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Dear Friends,
This week started with a text from Bohdan to inform us that Sumy and Samotoivka have been under the heaviest fire so far. We have been trying to get hold of Pastor Andrew since this time, but have had no answer as I write this update. We think that’s because communications are down and can but pray that’s the only reason. Bohdan drove over to Sumy and said that the damage was extensive as there had been some big hits, and the death toll in the region is high.
The call-up process is still hard for Ukrainians as they continue taking people off the streets without the right paperwork for military duty. It is important that everyone carries their papers with them. One member of the church said her son was on a bus in the locality, and he was taken off by soldiers at a checkpoint and sent to a training base far away. On Yesterday, Bohdan went back to the military commission to see if they will give him what is known as his “White Paper” which gives him permission to drive around the region, without which he wouldn’t be safe to drive outside of Lebedyn. We pray this goes smoothly and as the papers last for 6 months, gives him a little time before starting the process again.
Below are 2 pictures of Sophia. At the start of the war Sophia contracted cancer, and just a few weeks back the cancer had become so aggressive they had to amputate Sophia’s left leg. They also told her that there was one specific drug that could help her, but the hospital in Lebedyn could not get it, and it was so expensive the family could not afford to buy it. There are no free drugs in Ukraine! Sasha knew the family as did Bohdan’s sister, so they asked for help. When Bohdan was in Kyiv recently, he tried to find a source for the drug, but nobody could help. However, after much research they did find a source for the drug, and he was able to purchase a full course of treatment to help them using monies sent out from donations for emergency needs.
The hospitals are really struggling to keep up. There are not enough medics and nursing staff, as they have gone to the front line, and equipment has either broken down or is just inadequate for all they are doing. The shortage of bedding means the Centre team keep making these items for them. Due to a lack of resources, they try not to see locals, but Vladamir, one of the ex-pastors of the Centre, has been re-admitted to the hospital as he became very unwell again. A new doctor there has found out more about his condition and they are trying some new medication which seems to be helping him.
Due to regular power outages it was difficult to bake the bread, but in the end they did manage around 300 loaves for distribution. 100 people came to a service at the church and the rest were distributed to the people stuck at home, the elderly and the very poor.
Lebedyn is still a town of transition. Many local people are leaving fearful for what the future holds. At the same time, more people come into the town as refugees having left everything behind in demolished buildings. Even within the church, Bohdan is seeing a huge turnover of people come and go. The impact of the war on each and every person takes its toll in so many ways. In the meantime, the team continue faithfully in their work. Children’s and youth clubs continue and “Musical” Sergey now has 20 people in his puppet theatre, creating 3 teams to do shows. They tell stories from the Bible in a contemporary way with music, fun and interaction.
In addition to the above, the team have been planning for their autumn camp next week. They launched this on Monday, and in just a few hours all 76 places had been filled. They allow extra places for refugee children that arrive and also some from the orphanages. In total, there will be between 85-100 children. Some extra team members have been found to help, so everyone is excited this is planning to go ahead. Please do pray for this week though, as with the region under heavy attack, this is a big undertaking and responsibility.
In our time together this week, I asked Bohdan what were the worst and best things that had happened since our last meeting. The worst was witnessing the number of dead bodies in the Sumy area when he visited. It shocked them as they saw the reality of the war like this.
He then shared the best things:
At the top of the page is a photo of Jana. She is Nicolai’s daughter. You might remember that in the past few weeks we have asked for prayer for Nicolai (our lorry and aid driver) as he was in a serious crash near Okhtyrka, and thankfully remains off ventilators as he recovers. Jana lived a little way away from the Centre but still came to the camps, where she became a Christian. She is now married and lives in the neighbouring region a few hundred miles away. She looks after children with additional needs and helps within her church. They have nothing to give to others so Bohdan has been able to send some food, a little aid, Bibles, literature, and bedding to help them out. There is so much need there. Jana still sees the church and Centre in Lebedyn as her spiritual home.
Thank you all so much for the gifts we still have coming in regularly. It makes such a difference along with your support. We continue to pray for the work the team do there, and especially for the autumn camp coming up.
Every blessing
Peter Martin
Founding Director of Hope Lebedyn
