Angels Among the Ruins: More Precious Than Life

#BeingHuman. Today is International Volunteer Day, and this year's theme is "If everyone did..." As Russia's invasion grinds on, darkness threatens more and more to overwhelm war-torn Ukraine... Yet, today, we pray and thank the Lord for nearly 400 volunteers in our 14 refugee hubs in Ukraine and Moldova (supported by Overseas Council-United World Mission in collaboration with the ScholarLeaders, Keys Connection, Open Eyes, OC-Europe, THF, and other partners). They bring aid, community, comfort, hope, and the light of the Good News.

Whether they once led congregations, served as seminary faculty, or wanted to help, volunteers use local church buildings and seminary campuses as refugee hubs and islands of hope. Here, the displaced find shelter, food, medical care, and trauma counseling. Volunteers also distribute aid to those unable or unwilling to leave their homes near the front line. Braving bombardment and chaos, these people deliver food, water, blankets, and more.

Volunteers serve Ukraine's defenders as well. They provide non-lethal support to territorial defense units and soldiers alike. It includes medical supplies, clothing, sleeping bags, power banks, food, communication equipment, and more. Such items bolster morale and readiness at the front. The volunteers remind us and the defenders that the Lord not only cares about us through people who share their resources but also protects us through those who give their lives for us... life for life...

One of the most vital work of the volunteers is ministering to the soul-weary. Their listening ears, understanding hearts, and hopeful words are themselves sustenance. As air raid sirens blare and buildings crumble, they share stories of faith and redemption when all seems lost under the touchable darkness that surrounds our lives. They pray and weep alongside those struggling with utter brokenness. They continue to bother the Stranger with their appeals, questions, requests, and gratitude on the way from the city of peace...

One of our volunteers helped evacuate expectant mothers from a hospital days before Russian bombs destroyed it. Braving constant shelling, he shepherded the terrified mothers safely out, whispering prayers and hymns to soothe their anxiety. Thanks to his steadfast courage, new life emerged even as bombs rained down... It's just a story for many of you... but it is the whole Life out of the hell of the full-scale ongoing war for the mothers and their unborn babies... life for life...

There will be even more dark days for Ukraine as there is no understanding of when and how the war may end... there is no understanding of who living and serving in Ukraine under the conscription age will survive the war... But the light and hope embodied in and through our volunteers cannot be extinguished. Today, we pray for their continued strength and protection. Please join our prayers about the volunteers in Ukraine and other countries that have not the conflicts... no... but the wars of all kinds...

Heavenly Father, we thank You for the volunteers who show Your love and compassion to the people suffering from the war.
• We ask You to bless, protect, and empower them by Your Spirit.
• We pray that You would provide for their needs, such as food, water, shelter, clothing, medicine, and equipment.
• We pray that You will give them wisdom, courage, and strength to face the challenges and dangers they encounter daily.
• We pray that You would heal their physical and emotional wounds and comfort their hearts that have seen and experienced the touchable darkness so much for almost two years already.
• We pray that You will fill them with joy, peace, and hope and renew their vision and passion for Your Kingdom, for not anything else "to become great again..."
• We pray that You would use them as Your instruments of grace and truth and make them effective witnesses of the Stranger during the war to the people they serve.
• We pray that You will bring an end to the war and that You will restore peace and justice in Ukraine.
• We pray that You will save and restore many souls... or at least some... and build Your Community of Hope in this land.
• We pray all these in the name of the Stranger, who joined our journey on the way from the city of peace...

Peace be with you, People of the Bridge, and thank you for supporting our volunteers and joining our prayers for them.
-- --
Taras Dyatlik (5 December 2023, Ukraine)
650 days of the ongoing full-scale Russian war against Ukraine

The Shared Darkness

#BeingHuman. #BrutalHonesty (part 6). You may safely skip it... The Shared Darkness That Binds Us: you, us, and all those who decided to step in with us into the touchable darkness of the Valey of Death...

On February 24th, 2022, Russia launched its unprovoked, brutal invasion of Ukraine. In an instant, millions saw their lives shattered - plunged into a crucible of trauma, loss, and gut-wrenching moral injury from which most of them will never fully heal.

For those defending on the front lines, each day brings the starkest horrors. Death skulks are omnipresent amid the relentless barrage of missiles and gunfire. For many, buried trauma compounds with each battle as they witness relentless devastation and lose comrades-in-arms... like our cousins... my brother... Their unwavering resolve comes at a profound cost - invisible scars carved into their psyche that no medal of bravery can erase... although they quite many of them...

Behind the lines, families see normalcy evaporate overnight. As missiles and kamikaze drones rain down and occupiers terrorize, they flee for their lives or cower in makeshift shelters praying for reunification, terrified their missing loved ones may never return. The sheer scope of loss - homes, belongings, community, security, identity - claws at their foundation, threatening to consume all semblance of hope...

And everywhere - malice, cruelty, devastation without end. All darker for its wanton malevolence and complete absence of meaning... and because there is no understanding of how and when the war will end, the darkness takes over and over more and more... shared darkness...

We, theological educators-volunteers, dwell in the crucible, striving to ease those drowning in despair however we can. We aid displaced families robbed of all security, homesick soldiers defending foreign turf, and communities struggling without basic amenities...

Our spirits also plunge into the darkness when choosing to immerse in their suffering. We are not obligated. But we chose to step in... Without consulting with you... Because it is our blood and our shared darkness... our way of following the Mission that ... that has not changed...

The scale of trauma defies all attempts at comfort. No reassuring word or compassionate act can restore all that was lost. It is not your fault... it is our fault... to be at this particular time and specific location of History... it is His will that allowed (why?!) all "these" to happen... We share with our soldiers and broken civilians in the abyss of shared anguish... our very souls screaming out against injustice and searching for meaning amid such senseless ongoing devastation... by the war... by the corruption...

Yet our shared shining darkness also forges a profound connection. Just as we strive to light candles of hope for those on the brink, so too do our partners - you - illuminate our paths. Your solidarity renews our stamina when exhaustion looms. This interdependence makes space for light even when numb desolation threatens to consume all capacity for our human emotion...

And so often, our shared darkness reveals life's essence, too. A displaced mother, trembling as she recounts losing her home and husband to aerial bombardment, whispers almost in surprise, "Now that everything's been taken, I realize what truly matters." At that moment, staring into the void strips all else away, laying life's most profound truths bare... The truth of the shining Darkness of God...

The crucible, harsh as it sears, makes space for revealing life's bedrock. And there, etched into our very marrow, an unwavering conviction flickers through the dark. No matter what is taken, no one can extinguish each soul's intrinsic dignity and worth... We can break and give them away... someday... but no one can take it from us... in our shared darkness...

Elie Weisel, in his "Night," being a victim of humanity's most twisted atrocities, unearthed this bedrock truth even in the death camps where millions perished. "Never shall I forget that night, the first night in camp, which has turned my life into one long night, seven times cursed and seven times sealed Never shall I forget those moments which murdered my God and my soul and turned my dreams to dust. Never shall I forget these things, even if I am condemned to live as long as God Himself," - he wrote, chronicling a journey through every circle of hell. - "No one may speak for the dead, no one may interpret their mutilated dreams and visions... I speak from experience that even in darkness, it is possible to create light and encourage compassion. There it is: I still believe in man in spite of man."

Weisel's words reflect a revelation many Ukrainians describe, too. Ground to dust, we unearth an ember burning steadfast, however dim - that no outside force can extinguish our soul's intrinsic connection to the Eternal...

This foolish, dangerous, childish (in your eyes?) trust is perhaps what hope is built upon in the end in our shared darkness... The decision to love through hate destroys us to the ground, but.... it encroaches. To see God's image in even the most broken souls... And to nurture that divine spark within and between us even as malicious forces conspire to snuff it out...

The shared darkness of trauma will surely leave scars on Ukraine's psyche for generations... and on you, too... on those of you who chose to step in with us into the Valley of Shared Death and Darkness... Yet somehow, even with life at its bleakest, the human spirit chooses resilience. Out of rubble, hands reach to comfort the bereaved and rebuild shattered neighborhoods. Exhausted soldiers somehow emerge from night skirmishes, ready to defend our homeland again at dawn, not because they deny the darkness but because love for family and nation burns brighter still... despite the corruption...

Laying in the rubble is a child's toy... Next to it, a single flower bud pushing up through broken concrete... Signs of life determined to bloom even here...

The shared darkness will long touch Ukraine in the aftermath of the war and, in memory, seared into our identity... But flowers can grow in graveyards, too... Have you ever witnessed the flowers in graveyards, friends? Individual souls can heal through compassion's salve. And national psyches, when faced with unthinkable trauma, somehow can choose resilience time and again... through and by shared shining darkness...

Herein lies the paradox of shining darkness - that even as bullets fly and missiles and drones drop, an undying conviction pulses in each soul and between those united: no outside force holds power significant enough to sever our intrinsic bonds to one another in our shared darkness... and the Eternal Light that binds every living being across time and space. Not in life, not in death, not ever...

