I talk to people in Ukraine almost every day...
I have talked to many friends and family during the current crisis in which Russia has encroached on Ukraine. I want to know how they are doing, as I have been very concerned about their safety and state of mind.
Over the past few weeks the invasion of Crimea by Russia as well as the protests, violence and killing on the mall in Kiev has filled me with a grievous sadness. I have walked over that mall numerous times on visits to Kiev. This crisis strikes close to home.
I came to the United States in 1949 through my World War II refugee parents. My mother was from eastern Ukraine, my father from the west. I have no extended family in the United States. They are all in Ukraine.
I have worked in humanitarian terms with the Revival Centre for Rehabilitation of Children near Chernobyl for 18 years (www.lifenets.org/chernobyl) and with Sabbath-keeping churches in western Ukraine (www.lifenets.org/ukraine) and know many people and communicate often, as I speak Ukrainian fluently.
My first conversation was with the director of the rehabilitation center for children in Chernihev, about 30 miles east of Chernobyl. We have known each other for almost two decades. Through LifeNets we have sent considerable aid for their center that treats children and their descendants of nerve-related diseases through the years.
Almost everyone I've talked to is holding up courageously and hoping for the best. This part of the world has known tribulation over and over again, and you can tell that the people have deep roots for coping.
They report that the conflict is psychological and is based on biased negative reporting intended to stir up and frighten the people. They see through the intimidation.
Ukrainians have different views about what's happening as they are seeking elections to sort out the leadership and go on. The Russians report that the Ukrainian government has been taken over by terrorists and bandits. Russia is trying to provoke an incident to give reason to invade and bring "order," an order which usually means that they plan to stay.
What's next for Ukraine? Some are talking about a divided Ukraine with the East either being absorbed by Russia, becoming a separate state or part of a confederation of states. Western Ukraine is clearly aligned with Europe and wants nothing to do with Russia. In eastern Ukraine pro-Russian rallies are being staged. Similar ones are taking place in Donetsk, Donbas, and other eastern and southeastern areas.
My friend told me that anything through the media is "not the full story." I told him what was reported here and he confirmed that generally it is correct, but not the full story. He was thankful for U.S. and Canadian sentiments of support and hopefully coming to closer ties with Europe in order to bring stability, but for now they are very worried and concerned.
In western Ukraine I spoke with our dear friends who have made various LifeNets projects work. In the West the mood is more relaxed. People seem to be going about their regular business with no alarm in the air.
I have visited here numerous times to help street children and orphans, help with summer camps for children and much more (www.lifenets.org/vinogradov). My friend is a businessman and Sabbath-keeper. Deposed Ukrainian president Viktor Yankevich is looked upon as a corrupt and immoral person who has squandered budgeted resources and looks on the people as "little sticks" who just work for the government. Putin is regarded as an irrational and arrogant person seeking only to continue his mission of conquest.
The Sabbath-keeping churches held special prayer for God's protection for the people and their families. They look in faith for God to deliver them as He has multiple times before 1991, when they were under the Soviet Union. The warning winds of tribulation are beginning to blow against them, and they turn earnestly to God.
I have also spoken to my cousin in eastern Ukraine who is holding his own.
What can we do about any of this? Nothing. What is God going to do? Everything. Our daily prayer should include the element of "thy Kingdom come" that Christ listed almost at the top of model prayer:
"Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come (Matthew 6:9-10).
The time of the Kingdom of God that will remove all world governments will come, and the absurd irrational rule of despots will cease permanently.
In the meantime we continue to do good. Today, we shipped medical supplies to needy people in north-central Ukraine. 
Tomorrow, we'll be connected by Skype to talk to people with health issues in western Ukraine who need treatment. Our work will go on as we look to God for help and do what we can in the meantime.
For more insight into the progression of what we see in the world, read our online Bible study aid or request a free copy - Are We Living in the Time of the End?
P.S. For more up to date news on direct news I receive from Ukraine, follow me on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/victorkubik .
