It was just a few years ago that I was in the small town of Bila Tserkva, Ukraine meeting with Nita Hansen to see the mighty work that she started that assists disabled and forgotten orphans and the elderly. Her organization is called God’s Hidden Treasures (GHT) and it is a special partner of the Foundation. You can see a video from that trip here.

I could simply tell you to pray for Ukraine today, recounting how they are under attack and distress. But it is a much more vivid for you to read for yourself Nita’s description that she wrote for the Facebook page of God’s Hidden Treasures on Friday (link to https://www.facebook.com/ghtukraine/). The text below reflects Nita’s correspondence with her all-Ukrainian staff who oversee that work with such excellence and care, and who were writing from Bila Tserkva.

Nita begins by quoting the messages of her staff and friends in Ukraine . . .

“Something is blowing up. I’m scared.” (Tanya, our interpreter)

“Nita, we are being bombed right now and all Ukraine. The Village nearby is on fire. Gayok (former military base) is being destroyed.” (Irina, close friend in Ukraine)

“In Bila Tserkva explosions. Can we use the Volkswagen to bring family to safe place (western Ukraine)?” (Valery and Marina, his wife. He is our Technical manager and his wife, Marina is our Office Manager)

“I and Lida (her aunt who is disabled) will stay home. Elevator stops working and we have no place to go. I think God take care of us.” (Valentina, our government liaison and second in charge when I’m gone)

These are the first communications, in their own words, I received the night Russia started the invasion. Using Messenger, I quickly called Tanya as she was the most scared. I tried to calm her down and give her a few things she could do (like pack a suitcase for her family with all their important documents) and go to the office. As I got a hold of the rest of them, I directed them to the office.

As they gathered there, I talked with the 3 managers, Lillya, Valentina and Sergei. I told them to take all the cash we had on hand and divide it up equally among the staff which came to about $500 each. Then they divided up all the food we had on hand and each one took their office laptop home so we could continue to communicate. We offered up the different vehicles we have if anyone wanted to evacuate to Poland or needed help getting to an outlying Village. Valery, Marina and their family, along with Tonya and her family took the Volkswagen and I found out this morning that they are now safe.

My heart almost stopped as I got those desperate messages from some of my staff and later as I was able to talk to most of them. My beloved Ukraine and my staff (like my own family), the helpless we serve on a daily basis were and are being attacked. I cannot even process my own emotions right now. I would give anything to be able to . . . wrap my arms around each one . . . to protect them from this grievous attack by a cruel and insane dictator who is set on reunification of the former USSR. I want God to send them away and never let them come back to Ukraine. Things will never be the same.

I know that the Lord started GHT and has directed each step of it. I know He is not finished with GHT and the hope we bring to the hopeless through Him. I will, God willing, find a way back.

Please pray fervently and without ceasing for God’s hand to be upon, over, around and underneath Ukraine. Pray that more Russian soldiers will drop their arms and join “their Ukrainian brothers” in this fight against evil – for our battle is not against flesh and blood, but the heavenly forces with the evil intent to destroy God’s people. GHT brings Jesus into the homes and lives of thousands of people. He will not be overcome.

I hope you pray, indeed, for Ukraine and its people in this desperate time. And may Christ in his mercy hear our prayers.