By Fred Hardinge, DrPH, RD, FAND, Associate Director of Health Ministries for the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists
NOTE: For the most recent updates on this situation, please visit the Sloop Blog. Thank you.
It is well past noon on Sabbath in Kiev. Yesterday, the largest group of searchers spent the entire day in the Zamkova gora park, the place where street surveillance cameras recorded Dr. Sloop entering last Tuesday morning but not leaving either of the two entrances.
Adventist Risk Management has sent a representative to Kiev to help coordinate the search. The EuroAsia Division has sent Pastor Vladimir Krupsky, Executive Secretary of the Division and former Ukrainian Union President to assist. This additional help is providing Pastor Sergii Lutskyi, Health Ministries Director for the Ukrainian Union much needed assistance and relief. Sergii has been working almost none stop doing everything he possibly can in a most challenging situation.
Many students from our institution of higher learning in the Ukraine have volunteered to help in any way possible. Missionaries and members of other denominations have done what they can, including joining us in prayer support.
Much discussion has occurred with the U.S. Embassy Vice-Consul, who actually came to the Union Office with an assistant and walked a portion of the trails in the park. They have lodged several requests with the Kiev and Ukrainian government offices for police and military assistance. Friday morning, two black Suburbans pulled up to the Union Office. About 16 young, strong members of the Embassy Security detail had arrived to help. Upon hearing of the need they had volunteered to come and help. It is important to note that they were not ordered to come. Their help was most welcome and appreciated.
There has been wide coverage of this disappearance in the local media as well. Social networks have drawn attention to this around the world. So much so that the U.S. Embassy in Kiev has never experienced such call volumes, and has asked the church to try to channel these inquires elsewhere as they don’t have sufficient personnel and lines to handle what has been coming in! This outpouring of concern and interest from church members has deeply impressed officials.
Please continue to remember Dr. Jay, and his dear wife and children in your prayers. The Lord knows every detail of this situation and we all must trust in Him. “You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance. I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go. I will counsel you and watch over you.” Psalm 32:7-8 NIV
REMEMBER: For the most recent updates on this situation, please visit the Sloop Blog. Thank you!
