#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.
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Taras Dyatlik
Ukraine
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