July 17, 2026 (Day 1605)
News from Ukraine
The morning sky heralds the end of the night and the beginning of a new day. When morning comes, we breathe a sigh of relief and pray for God’s blessing on the day ahead. Although our days are no easier than our nights, it is somehow easier to endure the attacks during daylight than in the darkness. War is exhausting and cruel. Our enemy deliberately strikes the places that hurt the most. This is the season when farmers in southern Ukraine are harvesting their crops, yet the enemy continues to destroy our fields, farming equipment, and agricultural infrastructure. They also relentlessly attack our ports, trying to destroy the ships that carry grain to countries around the world. There are days when the air raid sirens sound as many as fifteen times. Most of the attacks now come from missiles that reach us within minutes, leaving almost no time to react or predict where they will strike.
At night, when the air raid alarms wake me, I often read Scripture. Today, a passage from Isaiah deeply resonated with me: “Watchman, what is left of the night? Watchman, what is left of the night?” The watchman replies, “Morning is coming, but also the night…” (Isaiah 21:11–12) The people ask the watchman how long the night will last, and he answers that the morning is coming, but the night must continue for a while. What a comforting reminder that the morning is indeed coming. We are not alone in the darkness. Our ultimate Watchman never leaves us; He watches over us and walks with us through every night until the dawn arrives.
Faith in the coming morning gives us strength to live, to serve, and to endure. Many of the clients who come to our counseling center struggle with anxiety, depression, and grief. I have been working with a woman who came to me overwhelmed by fear and constant agitation. When we first met, she could not concentrate on her work, she could not sleep, and she found it impossible to relax. Over time, however, she began to experience relief. She learned healthy ways to calm herself and manage her emotions. She also learned to notice the good even in the midst of difficult circumstances. Most importantly, she learned to trust God. As we read the Psalms together, God’s Word has brought healing and hope to her heart. One of the most important truths we can share with our clients is that the morning will come. This is God’s promise. No matter how long the night may seem, He remains with us, and He will bring us safely into the light of a new day.
We are planning to start a new therapy group for people who struggle with anxiety and panic attacks. We also want to expand our support for our counselor, Olena, who works with the wives of servicemen. Among those she serves, the women whose husbands are listed as missing in action face some of the deepest emotional pain. They live in a state of painful uncertainty, not knowing whether their husbands are alive or dead. This prolonged uncertainty leaves them feeling trapped in an emotional vacuum. Many find it difficult to care for their homes and children because their minds are consumed with searching for answers and holding on to every small glimmer of hope. Please pray that God will comfort these women, give them strength for each day, and enable us to provide the support and hope they so desperately need.
This week, Sergey traveled to Kyiv again with Sasha and his wife. He drove Sasha to the hospital, where he periodically undergoes treatment for his spinal cord injury. We prayed for their safety during the trip, and we are grateful that they traveled safely. The treatment has brought some small signs of improvement. Sasha has begun to feel light touches on his legs, but there have been no significant changes. This is very discouraging for him. We do our best to make his life more meaningful and enjoyable. We visit him regularly, invite him to participate in different activities, take him for walks in his wheelchair, help him with his exercises, and simply spend time with him. However, he often declines our invitations and remains withdrawn, alone with his thoughts and struggles. Sadly, there are many veterans like Sasha today. This is one of the reasons we are so eager to open our Veterans Center. We pray that it will become a place where men and women with similar experiences can find understanding, build friendships, encourage one another, and remind each other that they are not alone on this difficult journey.
Last month, our church prayed that Dr. Anya would have the opportunity to take a much-needed vacation. She was physically and emotionally exhausted and longed to spend time with her family. We were so happy to see her this month. It was a great blessing that she was able to come home, rest for a while, and even travel to Romania, where she spent a week with her daughter. We are grateful to see that, despite the emotional and physical demands of caring for wounded soldiers, Dr. Anya has returned in good spirits and with renewed strength. She will soon go back to her medical unit to continue serving those who have been injured in the war. Please continue to pray for Dr. Anya, for her medical unit, and for God’s protection, wisdom, and strength as they care for the wounded each day.
Thank you for standing with us through your prayers, encouragement, and faithful support. Your partnership enables us to continue caring for people who are struggling with trauma, anxiety, grief, and loss, and to share the hope of God’s Word with them. Please continue to pray for peace in Ukraine, for protection over our people, for wisdom and strength for our counselors, for Sasha and other wounded veterans, for Dr. Anya and her medical unit, and for the wives of those who are missing in action. Please also pray that God will guide us as we prepare to open our Veterans Center and begin new therapy groups.
We hold on to the promise that the Watchman proclaimed in Isaiah: “The morning is coming.” Until then, we will continue to trust the Lord, serve those He brings to us, and share His hope with everyone who walks through our doors.
May God bless you for your faithful prayers and friendship.
Please, send your donations to Pathway Ministries:
http://www.pathwayministriesinc.org
In Christ,
Lyuda
P.S. I have included photos of Sasha during his recent stay in the hospital.
