To our dear friends and partners,
Many of you have reached out to us over recent weeks expressing concern and asking questions about the build up of Russian troops along the border of Ukraine. We thank you for your messages and prayers.
Life in Ukraine is moving along like normal (well, Covid normal, that is). Even though the presence of Russian forces on the border is concerning people, this isn’t the first time this has happened. Obviously there is something unique this time about the movement of troops as well as the reported invasion plans that have made the news, but until something more significant takes place, nothing has changed in our daily lives. Kids are still going to school, people are still going to work, and as far as I’m aware, no one is fleeing to western Ukraine.
What happens in the coming weeks is anyone’s guess, but it does encourage me some that Europe and the U.S. are making a unified stand and giving clear ultimatums should Russia invade. Even though this proposed help might not be to the extent many wish it would be (and who knows what Putin is actually up to), I choose to be grateful for all the nations that are rallying behind Ukraine at this time. We will continue to pray that God uses these efforts to discourage further war in this country.
Some of you have expressed specific concerns for our family. Are we safe? Do we have an exit strategy? Right now, we feel very safe, but we are keeping one eye on the news at all times. Do we have an exit strategy? Yes, and we are relying not only on our own perspective of the situation but on others’ whom we trust as well. We also are registered with the U.S. embassy in Ukraine and regularly receive their updates. There has yet to be any warning or recommendation to U.S. citizens regarding this situation.
Things certainly could get bad in Ukraine, but they aren’t bad yet. And so, we wait. And we continue to work.
Winter Practicum
Our students finished their fall semester on Friday. We were grateful to be able to spend the last few weeks together in the classroom. Now they are headed home for their winter practicum. For the next month and a half they will be working with their home congregations, ministering in any way they can. Our students will be applying the lessons they’ve learned to evangelism, preaching, teaching, and to other areas. I encourage you to read their recent updates here.
Finishing Two Years
Friday was also a special day because one of our students completed his two years of study at UBI. Sasha Kapsha is from Mariupol, and I’ve known him since he was nine years old. He is a sincere disciple who tries his best in all he does. He also suffers from congenital Glaucoma. He’s blind in one eye and struggles with frequent bad headaches. Yet despite these difficulties, he has completed his two years with us. We are proud of his hard work, and we are praying for him as he heads back to his home congregation. We look forward to celebrating his achievement at graduation in the spring.
Thank you all so much for your continued thoughts, prayers, and support of this school. We will let you know should the situation change for us here. Until then, let’s pray God protects Ukraine, and let’s thank God for students like Sasha Kapsha.
Sincerely,
Brandon Price
Thank you for your update on the situation there in Ukraine. I have been praying for everyone, especially the Christians, there in Ukraine for some time. But I am doing so especially now and will continue. I am so thankful every time I see a new soul won to Christ...God continues to work on people's hearts...and that is so encouraging to see.