The statue of Lenin has dominated the main square of Cherkassy for many years and even in the initial foment of the newly independent Ukraine back in the early 1990's, only a few of the Soviet icons were destroyed.
However, in recent years, perhaps emboldened by 16 years of independence, a more confident populous has been campaigning for Lenin's demise. Churches have been actively lobbying for Lenin to be replaced by the Ten Commandments carved in granite. Some angry voices from older citizens, who look back with nostalgia to a bygone era, were raised during the night as a giant crane was used to remove the icon but they were outnumbered by riot police and cheering counter protesters.
Imagine driving over 2,000 miles zigzagging across the country, over a 3 week period - complete with 5 teenagers and …Vic! This year's Hope Now USA Tour will be here before I know it.
When Dima, with his two older sisters, came into the care of the Hope Now foster program he was just two years old. He had been rescued from an ugly situation but came into the home of Vladimir and Larissa Kusin.
The success of the Hope Now pre-independence homes cannot be overstated. Once again the organization has developed a model, as it did with its cottage homes and fostering projects...
2010.03.01 For Ukraine, and her new president, Victor Yanakovych. Pray that he will be just and lead the country into a new era of peace with both Russia and Europe.
2010.03.02 For Vic and Sue as they spend the week in Memphis, TN, where they will share their experiences of ministry in Ukraine as they attend FEC's Mission Conference and celebrate the church's 75th Anniversary.
2010.03.03 For Dee Ewart, a Hope Now UK Director, as she undergoes cancer testing, that the doctors may be guided to the correct diagnosis and treatment.
2010.03.04 For Anatolii Perepilitsa and Sasha Tarasenko as they lead the outreach to prisons and for sufficient funds to come in for the creation of a counselling and rehabilitation suite at the prison church.
2010.03.05 For CHRIST, OUR HOPE MISSION preparations and for the protection of evangelist Stanislav Gruntkovsky from the attack of the evil one.
2010.03.06 For Cyndee Knight as she directs the US office and for the faithful US board members as they make plans for the US base of supporters and prayer partners.
2010.03.07 For Jon Budgell and Brenda Greenwood as they continue to hold the fort in the Southampton office.
2010.03.08 For Frank and Lin Collier and Alla Kostyunina as they work out the implications of the new Child Protection Policy and prepare for the summer at Kompas Park.
2010.03.09 For Vic and Sue as they fly home and take a few days off to rest after a busy schedule of activities in the USA.
2010.03.10 For the young people in our pre-independence homes as they grapple with studies and the practicalities of looking after themselves and the homes.
2010.03.11 For the students of the Bible school as they begin to look forward to their future ministries in the churches of Cherkassy and beyond.
2010.03.12 For Valerie Reddaway as she oversees the church planting and twinning programs and hands more and more responsibility over to the staff in Ukraine.
2010.03.13 For the planning of the Fresh Start for Children, orphans camping fortnight and for sufficient funds to host it at Kompas Park.
2010.03.14 For Vic as he preaches today at Castlehold Baptist Church in Newport, Isle of Wight.
2010.03.15 For Margaret Ferguson and the trustees as they oversee the education of the young people in South Africa.
2010.03.16 For Misha Vishymeersky as he leads the team in Ukraine and makes preparations for the Silver Jubilee Celebrations in June.
2010.03.17 For Larissa Vovk in her essential work as Child Care Officer for Hope Now in Ukraine.
2010.03.18 For Alexander Doreshenko as he and his team of doctors, nurses and dentists visit the villages of Kirovograd to give primary care and preach the gospel.
2010.03.19 For Vic as he speaks this evening at the Christian Viewpoint for women in Worthing this evening.
2010.03.20 For Vic as he speaks at an evangelistic breakfast for men in Yeovil and goes on to Taunton to visit old friends.
2010.03.21 For Vic as he preaches at Martock Christian Fellowship this morning and looks forward to a day of rest tomorrow.
2010.03.22 For the students who are sponsored by Hope Now, that they will be a constant source of witness for Christ on the campuses of Ukraine.
2010.03.23 For Vic as he travels today to Ukraine to meet with the planning committee for CHRIST, OUR HOPE MISSION and the Extreme Water camp.
2010.03.24 For the teachers and adminstrator of the Bible School as they faithfully serve the students alongside their other multitude of responsibilities.
2010.03.25 For the government of Ukraine to serve the people with dignity and honor and to create a climate of freedom and responsibility for all her people.
2010.03.26 For those Ukrainian, Christian, young men who have set up businesses in Ukraine and now employ young people who might otherwise have had to go to Kyiv or further for work.
2010.03.27 For the pastors in Cherkassy to give leadership to their churches in preparing for CHRIST, OUR HOPE MISSION.
2010.03.28 For the directors and staff in orphanages who look after their children with love and dedication as they prepare them for life beyond the institution.
2010.03.29 For those of our prayer partners who have lost their jobs that they may soon find work and receive from God's overflowing grace.
2010.03.30 For Vic as he travels home and that the plans he and others have made for the summer will bear much fruit for the kingdom of God.
2010.03.31 For the good health of our workers in Ukraine, most especially Misha and Leyna, who carry such a weight of responsibility.
