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Dear Friends,
Another week passes which has seen many surprises and challenges. Power is starting to be rationed again, so the solar generator in the office has been put to good use. The past 3 nights have been quiet. Many of you will have read that Ukraine destroyed some ammunition storehouses within Russia, and it is thought that these contained many of the drones that were used in this area. They are thankful for some good night’s sleep.
It is now dangerous to drive outside of the town. Journeys to Kyiv are difficult, as anyone under 55 gets stopped, and it is more than likely they will be instantly commandeered into the army there and then. This happened to Valentine’s friend - they took him straight to training, but he is studying and has exemption papers so now he has a lawyer trying to fight this. This issue hampers the work of the team as they are struggling to get out to see many of the churches, orphanages and centres. One married young lady, who previously came to camps and youth work at Lebedyn, lives in a village on the other side of the Sumy region and has reached out to Bohdan for help. They need aid, Bibles, literature, and support as things are bad there. Bohdan is limited in what he can do, but will drive over with what he can get hold of.
Aid is a big issue, and most appeals are now focused on the Middle East, which is perfectly understandable, but it does mean it is getting so short within Ukraine. We are still trying to find ways to obtain some aid.
One of the largest employers within the region, who have multiple factories including in Lebedyn, have decided to relocate to the west, therefore making many redundant. This is a huge blow to the Sumy region, and will cause a greater level of poverty and need through the winter.
This week Bohdan called to say that he had to urgently re-submit his papers to the military commission, and to prove why he should not be called up. This is a new law, and men must prove that they are married, and not divorced, and have four or more children under 18, as that is the normal exemption. We asked many to pray for him when we heard this. Bohdan has been given an official Pastors/Chaplains diploma certificate which he took along within him. Bohdan shared that when he went in to wait he could hear grown men crying, wailing and screaming as they were led away to fight and join the army. As you can imagine this disturbed him. The moment came for Bohdan to see a soldier who would interview him. He told me he looked fierce, as did many of them. These soldiers are hardened warriors who have fought on the front line and can no longer fight due to injury, so they have little compassion for those that don’t want to fight. As he sat down, he was aware that many of the soldiers started to stand. This was because the Colonel in charge of the army in the Lebedyn region had entered the room. The Colonel looked around the room and came over toward Bohdan. He said to the soldier “Don’t touch him – he does a great work with the soldiers and families”, and walked off. Bohdan must still wait 7 days for his answer, but the fact that he was not taken straight away, as others had been, and that the Colonel himself had spoken up for him, does bode well. As many were praying we don’t see this as coincidence but answered prayer. We keep praying for this situation.
While this was happening, bread had been baked, with over 300 loaves for distribution. Many came to the Centre and attended the service first. Three people became Christians as a result. Many turn up to the Centre just for help, and bread was also given here. After this, Bohdan and Alla led their homegroup and another lad, also called Valentine, became a Christian and all said it was the best time ever. Bohdan was really encouraged.
Children and youth clubs, regular computer classes (as above), homegroups, sewing groups for making more bedding, plus many other things still happen every week. The team are preparing for the Autumn camp, and the requests for children to come will be greater than places available. Schools are closed and Bohdan does not think that they will open at all through Winter. Therefore, children are missing out on social engagement and development amongst everything else, so parents are keen for their children to be able to mix like this. The biggest problem we have is that team members are hard to find. Students at university have not been given time off, and many of the people previously who have helped have fled the area as it is so dangerous. Bohdan has put an SOS out to other churches for help.
Lebedyn has a medical college attached to the hospital which also has a big underground bomb shelter so they can keep training. The previous clinical lead of the college was a Christian and asked Bohdan to take services, and this request has come back in from the new doctor in charge. Three people from the church are studying there, and there is much need to help the new doctors and nurses cope with the trauma they see.
Last week, I mentioned about Nicolai, our aid driver, who was in a serious RTA near Okhtyrka. Since last week doctors have performed 2 operations, and he is now off a ventilator and is breathing on his own. We continue to pray for him.
There are many things I admire amongst the team. Very rarely when we speak are they downhearted. Whenever something must change they find another way to continue their work and ministry, and the love they show for one another and the people in their community is an example to us all. At the top of the page is a picture of Farmer Sergey, Valentine and Bohdan when they were young lads attending the work 12 years ago. Bohdan was the youth leader, and Farmer Sergey and Valentine went along to the youth clubs. Today the three of them are leaders within the work, and are pictured below at Kyiv Theological seminary a few weeks back. It is such great testimony to the work done over the years.
As always thank you for your support in so many ways. It is much appreciated!
Every blessing
Peter Martin
Founding Director of Hope Lebedyn
