If you’re like me you barely noticed that there have been protests and violence in Kiev, Ukraine. Most of the time news like this only holds my attention for the 2 seconds it takes to read the headline and think to myself, “Wow. Another country going crazy. Where’s the sports section?”
For me, this situation is different. In fact, I’m supposed to be in Kiev right now, staying in an apartment overlooking the square where the largest of the protests have been taking place. The truth is, I’ve fallen in love with Ukraine, mostly against my will. I can’t say that I’ve fallen in love with borscht but I did fall in love with the church in Ukraine and the orphans that it is struggling to serve. You can read all about my experiences, including our failed adoption in a series of posts titled: When Injustice Gets Personal.
A LITTLE HISTORY
If you haven’t been paying attention or if you’re still in a turkey coma, the people of Ukraine are rising up. You see, Ukraine has been oppressed long enough. The last 500 years have not been good to this nation and you’d be hard-pressed to find a country more devastated by the 20th century than Ukraine. I’m no expert on Eastern European history but here’s a quick summary:
As WWI broke out, Ukrainians were caught on both sides of the conflict. Some were fighting for the Russians and some for the Central Powers. In essence, it was Ukrainians fighting against each other. Civilians on both sides were victimized and killed. After the Russian army collapsed and the Bolshevik Revolution began, Ukraine fell to pieces. The conflict is so confusing, with so many different armies and political organizations fighting for power that I can’t keep it all straight. The end result was that most of Ukraine fell into the hands of the Soviets and parts of Western Ukraine were annexed by Poland. To be sure, the country suffered terribly.
Once Stalin consolidated his power he began implementing the cruel system of communism. During 1932 and 1933, somewhere between 3 and 7 million Ukrainians died of starvation during a terrible famine. Meanwhile, most of the grain produced in Ukraine was exported to other parts of the Soviet Empire. Some historians have argued that there was plenty of grain and this was deliberate genocide orchestrated by the Soviets. These events have been called the Holodomor which means “extermination by hunger.” Deliberate or not, millions of people died of starvation. We’ve never seen suffering of this magnitude in the United States. I visited the memorial to these events last summer in Kiev and was stunned.
Ukraine suffered terribly during WWII. 16.8% of the population was killed in the conflict. 5.2 million civilians were killed as the Germans and Soviets battled back and forth through the country, devastating the country as they retreated. Entire cities were destroyed. The countryside was burned to nothing by both armies.
By comparison, approximately .3% of the American population was killed during WWII. Almost 20% of the population of Ukraine was killed in WWII and this was after the suffering of 1932 and 1933. The numbers are not even comparable. This level of suffering and devastation escapes my understanding.
From WWII until the early 1990s Ukrainians lived under Soviet oppression–lack of freedom, no rights, secret police, massive corruption and constant fear. And now, although “free,” Ukraine is a society riddled by corruption and poverty. Based on national resources alone, Ukraine ought to be a world power. Instead the nation is struggling terribly. Part of this is inevitable after the devastation of the 20th century and part of this is due to mismanagement by the nation’s leadership.
All of this breaks my heart and makes me angry. And yet, I don’t have a clue what it is really like. I don’t live in Ukraine. I don’t have to pay bribes to the police. I don’t know what it’s like to suffer like the Ukrainians have over the last 100 years.. All I know is that it is wrong. This is unjust. People shouldn’t have to live like this. This is not what God intended.
THE PROTESTS
Now, when it appeared that Ukraine was about to create stronger ties with the European Union which would have meant greater traveling freedom for the people, international pressure for the end of corruption and wider economic opportunity, their president, under pressure from Russia breaks off the deal. The people are protesting. Hundreds of thousands of people are demanding a reversal on the EU deal and new elections. Wouldn’t you? Wasn’t our own country born as people demanded freedom and stood up against injustice?
But, the truth is that Ukraine is a country deeply divided. For the most part, those in Western Ukraine speak Ukrainian and want stronger ties with Europe and those in the south and east speak Russian and want stronger ties with Russia. The nation is not united. There is no quick political solution to this quagmire. In fact, I’m not sure there can be any political fix to appease everyone and end the corruption.
THE CHURCH
So, is there no hope for Ukraine? Is it doomed? I don’t think so. In my opinion, the hope for Ukraine is the church. The church is the presence of Jesus in Ukraine. What I do believe in is the community of Jesus I have met in Ukraine. I believe in Oleg, Lena, Sergei and others and the work they are doing to introduce students to Jesus and empower the younger generation toward a society marked by compassion and justice. I believe in Alina and Anya who have quit their jobs to establish a ministry to love orphan kids and help them find a healthy place in Ukrainian society. I believe in Slavic and Sasha who invite orphans into their churches and connect them with mentors. The church in Ukraine is alive. It is growing. It is gaining influence because of generosity and love–because of the Gospel.
The church has transformed cultures and nations many times since the time of Jesus. I believe it can happen again in Ukraine. Jesus is the hope of the world and He is the hope for Ukraine. My prayer is that the people of Ukraine would continue to rise up and demand justice and that the government would respond appropriately but even more than that, I pray that the church of Ukraine would rise up and live with generosity, love and justice. You, church, are the light of the world because of the presence and power of Jesus. Be the light.
image credited to markwinnipeg
