Matt's Blog

As you may have heard, the Ukrainian supreme court has declaired the election void. A "do-over" is in the works. Meanwhile, it seems that God continues to use a difficult situation to further his kingdom. Here's an update from the same source as before.

>From: Oleg Vasilevsky [mailto:oleg@radooga.net]
>Sent: Saturday, December 04, 2004 5:52 AM
>To: oleg@radooga.net
>Subject: New Door #2 and Big Picture
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>First of all I would like to thank each person who has being praying for our country and helping us out in different ways during this difficult time. The Lord has heard each of your words and used each of your gifts to receive more glory through this exciting ministry.
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>Prayer Center
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>God is giving us ideas about what to do all the time. We have a big cross installed in snow next to our tent. Someone put a cloth on the snow to stand on it for prayer. When I came there next morning I could see how much that cloth lowered due to many people praying at the cross. One of the pastors put a table with the Bibles and Christian literature there and people were taking that as well. We gained a lot of respect from the head security guy of the tent camp by helping them out with shoes and other stuff. Pastors often share at our morning prayer meetings that people come and receive Christ there.
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>Our prayer center has also being noticed by Russian Mass Media. Two major Russian News agencies have criticized the "cults" downtown Kiev for "brainwashing" participants. For the first time in history of Ukraine the church and the political leaders have come together in quest for truth and the mass media accuse us even now. I am sending a letter to these agencies asking them to apologize. At the same time I am glad that the presence of Christians downtown Kiev is so noticeable even in Russia and Belarus where many protestant churches are persecuted by the government and the state Orthodox Church. I am very glad the Russian scenario won't take place in Ukraine.
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>New Door #2
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>God has opened second New Door. Due to our involvement with organizing home stays for people who come to Kiev to support the revolution we are able to talk with the churches about hosting people. Can you imagine a person who has never even talked with a protestant Christian, staying with one, having a meal, talking, laughing, praying! What an awesome way of evangelism! Please, pray that we would be able to share this with more churches in Kiev and suburbs.
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>Big Picture
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>Many of us have talked about the Big Picture of what God is doing in Ukraine. Even before the revolution Ukraine has being called a launching pad for the former Soviet Union due to the religious freedom we had in comparison with other states. But I believe that it's not only about the former Soviet Union. I believe it's about the whole Europe. Lord willing Yuschenko will come to power and Ukraine will head West while maintaining strong relationships with Russia and other countries. Ukrainian Christians have being known for being hot about Christ and gospel and I believe that this fire will spark spiritual revivals in the countries of Central and Western Europe after the borders will be open. Why else, would God allow us to become closer with Europe?
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>Political News
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>Ukrainian court rules in favor of Yuschenko's claim to declare the second election tour invalid. When the judges read their verdict, Lena and I were shocked at the number of laws that were broken. 28 different laws were broken during the election. Boy, we prayed for that court and the judges the past few days. Thank God the churches in Ukraine can see now that the election results were falsified and can openly declare their disagreement with the government without fear.
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>Ukrainian parliament votes no-confidence to the government of Yanukovich and requests the dismissal of such government.
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>President Kuchma flies to Russia to meet with president Putin for consultation. He had the power to save the whole situation before people got on the streets and the court made its decision but he was silent. This silence brought protesters and police to Kiev. Now, instead of facing the tough decisions he tries to find answers from Russian president, as if Putin has answers for Ukraine
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>Every time Yuschenko speaks in front of hundreds of thousands people downtown Kiev, he ends he speeches with words "Glory to the Lord God".
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>And all God's people say the same "Glory to the Lord God"!
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>In His Grace,
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>Oleg Vasilevsky