The Faith of Ukraine's Acting President and Renewed Danger from Russia/Pro-Russian Provocateurs

04/12/2014 Update:

Be in prayer for Ukraine. Apparently, Russia is causing further trouble in the eastern portion of the country, especially in the region of Donetsk.  Keep in mind that this is the template for trouble-making in Crimea that led to a Russian invasion and the annexation of Crimea.  

The BBC reports the following:  

Pro-Russia militants have taken over a police headquarters in the eastern Ukraine city of Kramatorsk

Several other official buildings were reported to have been seized in Donetsk region on Saturday.

Gunmen occupied a police station and a security services building in the town of Sloviansk

Official buildings in the town of Druzhkovka were also reported to have been taken over

An attack on police buildings in Krasny Liman late on Saturday was repelled, officials said

A Donetsk regional police chief quit after pro-Russia crowds marched on a police station demanding his resignation.

Protesters in Donetsk city continued to occupy government buildings, demanding a referendum on becoming part of Russia.

The acting interior minister of Ukraine has promised a "very tough" response.

And ominously, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov stated that Ukraine was "demonstrating its inability to take responsibility for the fate of the country"

He warned that any use of force against Russian speakers in eastern Ukraine would undermine the "potential for co-operation", which included talks in Geneva next week.
- I remember one analyst stating in May that Russia may seek to create a land bridge in the east that connects Crimea to Russia. 
- The massive troop buildup along the border is reminiscent of Russia's military movements prior to the conflicts in Chechnya and Georgia, one official said. 
- there is no evidence of any large-scale exercises taking place (the excuse given by Russia for the troops' mobilization) and no return to bases seen either- "I can't tell you how awful this is," said one congressional source who spoke to Fox News on the condition of anonymity.

http://billygraham.org/decision-magazine/

Billy Graham's ministry magazine, Decision, states that Oleksandr Turchynov, the acting president of Ukraine is a devout evangelical. 

"Church leaders in Ukraine view Turchynov as God's hand-picked man for the job of guiding the nation not only through the aftermath of violent confrontations between unarmed protesters and Yanukovych's riot police in Kiev, but also subsequent aggression from neighboring Russia in the eastern Ukrainian region of Crimea." -- Exclusive Interview: Oleksandr Turchynov, Decision, April 2014, p. 13.

The article states that Turchynov was elected to parliament in 1998.  He made waves when he took a stand against same sex marriage in 2007.  He ascended to becoming speaker of parliament.

My favorite story from the interview illustrated the man's integrity and why the country turned to him when the former leader, Yanukovych, fled for Russia.  Turchynov attends a church that is under construction.  After he became prime minister there were many interested in helping the church with the project.  Turchynov refused, saying that he didn't believe the "temple" should be built with "dirty money."  

Such moral courage marked Turchynov as unique in a country that Franklin Graham described as "plagued by corruption and self-serving politicians."  Graham's March 25, 2014 newsletter for the Billy Graham organization goes on to say that "he stood out as a man of conviction and principle with a reputation for integrity."  

-- Billy Graham Evangelistic Association newsletter, March 25, 2014.

picture from the article

Exclusive Interview with the Acting President of Ukraine
“I see God’s hand in every little detail that took place as unarmed people went out to defend their freedom and the independence of their country against a fully armed professional army, many times bigger in size,” Turchynov said. “Their faith was victorious. God granted them victory.”

God’s grip on Ukraine has been strong for more than two decades. BGEA Vice President of Crusades Viktor Hamm says it’s the most evangelical nation in Europe.

Beacon2Light note:  

Will you join me in praying for Ukraine?  We can also rejoice in God's provision of such a man as acting/interim president.  Perhaps God is answering the prayers of the Ukrainian people, who had gathered in such large numbers to intercede on behalf of their country at this desperate hour.