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Dear Friends,
Thankfully, last week was much quieter which has been helpful with all the work going on.
They had an amazing time with the youth last weekend, they were at the Centre for much of the day, enjoying a safe space to be together. They participated in activities, ate together and explored the Bible. Bohdan said that it is a place they can forget about the war and be normal young people, as you can see in the pictures below. The children’s club continues weekly as well.
Last Monday, Bohdan and Farmer Sergey joined us for our Hope Lebedyn trustees meeting. It was humbling once again to hear the stories of need, how people are having to cope with very little and how the war is impacting them and their families. Inflation is rampant, taxes are increasing, aid is short and supply chains are challenging. Soldiers still seem willing to fight until the end, even with the growing death toll. However, Bohdan shared that many of the people are tired of the war. There are so many broken families, and everyday there is a military funeral in the town, everyone has had someone close to them who has died, housing is hard to come by, there is little work, and people are just trying to survive. The longer the war goes on, and the colder winter gets, the bigger these issues will be so they want to respond in the best way they can.
We asked what their greatest concerns and worries were. Having to leave Lebedyn was something Bohdan was worried about, along with the pain peace would cost Ukraine in the way of lost territories. Outside of protecting his family, Bohdan said that he would not want to have to leave the town. This is where God has called him to work and it would hurt to have to leave. He was concentrating on the good things he has seen in recent weeks, the way that children come together as normal through the activities within the Centre. Due to school’s not operating properly since the start of the war, children are forgetting how to engage with each other. This is why the camps are so helpful, as by the end they have all made friends as children should do. He also shared that it is amazing how God had kept them safe and the services they held have been full. People come to faith, and they have seen God at work in the hearts and lives of people.
As a trust we are committing ourselves to supporting in the best possible way navigating through difficult challenges for them. It was special to have time to pray together at the end just allowing them enough time to get back before curfew!
During the day on Monday, Bohdan had been to visit Pastor Andrew in Samotoivka where the situation continues to worsen. He loaded his car up with aid and help for those Andrew looks after. They also took a trip to visit people living close to the Russian border to see what help they needed. No photos were allowed in this area.
While he was with Andrew the team were visiting families that have children with special needs. They were glad to get some help and aid and an invite to come to the Centre to get some bread!
This week continues to be busy. The church held its normal Tuesday service for those that normally do not come to the church. Over 100 people turned up again and the bread proved popular. Whilst the parents were busy this young man in the photo clearly could not wait to sample the warm loaf, devouring most of it whilst his parents were busy talking. I’m not sure how popular he was when they found out!! Bohdan did not say.
Last Wednesday, they invited a further 65 refugee families to the church and Centre, where they were given aid and I imagine any bread left over. Last Thursday, the bakery team were busy baking “Ukrainian pies” to take to the soldiers guarding the town.
Gifts have been purchased for the children ready for the Christmas camp and activities. This week, they will visit a centre for children with learning disabilities and also another school on the outskirts of town that meets in a bomb shelter. Please pray for safety as they drive around.
Thank you all for your kind notes, gifts and encouragement through this past week. It has been amazing and we are truly thankful for those that are standing with the team in Lebedyn, not just financially but, more importantly, through regular prayer which has been so impactful. As Christmas gets ever closer, there will be a few festive things to cheer us all along in the weeks to come.
Thank you!
Every blessing
Peter Martin
Founding Director of Hope Lebedyn
