28.03.2024
 Main Menu



Home  » Around the Globe

Around the Globe

06.10.2014

“SINCE YOU’RE NOT UKRAINIAN, WHY DO YOU SUPPORT UKRAINE?”

 

August 23, 2014

 

            I was asked to write an answer to the following question for Ukraine’s 2014 Independence Day: “Since you’re not Ukrainian, why do you support Ukraine?”

            I support Ukraine’s people for many reasons other than their obvious physical beauty, creativity, ingenuity, awesome sunflower meadows, and tragic history. 

            Until the Spring of 2014, I was pretty ignorant about Ukraine and called it “The Ukraine” as if it were a mountain or plain.  However, when I watched Maidan revolutionaries take a stand to clear their government of corruption, I was humbled by their ideals, bravery, and sacrificial follow-through.  Instead of waiting for others to change the world, or asking for handouts, or blaming others (though there are others who have contributed), they owned their issues and just became the change - and at great cost...  They did all they could to own their problems and take responsibility for their own recovery; such maturity promises growth and success.

            Secondly, when I watched P. (no need to say his name - he gets enough attention) take advantage of this deep turbulence in his neighboring country, and move in with paid terrorists and criminals to cause chaos and killings… and when I saw how low he would crawl with lies and treachery... but Ukraine’s new leaders in response, though still fighting inward corruption,  continued to reach for the high road of democracy, honesty and improved accountability...  I was brought to a point of great respect and soul involvement.  These people were “fighting the good fight” against great odds, and then being further attacked.  I wanted to join my heart with their heart, and fight with them in spirit by educating myself and creating opportunities to advance awareness. 

            Then, as I was reading a biography about my hero Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy by Eric Metaxas, I started noting the similarities between this time and the events prior to WWII.  I realized that Bonhoeffer would not be watching this from afar, sitting down at leisure, casually clicking through news posts of courageous heroes risking their lives for all that is good and right.  My conscience bade me to take a serious stand and become further involved as much as possible through volunteering and connecting resources, and support through reliable nonprofits. 

            Lastly:   I have always said that if I had been of age during the 60’s Civil Rights Marches in the USA, I would have joyfully marched.  That is easy to say with words now, post-victory.  Over the last few weeks, as I “meet” Ukraine heroes online, correspond with and pray for them, and am personally welcomed into their vulnerable chaotic wartime struggles,  I feel God stirring in my heart that this is “my” Civil Rights March, and I invite others to join; we are here for such a time as this. 

            Psalm 82:  “How long will you defend the unjust and show partiality to the wicked?  Defend the weak and the fatherless; uphold the cause of the poor and the oppressed. Rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked... All the foundations of the earth are shaken… Rise up, O God, judge the earth!"

            Becoming so involved with a country so far away, which I have no connection with, has been an incredible journey. I am daily humbled when reading stories of life-risking heroes who seek no honor but the freedom of their country and provision for its war-torn refugees, as I sit and “support” from the comfort of my California condo.  Most of my peers are so-far unaffected and think I’m crazy, but I believe that the passion I have for Ukraine is God’s passion, the tears I cry are from the heart of its Creator, and the words I write or edit are inspired by the Lover of all that is good and noble, pure and right, true and honorable, lovely and worthy of praise.

Lisa Spencer,

California, USA

 

Todays Top News


Home | About Ukrainian Echo | Subscribe | Advertise | Contact us | Links
We acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada.