Letter from Br. Błażej: Night 236

October 18, 2022

We survived the night. It is 7:34 a.m. Now mornings have become dangerous. Recently, after 8:00 a.m., the occupiers sent bombs, drones. Alarms, explosions increased, people were killed. We are waiting to see what will happen today…

Just like yesterday, there were drones shellings at our left bank of Kyiv, in Desnianskyi District, hitting critical infrastructure, a thermal power plant, 5 km (3 miles) from us. So far we have light and we are alive.

The Word… This simple Word gives me more courage to become and be faithful, because He is: “But the Lord stood by me and gave me strength, so that through me the proclamation might be completed and all the Gentiles might hear it.”

To preach the Gospel now is first and foremost to be present, to be here and now: “You did not choose me, but I chose you, that you should go and bear fruit.” Here and now in Kyiv, or in other places where we are, we live. We “bear fruit” because we are here. God is… love!!!

We live in war, we do not live by war.

Yesterday there was another exchange of prisoners of war, one for one, 108 girls and women who served in various formations of the Ukrainian Army. Among them were 5 civilian women. (photo)

Yesterday, after lunch, there were alerts all over Ukraine due to air raids and kamikaze drones. Anti-missile systems were working very often. Thank God, we are alive. (photo)

Dnipro:
There were explosions at our place… Our small “cardboard” monastery has not yet shaken so much… We are alive….

Belgorod, Russia:
All is well at our place. In Voronezh, as far as I know, Andrew is doing well too.

Lviv:
Tonight my acquaintance called and said: the wife of a soldier who died a few hours ago needs help because terrible thoughts are coming to her mind. At home she has two small children, girls 7 and 2 years old. God gave his grace and we talked frankly and prayed for about two and a half hours. She asked for the possibility of waiting the next few days (a week or two) in a convent. I think about preferably some nuns monastery. Maybe some of you have some ideas about this matter, I would appreciate it. Praise the Lord.

May God grant us peace and keep us safe.