Jono Miller

The following update is from Bruce Crowe in Ukraine and he is coordinating means by which we can help.

“Apologies on the delayed update, it's been difficult to get a clear picture of the current and short term outlook for Vlad.
Vlad is now in the Kyiv prison, transferred from the holding cell during his appeal. It is an upgrade in terms of people per room, beds, and ability to move around. His family was able to visit with him last week (after standing in the sub-zero temps for 5hrs). He sends his love and thanks for the prayer support and is having good and bad days.
Tom has been talking with his parents and wife regularly as every week there seems to be a new piece of information. The lack of a trustworthy process combined with minimal information has really caused a lot of stress. The family is requesting help promoting this case with the media, as the next and final appeal to the upper court is something that could take months, or even years. Simeon has been contacting Amnesty International in an effort to find someone who will help with some pull. Please be in prayer that the efforts would produce some results.
We want to thank again the church in Chernihiv for the care packages they took Vlad for several months. Now that Vlad is in the Kyiv region, his parents are going 2x per month, and we're hoping that some of us can eventually get in to see Vlad as well and take him care packages.
Several people have been waiting to hear how you can help. We have put together TWO options that would be a huge blessing to Vlad, his family, and the church here.
Please prayerfully consider:
1- A small monthly contribution towards the regular CARE PACKAGES being assembled. We are budgeting $150/mo which will be enough to bless Vlad but also those in his cell with basic humanitarian items. These items act as currency for Vlad as well inside the prison.
and/or
2- Contribute a one time gift to bless and help his wife Vika and young son. As a church we are trying to bless them with diapers, and other basic help over the course of Vlad's imprisonment. Fortunately Vika has family that is taking care of their immediate needs, however she is considering going back to work soon as they will need money. We are not trying to raise a certain amount, but we do want to love them in this practical way as the body of Christ. This is a great evangelistic opportunity to share the love of God with this entire family.
To donate online, you can use my Secure Paypal Link (you can use your credit card or bank check card). All funds received will go 100% to the family.
http://www.liftupyoureyes.com/?page_id=877
On behalf of everyone praying for justice for Vlad – Bruce”

Simeon also writes with a request that anyone who has connections to Amnesty International may be able to help. Also included is a very moving poem.

“Sorry it has been a while since we updated you on Vlad’s situation. We were out of the country getting visas for a while, and even when we’re home, the full picture is difficult to piece together, and we are given a small chunk of ‘latest developments’, which a few days later turns out to have not been accurate in some way…

Anyway, here’s the most concrete bits:

The appeal, on 11^th January, was unsuccessful. This means as things stand Vlad is in prison for 7 years. He has only one chance left – an appeal to the High Court. The pile of papers that is his application, are in, and in theory that appeal could be heard next month. But what we are told is much more likely to happen, is that someone will pick up the pile of papers, then push it to the side and say “I’ll look at this later.” And around 6 months later, they will pick it up again. And say “I’ll look at this later.” I’m told that, for now, Vlad has the attitude that he is working on getting out within 2-3 years, based on the appeal taking that long to be heard, and being successful.

From a human perspective, the only obvious hope of things moving faster, is if it’s possible to get the media involved. The family are currently exploring that option. Something else we are interested in, is whether or not Amnesty International would be willing to get involved. They have been contacted in Kyiv, and told us we should send them a letter, which they will pass on to London, and London will decide.

IF ANYONE HAS ANY CONTACTS AT ALL AT AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL (IN BRITAIN / LONDON) WHO COULD BE CONTACTED MORE DIRECTLY AND HENCE QUICKLY, PLEASE LET US KNOW IF YOU WOULD BE WILLING TO HELP IN SOME WAY.

Vlad has seen very little of his family over the last couple of months. Last week, his wife Vika, and his dad, went to Kyiv, stood outside waiting in very cold weather for 5 hours, and finally got to spend a couple of hours with him. I don’t know when was the last time Vlad saw his 18 month old son, Matvei.

A friend in Scotland has been moved by this story, and inspired to write a poem, which I will share here. I find it very powerful and moving. I don’t know if this poem can ‘achieve’ anything (we are going to get it translated into Russian and maybe someone with influence will hear it some day, who knows), but at the very least, I believe it might inspire you to pray more earnestly as it highlights some of the reality that Vlad and his family are so unfairly facing at this time. And we DO know that there is much power in prayer / in the God who hears our prayers. Here is the poem:

When It Shall Be Well With Thee.

No more the smell

Of a newly bathed baby.

No longer his tomato-soft knees,

Or broken nights’ sleep

In caring for the child I love

And the mother I willingly serve.

Gone, the thrilling prospect

Of faltering first steps,

Fresh formed language

And sharing the mixed emotions

Of first-day-school.

Missing, the homework,

School friends in the back field,

Bicycles dumped in the yard

From dirt-tracking in the forest,

Mud-caked shoes scattered at the back door.

What will be remembered

By the one I love,

The two I adore?

What will remain of the knowing

And being known?

For I languish in confinement.

Flickering hope,  trembling faith,

The cries of Joseph

Reverberating in my head.

“Think on me when it shall

Be well with thee.

And shew kindness, I pray,

Unto me.

Make mention of me

For nothing have I done

That they should put me into this

Dungeon.”

Many thanks for your continuing prayers. We will try to keep you well informed, and just HOPE that there will be ‘developments’ (very good ones) to inform you of.

With love,

The Ewings and the church in Rzhyshchiv.”