On Wednesday, we drove to the Poland/Ukraine border. When we arrived we bought food and water to hand out to people. We lined the road that led into Ukraine on either side so that we could hand out the supplies along with resource cards. We offered to pray over people and we worshiped in English and Ukrainian. As we sang, took turns sharing our testimonies into the microphone, handed out resources, and offered to pray over people, a crowd began to form to listen. As someone in our group shared their testimony, they asked for anyone who felt a stirring in their heart to raise their hand for prayer. I thought for sure no one would raise their hand but to my surprise, five or six people raised their hands to be prayed over.
After a couple of hours, a couple of large buses pulled up and time began to move in slow motion. In my mind, I first wondered why all of the faces on the bus were of middle-to-late-aged men. As the men began to get off of the buses and grab their duffle bags I wondered why all of the men had the same green duffle bag. I wondered why a lot of them were wearing camouflage colored articles of clothing and why their faces were downcast. All of a sudden everything clicked as the microphone was passed to a bilingual student who began to sing “Боже Я молюсь за Україну” (God, Pray For Ukraine). It was the most surreal and crazy thing I have ever experienced. Here we were at the border of Poland and Ukraine lining the sides of the path as 400 Ukrainian soldiers walked in safety for the last time as they made their way to the front lines to defend their country. The piercing notes of the song made everyone tear up as the soldiers were sent off to war by way of song and prayer.
As the soldiers passed us and approached border control, we followed them to continue singing and praying over them.
We eventually had to leave after border control kicked us out of the area. On our drive back to the Solid Rock Missions base we sat in silence, overcome by what we had witnessed. Things aren’t real until they are. We had heard of the war but we hadn’t witnessed its effects. Witnessing something makes it a reality and makes it real. I saw my dad, grandpa, and uncle reflected in the men heading to war. I looked around at my group and realized that if the war were in America, the men that were with us would have already been fighting. It was heartbreaking to witness the realities of war. It was heartbreaking to think about the families the men left behind. It was heartbreaking to recognize the cruelties of life. Being there felt like I had gone backward in time and was watching soldiers from WWII being sent off to war.
I feel like this experience was a HUGE test of our faith. We kept asking God, Why? Why do bad things happen to good people? I still don’t know the answer to that question and that’s okay. Even though it seems hard to imagine God’s presence in a time of war, I witnessed His presence on the border. God is present even in the bad.
Lord God, I pray for protection over these men and women fighting in Ukraine. I pray that you keep them safe from harm and that you guard their hearts above all else. I pray for peace amidst the fear and uncertainty. I pray for physical, mental, and spiritual healing as they face infliction. I pray for the soldiers to know that they are never alone despite what they’re facing. I pray for hope amidst the hopeless state of the land and I pray for the families left behind. Protect everyone in Ukraine and all of the refugees who have had to flee Ukraine. Provide them with everything they need and show them your goodness, Lord. Soften their hearts to you and let them experience your faithfulness. Project your love towards them and lend them your helping hand. In your name, Lord, амінь.
EMILY DICKINSON 