Tuesday was spent reviewing more camera feeds, and talking with those who might have visited the park around the time Dad went missing. They got a chance to talk to some people, and have others they would like to talk to.<\/p>\n
They also took time to search some unoccupied buildings that are on the opposite side of the park, away from the entrances. The students that were helping search were fabulous, not having been told what they would be doing and not being dressed for this kind of activity. But they gamely went on and looked through the buildings seeing what they could find.<\/p>\n
In the afternoon, The Hope Channel in Ukraine did a press conference today \u2013 Randy and several others had a chance to talk about what Dad was there to do, what he was there to help with, and about the search for Dad.<\/p>\n
Later, they also spent some time talking to the police and answering more questions they had. The police wanted to get the video feeds that Jeff and the volunteers had gathered for the Union office. But the police have refused to give us the video feeds they have, claiming they need the authorization from a supervisor. But we\u2019ve been asking for this data for days \u2013 it\u2019s frustrating how slow and unmotivated the police seem.<\/p>\n
While the police have been helping more, it still seems pretty tepid. It is better than it was, but it still seems as much for show as for actually accomplishing things. Much of what is done seems not very thorough, almost haphazard. We wish we knew what to do to really motivate the police to cooperate and step up and work with us closely, instead of doing what appears to be the bare minimum of work and minimal cooperation.<\/p>\n
Some time was spent looking at other places that Dad had walked in the past, and though we have absolutely no evidence he was there last Tuesday, we felt it wise to check those places again. None of these are close to the areas that Dad was seen on the security cameras on Tuesday.<\/p>\n
They did get a call, late in the day by someone who wanted to share their CCTV feed. But after arriving and getting things setup, they discovered that they didn\u2019t have last Tuesday\u2019s video because it only holds onto a week before overwriting. But Randy says they so wanted to help, and even though the trip was no real help, the warmth and intent of the people to assist and their empathy so clear \u2013 he was very touched at the gesture. Even for no real progress, Randy says \u201c\u2026the trip was worth the effort.\u201d [Have I mentioned how frustrating it is, not to have the police assisting in gathering these from many locations in the area, long before now!]<\/p>\n
There were a couple of talks they had with people who said they had seen people who had been injured around the date and time Dad disappeared. They had evidently called in to let us know they might be able to help. Yet, after talking to them, it was clear that these incidents were unlikely to have any relationship to Dad\u2019s disappearance. One case the person injured was much younger than Dad, and the other didn\u2019t match in other respects.<\/p>\n
Along with many others, Randy & I both fasted and prayed. We appreciate those who joined us. It is a tough choice to make and it is one that you need to make, not as a bargain with God, or because you \u201cshould,\u201d but because you believe in your heart that God is asking you to focus on him and his might, not your \u201cawesome\u201d blogging skills or some other \u201cgreatness\u201d we bring to the situation.<\/p>\n
God\u2019s goodness, his will, and how we can work with God, instead of how he can work around us, should be our focus. What small talents we bring to a task, God can use to much effect, if we put that effort where he wants us to.<\/p>\n
But it\u2019s hard letting someone else be in charge, isn\u2019t it? As I\u2019ve said before \u2013 when you watch someone else do something, you always feel you know better, have some better angle, and if \u201cthey\u2019d just do it this way\u201d all would be better. And I\u2019m sure I do the same with God \u2013 probably nearly every day. So, taking time to really talk to God to spend time pondering your congruence with his plan and letting him bend us, if that\u2019s needed, is a good, if less than pleasing, thing.<\/p>\n
We continue to follow up on the information we have, and move forward, even when we don\u2019t seem to have a lot of great options.<\/p>\n
We are, however, frustrated with the tepid response of the police and wish we know what more we could do to move that area forward. Private individuals and volunteers have done virtually all the hard lifting so far. So it\u2019s hard to feel that, were the police serious, they could bring a lot more resources to bear on this situation.<\/p>\n
Continue to pray for us, and for the involvement of the police \u2013 we could so use their help, now as much as ever. Pray for wisdom and that we would find God\u2019s way, not our way. Pray for those who have influence over the police and other government resources. And pray for each of the wonderful volunteers who have sacrificed so much of their time and energy. We\u2019d have practically nothing without the kind-hearted people of Ukraine.<\/p>\n
Thanks again!
\n-Greg<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Posted 2013\/05\/21 11p PT [2013\/05\/22 9a Kiev Time]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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