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Back from Ukraine: My Impressions

During the Sunday I spent at our church, we were blessed to have Yura Chuhay (bearded guy to my right) back from the front lines. He is stationed in the east in a very hot zone. We pray for his safety and a swift end to this terrible war.

Back from Ukraine: My Impressions

Joshua Steele 3 min read
podcast ukraine ministry

I went to Ukraine and made it back in one piece! It was my first time there in six months. In this episode, I share my impressions from several days spent in Lviv as well as a possible answer to that looming question: “Can we return to Ukraine?”

Thank you so much for listening to our podcast! Please share this episode (opens in a new tab) with your friends, and pray for our family as we continue ministering to Ukrainians in Eastern Europe.

How You Can Pray

  • Praise the Lord for a successful trip to Ukraine on December 3–8.
  • Pray for my next trip in a few days (Dec 24). This time I’m taking along three of our kids. More updates to come!
  • Pray for Ukraine’s energy infrastructure as millions face a long, cold winter with limited access to heat and electricity.
  • Pray for our Ukrainian Family Fellowship in Žilina.
  • Pray for health, wisdom and courage for our family.
  • Pray for peace and liberty in Ukraine.

Keep scrolling for more photos from my trip to Ukraine…

Yura Petriv takes his first drive in the yellow van. He’ll be using it to transport Good and Evil books as well as humanitarian aid.
Yura Petriv takes his first drive in the yellow van. He’ll be using it to transport Good and Evil books as well as humanitarian aid.
After arriving in Radekhiv, we stopped in a local store and picked up more supplies to be send to the front lines. This time it was mostly canned goods. Upon hearing that we were buying for soldiers, the store gave us an 8% discount!
After arriving in Radekhiv, we stopped in a local store and picked up more supplies to be send to the front lines. This time it was mostly canned goods. Upon hearing that we were buying for soldiers, the store gave us an 8% discount!
While I was in Radekhiv, they asked me to give a short interview for the local radio station. They have some nice sound gear, but since the power was out, we couldn’t use it. So we recorded the interview on a mobile phone.
While I was in Radekhiv, they asked me to give a short interview for the local radio station. They have some nice sound gear, but since the power was out, we couldn’t use it. So we recorded the interview on a mobile phone.
Radio Radekhiv! From the left: Joshua, Milena, Yura
Radio Radekhiv! From the left: Joshua, Milena, Yura
Lesya Hayda is another dear friend I was able to visit. Lesya started a daycare for children just before the COVID pandemic, and it survived. Now they face the daily threat of missle strikes, power outages, and a foe that seeks to annihilate them. And Lesya is still in business. Ukrainians are fighters!
Lesya Hayda is another dear friend I was able to visit. Lesya started a daycare for children just before the COVID pandemic, and it survived. Now they face the daily threat of missle strikes, power outages, and a foe that seeks to annihilate them. And Lesya is still in business. Ukrainians are fighters!
It was great to stop in for a visit with our upstairs neighbors, Lyudmila and Ihor. Lyudmila recently commented to me that they miss the sound of all our little kids “pattering around”. I’ve assured her that we will do our best to make sure she hears them again. 🥰
It was great to stop in for a visit with our upstairs neighbors, Lyudmila and Ihor. Lyudmila recently commented to me that they miss the sound of all our little kids “pattering around”. I’ve assured her that we will do our best to make sure she hears them again. 🥰
Just before I left Lviv, we got word from Olekciy (right) that their group of soldiers was very low on meds. So on the way to the bus station, Yura and I stopped by a pharmacy and tried to get as much as we could of all the meds he asked for.
Just before I left Lviv, we got word from Olekciy (right) that their group of soldiers was very low on meds. So on the way to the bus station, Yura and I stopped by a pharmacy and tried to get as much as we could of all the meds he asked for.
Since I left, Yura has already put the yellow van to good use. We’ve been shipping quite a large number of Good and Evil books out to churches for their Christmas outreaches.
Since I left, Yura has already put the yellow van to good use. We’ve been shipping quite a large number of Good and Evil books out to churches for their Christmas outreaches.
Whenever I travel alone, I miss this lady the most. Kelsie is the color in my world, my daily reminder of God’s favor! 💖
Whenever I travel alone, I miss this lady the most. Kelsie is the color in my world, my daily reminder of God’s favor! 💖

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