In the heart of war-ravaged Ukraine, where fear and uncertainty reign, the presence of God shines through the shadows of destruction. Vlad, who leads the Derek Prince Ministries (DPM) team in Ukraine, shares a powerful testimony of divine protection and faith that defies the darkness.
A Town Under Siege
Since the escalation of missile strikes following Putin's re-election, Ukraine's infrastructure has suffered immense damage, with over 70% of the power grid destroyed. Vlad's town, located near a hydroelectric power station, faces nightly power cuts, plunging the community into darkness. Yet, these trials have only fortified the resolve and faith of the people.
"True faith clings unwaveringly to God and His Word, rejecting the impressions of the senses whenever these disagree with God’s Word."
(Derek Prince - God Shows The Way)
A Night of Miracles
Recently, the sky over Vlad's town was filled with the ominous trails of missiles. In the darkest hours of the morning, a Russian ballistic missile was intercepted and exploded just 100 meters from Vlad's home. The blast shook the house violently, yet miraculously, Vlad had opened a window towards the forest just moments before the explosion, which diverted the pressure wave and prevented greater damage.
Despite the closeness of the explosion, Vlad's home had only minor damage—a broken window in the shed and a few roof slates knocked loose. In stark contrast, neighboring homes were badly damaged, with many windows shattered and walls cracked. Amidst the chaos, the community felt a profound sense of God's protection. Clearly seeing God's hand over Vlad and his family, the neighbors were moved deeply, and one remarked, "Look how God is keeping you safe!" This powerful display of divine intervention strengthened the faith of the residents.
"Look how God is keeping you safe!"
Finding Strength in Adversity
The missile strike affected over 240 homes, yet remarkably, there were no fatalities. Only one eight-year-old girl suffered minor injuries from broken glass. The community's response was calm and resilient. "It cannot be explained in any way but by a miracle that no one was hurt," Vlad shares. "Everyone says thank God—death has passed over our houses and our heads."
In these challenging times, material possessions have lost their importance. The community's focus has shifted to gratitude for life and safety, with a renewed appreciation for God's presence and protection.
In his book, Spiritual Warfare for the End Times, Derek Prince describes a similar experience and explains how the presence of Christians is like salt - preserving our surroundings. He writes,
"During World War II when I was a medical orderly in the North African desert, I was part of the Lightfield Ambulance. Our unit was attached to an armored division and we were the only unarmed group among them. One of the challenges of serving in the desert was that when a sandstorm came, you had no idea whether you were going north, south, east or west. Consequently, you could end up not knowing if you were behind your lines or enemy lines.
I remember two occasions when we did not know if we were in front of or behind our own lines. There we were, a small medical unit, wandering about with a few trucks in the desert—a rather pitiful sight. More than once, my fellow soldiers, who were not Christians—and especially one man who was really an ungodly blasphemer—came to me and said, “Corporal Prince, I’m glad you’re with us.” I knew exactly what they meant: “We feel safer when you’re here.”
I am not boasting when I recall this. I simply believe it should be true of every believer; he or she should make a difference by his or her presence. I was with that unit in what amounted to continuous action in the desert for two years, and we never lost a man killed during that time. I believe that was for my sake.
"Maybe the unbelievers were not going to get converted by it, but they knew the protection of God accompanied those who trusted in Him."
You may think my words conceited—that is up to you. I simply think it occurred because I was a believer, and this is the inheritance of every believer. What really impressed me in these situations was that the unbelievers were more aware of the protection my presence brought than some believers! Maybe the unbelievers were not going to get converted by it, but they knew the protection of God accompanied those who trusted in Him."
A Community of Faith
Despite the ongoing war, DPM’s work in Ukraine continues to thrive and grow. The number of subscribers to DPM's teachings has surged to 23,000, with new content being produced and shared regularly. The commitment to spreading Derek Prince's teachings remains strong, providing spiritual nourishment and hope to many.
In a lighter moment, Vlad humorously recounts how power outages have led to "romantic evenings with soft lighting" at home. This ability to find joy and connection even in the darkest times speaks to the enduring strength of choosing to put our trust and faith in Jesus Christ.
Your Part in DPM Ukraine’s Story
As DPM continues its mission in Ukraine, let us keep Vlad, his team, and the outreach work they are doing, along with the people of Ukraine, in our prayers, asking for God's continued protection and blessings. Why don’t you join us in proclaiming this message, "Because I Love You," from Derek Prince over the people of Ukraine:
God’s love is His ultimate reason for doing things. This love is a steady foundation in our lives. The prophet Isaiah develops this theme when he says in Isaiah 43:1-4:
“But now, thus says the LORD, who created you, O Jacob, and He who formed you, O Israel: ‘Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; you are Mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, nor shall the flame scorch you. For I am the LORD your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Saviour; I gave Egypt for your ransom, Ethiopia and Seba in your place. Since you were precious in My sight, you have been honoured, and I have loved you; therefore I will give men for you, and people for your life.’” (NKJV)
God never offers any explanation of why He loves. But He says, "Because I love you, I will do everything that I’ve committed Myself to do. I’ll manipulate all history to bring My purposes and My promises to you to fulfilment."
God doesn’t say, "I’ll keep you from suffering or from difficulty or from danger." He doesn’t say, "You’ll never pass through the waters; you’ll never walk through the fire." But He says, "When you pass through the waters or the fire, I will be with you."
The history of Israel shows this to be true. No other nation has gone through so much "fire" and "waters" as the Jewish people, but Israel still exists today.
And then in Isaiah 43:5, God says, "Fear not, for I am with you." There is a love that leaves no room for fear. And that is the only way we can enter into this relationship with God: through love that takes away the fear that would keep us back from fully yielding.
