Email we've received from Kiev...

(Name withheld 12/09/04)...As of yesterday, the major crisis seems to be over for now. The Parliament was finally able to come to an agreement on the changes needed in the laws and legislation in order to run a fair election protected from fraud.

The Parliament stripped the President’s office of some of it’s power, but rather than give it to the Prime Minister, it was given to the Parliament. Yushchenko of course isn’t happy about it, but we think it will work much like the U.S. with checks and balances.

It seems that Ukraine so far has weathered the storm and is still in tact. News channels that once were puppets of the government and repeating propaganda are now transmitting real news. This will go along way to opening the eyes of the population in the East who have wanted closer ties with Russia. There’s been a media "brain washing" to keep them in the dark, but more are coming out of the darkness and understanding the truth, where the lack of real transparency and open news reporting has kept them from coming fully into the 21st century.

People have been optimistic and smiling. Many people from towns and small communities have come together to stand for honesty and democracy. They are tired of hoodlums and mafia running their country, tired of the graft. One of our friends said that Kuchma was a gangster, it’s a popular opinion. Most of the population didn’t feel that anything would ever change, they felt powerless and most had given up.

Now for the first time, Ukrainians have had an opportunity to stand against the corruption and intimidation. They have been unrelenting, though there have been threats to their safety. Many thousand say they will stay in the streets until the elections are over.

We heard from a reliable source, who needs to remain anonymous, that there was an order from the "top" over a week ago to clear the streets. However, when it became obvious that more than half of the police and military were on the side of the opposition, the order was withdrawn. There is no doubt there would have been bloodshed in order to disban over almost a million determined Ukrainians who were fed up with the corruption of their nation. Praise God for His grace in all of this.

(Quoting Viktor Yushchenko 12/05/04)..."Now good and evil forces are fighting in Ukraine. Maybe it’s not that easy to recognize their faces. During 14 days Maidan is a symbol of love. We are participants of a wonderful act which wouldn’t be possible without God’s blessing".

(Alexei 12/05/04)...David, thanks again for your prayers! People obtained the hope, that life in Ukraine will be changed! David, it was great to be watching as thousands of people in the Independence Square, every morning begin their day with prayers. Let me be honest, it’s take place never before in our country!!!

Many pastors have the sense, that this social transformation will bring mighty spiritual revival in Ukraine. Therefore, please keep us in your prayers, so as enemy will not be able to stopped God’s work here! Become a participant of God’s glory which become apparent in few months!!!! We are one team!!!

(Kateryna 12/03/04)...People are still camping out on Independence Square, a lot of the are getting sick, but they've got the medicine so it's being taking care of. People who live in Kiev have been very friendly and helpful of those who come from different parts of Ukraine, offering their apartment, warm showers etc. A lot of Kiev people have been bringing food, cloth to those on Independence Square. Some of the universities are being officially closed for a strike and student will not come back to school until the victory!!

The main fact is that despite of a huge amount of people on the streets the crime has went down, there has not been any violence or fights. Even of the officials reported that this is the first time in the history of the world period where the protest runs so smoothly, everyone is in great spirits, friendly, kind to opposition.

I have been on Maidan [Independence Square] every day with my friends, now I'm sorta sick (just coughing, nothing major) but I love the atmosphere and the spirit...you just gotta be there and feel it.

(Name withheld 11/29/04)...Local people managed to obtain the information that riot police is going to move out from the territory of military college in Vasylkiv (near Kiev) in the night (28th to 29th of November). About 200 people, mainly taxi drivers, completely blocked the road with their cars. Channel 5 TV network demonstrated a video fragment where riot policemen threaten the inhabitants of Vasylkiv: "There are 2,000 of us and only 200 of you, are you kidding?" Riot police servicemen haven't managed to break through the dozens of autos. To block the road even more, the inhabitants of Vasylkiv also blocked the road with tire-covers, then poured gasoline over this barricade and ignited it. Riot police stayed there till the morning, hesitating what to do. For now they are back to the barracks. Still the purpose of their night attempt to move out is unknown.

(Kateryna 11/28/04)...It is very peacefull time here, yes there are many people and tension is growing, but there are smiles, happy, children songs, orange colour and many flowers (people give flowers to police, which protects official buildings). the news calls this time as orange revolution. People will not give up. There are people from all Ukraine, they came to support our PEOPLE'S PRESIDENT - YUSHCHENKO!!! The end of it is not seen, but God knows.

(Aleksandr 11/28/04)...Thanks for your prayers. We blessed our son to be in a tent on Kreschatic Street. He is happy to be there. We’re going to the main square every day. If you would know what is the spirit there!!! People so opened to the word of God. We spread out flyers and they just grab it with real hunger. Praise God, we have an opportunity to do our part for Him.

(Bogdona 11/24/04)...Somewhat 20 buses and several planes of special divisions of Russian military came to Ukraine today. Ukrainians from all over Ukraine are coming to support Kyivans. Today there were somewhat 200-400 thousand people down in Independence Square. Yushchenko is publicly asking Kyivans to host their countrymen from other regions of Ukraine and to supply them food provision. Strikers behave very organized and peaceful. They welcome the police that is fulfilling its working duty and listens to orders of pro-mafia government commands. Strikers often tell them that they love them and are inviting the police to join.