Gateway & Ukraine at Devoted
Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Gateway has had a developing partnership with House of God’s Grace Church in Kropyvnytsky, Ukraine, led by Igor Bogomaz. Igor also leads Triumphant Grace Churches, ChristCentral’s sphere in Ukraine.
Most of our partnership has developed online, with a small group meeting weekly on Sunday evenings on Zoom to pray. We’ve also had occasional joint Zoom prayer meetings for Powerhouse, the most recent in June. So it was a special pleasure to meet in person at Devoted, when Gateway hosted a meal for Igor, his wife Tanya, daughter-in-law Olena, and two other church members, Anna and Katya.
We used the occasion to present a specially-commissioned gift of artwork to the Kropyvnytsky church, created by Gateway member Natalie Hardy. One of the unseen casualties of the war has been Ukraine’s environment, which has been devastated by the ongoing conflict. Natalie was asked to prepare something which visually spoke of hope for restoration. Pippa Lloyd added a poem to complement and interpret the picture. We were able to present these to Igor and House of God’s Grace during our meal together.
Glimmers of Hope
By Pippa Lloyd
Inspired by David B. Seaburn
Across the broken hush of land and sea,
Where rivers once ran quiet and free,
The water shimmers, scarred but still flowing,
A song of healing keeps on singing
Dark stones emerge from depths of painted blue,
Where ocean meets sky, it breathes once again.
The earth remembers, and gives us fresh glimmers,
of hope and life and peace.
A flicker in the tide, a breath of green,
Where ash once fell, buds burst into being.
In shattered fields where silence once lay,
Now wildflowers whisper and twirl and sway.
Hope doesn’t deny, it sees the damage.
It knows the silence left behind.
It’s prospects, though hidden, are there for the taking
By inches at first, then metres then miles.
Hope carves its name in water, leaving its mark,
Facing the bleakness with courage and strength.
A vow placed in motion, a promise, an oath
to slowly edge forwards until the last light fades.
Despite constant danger, the weight of concern for loved ones at the front line, and the pain of so many losses, House of God’s Grace Church continues with great perseverance to reach out the numerous war refugees in their city, offering compassion, practical help, and hope through the gospel. The church has seen healings, many conversions and changed lives. New churches have been planted. Soldiers on the front line and those suffering from life-changing wounds have been supported through chaplaincy ministry. It has been a privilege for us to walk with our friends through this ordeal and be inspired by their love and faith.
If anyone would like to join our weekly 8pm Sunday prayer meetings, the link is here.