Jono Miller

I would like you to pray for my friend Vlad, his wife Vika and their son Matviy (Matthew). The following information is ‘borrowed’ from my friend Bruce’s website.

This week our dear Ukrainian friend Vlad was unjustly convicted.  He now sits in a Ukrainian holding cell awaiting transfer to prison.  He has a wife and infant son.

Some time ago, Vlad was innocently involved in an auto accident.  There was a fatality involved in another car.  As police came on the scene, Vlad was present, and deemed innocent by the police.  During the ensuing court appearances Vlad was also found innocent, but this is Ukraine.

The victims family decided to press charges, and together their lawyer continued to push for payback.  Vlad was charged for leaving the crime scene, something that he did not do.  The original reports were changed to give the bribed judge ‘something’ to find Vlad guilty.  After dozens of court appearances, and Vlad taking the ‘high road’ and not playing the Ukrainian game of corruption, the final verdict was handed down this week – Guilty, with a 6yr prison sentence.

Vlad chose to not get any of the expats involved, though regularly asked for prayer.  This process has taken a toll on Vlad, the continual battle for justice within the context of blatant corruption.  We are standing with Vika, Vlad’s wife and together as a church community lifting Vlad before the throne of grace for mercy in their family’s time of need.  We ask that you do the same.

I know very little about the actual conditions of this jail, but we know that the Ukrainian prison system is terribly inhumane.  The amount of food is fit for an 8yr old, they are cold, think war camps, over-crowded.  They are not the typical retreat centres we see in America.  Vlad has entered a very dark place, spiritually and morally.  He has a strong faith, this I’m sure of and know he’s already having a positive impact on those around him.

What can we do?  We are gathering facts right now.  In two months there will be an appeal process that Vlad can hopefully go through.  This is Ukraine, nothing is guaranteed, certainly not justice.  We will do everything we can do help this get turned around, including continual prayer, financial help for lawyers, and the right people to listen to the situation.  We can only do so much though, our brother is in chains, we grieve and trust God to shine light on this terrible situation.

We will let you know if there is a specific fund setup for “Vlad’s Release”, once there is  plan, I believe we can together see that justice is done.

This kind of thing happens every day across Ukraine.  Corruption is at every level, you sort of get used to it.  This however has hit home, and a reminder of the depravity of men, their need for a Saviour.  In the end, God will shine His light of justice on every dark place, and in the end every knee will bow.  Until then, we seek for God’s will and heart to be done in this family, His timing, and for the church to unite both here locally and abroad.

Pray for:

- this verdict to be overturned.

- the corruption to be exposed in a way that brings accountability.

- Vlad’s family to be comforted and encouraged.

- Vlad to please God through this entire process by trusting and resting in Christ.

- Wisdom on our part, those that want to help beyond prayers.

I’LL ADD A BIT MORE INFORMATION FROM SIMEON – SOME OF IT RETELLS THE SITUATION BUT ALSO BRINGS US UP TO DATE (10/11/2011)

A dear brother from our church, Vlad, was sentenced about a week ago to 6 years in prison, completely unjustly. Around 5 years ago, he was innocently involved in a car crash in which a lady died. Over these past 5 years, he has been involved in an on-going court case, during which time those at fault in the incident have exploited a corrupt system by having original evidence changed, previous rulings in Vlad's favour overturned, and the judge paid-off to give the outcome Vlad and his family are now faced with.

Considering the shock, pain and anger we who know Vlad are currently experiencing, we cannot even imagine what the family themselves are going though at this time.

The church is, first of all, in much prayer for them at this time, and hopefully doing what we can to support Vlad's wife, Vika. In addition, many more in America, Australia and Scotland are also in prayer.

Vlad is appealing the verdict, although I heard today that the deadline for submission of the appeal is the 12th of this month, after which there is normally nothing at all that can be done. Their lawyer was appealing to have Vlad released before submitting the appeal, but I heard today that that appeal was rejected. What we hope, is that the appeal against the verdict itself will now be submitted tomorrow... But what we also now fear, is the possibility that their own lawyer has also already been paid off, and is ultimately stalling and will fail to submit the appeal in time.

Missionary leaders within the church have offered to bring in an additional lawyer, but are not wanting to push anything too hard as Vlad and Vika trust their own man.

There is a real time pressure right now, in that something significant needs to happen in the next 4 days.

We urge you to pray for Vlad and his family.

Pray for justice to be done.

Pray for wisdom as to if, when, how the church should 'step in' in a bigger way.

Pray for God to be glorified in and through everything that is going on.

On that last note, Vlad has already been reading the scriptures to fellow inmates, and the church in the town where the prison is has been able to deliver packages of food and tea, basic things that many around Vlad simply don't have enough of. Vlad's wife, Vika, is not yet a believer.

AND TWO DAYS LATER

Thank you so much for your prayers, and the notes you sent assuring us of them.

We have good news through today - the submission of the appeal is almost complete. It has a stamp on it, all that is needed now is for Vlad himself to sign a few papers. This means the case will go back to court. Unfortunately, Vlad will remain in prison, and there is still a very long way to go, with no certainty about what the outcome will be. So please, continue praying, and we will do our best to keep you informed.