Standing together, may we carry this light for each other through our shared darkness... And when trauma threatens all capacity for hope and love, may we nurture the seeds of wisdom planted in our hearts before time becomes time... In life's marrow, an unshakeable knowing carries us forward even through the deepest night: no shared darkness lasts forever. Dawn always comes... even through the strongholds of the shared darkness... Will we... will you... have enough patience with us? Will you? We wish you and your families peace and Silent Night... not the shared darkness visible through the broken windows of our souls...
--
Taras N. Dyatlik, Ukraine
645 days of the ongoing full-scale war
--
Photo: early May 2022, Borodyanka

To Uninvited Guests Who Bring Unexpected Grace

#BeingHuman. To Uninvited Guests Who Bring Unexpected Grace... As your #Thanksgiving feasts stretch before you, we picture the Stranger reclining in a Pharisee's respectable home. Yet who dared interrupt but a disgraced woman, weighted by shame, weeping desperately for restoration? Uninvited. Undeserved. Unexpected. Unrespected. She crashed the pretentious gathering and scandalously worshipped at the feet of Jesus - the sole party crasher to pierce religious pretense with raw reverence…

This vivid scene reminds us that we all carry shame that feels too cumbersome and regrets that whisper lies we are unworthy of restoration. Like this vulnerable woman, millions of Ukrainian refugees now mimic her desperation on foreign soil. Thrust unwillingly among unfamiliar hosts by war's cruelty, they come as uninvited guests to your towns, churches, and homes. Yet you have stunned the world with your grace-filled response... like a guest, the Stranger, not like a host, Simon…

Despite the wounds of war leaving many Ukrainians intimately acquainted with trauma's shame, your open arms powerfully model the welcome of the One this woman sought. Your hands passing warm "bowls of borscht" (aid and Hope) to weary exiles reveal His hands passing the bread of life to outcasts. Your compassion mirrors the Stranger who saw beyond her scandalous story to call forth the woman she could become... not for the sake of Simon... but for the sake of the Stranger…

When forgiveness seems impossible, faith foolish, and God distant, this account shouts that the Guest sees us differently than the hosts of this world. He knows the men and women we can be when we fully embrace the restorative power of grace…

So, in this poignant hour between gratitude and grief, we lift our prayer and glass to you, courageous People of the Bridge. For by clothing, feeding, embracing the shivering exile, you point to reckless trust in lavish grace given through earthen vessels like us…

As daunting challenges lie ahead, we draw strength from friendships that transcend borders and from His faithfulness that flows even through fractured ones like ours. May we never forget the hard lessons learned... the sacrifices we have made and witnessed... and the hope that has sustained us... nor waver from welcoming the marginalized so that war-weary souls find sanctuary until the Stranger's Appearance.

May the essence of unrestrained gratitude, unbreakable community, and undying hope be alive in this uninvited woman's story and infuse our celebration as you gather this Thanksgiving. Until we feast together again... peace be with you <3
—
Taras N. Dyatlik, Ukraine
638-th day of the full-scale Russian war against Ukraine

The Rubble of War... Broken and Seen Buildings and Even More Broken and Unseen Souls

As I walked through the streets of war-torn cities during some of my trips to the North, East, and South of Ukraine, I couldn't help but notice the striking contrast between the buildings that have been destroyed and reduced to rubble, and those that have remained untouched...

One of the most striking observations I've made is that the rubble of destroyed buildings often looks eerily similar. Whether it's a residential home, a place of worship, or a commercial building, the aftermath of war seems to erase the unique characteristics of these structures, leaving behind a haunting landscape of uniform destruction.

It's as if the very essence of these buildings has been stripped away, leaving behind a stark reminder of the indiscriminate nature of war...

On the other hand, the buildings that have managed to escape unscathed stand as a testament to resilience and some beauty. Each structure, with its own architectural style and design, tells a story of endurance. Whether it's the ornate details of a historic building or the sleek lines of a modern tall residential building, these untouched edifices exude a sense of grace amidst the chaos of war...

As I reflect on these contrasting scenes, I can't help but ponder the deeper implications of this visual dichotomy. The uniformity of the rubble serves as a poignant reminder of the human cost of war.

Destroyed souls and lives all look similar in rubble – mental, emotional, spiritual, psychological, social... The real rubble of war isn't just brick and mortar - it's what lies unseen amongst the wreckage. It's the shattered souls and broken lives left in war's wake.

Yes, amongst the physical rubble, some buildings survived - reminding us that even in great trauma, fragments of beauty may persist. But for the invisible rubble of our human nature, would remnants of hope survive? When war scatters the pieces of what was home, family, community, and relationships - can our life regain wholeness again? How? When?

In the aftermath, relief workers toiled to remove wreckage piece by piece. Their efforts gave a ray of light, signaling somebody cared for this place and its people...

But who would clear the rubble of our anguish, grief, and unseen and unspoken and unconfessed scars? Who would gather up the scattered fragments of our dreams, joy and sense of purpose and future?

As buildings can be rebuilt, so too lives ... at least some lives may find reconstruction. But it requires steady hands and caring hearts to reconnect what war has torn ... is still tearing apart. Years may pass before the ghostly remains of suffering are fully removed, and some will never be removed... regardless of how much you read the Bible or pray... And these unhealed and broken souls will be gradually moved to the margins and then to the slums of the Past...

As we try to move forward through the ugly rubble of our souls, let's remember to seek out and celebrate the beauty that we ... that you... that us may possibly find among the rubble... that us may possibly recognize in and through our cry and constantly postponed grief.... that us may possibly witness in the darkest and most painful places of our souls... And only those can witness who dare to go down and deep into those souls and minds...

Every night through the anxieties and feeling of loss amidst the rubble of my soul I try to remind myself: «There is still the potential for renewal... I hope that our brokenness will not lead us to eternal Death... That He is graceful enough... I believe... Help my unbelief...»

From even the deepest ruins, some lives may rise again... some may never... But all our broken souls will hopefully be restored from the slums of the Past at least for the Day in the Future.. On that Very Day... Peace be with you Today
--
Taras Dyatlik, Ukraine
633 days of full-scale Russian war against Ukraine

People Bridges of Ukraine

#BeingHuman. In the war-torn Ukraine, a growing breed of people is known as "people-bridges.” It is the most vulnerable community from any possible perspective… They are not “great again.” They do not want “to repeat.” Today, they are the bridges. Tomorrow, they are the dust… not needed anymore by their stakeholders and clients… 

They are the trees that die while standing… They are the candles that burn at both ends to give light… They are the lighthouses that guide ships through the storm but are often battered and broken by the waves… They are the anvils on which the swords of justice are forged but are often worn down and dented by the process… They are the shields that protect others from harm but are often scarred and battered by the blows they receive… They are the ladders that help others climb to the top but are often kicked down once they reach their destination...  They are the torches that light the way for others but are often consumed by their flame… They are the seeds that die in the ground to give birth to new life… They are the bridges that collapse under the weight of many and disappear but allow others to cross to the Cross… 

The cost of living on the bridge is high. People-bridges often sacrifice their relationships, health, and well-being for the sake of the Mission that has not changed for them. They are vulnerable to the pressures of the different contexts they inhabit, local and international. They are vulnerable to the attacks of those who would see their bridges destroyed. They are accused of being traitors by both sides, of not being loyal enough to any one group. People bridges are often misunderstood. They are accused of being wishy-washy, not having an unmistakable enough identity, or not being sensitive enough to one side or the other. People-bridges live a nomadic existence, constantly being between different worlds. They are always a little their own and strangers to everyone, often even to themselves. They are considered outsiders, nomads in a world that demands conformity.  

But people-bridges know that identity or sensitivity is not about conformity. It is about authenticity. It is about embracing the diversity of the broken world and finding common ground to bring it back to the Architect of Time, Space, and History despite our differences in being broken humans. And they continue to build bridges despite the obstacles that stand in their way to the Final Destination… 

The Russian ongoing full-scale war against Ukraine has torn apart families, communities, and nations. It has created a deep chasm of division and distrust. But people bridges continue to build bridges amid the rubble. They are the ones who are reaching out to the victims of war, providing them with food, shelter, encouragement, and medical care while at the same time trying to fulfill "job descriptions..." People bridges are the builders of a Community of Hope, a Community where we are something more than just "becoming great again." People bridges are the hope of the future until both sides break them. 

No, not one side… Both sides… Human beings break them because of their passions… God often breaks them for His Glory or any other unexplained reason… You think that people bridges are strong. But they are not. You think that they are resilient. But they are not. You think they might be driven by a deep love for humanity and justice and a desire to transform the world. Yes, maybe… But sooner, like a father figure, when you do what needs to be done regardless of your "job description…” or the feeling of love, Mission, calling, or whatever you have learned in a theological seminary or a Sunday School class… you do what needs to be done regardless of the attitude toward you… They are the ones who are showing us that another world is possible, whether you love it or not, a world where we can live together in communication and Communion. 

The fate of Ukraine's people's bridges remains uncertain. Will they continue standing amidst the rubble, rebuilding connections between divided communities? Or will the immense pressure finally break them down? Only time will tell if these human bridges can withstand the powerful forces tearing their country, nation, and church apart. For now, they try to persevere in hope, though often hobbled and leaning. Perhaps one day, they will be strengthened and restored; perhaps they may be ready to serve the people who will need them again… maybe not… We believe, o, Lord, help our unbelief! Wishing you a Silent Night and Peaceful Sky, People of the Bridge. 

