Well, we have arrived in England where we will be until almost the end of September.
The trip was long and tiring with 4 flights, but even though some flights were delayed there was no conflict or problem because there was still enough time to make connections. Despite stories we have heard about some airports, the ones we had to go through seemed to be operating as normal. And here is a photo with Abe at Heathrow London with our luggage for this end of the journey. How nice to condense!
And Graham and Sarah met us at the bus stop in Oxford to bring us to the house we are staying at. Not only that they had already provided food and their daughters wrote beautiful cards for us and baked and there were even sunflowers! Such a warm welcome. And our hosts, though absent, had left a box full of meals in the freezer for us, so we are well cared for.
I think the closer we get to Ukraine, the more distress we feel for Ukraine.. Our Ukrainian friend who met us at the Warsaw airport had fled with his family fled early on and they are settling into a new life to one degree or another, although I’m sure eventually they will return. Kostya’s health is not good and he was exempted from army service already when he was a youth. But Kostya has a brother who is fighting on the front. He was injured, concussion, but will be going back in 2 or 3 weeks to continue the fight. They also have a cousin whose husband was killed on the front. And we met several Ukrainian refugees here in Oxford yesterday. They are all so distressed. All the uncertainty.
Do continue to pray for these refugees, many of whom are making hard decisions. And then there are the displaced people who are still in Ukraine. The need is so huge. More information but I will save that for another day. It is easy to be overwhelmed. But we are in it for the long term. And we hope many of you are in it for the long term too. It is not easy to persist in prayer. But the needs are so great. And people in Ukraine need to know that many stand with them.
This beautiful prayer was sitting at our beside when we arrived here.
Prayer for Ukraine
Let my prayer flow
To you, like a frankincense.
And my heart constantly longs for
Your wonderful heavenly temple.
God, I am praying for Ukraine.
I am praying for its people.
Forgive them, save them,
Show your mercy to us.
God, I know that You will stay with us,
With Your church here on Earth.
You gave us joy and peace,
You gave Your life for us,
You put our names in the Book of Life.
In Your living Word
You gave us a command
To pray only to You,
To the One who died on the cross for us.
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