New update from Ukraine

My contact in Ukraine has forwarded me new statements from those demonstrating in Ukraine against the new regulations concerning free speech, assembly and religious freedom. I have other  things to track down about what this such as do the regulations only apply to meetings in the street or also for churches and are funds being blocked to churches for no demonstration purposes.

"WE met with a lawyer this evening and they have enacted 2 new laws today.
1.  No public prayer with 3 or more people.
2.  It is now illegal to import bibles into the country. 

 We met a lawyer tonight who is keeping up with issues. I asked her your question. It is illegal to send money to NGO's & churches from outside. They monitoring the groups that are supporting the opposition. That's why the law was put into place.  Money from outside are being sent to these groups to support the movement, not the church etc.  they said they don't know what would happen to funds if they really enact the law."

I have no way yet to verify these quotes from Ukraine yet but my source is quite reliable and not given to exaggeration. Shalom. David Schneier

 

 Models stand on the barricade during their performance at the Independence Square in Kiev Photograph: Zurab Kurtsikidze/EP

Thousands of anti-government protesters gather in the evening at Independence Square in Kiev 

Photograph: Brendan Hoffman/Getty Images

 

People sleep in the camp on Independence Square in Kiev during the square's occupation by supporters of western integration for the seventh successive day. Photograph: Viktor Drachev/AFP/Getty Images 

 

Remember and pray for the people of Ukraine! Here's a recent photo from Kiev. Pray for a just peace and an honest and godly government there. Shalom. David Schneier

Protesters clash with police on Jan. 19, 2014 during an opposition rally in the center of the Ukrainian capital Kiev in a show of defiance against strict new curbs on protests. 200,000 protesters expressed frustration over the lack of a clear program from the opposition leaders after almost two months of protests over the government's ditching of a pact with the EU under Russian pressure. AFP PHOTO / SERGEI SUPINSKY

Near Birmingham, AL or passing through? We are blessed to have Pastor Darko Kovacic from Zagreb, Croatia at Beth Hallel on Friday, January 31st at 7:30 pm. His church, Zagreb Christian Center, loves Israel and celebrates the Feasts of the Lord in a powerful way. All are invited to hear what God is doing in Croatia. Love and Shalom. David Schneier
PS: Pastor Darko is usually smiling

What is Going On in Ukraine

Just received this e-mail from Ukraine. Can't say from whom but the situation seems dangerous and at the brink of civil war.  Please pray for Ukraine. We are going to a leadership retreat in Odessa in late April. Shalom, David Schneier

"Two days ago our president and the parliament passed several laws which are turning us into very controlled and scary nation.  First of all the laws were passed by voting by hands (knowing that in the honest way they would never get enough votes).  Basically the law was read and number of hands was announced shortly after without counting.

According to the new laws:
- anybody or any organization receiving money from abroad can be charged and put on trial for treason
- going anywhere with more than five cars need for a permission
- wearing same clothes with  any propaganda symbols in a group need permission
- any demonstrations including evangelization need permission
- any negative speech towards officials can be punished
- internet companies must limit access to the internet if asked
- distribution of extremist material like posters and fliers - three years in prison
- NGO and churches cannot take part in "extremist" demonstrations, such is any kind of peaceful demonstrations.
- a person can be ruled guilty without being present in court
- all the police and officials charged for violence agains the protesters  during demonstrations in the past two months are exempt from punishment

And so on.....

The people are furious and desperate!  Mass protests are expected on Sunday and the following week with a small glimpse of hope.

We want Ukraine to be a free nation!  We want Ukraine to be a righteous nation!"

p.s. (from the person who sent this to us from his source in Ukraine) As I'm sending this out I want all of you to know that our good friend who is a part of the opposition told ______ to stay home tomorrow and that things may get real bad real quick.  We must not be scared, but we must pray for Ukraine and all the people who are seeking a better life for generations to come.

Bless Israel in Bimingham, AL

Dear Friends,

    We are showing our support for Israel at Beth Hallel Birmingham on January 25, 2014 at 7:00 pm central time. All are invited to attend or watch via livestream at shalombirmingham.com (go to Media and livestream). You will need to zoom in to read the poster. Blessings. David Schneier

Urgent request for prayer from Ukraine

Dear All,

    Below is an urgent request for prayer from Sasha Popazov from Odessa, Ukraine. He leads the Messianic congregation, Gates of Zion, which we helped to found in 1995 and which we remain senior leaders of. The situation in Ukraine is deteriorating as you can see from his plea. Thanks for your persistent prayer for Sasha, for Gates of Zion and for the approximately 20 congregations from Ukraine that are part of the International Alliance of Messianic Congregations and Synagogues (IAMCS). As the European representative for the IAMCS including Eastern Europe, I urge you to take this matter very seriously and to send in words of encouragement that I can forward on to Sasha. Blessings and Shalom. David Schneier

Shalom dear David!
We see now real fight for future of Ukraine. The mane fight in Kiev. In Odessa approximately peaceful. We need a lot of prayer now for wisdom and peace in the country. Any moment can provoke civil war or division of Ukraine unto two or more parts. I know that many families have fight inside of it, because one part of family for Russia, but different part for Europe.
Because of political instability we have some problems with place of meeting for congregation. It is normal for now, but director told us, that any moment everything can change. We need prayer about it. In general we doing good for now. Thank you for prayers and encouragement we have because of you.
With love, Sasha.

You're invited in person and by live stream to Beth Hallel Birmingman and a Greg Silverman Hanukkah concert