Taras (crippled evangelical who is staying on the bridge to… whatever happens next…)

Unbroken Mission to Broken People: Extending Healing and Hope in the Face of War

#BeingHuman. The ongoing war in Ukraine has given rise to a pressing and significant requirement, as a substantial portion of the population, estimated to range between 20,000 to 50,000 individuals, has been compelled to undergo amputations due to the hostilities. Over 30,000 individuals are in immediate need of prosthetic devices, indicating the loss of at least one limb. It's important to note that these statistics do not encompass those who have experienced vision and hearing impairments. Additionally, Russia has systematically directed its attacks toward the Ukrainian healthcare system, with reports from Physicians for Human Rights documenting the targeting of approximately 1,000 medical facilities.

Reflecting on these numbers, I am reminded of the urgent and pressing need for hope and healing during the ongoing unprovoked Russian war against Ukraine. The statistics shared above are staggering, with dozens of thousands of Ukrainians forced to undergo amputations and even more waiting for prosthetics. It is a devastating reality that goes beyond physical injuries, as many have also lost their vision and hearing. And even more people lost their souls (whatever it means in the full-scale war). 

But even in the face of such immense suffering, our Mission has not changed. It does not change. It did not and will not change. The need to extend the Kingdom of God and build a Community of Hope becomes even more demanding as a beacon of light amidst the ongoing thick and touchable darkness of war and destruction. The emphasis on building relationships of trust, love, and care in the Community of Hope takes on new meaning when considering the growing and unstoppable consequences of the ongoing war. It is through these relationships of trust, love and care, and collective efforts of building up theology as our identity and theology as our practice that the Mission can begin to address the immense challenges faced by amputees and those who have lost their vision and hearing, and dozens of millions of others directly affected by the Russian war.

Our daily ongoing full-scale prayer and seeking the will of God also take on a profound significance in this reality. It is a reminder that even in unimaginable suffering, the invisible Stranger is guiding and sustaining us in a visible way, even through loss, suffering, death... and resurrection. Prayer that overcomes the thick darkness of almost materialized doubts and unbelief has been our channel (yes, it is leaking, but...) of strength and a means to align our actions and efforts with the will of God, as we, theological educators in Ukraine, learn and strive to bring healing and restoration to those affected by the war.

In the face of such overwhelming need, the unchanging nature of the Mission provides a sense of stability and purpose, whatever the difference is between life in peace or life at war. The Mission that has not changed calls us, theological educators, to be agents of change, to actively bring hope and healing to amputees and those who have lost their senses... and souls. It is a call to be compassionate, to be and stay firm as the bridges between the divine and the earthly, and to be vessels through which God's will can manifest in the lives of those affected by the war.

In this reality – our reality in Ukraine – the Mission of building trust, love, and care becomes a rallying cry for action and a reminder of our shared humanity in His image and likeness.. broken, without limbs, vision, hearing... but yet...  It is a call to remain together as the People of the Bridge, to support and uplift one another, and to work towards a future where healing and restoration can be found. 

May we embrace and humble ourselves every rainy and cold morning, every sleepless because of anxiety dark night to this Mission with open hearts (our theology as identity) and open hands (our theology as practice). May we strive to build a Community of Hope that brings the light of the Heavens into the thick darkness and onto the broken lands and to the people of Ukraine... Israel... and Palestine... Peace be with you, the People of the Bridge.
__ __
Taras Dyatlik
Ukraine

People of the Bridge: Fulfilling the Call to Kingdom Hospitality

Dear friends, in these trying times, when the ongoing full-scale Russian war plagues Ukraine more and more, there emerges a radiant light, a testament to the enduring power of faith and the boundless reach of Christian hospitality. We witness a remarkable convergence of theology and humanitarianism – a convergence that embodies the very essence of the Kingdom of God. We invite you to join us in celebrating this extraordinary union during the ongoing full-scale war in Ukraine and to respond to the call of Christian hospitality, which is an imperative of the Kingdom of God.

The "People of the Bridge" (as I call this group) – our seminary-based refugee hubs in Ukraine and Moldova – have transcended the boundaries of theological education to extend their mission towards humanitarian relief, proving that faith is not stagnant, but alive and responsive. They have shown that theology and theological training are not just about abstract ideas but a practical, compassionate expression of love for Jesus Christ and our neighbors, especially in the most challenging of times. These hubs are a remarkable illustration of how theology and service are not separate entities but interwoven strands of a higher purpose. The students, faculty, and leaders of these seminaries use their knowledge and skills to make a real difference in the suffering and broken world.

When theology meets necessity, hope springs eternal through faith in action. Bridging the gap between principles and practice, the seminary-based refugee hubs stand together, spreading light amid the darkness. Guiding the lost and healing the broken, they transcend walls to serve broken humanity, providing refuge and seeds of renewal. Serving the displaced while educating future leaders, these beacons of hope demonstrate that theology can unite with humanitarianism. Despite the tragic devastation, their work proves that hope and God's love endure, illuminating the path forward. Though the night may seem endless, the dawn will come.

The network of seminary-based refugee hubs you have supported was established in partnership with Overseas Council-United World Mission and Scholar Leaders in late February and early March 2022 after the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine. The refugee hubs are established within seminaries, extending their role beyond theological education to engage in humanitarian relief efforts actively. They have provided essential support to refugees and internally displaced people, including food, shelter, medical care, and emotional and spiritual support. They have also played a vital role in evacuating people from dangerous areas and helping them to find safe temporary and permanent homes.

The list of hubs that have taken up this Kingdom imperative is extensive and impressive. They have been unwavering in their commitment to extending the love and hospitality that Christ has called us to provide:

1. Chernivtsi Bible Seminary (Chernivtsi)
2. Dialogue in Action (Peacebuilding Group)
3. Eastern European Institute of Theology (Lviv)
4. Evangel Theological University (Kyiv, Zaporizhia)
5. Kremenchuk Evangelical Seminary (Kremenchuk)
6. Lviv Theological Seminary (Lviv)
7. MH-Care (Counseling Group)
8. Odesa Theological Seminary (Odesa)
9. Tavria Christian Institute (relocated from Kherson to Ivano-Frankivsk)
10. Transcarpathian Christian Institute (Khust)
11. Ukraine Bible Society (Kyiv)
12. Ukrainian Evangelical Theological Seminary (Pushcha Vodytsya)
13. University Divitia Gratiae (Chisinau, Moldova)
14. Zaporizhia Bible Seminary and College (Zaporizhia) 

In the 550 days since the full-scale war engulfed our land, the network of seminary-based refugee hubs has been a lifeline to those who have lost their homes and their way of life. These hubs have shown their unwavering commitment to Christian hospitality by:

• 484 volunteers have selflessly sacrificed their time and energy to provide critical support and assistance to refugees and other people affected by war and displacement despite their many challenges; they have faced many challenges but have persevered.
• 1,513 internally displaced people have found new hope and life in their Communities of Hope by accepting Jesus as their Savior and joining local churches through baptism, thanks to the ministry of the seminary-based refugee hubs.
• 2,149 theology students continue their theological education in 10 seminaries in Ukraine and Moldova, finding the value of theological education during the war to be even more sharpened by joining theological studies with practical service to internally displaced people and needy people who suffer the ongoing war.
• 2,270 people with disabilities, including evacuees, civilians, military who lost their limbs, and people with concussions, have received essential support and care from the seminary-based refugee hubs during this challenging time.
• 5,004 tons of food and other essential items have been delivered.
• 8,653 refugees received long-term shelter on seminary campuses, where they were provided with food, clothing, and other essential supplies, as well as assistance with healthcare, legal aid, and resettlement.
• 11,444 people were evacuated from dangerous areas despite the challenges of ongoing shelling, lack of safe routes, and damage to infrastructure.
• 42,340 civilians and military personnel have requested psychological, emotional, and spiritual support to cope with the effects of trauma.
• 43,838 refugees received short-term shelter as they transitioned through the seminary campuses from the war zones to safer locations in Ukraine or abroad.
• 411,078 Bibles and New Testaments have been distributed to people directly impacted by the war.
• 501,348 needy people, particularly among vulnerable populations such as children, women living alone, widows, and the elderly, have received food supplies in formerly occupied territories, liberated territories, and near the war zone and front lines. 

But it's more than just numbers; it embodies Christian hospitality. It's about living out the words of Jesus, who said, "I was hungry, and you gave me food; I was thirsty, and you gave me drink; I was a stranger, and you welcomed me." (Matthew 25:35) This is the heart of the Kingdom of God, “not yet, but already yes.”

In a world torn by strife, theological seminaries have a divine duty to bridge the gap between theological principles and the immediate need for humanitarian relief during the ongoing full-scale Russian war in Ukraine. The call to support these hubs is not just about philanthropy; it's a call to live the Gospel message. When we extend Kingdom hospitality, we echo the words of Leviticus 19:34: "The foreigner residing among you must be treated as your native-born. Love them as yourself, for you were foreigners in Egypt."

As we reflect on the remarkable work of these hubs, we encourage you to lend your support, not in exchange for what you have been supporting through Overseas Council and Scholar Leaders, but in addition to going the second mile with us... Your contributions have already illuminated the darkest corners of Ukraine and Moldova. By visiting https://uwm.org/projects/48505, you can sow seeds of hope and love in war-torn communities where our seminaries and Ukraine Bible Society serve. Together, we can extend God's Kingdom in the broken lives of hundreds of thousands and even millions of internally displaced people and refugees through your generous support.

