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Dear Friends,
We wanted to share with you about some of the recent work taking place in Lebedyn. You will also find a list of prayer items that we would be grateful if you could pray into with us.
In the region bombing continues to happen but thankfully nothing too close to Lebedyn. Bohdan told me that they are targeting factories so there is no work, electric sub stations, power lines, gas supplies and now no water supplies. He knows of many villages and towns locally where fresh water has been cut off and it is becoming a big problem.
In his street (and at the centre) there is water underground and access to an old well. They are going to develop this so their street can collect water each day if supply is cut off.
We are also planning for many new activities through the autumn including a camp programme at the end of October and at Christmas. The work does not stop. The need is greater than ever and the risk seems to be as high as ever. Please keep upholding them in your prayers for safety and energy.
The team have been busy helping some of the recently new displaced people arriving in Lebedyn with aid and supplies. The weather has turned cold very quickly out there and there is limited gas and electric supply to keep warm. We think this will be a growing problem through the winter. We also supplied material for wounds and bed linen which has been made at the centre through the sewing workshops to help the hospital (see below). We also received more of the food boxes to feed a family of 4 for 7 days. This is equivalent to 14,000 meals we can give out!
The team have also recently been working closely with the local army to help support families who are still very much struggling.
Planet of Children, which is the name for our new children's club will run every week one afternoon. This will include a narration of Bible stories, a range of fun activities and of course, puppet theatre show performances!
Furthermore, Yana, who is a paediatrician specialising in children's mental health (who had her own specialist practice in Kharkiv before being forced to flee and now settling in Lebedyn) will be holding free clinics for children of military families and those families who have lost loved ones through the war.
Originally you had a choice to take part in the war but with so many casualties and injuries and with the prolonged war, conscription must happen. There will be no exemptions for students or ministers in the future.
I recently received an update from our Mission Director to say that he has been summoned to a medical to ensure he is fit to go to the war as a chaplain. This is a fighting role as well. He still needs to complete some more tests and no decision has yet been reached but please join us in pray around this.
Our Mission Director Bohdan has informed me that the government want the children to go back to school however, both parents and teachers are saying it is not safe as Russians are targeting schools and there is no provision of bomb shelters. His own children were supposed to go in this week for one hour each but that has been cancelled as teachers are refusing to teach. Parents are angry and tensions are rising because of this. Please pray for wise decisions and for the protection of both the children and teachers.
The team have been working hard distributing aid to those in need. However, the need is still as great as ever and we still need more clothes, so please join us in praying for this.
The team are being resourceful and reaching out daily into the local communities to help. They will be giving much needed aid to villages and help through the rest of August, whereby some villages have people living in horrendous living conditions.
Our youth grow is continuing to grow as its a place where youth are permitted to gather. Our registered list now approaches 100! We've recently have had to purchase a further 40 chairs this week to accommodate the growth. 2,000 Bibles have now been shared out. W hope to find a supply for more soon (possibly at the end of October/early November) but please pray into this with us.
Every blessing,
Peter Martin
Founding Director of Hope Lebedyn
