{"id":3828,"date":"2014-04-16T01:28:12","date_gmt":"2014-04-15T22:28:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sukofamily.org\/?p=3828"},"modified":"2014-07-28T06:31:52","modified_gmt":"2014-07-28T03:31:52","slug":"why-you-should-care-about-whats-going-on-in-ukraine","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sukofamily.org\/why-you-should-care-about-whats-going-on-in-ukraine\/","title":{"rendered":"Why You Should Care About What&#8217;s Going on in Ukraine"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>From a distance it&#8217;s easy to watch the events that are unfolding in Ukraine and think,<\/p>\n<blockquote><p>&#8220;Why should I care?<\/p>\n<p>After all it&#8217;s halfway across the world and it&#8217;s none of our business anyway.&#8221;<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>Unfortunately this apathetic response is typical of too many Americans.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"3834\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/sukofamily.org\/why-you-should-care-about-whats-going-on-in-ukraine\/ukraine-barbed-wire\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/sukofamily.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/ukraine-barbed-wire.jpg\" data-orig-size=\"640,360\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1397261442&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"ukraine-barbed-wire\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/sukofamily.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/ukraine-barbed-wire.jpg\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-3834\" alt=\"ukraine-barbed-wire\" src=\"https:\/\/sukofamily.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/ukraine-barbed-wire.jpg\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sukofamily.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/ukraine-barbed-wire.jpg 640w, https:\/\/sukofamily.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/ukraine-barbed-wire-300x168.jpg 300w, https:\/\/sukofamily.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/ukraine-barbed-wire-600x337.jpg 600w, https:\/\/sukofamily.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/ukraine-barbed-wire-460x260.jpg 460w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Americans and more specifically American Christians should be deeply concerned about the conflict between Ukraine and Russia and here&#8217;s why.<\/p>\n<h4>It affects real people.<\/h4>\n<p>Too often we watch the news with an aloof attitude. The number of those who were killed or injured is just that, a number. We fail to see the broader and deeper impact on the family and culture, we fail to understand the pain and suffering that people experience for a life time afterwards!<\/p>\n<p>The conflict in Ukraine is daily life for millions of people. The threat of violence in many cities is no longer a threat but a reality! \u00a0Besides the violence there&#8217;s the complication of struggling to deal with growing inflation which is now making it difficult for many Ukrainians to put bread on the table.<\/p>\n<h4>In today&#8217;s world what happens in another country doesn&#8217;t stay there.<\/h4>\n<p>We&#8217;re naive if we think that major events that happen in another country won&#8217;t affect us in America, they will! Today we live in a world that is more connected internationally than ever before.<\/p>\n<p>The globalization of the market place means that if things go bad in Russia or Ukraine or any other major country it could have a significant impact on the US. However, it&#8217;s not just the economy, globalization affects the way the world thinks and acts on many social levels.<\/p>\n<h4>It shows that America has weakened.<\/h4>\n<p>It turns out that other world leaders have been watching the US closely and the news isn&#8217;t good. Obama&#8217;s numerous phone calls with Russian president <a title=\"Why I Love Vladimir Putin\" href=\"https:\/\/sukofamily.org\/why-i-love-vladimir-putin\/\">Valdimr Putin<\/a>\u00a0have done absolutely nothing to ease the tensions and bring peace.<\/p>\n<p>Why?<\/p>\n<p>Because Putin has learned that US leadership is not willing to back their words up with action! This is not only a sign that Russia can do as she pleases but it is also a green light to the leaders of many other countries to do as they please.<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"line-height: 1.5em;\">Check out what Albert Mohler says about <a href=\"http:\/\/www.albertmohler.com\/2014\/03\/28\/the-briefing-03-28-14\/\" target=\"_blank\">Obama and Putin<\/a>.<br \/>\n<\/span><\/p>\n<h4>There is a right and a wrong here.<\/h4>\n<p>Politics are not amoral, in fact all politics are built on the foundation of moral beliefs. When individuals, a group of people or a nation do things that are wrong we have a responsibility to stand up and call them out. \u00a0If we don&#8217;t stand against evil then we condone it by our silence.<\/p>\n<p>It is the Christian&#8217;s responsibility to understand how Biblical principles apply in every situation, including politics. As believers we must carefully evaluate everything against the backdrop of God&#8217;s Word and then boldly stand for righteousness, justice and truth in every situation!<\/p>\n<h4>It may close down much of Eastern Europe to the gospel.<\/h4>\n<p>Perhaps the most disturbing aspect for the Christian is that what is happening now may eventually lead to Eastern Europe closing the doors to the free proclamation of the gospel.