In closing, let us remember that Christian hospitality isn't just a virtue; it's a mandate from God. In these challenging times, let us rise to the occasion and demonstrate our love for neighbors in need, integrating theological knowledge with selfless service. The Kingdom of God is at hand, and through your support, we can bring it closer to reality.

We also extend our prayers and thoughts to those who are suffering in other parts of the world, such as Palestine and Israel, where the pains of armed conflict and displacement are equally heart-wrenching. Let us not forget that our mission of hospitality transcends borders and encompasses all those in need. Just as we extend our lands, hands, and hearts to those in Ukraine and Moldova, we pray for peace and relief for our brothers and sisters in other strife-torn regions so that the light of Kingdom hospitality may shine in every corner of our world until His Second Coming…

With gratitude and appreciation, Taras N. Dyatlik (OC-UWM, SL), on behalf of the Ukraine Coordination Group, which includes
    Roman Soloviy (Langham, EEIT),
    Olga Marchak (OC-UWM, EEIT),
    Ivan Rusyn (UETS),
    Oleksandr Geychenko (OTS),
    Valentin Siniy (TCI),
    Kseniya Trofymchuk (EEIT),
    Kateryna Shutko (EEIT).

We are not cynical; we have different sets of questions

#BeingHuman. We are not cynical; we have different sets of questions because our frame of reference has been forcibly rewritten by full-scale war. When we experience suffering or trauma, our frame of reference changes, especially with all the consequences of the ongoing full-scale war. The way we see the world and our place in it is rewritten. This can lead to us asking different questions than those who have yet to have similar experiences. The questions are in search of how to keep your identity and continue your work and ministry as a human being in the image of God and as a follower of the Way with the Community of Hope.

Some people may see our questions as cynical or pessimistic. But it is important to remember that we are not cynical. We are simply trying to make sense of a world that has been turned upside down for us. In the Bible, we see many examples of people who asked difficult questions after experiencing suffering. For example, Job asked God why He had allowed him to suffer so much. David asked God why He was so far away when he needed Him most. And Jesus Himself asked God why He had forsaken Him on the cross. Were they cynical or pessimistic? These are not cynical questions. These are the core questions of people struggling to understand why God allows suffering, war, and the high death toll in our lives and country.

Although we are asking difficult questions because full-scale war has forcibly rewritten our frame of reference, we know that we are not alone. Even during the war, God is with us... even when He chooses not to respond to our questions and prayers the way we want and expect. You are also with us, the People of the Bridge and the Community of Hope, who help us understand and shape our questions about God, ourselves, and our Mission that has not changed. And together, we may find answers in His time, or may not...

My prayer today on the Way from Jerusalem to Emmaus: Dear Stranger, we walk with You today with a heavy heart, although we see people who walk up from Emmaus to Jerusalem with peaceful faces. The war has rewritten our frame of reference, and we struggle to understand it all. We have so many questions and need help figuring out where to turn. But we know You are walking with us on the Way from the city of Peace amid our ongoing pain, although we may not recognize Your face and presence. We trust that You understand our questions and will help us find answers in Your time, or You may not. Please help us to be patient and help us to trust in Your goodness, even when we don't understand it at all. Please help us to remain a part of Your Community of Hope on the Way. Please help us not to hurt those who love us from among the People of the Bridge. Peace be with You, Stranger, too...

Behind the Headlines: 580 Days of Unimaginable Ordeal

#BeingHuman. Brutal honesty, part 4. Long read, you may safely skip it… Behind the Headlines: 580 Days of Unimaginable Ordeal… The people of Ukraine, civilians and soldiers, church ministers, and theological educators continue to face the harsh reality of death and destruction daily. It has been over a year, the 580th day today, since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine...

During this time, those living here have witnessed immense death and suffering. Living in Ukraine amidst a full-scale war is an experience that defies the imagination of those who have never witnessed the horrors of the ongoing full-scale war firsthand. While we strive to remain human amidst the chaos, bridging the gap between our experiences and the expectations of those outside Ukraine who are not directly impacted by this full-scale war becomes increasingly difficult...

The stress of living under such constant threat takes a severe psychological and emotional toll. Our lives have been profoundly disrupted by the realities of war - from not knowing if our loved ones will return home safely to shortages of various economic supplies as infrastructure and supply chains break down. The prolonged exposure to violence and loss profoundly impacts our mental health. Anxiety and depression have become all too common among the population and us. We struggle to sleep at night, haunted by the memories of what we have seen and experienced. We are constantly on edge, waiting for the other shoe to drop...

The relentless and intensive conscription takes a toll on our mental and emotional well-being. Mass conscription efforts mean many families have multiple members serving in battle not since February 2022 but since the Spring of 2014. It has devastated our communities and left so many wives, widows, orphans, and aged parents vulnerable without adequate protection and provision. During this ongoing war, we strive to hold onto our humanity in the image of the Other. Still, it becomes more and more increasingly challenging after one year and a half as we struggle to meet the expectations of those who live outside of Ukraine and are not directly impacted by the ongoing war…

As civilians, we are surrounded by death daily – the deaths of our soldiers at the front lines, the deaths of innocent civilians caught in the crossfire, the deaths of our relatives, friends, colleagues, students, graduates, acquaintances, and the constant threat of shelling and bombing, day and night. A multitude of devastating consequences marks our lives during a full-scale war. Every single day, we mourn the loss of our loved ones who have made the ultimate sacrifice at the front lines. Their deaths leave a void in our hearts that can never be filled again…

The constant threat of shelling and bombing instills a deep sense of fear within us, day and night. We live in a state of constant alertness, never knowing when the next attack of the "Russian roulette" might occur. The trauma our nation endures leaves lasting scars on our minds and souls. Amid this war, it is easy to become bitter and angry, to lash out at those who do not understand our struggles. But we try our best to remain human in the image of the Other and hopeful like the followers of the Way, even after 580 days of the ongoing full-scale war…

Many of our families (millions!) have been uprooted from their homes and forced to flee to safer regions within Ukraine or seek refuge in neighboring countries. The disruption caused by displacement further compounds the challenges we face. But despite all of this, we continue to push forward. We work hard to provide for our families, keep our children in school, in Ukraine, or abroad, and maintain some semblance of normalcy in our lives, whatever it means for you or us. We support each other, pray together, and hold onto Hope that this war will end one day and we can rebuild our lives… it is why we view ourselves as the Community of Hope during the ongoing full-scale Russian war against Ukraine...

The war has also taken a heavy toll on the economy, resulting in job losses, inflation, and limited access to necessities. The daily struggle of the millions of our citizens for survival adds to our burden. The constant threat of violence has made it difficult for us to feel safe, trust our government, or have any sense of normalcy. We live in a state of constant alert, never knowing when the next attack will come. Some of us have "better paid" jobs during the war. But every penny every month is going to support our friends and relatives at the frontline, our friends and relatives and colleagues who lost their jobs, housing, and possessions because of the ongoing full-scale war, or our friends and strangers among the millions of internally displaced persons. Any savings for us means the losses of lives that could be saved through food supply or supporting our beloved ones at the frontlines...

It is difficult to express our struggles' depth to those outside of Ukraine who are not directly impacted by this war. They often ask us why we don't just leave, why we don't give up. But the truth is, we cannot leave. It is our home, these are our families, it is our land, and we will do whatever needs to be done to protect them. In this environment, simply trying to function daily and meet basic needs and job descriptions feels akin to a herculean task. And yet, beyond survival, we strive to retain our humanity and the Image of the Other. We continue caring for the sick and elderly. We offer refuge and aid to the displaced. We maintain spiritual and educational practices that sustain our Church and national identity and moral fortitude. We try to carefully look into our post-war future through the broken windows of our souls as theological educators...

At the same time… living in a war-torn country, we often find it challenging to meet the expectations of those who live outside of Ukraine and are not directly affected by the war. Forgive us that we cannot be expected to think, speak, or act as we once did in peacetime. Although we try as hard as possible to do our best to respect your pace and expectations regarding our life and work and ministry and normality (please forgive me for the "you" and "us" language), our frame of reference has been forcibly rewritten by full-scale war, constant bombardment, and ongoing losses. As such, we may look or come across outsiders as more direct, hardened, or tactless compared to before the invasion. We may not notice it. You hear and see better than us...

While we yearn for your empathy and understanding, we also seek your comprehension regarding the depth of our experiences... Recognizing that our realities are far removed from the comfort and safety that others may enjoy in the so-called "Western Christendom" under NATO protection and shield is essential.

As outsiders looking in, we pray and expect that those outside Ukraine exercise patience and understanding regarding us. The Ukrainian people, particularly church ministers and theological educators, often face judgment and misunderstanding from those unaffected directly by the ongoing war, especially from the Slavic immigrant circles...

For example, "some people" expect us to be more forgiving of our enemies because we are, in their eyes, not spiritual enough under the threats of the ongoing war. They expect us to be more optimistic about the future because we sound depressed and uncomfortable for them. They expect us to be more resilient because we look too brokenhearted for them. And so on... You can continue the list...

But we are only humans, like you... exactly like you... Are we allowed to feel angry, hurt, and scared? Are we allowed to grieve our losses although we constantly postpone our grief due to the enormous death toll? Are we allowed to be traumatized by the war? Sometimes it feels like no…

We kindly ask for your patience and understanding. We ask that you not judge us when we do not meet your expectations. We are doing our best to survive and to remain human in the image of the Stranger on our way during this terrible war. It will never be the same as it used to be before the full-scale invasion. And our future in the Church and theological educational realm belongs not only to us, the Community of Hope in Ukraine, but to us, the Body of Christ that is faithful not to the Russian World, or "Let us make ___ great again," but to the Kingdom of Trust, Hope, and Love... You may not want to be a part of our future in Ukraine, but... we want to be a part of your future in the Kingdom of God... together with you...

