Our Hearts Are Breaking with Ukrainian and Russian Students: Update 11 from Prague

Dear friends and family,

There is a sadness and heaviness here (and everywhere) since Russia invaded Ukraine yesterday. Josh has 8 Ukrainian and Russian students this semester and dozens more have taken his classes over the past few years. One of Josh’s Ukrainian students, Polina, is taking her 4th class with him and waiting on her student visa from her home in Kiev. She hurriedly packed her bags with her mom and left their home for the Polish border. She has been communicating with Josh while they are on the road. Please pray that they make it across the border into Poland safely. Another Russian student spoke in tears to Josh at the university last night, explaining that she had friends who were protesting Putin and were arrested, that she felt personally threatened by an angry message Putin sent via Russian TV directly addressing those who opposed his decision. She had once protested Putin online while in Russia. She told Josh that she moved all her money from Rubles to Czech Koruna immediately, fearing that she would be cut off. Other Russian and Ukrainian students have been helping each other set up Czech bank accounts as the Czech government shut down Russian consulates and stopped vias for Russians.

AAU held a discussion last night about the Russian-Ukrainian (and global) conflict, attended by the president of the university, students, community members and many faculty, including Josh. It was packed. One could tell that this is the beginning of the suffering of many, many people at the hands of a few. Before the invasion, Josh’s Ukrainian students were quite calm about it, believing it wouldn’t really happen. Now they are just stunned, numb. We have international relations professors who are scratching their heads. Several of Josh’s Russian students said they did not want to go to the discussion for fear that they would be somehow lumped in with Putin’s ideology. Anna has also been having conversations with parents in and around our kids’ activities (Macedonian, Czech, French) , listening to people who have long lived close to Russia and Ukraine.

Below is a message Josh received today from an Ukrainian student:

"Dear Professor Hayden, thank you very much for your message. My parents reassured themselves and had time to send me to Prague before the hostilities began. But, unfortunately, the situation in the country is really scary now. My family remains in Ukraine. We live in western Ukraine and it seemed until recently to be the safest place in the country, but now people can already hear the sounds of gunfire and hostile aircraft in our region as well. I watch the news 24/7 and correspond with my family whenever possible. It's very hard to go through all this away from my family, but I also have the support of friends here. Thank you for your kind words, attention and support. I really believe that this nightmare will end soon, and everyone will stay alive and healthy, that's the most important thing now."

There is a darkness in this part of the world right now. But we know that this is precisely when the light of Christ’s love can show up the most profoundly. Words did not come easily to Josh when he spoke about the invasion in his classes, knowing that students were very distracted, worried for their families and future of their home. Sometimes a simple word of solidarity, care, concern and heartbreak is all you can do. Perhaps just aching for these students is the first step toward the light.

Please pray for Polina, Anna, Kseniya, Olekasndr, Sasha, Liza, Diana, Ekaterina, Nada, Serhii, Yulia, Elina, Daryna, Yevheniia, Sofia, Daria and all other Ukrainian and Russia students and their families. We are listening to the Lord and want to be an extension of God’s love during this time.

Peace,

Josh and Anna

with our Russian students at Christmas

just the girls!