<\/p>\n<p>Russia is already well on it&#8217;s way to bring back more Soviet type control when it comes to freedom of speech and freedom of worship, while Ukraine has remained much more open. Russia&#8217;s annexation of the Crimea and possibly other parts of Ukraine likely signify a significant loss of freedoms for those who live there.<\/p>\n<h4><span style=\"line-height: 1.5em;\">It can happen here.<\/span><\/h4>\n<p>Peace and freedom are\u00a0more fragile than we&#8217;d like to think. Ask me 2 months ago if I ever thought Russia would invade and take over part of Ukraine and I would have said &#8220;No way!&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>When we left Ukraine in October there was no hint that anything like this could ever happen. However, with the right conditions things can change very quickly.<\/p>\n<p>America can also change quickly!<\/p>\n<h4>God is at work!<\/h4>\n<p>I hope I&#8217;ve given you enough reasons to care about what is going on in Ukraine but I want to give you one last one! This is something that you don&#8217;t see on the regular news but God is at work!<\/p>\n<p>The crisis in Ukraine has created some unique opportunities to share the gospel\u00a0and I want you to take a couple of minutes to check out a short <a href=\"http:\/\/cmieurasia.org\/language\/en-2\/2014\/04\/ukraines-crisis-brings-unique-opportunities-share-gospel\/\" target=\"_blank\">letter and photos<\/a> that we recently received from a pastor we work with in Ukraine.<\/p>\n<p>I guarantee it will encourage you!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>From a distance it&#8217;s easy to watch the events that are unfolding in Ukraine and think,<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p>&#8220;Why should I care?<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":3834,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[193],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3828","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-ukraine-2"],"aioseo_notices":[],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/sukofamily.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/ukraine-barbed-wire.jpg","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p3izZc-ZK","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":6849,"url":"https:\/\/sukofamily.org\/ukraine-celebrates-25-years-of-independence-with-the-growing-threat-of-all-out-war\/","url_meta":{"origin":3828,"position":0},"title":"Ukraine Celebrates 25 Years of Independence With the Growing Threat of All Out War","author":"Caleb Suko","date":"August 25, 2016","format":false,"excerpt":"Some of you were wondering why I didn't mention Ukraine's 25th Independence day celebration in my podcast yesterday. Don't worry, I didn't forget about it! It's just that yesterday, I still ended up sitting through about 9 hours of meetings! That's the missionary life sometimes! Our children were also busy\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Ukraine&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Ukraine","link":"https:\/\/sukofamily.org\/category\/ukraine-2\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/sukofamily.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/14068511_10154483767474809_1112241327859367480_o.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/sukofamily.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/14068511_10154483767474809_1112241327859367480_o.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/sukofamily.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/14068511_10154483767474809_1112241327859367480_o.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/sukofamily.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/14068511_10154483767474809_1112241327859367480_o.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/sukofamily.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/14068511_10154483767474809_1112241327859367480_o.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/sukofamily.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/14068511_10154483767474809_1112241327859367480_o.jpg?resize=1400%2C800&ssl=1 4x"},"classes":[]},{"id":5151,"url":"https:\/\/sukofamily.org\/missions-on-the-frontline-in-ukraine\/","url_meta":{"origin":3828,"position":1},"title":"Missions on the Frontline in Ukraine","author":"Caleb Suko","date":"March 5, 2015","format":false,"excerpt":"In some ways it can be hard to get you mind around what has happened and what is happening in Eastern Ukraine. The war and the resulting humanitarian crisis is affecting millions of people. We are thankful that in a small way our team of missionaries we have been able\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Ukraine&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Ukraine","link":"https:\/\/sukofamily.org\/category\/ukraine-2\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/sukofamily.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/03\/crisis-ukraine.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/sukofamily.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/03\/crisis-ukraine.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/sukofamily.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/03\/crisis-ukraine.