Recognizing the complexities of our situation and extending empathy can help bridge the gap between the experiences of us Ukrainians and those living in more peaceful regions. The ongoing war has shaped us in ways that may seem unfamiliar or even awkward to ourselves… as well as to those in Western Christendom… Instead of rushing to conclusions, let us acknowledge together the unique challenges we face during the ongoing full-scale war on the European continent, the most tragic war after the Second World War… let us go through all the challenges together… let us learn where God is in all this chaos together... as the Community of Hope…

Living in Ukraine during a full-scale war is an unimaginable ordeal, where death and devastation have become an unfortunate and unbearable part of our daily lives. However, you may not see it from a distance or on the surface because we also try to behave "normally" whenever and wherever it is possible. As we navigate this treacherous path, we implore our partners and global friends to be patient with us, if possible, until the war ends... whenever it ends...

Let us remember that Ukrainian Christians and theological educators, despite their perceived awkwardness, are simply trying to retain their humanity in the face of overwhelming adversity and the consequences of the ongoing war. We are surrounded by death and destruction day and night for 580 days of the ongoing war, but we are not defeated. We have learned that we are strong, resilient people, as strong as the Body of Christ... and we will get through this together as the Community of Hope...

We will rebuild our lives, communities, churches, seminaries, and country and emerge more vital than ever, regardless of the expectations of outsiders… to fulfill the Mission that has not changed... This war will not last forever. For now, all Ukrainians can do is persevere in Hope, defend their sovereignty, and band together in Christian love and fellowship despite the Russian World death at the frontlines and descending from the skies above us each day...

In times of our hardship, it is essential to remember the words of Psalm 34:18, "The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit." Let this reminder encourage you to approach the Ukrainian people, church ministers, and theological educators as those looking and longing for your mission of presence, physical or prayerful, and for His salvation, being brokenhearted and crushed by their experiences. I pray the rest of the world will stand in solidarity with us for however long this ordeal lasts... for however long this terrible Russian war against our country lasts...

Our Mission has not changed. Neither for you, outsiders. Neither for us, in Ukraine... Every day, you and us learn how to follow His Mission, not ours... Peace be with you, your families, and your children, and we wish you Silent Night, Taras N. Dyatlik. \ PS. And forgive us for brutal honesty...

About theology inlaid with political propaganda

#BeingHuman. Theology has traditionally been outside politics, but nowadays, the boundaries between them are increasingly blurred. I am not talking about political theology, but theology inlaid with political propaganda of the dehumanizing ideology of the "Russian world." It puts faithful theologians before a difficult choice: how to defend Christian values without succumbing to the temptation of political conjuncture. But are there any faithful theologians within Russia today who can resist the propagandistic mythological ideology of the "Russian world"?

In the era of globalization and the clash of civilizations, Russian "Red Christian thinkers," experiencing a post-imperial syndrome, are looking for ways to strengthen the position of their ideological version of Orthodoxy and even Evangelicalism on the world stage. However, an excessive emphasis on geopolitical ambitions substitutes theology for political ideology. They try to cling in various ways to integrative church and educational alliances to strengthen their influence in the spirit of the "Russian world" ideology that "things are not so clear" with the West and Christian civilization, justifying aggression, the destruction of the national identity of the other in Ukraine, Georgia, Moldova, etc., and the murder of dissenters as a divine practice.

However, relying not on true theology (in the fundamental sense of this phenomenon) but on state mythology and popular anti-Western rhetoric, they replace fundamental theology with political illusions. Today, it is clear that public theological discussion in Russia is virtually banned, even in the classrooms of theological schools. Church ministers are frightened by the very possibility that someone may have different opinions from the Kremlin's propaganda and the ideology of the "Russian world," and many of them are offended by the very idea of learning to think independently of propaganda discourses focused exclusively on the Red Christian understanding of the phenomenon of the Kingdom of God.

The system of theological education is also under pressure from opportunistic considerations. The traditional attitude of searching for truth is replaced by the propaganda of "correct" views. Instead of critical reflection, there is dogmatism, and instead of searching for divine and theological truth, there is following propaganda and state authorities and narratives. Training in theological seminaries is conducted in accordance with the "correct" ideas about the "end times," "not everything is so clear," the need to defend traditional Christian values in the propaganda definition, and the Russian people wherever they are, even through aggression and murder. Students are taught either to remain silent or to accept the myth that Russia has a "divine messianic calling" to unite the entire Orthodox or Christian world under its leadership, even through aggression, torture, and murder.

Thus, the imposition of the political ideology of the "Russian world" under the guise of evangelical or Orthodox theology (which smacks of God-fighting communism and atheism) leads to the degradation of spiritual education in Russia. True theology cannot be a mouthpiece for political slogans or worldview doctrines of the "Russian world" and "let us make ___ great again." Its vocation is to serve the spiritual revival of society based on Gospel Christ-centered, not Russian imperialist ethno-religious ideals. It requires a dialog between the church, society, and the government, which the theological community in Russia has virtually abandoned.

Instead of preparing independent-minded theologians capable of seeking truth and engaging in dialogue, seminaries are preparing more and more people who are more obedient as leaders or silent concerning the state's communist-Christian dehumanizing propaganda that destroys the unity of the Body of Christ. It also destroys the very missionary nature of the Christian community in Russia, which is called to challenge dehumanizing ideologies, including the "Russian world," not to adapt to them and serve as their leaders in their country and beyond, including the occupied territories of sovereign countries such as Ukraine, Georgia, Moldova... Peace be with you ❤️
--
Taras Dyatlyk, Ukraine
September 11, 2023

Нарікання чи довіра? «База» Виходу для України

#БутиЛюдиною. Нарікання чи довіра? «База» Виходу для України… Події років боротьми України за Незалежність від «червого терору» нагадують біблійну історію Виходу ізраїльського народу з єгипетського рабства. Як і давні ізраїльтяни, українці зіткнулися з величезними випробуваннями на шляху до свободи. Повномасштабне вторгнення росії принесло страждання, руйнування і смерть не тільки нашому народу, але й багатьом вірянам з нашої Церкви. Багато хто втратив домівки, роботу, близьких. Нестача їжі, води, електрики. Обстріли, бомбардування, тортури. Ця війна - справжнє випробування для нашого народу і Церкви. Як і давні ізраїльтяни в пустелі, у нас є велика спокуса почати нарікати: чому це сталося саме з нами? Де Бог посеред цих страждань? Чому Він допустив війну? Чи є Він взагалі з нами? Проте Господь багато разів застерігає Свій народ: нарікання - небезпечний шлях. Нарікання означає ставити під сумнів Божу присутність, всемогутність і любов. Це шлях до розчарування та відчаю, найперше, самого себе, а також свого майбутнього і як людина, і як народ, і як християнська спільнота. Натомість Господь кличе нас до довіри. Адже Він і досі веде український народ Своєю могутньою рукою з-під влади «червоного терору». Його ознаки всюди: мужність наших захисників, єдність українців, міжнародна підтримка, успіхи в боях. Можна бачити навкого себе виключно морок, а можна шукати «світлячки» та «вогники» Божої присутності, і розширювати світло Євангелії, Доброї Новини. Навіть посеред скрути Бог турбується про нас: надсилає гуманітарну допомогу, зводить разом волонтерів, надихає митців та інфлюенсерів підтримувати Україну. І ми продовжуємо вдень і вночі, словами і зітханнями молитися, а також справами своїми наближати перемогу та відновлення. Тож не ставмо своїми наріканнями під сумнів Його присутність , а виявімо довіру до Нього. Як Мойсей колись заспокоював спраглий ізраїльський народ у пустелі, так Христос і сьогодні кличе нас: "Не бійтеся! Я з вами. Я пройду цей шлях разом з вами!” Вірмо, що Він бачить кожну нашу жертву і сльозу. Вірому у перемогу та відродження. Вірмо у силу єдності з Ним та один з одним. Тримаймося Господа - і побачимо славу Божу над вільною Україною. Пустеля не вічна, а тимчасова. Ханаан Божої благодаті - вічний. Шануймося <3 \ Тарас Дятлик, Україна

Personal non-theological and non-spiritual chaotic reflections of a civilian on self-confrontation in the time of war…

#BeingHuman. Brutal Honesty (part 3): personal non-theological and non-spiritual chaotic reflections on self-confrontation in the time of war… 

The consequences of the war in Ukraine are far-reaching and will have a lasting impact on the region and the world, whether we take this into account or choose to ignore this fact… The war has caused a humanitarian crisis, with millions displaced from their homes and needing food, water, and shelter. It is hard to fathom the endless suffering of innocent families and the daily human toll the war takes. The war has also devastated the economy of Ukraine and several other countries of the former Soviet Union, and the country's infrastructure has been severely damaged. The war will have a long-term and profound impact on the Church and theological education, although our Mission has not changed… 

While I feel powerless to do anything significant about stopping the war, I have found a solace «strategy» that helps me navigate and confront my thoughts and feelings during such an emotionally turbulent time for me… and so many of us involved in theological education during the war… that means taking a hard look at myself and my beliefs and asking difficult questions about how I can be a better human being, reflecting the image of the Other in my character during ongoing war…

The horrors of the war unfolding in Ukraine have forced me to confront myself in uncomfortable ways… Self-confrontation has become almost a daily process of examining my beliefs, values, and actions, helping me look for ways to stay grounded in my faith and live out my beliefs in a way that is both faithful to God and helpful to others. 

