Living in a City of Refuge: Update 12 from Prague

“Though an army should encamp against me, yet my heart shall not be afraid; although war should rise up against me, yet I will put my trust in Him.” (Psalm 27:3) These were spiritual, metaphorical words for us until the last two weeks, when we’ve had the privilege of walking with college students through these scary times. And we see the Lord working through this ministry of availability.

First, thanks for praying about our students and their families. We want to share some updates on them and how we’ve been reaching out. Oleksandr (Sasha), Josh’s thesis advisee wrote,

“My parents are in Kiev right now, and a lot of my friends and relatives. They’re staying strong, not willing to surrender. ‘We are going to defend our home if needed, we have nowhere to go, any other place will never replace home’ they say…. Thanks for your support, you can’t imagine how important the support is.”

with Ukrainian students Liza, Sofia, and Elizabeta

For some, that support has been checking in with them, for others it has been having them over for dinner. Last week we had Ukrainian students over for a meal. They shared with us their traditions and talked about their families. We were taken by their hopefulness and courage. Several students’ families have crossed the borders and made it to Prague and we’ve connected with them on campus as well.

Refugees are now pouring into Prague every day into Hlavní nádraží, the main train station. A missionary friend of ours ended up coordinating volunteers to help Ukrainian families as soon as they stepped off the train. Josh worked with him this past week, serving food, moving their possessions, finding places to stay, giving supplies to families with young children. One woman needed help moving three crates of cats. While moving the cats, it hit home for Josh that this woman from Kiev was carrying all she had to her name. It was easy to see how disorienting and desperate the refugee experience is. Polina is one of Josh’s students whose family will also come into Prague soon by way of Romania from Kiev, and you can pray for their transition.

Statue of Nicholas Winton

Our Russian and Belarussian students are really hurting and we wanted to provide a safe space for them enjoy and be part of our family. With the wounds of Russian invasions and 40 years of communism still felt by Czechs, Russians have unfortunately been subject to threats and abuse. We hosted a dinner for these students this past Friday, which was a fascinating insight into their experience both in Russia and here in CZ. Our kids made them gifts, loved on them, and made them feel welcome. One student, Ekaterina, shared with Anna that her family (who has lived in CZ for 15 years) woke up one morning to find the side of their house in Prague spray-painted with the slogan, “Burn in h---." She teared up, and talked about being afraid for her parents, who do not speak Czech fluently like she does and are more easily identifiable as Russian.

Some of our Russian students we had to dinner

What a time to be walking with Jesus the way of the cross and the resurrection. People need an eternal hope and we can all live that hope in the midst of a hurting people. Maybe we also need to receive- it is easier to see even a speck of light in darkness. In an age of cynicism, may God be forever forming this hope in us for the world.

Prayer requests:

1. We need an appointment for a bridge visa very soon, but that has been halted by the refugee infusion. Please pray we get that visa soon.

2. For Polina, Mariia, Oleksandr, Anna, Liza, Yelyizveta, Elizabeta, Sofia, Daryna, Yevheniia, Elina, Serhii, Kseniya, Emira, Sasha, Ekaterina, and Daria and their families directly affected by the war.

3. For our kids finishing the school year strong as we make it out of COVID restrictions.

4. For Josh’s leadership and psychology classes and students—to be bold and sensitive to what students need and for strong connections beyond the classroom.

5. Continue to pray for Anna’s ankle swelling to subside and for full range of motion to return. It has now been a full year since she broke it! She has a charity performance March 22nd in one of the elderly institutions in Prague.

Peace to you all!

Josh, Anna, Abigail, Joseph, Caleb and Collier