Pray for the Rue Family in Ukraine

Please read Naomi Rue’s request below and pray for this family on the field:

Chris had to take a trip into town today. Not for little things. Not for a car wash, or for simple shopping, or even for groceries (although because he is there he will stop in and get me some things that we simply cannot find in the smaller town where we live). He has to go in to get money from the bank so that we will have cash to pay bills, eat, and exist. He is trying to do what he can to prepare us for what is ahead. The banks have put a cap on what can be taken out daily, and it is very little when one needs to make a larger purchase, or live on it for a month.

 In the past, a trip into the city meant a date for us. It meant a day in civilization. A reason for me to put makeup on, fix up a bit, and wear nice clothing. A chance to relax and be with my family and get away from the daily farm/village life. And a chance to see things that exist outside our small provincial, dusty sphere. A little brake on the process of becoming feral. 

 But now, a trip into the city is taking a risk. Everytime he goes into a store it is a risk. Every stop at a gas station is a risk. The hours today that he will be downtown getting the banking done, I will be praying and watching the air raid alerts. I will not relax until he is safely home. For him to take my grocery list (he insisted) and spend a 1/2 hour to an hour in a grocery store in the city is that much more risk that this time the drone, or the missile will hit that store, or gas station, or bank… or even just be shot down over the area where he is at. He does not need (nor do I) any exciting adventures. We have had plenty and desire no more. I have lots of missionary stories- I don’t care to add to the list.  

 Friday last we were in a shopping center together, getting some things we needed for the house. Today that shopping center is closed because a missile struck it at midday on Sunday. When you are in the store, and the sirens go off, you must abandon your cart and leave the store untill the danger is past. Sometimes our shopping is interrupted 2 or 3 times, for up to 45 minutes, before the alert is over and we can go back inside. We do not go to bomb shelters, we wait outside in the parking lot in our car- just like everyone else, because often there isn’t a place to go. 

Over the past few weeks, there are days when the alerts simply do not stop. I turn off my phone, and I do not even look. I simply pray, and do what I need to do- as does every single Ukrainian who is living in this reality. 

 I find myself jumping and checking when I hear a loud sound. When I hear a motor going down the street sometimes I instinctively stop and listen closely, before continuing with what I was doing. 

 I actually began this as a simple “Chris went to town, please pray for his safety”. But then I reconsidered, and thought it might be good to give a little glimpse into how very much we rely on you. Your thoughts of us, your prayers for us. Your support. I thought I might let you know just how serious that little request is to us, and how little daily occurrences (to my mind) are constant answers to the prayers of Gods people on our behalf.