These are the questions I ask myself almost daily in the form of anxiety (as some psychologists may call it): What do my faith and 'systematic theology' teach me about war? How can I live out my faith in a way that is faithful to the Other and helpful to others' suffering? What am I doing to help end the war? What am I doing to support those who have been called to the war and are affected by the war? How can I use my resources to help those who are in need? How can I live my life honoring the Other and reflecting my faith in Him and humanity?

In the ongoing war in Ukraine, self-confrontation is especially important for me… and it is not easy… I do not take inner dialogues as a 'bipolar disorder' because this war has caused immense suffering for such an unthinkable number of people, and it is so easy to become overwhelmed by the darkness. 

The ongoing war brings me to the forefront of the stark contrast between love, compassion, empathy, and the atrocities of war…. I also confront my responsibility within a global theological educational community. The consequences of this war are far-reaching, affecting not only those directly involved but also the international Christian educational community as a whole that chose to be a part of the help to seminary-based refugee hubs in Ukraine, Moldova, in Central and Western Europe, caring for the refugees and internally displaced people... a part of rebuilding theological education in Ukraine and the region... a part of the ongoing Mission of God despite the atrocities of the war...

During times of war, it's easy to fall into the trap of praying for quick fixes or superficial solutions… Despite the situation's darkness, self-confrontation involves grappling with hope and prayer. In conversations with the Other, I express my hopes and fears to Him, seeking His guidance and strength… 

Self-confrontation also leads me to reflect on the importance of cultivating resilience. I am still learning to confront my response to adversity (a painful inner process), seeking to maintain faith (Lord, help my unbelief…) while adapting to the evolving situation. And I am still learning to find ways to support struggling others, fostering a sense of community in the face of the ongoing darkness.

I'm also confronted by my tendency to apathy because of physical and emotional tiredness and stress. I dream about having at least one day without considering the war's consequences for us, our country, nation, Church, called for military duty… I dream about life when it can return to our so-called normal. And the war has exposed how little control I have over global events… I'm confronting my tendency to believe any problem can be solved if I work hard enough or learn not to take it "close to my heart"… 

Through self-confrontation, I'm examining my sinful nature. The same original evil that leads to war resides in my heart too. It feels ridiculous to think about it, but… it is true… I'm seeking His forgiveness for my anger, apathy, pride, and selfishness. And not just forgiveness… but healing… again and again… day by day… even when it so often seems like going in circles… failure… forgiveness… healing… failure… forgiveness… healing… failure… forgiveness… healing… and Hope…

However, it is essential to remember that we are not alone in this. Many other human beings are also struggling to make sense of this war. We can find comfort and strength in each other's prayers and support. We are learning not to be afraid to ask for help. And one of our theological educational community's responses is a joint spiritual retreat that we will have from August 14 through 18 in Ukraine...  The war in Ukraine is a very touchable dark time, but it is not the end of the story… I believe it is essential for human beings who follow the Other to confront themselves… not only others... through self-confrontation to continue to shine the light and spring the hope amid this ongoing touchable darkness… Peace be with you and your families, the People of the Bridge ❤️ 

-- 

Taras Dyatlik

9 August 2023

Ukraine

Засудити зло, а не лише його наслідки

дуже багато німців, які були проти війни, були зовсім не проти нацистської та фашистської ідеологій... абсолютно не розуміючи і не бажаючи розуміти, що наслідок еволюції таких ідеологій = війна... так само і зараз з мого (бувшого) кола майже всі росіянці і майже всі без виключень (майже, бо є одиниці як виключення) відмовляються бачити звʼязок між війною і розпалюванням ідеології "руzького міра", "дєди ваєвалі", "ми в ссср страдалі, ми - лучше и святєє" і т.д... немає сенсу засуджувати війну, якщо людина з росії відмовляється засудити причини війни: не просто умовний гріх з едемського саду, а ідеологію руzького міру, як одну з найнелюдяніших причин війни... ці віруючі люди з москви і пітера і інших регіонів нічого поганого не бачать в тому, щоб читати дефірамби представнику офісу президента росії, де розроблялася ця ідеологія, звідки розпалювалася, де розроблялися стратегії агресії і екзистенційної війни проти України... немає сенсу засуджувати війну, більше того, це чисте блюзнірство і кричуще лицемірство засуджувати війну, відмовляючись засудити ідеологію руzького міра і російський етно-релігійний "комуністично-рпц-шний" імперіалізм... жаль, що й багато українців "обольщяються", вважаючи, що якщо росіянин проти війни, то він вже свій.... не розуміючи, що не важливо, чи був німець проти війни, чи ні, важливо - чи підтримував він чи вона нацистську та фашистську ідеології, як причини війни, чи ні... якщо німець був проти цих ідеологій, він ставав на захист тих людей і етнічних груп, які страждали не тільки від війни, але й від ідеологій.... судячи з того, що це було масовим явищем в Німеччині на той час, не варто сподіватися, що це буде хоч якимось явищем в росії... окрім окремих голосів... з цього починається розуміння Євангелія - з усвідомлення моральної корупції і зречення від знелюднюючих ідеологій... шануймося... і не даваймо місця дияволу, себто, бути просто проти війни і тішити себе тим.... в той же час, відмовляючись засудити причини війни... та й таке...

Скорбота - це не психічна хвороба

#БутиЛюдиною. #МандрівнаСкіпка. Війна руйнує не лише ландшафти нашої країни, але й краєвиди наших людських життів, залишаючи по собі руїну і страждання, розбиті вікна, дахи і стіни наших душ.

Скорбота - це не хвороба, яку потрібно лікувати, а невід'ємна частина нашого екзистенційного досвіду на Мовчазній Планеті. Коли смерть і руйнування стають нормою, скорбота переплітається з нашою щоденною боротьбою. Хоча надто багато людей обирає бути поза війною та поза політикою, зневажаючи скорботу Іншого.

Скорбота не є слабкістю чи вадою нашого характеру, як багато хто намагається одухотворити і діагностувати Іншого за допомогою своєї вятості високої прожарки, щоб уникнути прийняття глибини горя того, з ким вони працюють, співпрацюють, чи живуть.

Скорбота не є розладом. Таке ставлення до Іншого призводить до стигматизації та відсутності підтримки того, хто бореться з горем аж до втрати ним сенсу життя і болю.

Скорбота - це не психічна хвороба, яку ми повинні соромитися або соромитися визнати в собі перед високодуховними людьми зі святістю високої прожарки. Ні, не соромно шукати безпечного місця, щоб висловити свою скорботу, спустошити свій розум і душу настільки, щоб тільки Святий Дух міг знову наповнити їх не "чимось", а тільки Собою.

Скорбота не обмежується горем за смертю близьких, хоча це, безсумнівно, одне з найболючіших джерел скорботи. Скорбота - це також про втрату наших домівок, спільнот, способу життя, відчуття безпеки та захищеності для наших братів і сестер, дітей і батьків. Ці втрати також є глибоко руйнівними, хоча й не настільки сильними, як втрата близької людини.

Наша скорбота виникає як природня реакція на смерть і страх смерті тих, кого ми любимо посеред цього хаосу і безповоротніх втрат. Скорбота служить нагадуванням про священність життя і справжні узи любові, які об'єднують нас під час війни. Скорбота відкриває в нас нашу людську сутність: нашу здатність до глибоких емоційних зв'язків і спільного співпереживання, що виходить за межі суспільних конструкцій і насильницького поділу людей на своїх та чужих за ідеологічною знелюднюючою ознакою.

Скорбота - це наш спосіб пережити колективну емоційну, духовну і моральну травму та оновити свій зв'язок із життям. Тому ті, хто називає скорботу під час війни патологічною, не розуміють ні себе, ні людський стан і ні сутністі Іншого.

Скорбота відкриває нашу здатность формувати глибокі стосунки і зв'язки з іншими, а також відкривати свої потреби в сенсі і меті у стосунках з Іншим.

Скорбота - це те, як ми усвідомлюємо своє місце не в ідеальному, а в зламаному світі, зруйнованому війною, коли все виходить з-під контролю, коли ми відчайдушно потребуємо відновити та зберегти свою людяність.

Скорбота нагадує нам про нашу спільну людяність за Його образом і подобою, яка відкрилась у скорботі Боголюдині. Хоча знелюднюча роzійська війна має на меті дегуманізувати нас, змусити нас мовчати на Мовчазній планеті, змусити нас покинути плавучі острови і піти на тверду землю ще до сходу Сонця, коли Зеленому Королю і Королеві не дозволено це зробити.

Називати скорботу хворобою означає, що людину ніби-то потрібно вилікувати, щоб дати їй можливість повернутися до нормального функціонування. Але після глибокої втрати вже немає ніякої "нормальності", до якої можна повернутися. Ми змінюємося назавжди. Навіть Син Божий має шрами на Своїх долонях на віки вічні, хоча вже без пекельного пекучого і роздираючого болю, як на Безмовній планеті.

