Russian language is spoken by many in Belarus and Ukraine as well as in Russia.

Incredible journey

As of Friday, March 4, the U.N. refugee agency reported that 1.2 million Ukrainians had arrived in neighboring countries since the conflict began on Feb. 24.

Among an untold number who still are trying to reach the border are a TWR Ukraine staff member* and five family members. The staff member is a man who normally would be required to stay in the country for defense purposes. But because he has a special-needs child, he has permission to leave with his family. However, their progress has been painfully slow and included a vehicle breakdown earlier this week.

But there was a grace note. The breakdown occurred close to where TWR’s Ukraine director* and his family are staying, so the two families were able to be together for two nights while the vehicle was being repaired.

At last word, the repairs had been made and the staff member and his family again were en route to the border. It would normally be a half-day trip, Stephenson reports, but under current conditions, it’s expected to take much longer.

The situation overall remains grim for our TWR family and for all the people in the region.

Stephenson writes:

“Humanly speaking, there is little hope for any improvement of the massive suffering taking place in Ukraine. The pain is real and heavy, and the consequences of this war will be long-lasting. But we can cling to the word, ‘In Christ alone, my hope is found.’”

*Names withheld for security reasons

Please pray with us

• Father God, may your grace be upon this family that has had such a painfully long journey toward their country’s border. Would you protect them, give them calm hearts, comfort and patience.
• We lift up the TWR Ukraine director’s family members and the Women of Hope coordinator who have reached other countries. We praise you that they are physically safe, but we intercede for them as they cope with the trauma of the past nine days and the reality that family members are still in places of danger.
• We also lift up the Ukraine director, shown in the accompanying photo, who remains in danger digging trenches by day and returning to the rest of his family in the evening.
• We pray on behalf of  all ministries in Ukraine, Russia and Belarus as they seek to serve people in uncertain, worrisome circumstances

Here’s a reminder that you also can help by giving. TWR’s Ukraine-Russia Crisis Fund has been created specifically for special needs faced by our friends in the region and to enable broadcasting to these countries to continue.