Kevin Reilly on behalf of Edik & Liana – Uzhgorod, Ukraine

Psalm 31 is a wonderful expression of David’s faith in God, despite the enormity of the circumstances he faces. He is in need of rescue and salvation (v2); he is painfully aware of his own inadequacies and failings (v10); his reputation has been shot to pieces (v11) and he has been forgotten like one who is dead (v12). Many of these sentiments could so readily describe the recent months for Ukrainians, who continue to endure war with Russia. It has been the darkest of times for them recently, with lethargy on the part of Ukraine’s partners, Russia’s gains and undoubtedly Ukrainians feeling as if they have been forgotten like one who is dead!

Yet, within the song, David finds within himself the ability to turn away from such dire circumstances and turn to his Lord: I will rejoice and be glad in your steadfast love, because you have seen my affliction; you have known the distress of my soul, and you have not delivered me into the hand of the enemy; you have set my feet in a broad place. (v7-8)

I will rejoice, says David – his confidence anchored in the certainty that the Lord is not unaware of his suffering and that God knows and understands the distress within his soul. David’s enemies have not yet prevailed (though they might!!) and so instead of being overly preoccupied with the final outcome, he celebrates what God has done to this point: …you have set my feet in a broad place. Hounded on all sides (both outwardly and inwardly) David is able to occupy a personal place of freedom and assurance and in this moment, he will rejoice!

Like David, Edik and Liana continue to occupy a space of freedom and assurance in God. The Lighthouse Community recently had the joy of hearing them share on the theme of Compassion with Action. The most instructive part of our evening was not so much what was shared (though was both inspiring and challenging), but the way in which both Edik and Liana continue to live our their faith with joy and compassion. The pressures continue to relentlessly build in their world, but like David, they continue to find in God what they need to rejoice in their sufferings and remain steady in his steadfast love – feet set firmly established in a broad place.

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Edik Writes: Hi dear Kevin and Emma, everything here is still the same – gloomy, cold, damp, with these endless air sirens and disappointing news and the ongoing war. But we continue our work, entrusted to us by God to bring comfort to people in this difficult time. The education of refugees in Bible schools continues. Now there are already 3 schools with different people at different levels. For now, I have postponed the date of our next baptisms so that more people can come to a conscious decision.

Adam passed the exam at the university and now went to visit Liana’s sister (his aunt and cousins) in Warsaw. Thank God for him, he attends church in Bratislava and thank you very much for your prayers and support. Below is information for the past month: we paid 18 refugee families €120 each for hotel accommodation. About 35 people received cash assistance, an average of €80 per month. Assistance was provided to 3 churches in the amount of €1200. We paid €450 for the church conference room, €300 for the apartment and €90 for the warehouse. We paid for 51 meals over 20 days and that came to €4000.

Thank you very much! We love you very much and we send greetings to you from the entire church.