Якщо Ісус не соромився Своєї скорботи у Гетсиманському саду, дорогою на Голгофу, на Хресті, то хто я такий, щоб грати роль духовно невразливого Рембо зі святістю високої прожарки, який не усвідомлює і відмовляється від своєї вразливості?

"Хто я, мій Малелділе?"

"Я з тобою, Ренсоме, як Той, Хто Я є. Я поруч і скорблю разом з тобою. Колись ти станеш не-втіленим, щоб знову втілитися в нове тіло, але вже без скорботи. Зі шрамами, але вже без пекучого болю..."

Миру вам і вашим дітям, люди Мосту Людяності. Шануймося <3
- -
Тарас Н. Дятлик, Україна
24 червня 2023 року

Grieving is not.... in the shadows of war...

War devastates not only our country's landscapes but also the landscapes of our human lives, leaving ruin and suffering in its wake, with broken windows, roofs, and walls of our souls.

Grieving is not a disease that needs to be cured but an integral part of our existential experience on the Silent Planet. When death and destruction become the unfortunate norms, grieving becomes entwined with our daily struggles.

Grieving is not a weakness or a flaw in our character, as many try to “spiritualize” and “diagnose” to avoid accepting the depth of grief of those they work with, partner with, and live with.

Grieving is not a disorder. Such an attitude leads to stigmatization and a lack of support for those struggling with grief to the depth of losing the sense of life and pain.

Grieving is not a mental illness that we should feel ashamed or embarrassed to recognize and admit in ourselves in front of the spiritual Iron Men. It is not a shame to seek a safe location to express your grief, to make your mind and soul so empty that only the Holy Spirit could fill it again, not with "something," but only by... only with Himself.

Grieving is not limited to the death of loved ones, although this is undoubtedly one of the most significant sources of grief. Grieving is also about losing our homes, communities, way of life, and a sense of safety and security for our siblings, children, and parents. These losses are also devastating, although not as strong as losing a loved one.

Our grieving emerges as an innate response to death and to the fear of death of those we love amid the chaos and loss. Grieving serves as a reminder of the sacredness of life and the essential bonds of love that unite us in times of war. Grieving connects us to our human essence: our capacity for deep emotional connections and shared empathy that transcends societal constructs and war's violent divisions.

Grieving is our means of processing our collective emotional, spiritual, and moral trauma and reaffirming our connection to life. Thus, those who label wartime grieving as pathological misunderstand themselves and the human condition and essence of the Other.

Grieving is about our capacity to form deep relationships and bonds with others and our need for meaning and purpose in our relationships with the Other.

Grieving is how we process our understanding of our place not in the ideal... but in the broken world, shattered during the war when everything feels out of control and when we desperately need to reassert our humanity.

Grieving reminds us of our shared humanity in His image and likeness, although wartime aims to dehumanize us, to make us silent on the Silent Planet, to make us leave the swimming islands to firm land before the sunrise, the time when the Green King and Princess are allowed to do so.

To call grief a disease is to imply that it needs to be “treated” or “cured” to enable people to return to some sense of normal functioning. But after deep loss, there is no “normal” to return to. We are forever changed. Even the Son of God has wounds on His palms for eternity to be and come, the eternal scars without hellish burning and tearing pain.

If Jesus was grieving in the Garden of Gethsemane, on the road to Golgotha, on the Cross... then... who am I to play a role of a spiritually invulnerable Rembo who does not recognize their vulnerability?

"Who am I, my Maleldil?"

"I am with you, Ransom, as Who I am... I am nearby and grieving with you... Someday you will be UnIncarnated... to be incarnated again into the new body without grieving... with the scars... but no pain anymore..."

Peace be with you, the People of the Bridge... and I wish you a Silent Night... to you and your children...
— —
Taras N. Dyatlik, Ukraine
24 June 2023

Brutal Honesty about Spiritual Life

#BeingHuman. Brutal Honesty (part 2) about Spiritual Life. As I continue to reflect on the impact of the ongoing full-scale war on me, on us, -- allowing you to look inside through the broken windows of our souls, -- I want to share with you Part Two from my diary on Brutal Honesty. These are my three temptations and challenges of a grown and "more-or-less" mature Christian (as I thought of myself before the full-scale war) in spiritual life and how I cope with them, trying to remain human in the Image of God.

1. I AM TEMPTED TO QUESTION MY FAITH IN GOD'S GOODNESS OR PRESENCE DUE TO THE INTENSE SUFFERING AND WAR'S DEVASTATION. 

I often question in my diary how a loving and all-powerful God can allow such immense suffering and destruction to occur in our country, nation, and people. I feel abandoned or even betrayed by God and struggle to reconcile my beliefs and theological doctrines (especially from a systematic theology) with a benevolent Deity with the horrors of war. It leads me, frankly speaking, very frequently to question my faith, my trust in God's goodness. I also struggle to see evidence of God's presence or intervention amid the chaos and violence of war. I pray for peace and protection but see no tangible results. This lack of perceived divine intervention leads me to question my faith in God's presence. When I meet with the witnesses of firsthand acts of extreme violence, cruelty, and injustice during the war, when I witness myself the results of the ongoing war, I struggle to understand how God could allow such evil to exist and persist. This leads me to question my faith in God's justice and question whether God is truly in control or whether humanity is simply at the mercy of random chance and the whims of evil people… 

What do I learn from questioning my faith in God's goodness or presence due to war's intense suffering and devastation? I seek comfort and support from fellow believers, with others who share my faith. I am searching for people with whom I get a sense of community as a place to find comfort, support, hope, and strength. I also turn to the Scriptures and prayer. Reading the Word and engaging in prayer as my "battlefield" helps me reinforce my faith and provide a sense of hope and comfort, at least temporarily. Reflecting on the promises of God's love and care for humanity helps a little bit, not much, to restore a sense of trust and hope in God's goodness and presence, even while suffering and devastation when I confess that I understand nothing why and what the Lord is doing in this chaos. I keep myself engaged in acts of service and compassion, especially with the internally displaced people in Ukraine and the refugees "from the other side…." Volunteering during the ongoing war helps me restore a sense of purpose and meaning in the face of adversity. I do not want to lose this sense because of my workload. With all respect to my job, helping others through philanthropy during the war provides me a sense of connection to something larger than oneself and helps me rekindle my hope and faith in God's goodness and presence during war and suffering.

2. I AM TEMPTED TO BECOME DISILLUSIONED WITH THE "CHURCH" AND RELIGIOUS INSTITUTIONS THAT SEEM POWERLESS OR INEFFECTIVE IN THE FACE OF VIOLENCE AND DESTRUCTION.

I feel that the religious institutions and leaders (especially Russian Orthodox and Evangelical) have failed to address the war's root causes and take action to bring about compassion and identification with the Christians in Ukraine. I am sad that for so many Christians in Russia, the war is a holy crusade or a righteous battle against evil forces, which they identify as Western Christendom, and interpret the protection of traditional Christian values as a call to arms and believe that violence and aggression are necessary to defend their faith and secure victory of "the Russian Gospel." I feel very frustrated that they are embracing the extremist ideology of the Russian World that offers simplistic solutions and scapegoats for their spiritual and national problems. I feel sad that they force us for peace and reconciliation and demand our silence. I am so frustrated and sad that the Russian Church has lost its prophetic voice and has become too timid or complacent in the face of injustice and oppression. This leads me, I have to confess, to a sense of cynicism and apathy towards the Church and religious institutions in Russia and a belief that they are no longer relevant or effective in addressing the needs of the people in the Mission of God… 

What do I learn from frustration with the Church, religious institutions, and structures in Russia that seem powerless and ineffective in the face of violence and destruction in Ukraine? I learned to look beyond the institutionalized "Church," whatever it means. While religious institutions and structures can be crucial in providing spiritual guidance and community, they are not the only source of faith and hope. It's critical to remember that Christianity is ultimately about a personal relationship with the One Who created me in His image and calls me to follow His character... and that this relationship can be nurtured through individual practices such as prayer, meditation, and Scripture reading. Focusing on my relationship with Jesus gives me hope and purpose, even when religious institutions and structures seem ineffective. I also try to be engaged in activism and social justice work with the representatives of other Traditions of Faith. Christianity has a substantial social justice and activism tradition, and engaging in these activities helps me restore a sense of purpose and hope. Working towards peace and reconciliation in the "Dialogue in Action" initiative, supporting refugees and other vulnerable populations, and advocating for policies that promote human dignity help me put my faith into action and provide me a sense of hope and meaning in the face of violence and destruction. It helps me restore a sense of faith in the power of the Church as the Community of Hope and religious institutions as the faith communities to effect positive change in this broken world on the Silent Planet. 

3. I AM TEMPTED TO ABANDON SPIRITUAL PRACTICES OR COMMUNITY IN THE FACE OF OVERWHELMING CIRCUMSTANCES.

Working with the internally displaced people in Ukraine and the refugees from "the other side," I feel overwhelmed by the trauma and chaos of the war and find it difficult to focus on spiritual practices such as prayer or meditation. I feel that my faith is no longer relevant or helpful in extreme circumstances, and I lose my motivation to engage in spiritual practices. This leads me to a sense of spiritual emptiness and disconnection from my faith community and, ultimately, from the Community of Hope. I also experience a crisis of faith due to the intense emotional and not rarely physical devastation because of what I witnessed during the war through the other eyes. No, I do not compare my experience as a civilian to the experience of those on the front line or those who were tortured, arrested, imprisoned, etc. But in our meetings and conversations, they often question God's existence or the relevance of their beliefs in the face of such extreme human suffering. They feel that their faith has failed them or that God abandoned them, and thus withdraw from spiritual practices or their faith community. With the constant secondary trauma, I feel powerless working with such people and also very often keep away from spiritual practices, sinking in the doubts, questions, and "Why, the Lord?" 

