Update 28th February 2022

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Update:

Dear friends,

Thank you all for your support and prayers for the team and ministry of Hope Lebedyn.

As Founding Director of Hope Lebedyn, I have been in regular contact with members of the team in Ukraine. Every day there are updates and news, but we continue to pray for their safety and for peace.

Despite this incredibly challenging time, the team continue to shine light amid the darkness. The team had been made aware that many Ukrainian troops, reservists and volunteers on the edge of Sumy did not have any food. The team took the initiative, joining together to assemble meals which they then delivered to the military unit which was under siege. They were so grateful, and the ministry team still continue to shine His light. As the Gospel of John boldly proclaims, “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it” (John 1:5)

As of the 27th of February, at 7.30am GMT (9.30am Ukraine time), we have been informed that the team are alive despite the heavy fighting and shooting that took place all night. In the morning, those who were able to gather together in the church, joined together in fervent prayer. Please also join us in praying for their safety.

However, the darkness continues to loom, and the team and families have been taking shelter in their homes trying to seek refuge in bomb shelters, continually unsure of what will unfold moment to moment. We were also informed that an unexploded bomb was in a friend’s garden less than 1km away from where our Mission Director lives.

Tonight, at our church prayer meeting within our local church, we were able to have a Zoom conversation with the Mission Director and his wife. It was an immensely precious time where we were able to hear so much more first-hand than we are receiving on the news. They were late logging on as gunfire was in the area and they needed to keep the lights off so that it would not bring attention to their house. They are at peace with everything and not panicking. Here were some of the key things the team shared:

1. After gathering together in the church, they then took food, medical supplies and bedding to the troops fighting. They were so appreciated.
2. There were many abandoned Russian vehicles including tanks, armoured vehicles and small vehicles. Many of the damaged but also quite a few have simply run out of fuel. The Russians are trying to refill but the Ukrainians are targeting these vehicles thwarting the march and progress to Kiev.
3. However, this is creating new problems as the drivers of these vehicles have changed out of their uniforms and have become saboteurs. They have been caught making large crosses on the ground to guide aircraft when to drop their bombs.
4. The Russians have also been caught using a new tactic using “micro-bombs”. They are disguising these as toys and as soon as they are picked up from the ground, they will explode causing death. It is horrendous that they are targeting children in such a way. The local authorities have put warnings out about this new method.

Food shortage

Unfortunately, there is now no food in the shops, meaning the local community and neighbouring towns are now struggling to feed their families. The team have now managed to acquire a tanker of milk from a local farm to help feed families this morning!

Testimony – Children’s faith in the midst of darkness

At the end of the meeting, they shared a beautiful story. There was an orphanage nearby which was uncovered around 8 years ago where the adults had abandoned it leaving the children to fend for themselves. This was due to a change in rules relating to running orphanages post the Euro cup in 2012. The orphanage has since been transformed and our team have been working alongside the leader to provide food, run a Summer camp there and regularly perform our puppet theatre shows to young children there.

Unfortunately, the bombing around Sumy this week became really intense so the leader of the orphanage has said to all the children that they could all take just one thing with them to the bunker to take shelter. When all were settled, she asked them what they all took in. One by one 55 children all pulled out the same thing. It was a new Bible we gave them over Christmas. It is the Ukraine translation of the Jesus Story Book Bible. The children prayed for a long time. They remembered all that had been taught through the puppet ministry and it has stayed in their hearts. We all wept when we heard this.

The above could have only happened through the faithfulness of the supporters to Hope Lebedyn who raised $10,000 to purchase the 2,000 bibles. We pray that the others that have been given out will make the same difference.

If there are ways you are able to continue to support the team and ministry at this time, please visit our support page on the website or our Stewardship page below.

Thank you so much for your continued support.

Every blessing,

Peter Martin

Founding Director of Hope Lebedyn