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":17378,"url":"https:\/\/sukofamily.org\/a-true-story-of-how-god-is-helping-ukraine-through-prayer\/","url_meta":{"origin":3828,"position":2},"title":"A True Story of How God Is Helping Ukraine Through Prayer","author":"Caleb Suko","date":"December 15, 2023","format":"video","excerpt":"The situation in Ukraine continues to draw concern. Winter brings heightened worries about power infrastructure and heating, especially in the face of potential advancements by Russia. The big question on everyone's mind remains: Will the United States continue to stand by Ukraine? As we navigate this uncertain period, your prayers\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;The Gospel Today&quot;","block_context":{"text":"The Gospel Today","link":"https:\/\/sukofamily.org\/category\/podcast\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":5719,"url":"https:\/\/sukofamily.org\/after-24-years-of-independence-ukraine-needs-your-prayers\/","url_meta":{"origin":3828,"position":3},"title":"After 24 Years of Independence Ukraine Needs Your Prayers","author":"Caleb Suko","date":"August 26, 2015","format":"video","excerpt":"Yesterday we celebrated Ukrainian Independence Day with much more enthusiasm than we have in years past. We all donned our vyshyvankas and headed to downtown Odessa. The day was as perfect as it gets, the weather was warm, the skies were sunny, the breeze was gentle and the people were\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;New&quot;","block_context":{"text":"New","link":"https:\/\/sukofamily.org\/category\/new\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/sukofamily.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/08\/DSC05247.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/sukofamily.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/08\/DSC05247.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/sukofamily.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/08\/DSC05247.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":4902,"url":"https:\/\/sukofamily.org\/novorussia-promises-to-destroy-the-world\/","url_meta":{"origin":3828,"position":4},"title":"Novorussia Promises to Destroy the World","author":"Caleb Suko","date":"January 12, 2015","format":false,"excerpt":"Here's a very strange Christmas greeting by Maria Katasonova from Novorussia (Eastern Ukraine). Joy to the People Death to the enemy Merry Christmas from Novorussia The enemy will be defeated The victory will be ours and if we don't win then we will destroy the entire world! Well, I think\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Ukraine&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Ukraine","link":"https:\/\/sukofamily.org\/category\/ukraine-2\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/sukofamily.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/novorussia.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/sukofamily.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/novorussia.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/sukofamily.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/novorussia.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":4425,"url":"https:\/\/sukofamily.org\/the-toll-of-human-suffering-in-ukraine\/","url_meta":{"origin":3828,"position":5},"title":"The Toll of Human Suffering in Ukraine","author":"Caleb Suko","date":"September 23, 2014","format":false,"excerpt":"Russia's annexation of Crimea and the ongoing war and violence in Eastern Ukraine have left in their wake a tidal wave of human suffering and pain. The violence has killed or injured thousands and uprooted hundreds of thousands! The toll has been especially heavy upon the elderly and the orphans.\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Ministry&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Ministry","link":"https:\/\/sukofamily.org\/category\/ministry\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/sukofamily.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/09\/Ap-Photo-Dmitry-Lovetsky.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/sukofamily.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/09\/Ap-Photo-Dmitry-Lovetsky.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/sukofamily.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/09\/Ap-Photo-Dmitry-Lovetsky.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x"},"classes":[]}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sukofamily.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3828","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sukofamily.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sukofamily.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sukofamily.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sukofamily.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3828"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/sukofamily.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3828\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3841,"href":"https:\/\/sukofamily.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3828\/revisions\/3841"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sukofamily.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3834"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sukofamily.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3828"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sukofamily.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3828"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sukofamily.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3828"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}