What do I learn from the emptiness when I abandon spiritual practices or community in the face of overwhelming circumstances? I try to prioritize prayer and meditation. My prayer and meditation are my battlefields with the Lord, like the River for Jacob over the Night. I try to set aside a specific time, although not each day, but at least a couple of times a week for prayer, meditation, and my "battles." I learn to stay connected with my faith community, friends, colleagues, and family. Even if it's impossible to physically attend church or spiritual gatherings, staying connected with my family and faith community provides me a sense of support and belonging. I attempt to reach them via phone, text, or social media, not about work… but about my... our "battles..." Finally, I try to focus as much as possible on the bigger picture. Amid overwhelming circumstances, losing sight of the bigger picture -- the Mission of God -- is so easy. However, focusing on the ultimate goal of serving God and living a life of purpose and meaning helps me provide hope and motivation. It is why I remind myself daily: our Mission has not changed… has not.. not yet.. 

SO AS A CIVILIAN, WHERE DO I RUN FROM THE TEMPTATIONS DURING THE ONGOING WAR? -- "I WILL GO AHEAD OF YOU INTO GALILEE." 

Christ appoints a place for meeting with His disciples after His resurrection: Galilee. He knows and is sure that He will find them there, physically exhausted by fruitless fishing all night long. Even before His death on the cross and before His resurrection, Jesus addresses the eleven disciples and says to them: "You will all fall away, for it is written: 'I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered.' But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee." (Mark 14: 27-28). 

After Jesus' resurrection, the disciples still felt lost: too many radical changes and upheavals in a short period of time. Although the apostles have already had two meetings with the Risen One, Peter turns to the six disciples of Christ next to him and says to them: "I am going to fish." They tell him, "We also go with you" (John 21: 1-3). 

Every so often, I find myself at the meeting place designated by Christ not because I have believed Him, remembered His words, followed Him, or was looking for Christ at a particular meeting place. Every so often, I find myself at the meeting place designated by Jesus because I run not to Him but away from Him, not understanding what is happening in me, to me, and around me. I run away, even though I have already had meetings with the Risen One. 

My sincere run away from Him is sometimes the path to Christ, the path to the place of meeting with Him, where He will take care of me, His crippled disciple: "When they had gone ashore, they saw a fire of burning coals there with fish on it, and some bread." (John 21:9). He will take care of me and then will ask: "Taras, do you love Me?" 

The path with Jesus is the daily meeting and journey of two friends who have a relationship of trust and love on their "battlefields." Even when I am tired and burdened, when I fail or run away from uncertainty, brokenness, pain... I run away… toward Him... He made an appointment for me on that path to take care of me and assure me: "I continue to love you. Do you love Me?" I believe, my Lord, that even when I run away from You these days, I run toward You, for "where will I go from Your Spirit, and where will I flee from Your presence?" (Psalm 139:7).
-- 
Taras N. Dyatlik, Ukraine
1 June 2023

US Memorial Day: The Sounds of War Echo

To our friends and partners in the United States of America... The sounds of war echo around us, and news of casualties frequently arrives at our doorsteps. It often feels like a dark and hopeless time. Yet even amid this strife, we remember that a great cloud of witnesses surrounds us: the saints and martyrs who have run the race of faith before us. They cheer us on as we continue the fight for justice and righteousness. The sacrifices of the fallen remind us that freedom is a prize that must be continually won.

On this Memorial Day, we also remember the "cloud of witnesses" from Hebrews 12 who have gone before us and now surround us as we run the race of faith: «Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus.»

We live in a world where war is an ever-present reality, and our fallen heroes are a testament to the courage and dedication of those who have gone before us. While we grieve the loss of our loved ones, we are strengthened by the knowledge that their legacy will live on in our hearts and in our actions. The cloud of witnesses calls to us: «Be strong and persevere! You do not struggle alone. Fix your eyes on the Author and Perfecter of our faith, Who endured the cross for the joy set before him. Take up your cross daily, and follow in His way.» 

Though the road ahead is uncertain, we find courage, knowing that the Lord of Hosts fights for us in this reality and the spiritual one. His love pierces through the fog of war. His eternal arms sustain us through each trial and loss. The battle belongs to the Lord. The dead in Christ shall rise first. Though they have passed from our sight, they live on, waiting for the final victory over the last enemy. May their memories spur us on to continued faithfulness, relying on the One who is able to keep us from falling. The God of Peace will soon crush the Ancient Enemy under our feet.

On this day of remembrance, we give thanks for the cloud of witnesses who have lightened our path. We honor their sacrifice and hold fast to the hope of resurrection in Christ Jesus, our Lord. Let us honor their memory by continuing to run our own race with perseverance, keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith. Let us also pray for peace in Ukraine and other countries torn by the war, that the sacrifices of those who have gone before us may not be in vain. May we never forget the cloud of witnesses who have paved the way for us, and may we always strive to live our lives in a way that honors their memory and brings glory to God.

For those of us living in Ukraine with ongoing full-scale war, this cloud of witnesses includes our own family members, friends, colleagues, and fellow citizens who have made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our freedom. They have run their race of faith with courage and endurance, standing as a testament to the power of sacrifice and love. Our mission has not changed. May peace be with us as we continue to fight for justice and righteousness, keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus and relying on the strength and comfort of the great cloud of witnesses who surround us.
--
Taras N. Dyatlik, Ukraine
29 May 2023

We are all vulnerable to pain and hardship

Today is the 26th of May. Thirteen massive and brutal Russian missile attacks on Ukraine and various major cities have left the country in a state of constant terror. The attacks occur every other night, usually under the cover of darkness, shattering the peace that we all long for. The blaring sirens outside your window prevent you from sleeping peacefully like your dog does, leaving you feeling exhausted and drained in the morning.

The impact of war on the human spirit is profound, and it is impossible to suffer perfectly. Even Christ, the epitome of strength and resilience, experienced moments of despair, despite never once faltering in His commitment to His mission. Suffering is a universal human experience that is both deeply personal and profoundly transformative. While suffering not perfectly... we remain made in His image... even if we cannot always reflect His image at specific steps from Gethsemane to Golgotha... It reminds us that we are made in the image of God and that we are all vulnerable to pain and hardship.

In times of suffering, it's natural to want to retreat into ourselves and hide from the world. But as humans made for community, we learn to resist this temptation and reach out to others who are also struggling. In doing so, we embody the image of God and minister to one another, finding solace and comfort in our shared pain and fellowship.... Reach out to others in your suffering... who are also hurting on the way to Eternity through the Valley of Death at the Silent Planet... Reach out to others in your anguish. Our shared agony produces fellowship amid the war, even though it may sound peculiar...

Do not despair in your suffering: moments of doubt and anguish are human, as we remain made in His image... Our suffering is temporary, even if it takes a dozen years... even though it is painful... God created us for Eternity, ultimately... As we cry out to Him in our pain and despair, we are free to be human, expressing who we are, and what we experience and feel... only in that humanity can we find comfort and peace in His love and grace...

Suffering leads us to personal growth and transformation. It is the Way Up... When we face who we are in the war context or arduous circumstances, we can learn about the distance between God and us that His love and grace cover as the Bridge... The way to Golgotha is the Way Up, not Down.. The Way Down is from the Cross through our Death on the Way to Resurrection... While we are alive and suffering, it is the Way Up... Even if someone else is carrying your cross to the place of your crucifixion... As a human being in the image of God, I am called to grow and mature on the Way Up continually... to become more like Him... even in suffering... even in death... even in the resurrection...

Remaining human in the image of God means acknowledging our vulnerability and limitations while also recognizing the inherent dignity and worth of every human being. It means responding to suffering with compassion, empathy, and a willingness to help those in need: on the way to Golgotha, Jesus noticed weeping women and stopped to comfort them... As human beings made in the image of God, we are called to follow Christ's example of this sacrificial love: amid our pain and struggles to pay attention to those who.... suffer less than we do.... 

We look for lessons in our suffering that we can write in our Road Journal. Difficult times shape and mold our character, strengthen our faith through overcoming doubts, and teach us compassion through paying attention to those who suffer less... or more... As human beings in the image of God, we are called to trust in His promises and to look forward to the day when He will wipe away every tear, which so many people do not see because of their joy, or because of our blood... 

We suffer imperfectly, but... with God's help, we persevere... we will persevere... Our Mission has not changed... Peace be with you, and I wish you a Silent Night.. 

-- -- 

Taras N. Dyatlik, Ukraine

26 May 2023

Оголене коріння

Сьогодні я вийшов на невелику прогулянку до лісу, недалеко від місця, де ми проводимо весняну сесію миротворчого проекту "Діалог в дії". Я довго стояв біля цього дерева, торкався руками його оголеного коріння, розмовляв з ним. Хочу поділитися з вами тим, чим дерево поділилося зі мною. Шануймося ❤️