Knock the Hope Out
If you are friends with me on Facebook, then you've seen the million post on my wall about the current political situation in Ukraine.
When I think about Ukraine, I think about the creativity of my friends, the way people gather in the streets to watch a good street performance... I think about how if you go to someone's home, you are treated like a royal guest and you can never have to much tea or to many cookies when catching up with friends. Sadly though, what I also think about in regards to Ukraine is it's brutal past. Filled with hostile governments and horrifying famines and many wars. I think about the "failure" of the Orange Revolution that was the first time progressive thinkers felt hopeful that Ukraine could abandon it's dark past.
In the past few years, yes Ukraine has had a pro-Russian president. But while his ties with Russia have been strong, so has his needs for a richer economy- which meant, bringing in western businesses and events like the European Soccer Cup made the economy richer while again, bringing hope that Ukraine could find a balance with it's neighbors in the EU and with Russia.
Through 2013, the current President of Ukraine, was holding talks with EU that, if the deal was signed, would allow Ukraine more access to the EU along with a trade agreement, which would boost the economy, once again, making young entrepreneurs hopeful.When it was time for the President to sign this agreement, he didn't, stating that instead he would move the country closer to Russia. Some of you may be thinking, what is so bad about being close with Russia?
Well Putin has been in power in Russia for a long time. He was president, and then he was the prime minister and now he is president again. While in office his first term, he changed the law so that if you are out of office one term, you can be eligible again to be president. So his first term was up, and he didn't go far, just to second in command to the guy he promoted to be his successor-- this meant that Putin never lost control of his country. Many times Putin has stated his plans to reform the Soviet Union back- but under a less scary name. Putin wants to be the king- a king that would have control over the largest part of Europe's land, who has close ties with the leaders of Asia- making Eurasia a threat--
Which is why you, as a Westerner, should care what happens in Ukraine. It is a vital piece of the puzzle to Putin's long term plan! And as you can see the trend is to knock the hope out of Ukraine.
That is where we can help- we can help keep hope alive there. Post things on FB to keep the issue in Ukraine circulating. Be annoying like me, and repost articles that are drawing light-- support western officials who are taking the trip to Ukraine to show their support. But most importantly PRAY FOR UKRAINE.
And on one final note as to why you should care- during soviet times, God was only for the weak. If you believed anything other than what the church of the state taught, you were exiled, tortured until you died or renounced your faith. Bibles had to be smuggled into the country. I'm not anti Russia, in fact, I love Russia and believe that Russian's are in need of hope too! What I am standing for is for Russian's officials not to be given the opportunity to knock the hope out of it's people or out of the Ukrainian people.
Pray for hope to stay alive- pray for the people of both nations to fight for their freedom to have hope! We all deserve to have the right to be hopeful for our future- and that means we all deserve the right to freely believe in God.
So pray, care and share! And don't let the hope die.
When I think about Ukraine, I think about the creativity of my friends, the way people gather in the streets to watch a good street performance... I think about how if you go to someone's home, you are treated like a royal guest and you can never have to much tea or to many cookies when catching up with friends. Sadly though, what I also think about in regards to Ukraine is it's brutal past. Filled with hostile governments and horrifying famines and many wars. I think about the "failure" of the Orange Revolution that was the first time progressive thinkers felt hopeful that Ukraine could abandon it's dark past.
In the past few years, yes Ukraine has had a pro-Russian president. But while his ties with Russia have been strong, so has his needs for a richer economy- which meant, bringing in western businesses and events like the European Soccer Cup made the economy richer while again, bringing hope that Ukraine could find a balance with it's neighbors in the EU and with Russia.
Through 2013, the current President of Ukraine, was holding talks with EU that, if the deal was signed, would allow Ukraine more access to the EU along with a trade agreement, which would boost the economy, once again, making young entrepreneurs hopeful.When it was time for the President to sign this agreement, he didn't, stating that instead he would move the country closer to Russia. Some of you may be thinking, what is so bad about being close with Russia?
Well Putin has been in power in Russia for a long time. He was president, and then he was the prime minister and now he is president again. While in office his first term, he changed the law so that if you are out of office one term, you can be eligible again to be president. So his first term was up, and he didn't go far, just to second in command to the guy he promoted to be his successor-- this meant that Putin never lost control of his country. Many times Putin has stated his plans to reform the Soviet Union back- but under a less scary name. Putin wants to be the king- a king that would have control over the largest part of Europe's land, who has close ties with the leaders of Asia- making Eurasia a threat--
Which is why you, as a Westerner, should care what happens in Ukraine. It is a vital piece of the puzzle to Putin's long term plan! And as you can see the trend is to knock the hope out of Ukraine.
That is where we can help- we can help keep hope alive there. Post things on FB to keep the issue in Ukraine circulating. Be annoying like me, and repost articles that are drawing light-- support western officials who are taking the trip to Ukraine to show their support. But most importantly PRAY FOR UKRAINE.
And on one final note as to why you should care- during soviet times, God was only for the weak. If you believed anything other than what the church of the state taught, you were exiled, tortured until you died or renounced your faith. Bibles had to be smuggled into the country. I'm not anti Russia, in fact, I love Russia and believe that Russian's are in need of hope too! What I am standing for is for Russian's officials not to be given the opportunity to knock the hope out of it's people or out of the Ukrainian people.
Pray for hope to stay alive- pray for the people of both nations to fight for their freedom to have hope! We all deserve to have the right to be hopeful for our future- and that means we all deserve the right to freely believe in God.
So pray, care and share! And don't let the hope die.
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