How could an old guy living in the middle of Minnesota have any involvement in the Russian/Ukrainian War you are asking yourself? Well it’s kind of a complicated story so bear with me for a few minutes and I’ll explain how I got involved.
In 2010 WestBow Press released my children’s book The Easter Sparrows. At that time I was not planning to have it become embroiled in a Russian/Ukrainian War. My plan was to hopefully have the book produce a few Amazon sales as well as adding it to my collection of children’s books that I featured at craft fairs and county fairs.
My original plan was fairly successful as Chip and Chirp two sparrows that starred in the adventure were able to view the resurrection of Jesus when they chose what they thought was an empty tomb to roost in for the night.
To their dismay during the evening a crowd of mourners brought in the body of Jesus and laid him to rest in the tomb. A huge stone was rolled over the tomb opening as the adventure continued for the pair of panicking sparrows.
The book was designed to explain to children what was involved in the death and resurrection of Jesus and how the miracle could lead us to spending eternity with Him.
I know what you are thinking. How does an Easter children’s book published in the United States end up thousands of miles away and on a different continent?
In the past the Ukraine was under the control of Russia and as a result the churches were locked and shuttered.
When the Ukraine finally regained their freedom from Russia they immediately reopened their churches and began practicing their Christianity. However there were very few Christian books and other resources for children.
Read Ministries located in St. Cloud, Minnesota sent ministers to the Ukraine where they helped Ukrainian churches gather Christian resources as well as develop lessons for children that would teach them about their Christian faith.
One of these traveling ministers received information about my book The Easter Sparrows as well as my Christmas book Nature’s Christmas Story which he brought over to the Ukraine to have them evaluated as potential resources for the Ukrainian children.
To my great joy they loved The Easter Sparrows and it was published in both the Ukrainian and Russian languages!
That was a milestone in my writing career as I was able to classify myself as an international author! I’m sure I would rank as the least successful international author but “international” none the less. 🙂
When the Russian invasion began I was concerned about the safety of the Ukrainian people as well as my publishers, Smirna publishing company, whom I had become friends with.
Last week as I was worrying about their suffering and loss of freedom the phone rang and I found myself speaking to the Executive Director of Read Ministries. Immediately I asked about Smirna Publishing and their welfare.
Thankfully the publishing house is safe and intact however their paper supply which was in a warehouse in Kyiv had been destroyed.:(
Being thousands of miles away from the explosions, flying bullets and fires encompassing the small towns and larger cities left me feeling like there was nothing I could do for those innocent children.
The Executive Director that I was speaking with revealed how my desires to help the Ukrainian children could be accomplished.
He reminded me that The Easter Sparrows, some in Russian and some in Ukrainian, were stored in the Smirna Publishing House. All total there were 1000 copies available.
Smirna employees are going to package them and as Easter approaches deliver the 1000 copies of The Easter Sparrows to Poland where thousands of Ukrainian adults and children refugees had escaped.
Just think of that, a thousand families will receive the reminder that Jesus came to die for all of us so that all our sins can be forgiven and we will be able to spend eternity with Jesus who loves us beyond our understanding!
What a message to receive at a dark and fearful time for those frightened and homeless children. A message of light and hope to dispel the darkness, evil and hopelessness of war.
Several years ago my second book titled The First Advent was ‘pony expressed’ via Read Ministries to the Ukraine and once again Smirna Publishers released that book into the schools also.
I wonder if my ranking as an international author rose a few points? 🙂
The Advent book reminds the children how Jesus came to us as a babe in a dirty stable and lived and grew into the ‘Savior of the World’.
Now our prayer is that both of these books will serve as reminders of Jesus’ love for the children of the Ukraine as they struggle to make sense of their chaotic world.
I am not as guilt ridden living in the comforts of middle Minnesota knowing my book The Easter Sparrows is brightening the lives of refugee Ukrainian children in their new temporary residences of Poland.
Praying that their Easter has been blessed and filled with peace resulting from that Easter miracle of the resurrection of Jesus.
Happy Easter to all. 🙂
Until next time.
