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Dear Friends,
As Christmas draws ever closer, the team have been busy getting ready for all the planned events and have started their visitation programme. Below you can see some of the sweets all laid out ready to be packed. Aid taken over last week to Samotoivka was distributed to locals who are facing much need at this time.
The situation remains much the same within Lebedyn. Constant power outages, air raid sirens and missiles and drones flying over. Last Sunday night and last night were exceptionally bad, as drones circled over Lebedyn most of the night with children frightened as to what might happen with the noise of them being shot down.
School holidays have been pushed back until the 30th December so this has meant shifting the Christmas camp, which will now coincide with the old orthodox Christmas. Government changes have also meant that all holiday for workers over Christmas has been stopped - even on Christmas Day. This means that the church's traditional Christmas service will be held in the evening rather than the day.
The call for help is always there, and more institutions and organisations are asking Bohdan to take the Christmas celebrations to them. Last week, I mentioned that the team had been asked to visit a school for children with disability and learning difficulties, along with what is known as their local cultural centre. This is where children are taught in after school clubs; dance and music classes, and other activities take place. On Wednesday, Bohdan took the puppet theatre to both of these. As sirens still rang out, the shows and parties were held in bomb shelters. Bohdan said it was very sad to be in these places, but the children coped well and they loved all what happened. See the pictures at the top of the page and below.
Bohdan also met with the local director within local government responsible for refugees within the town. They have reached out and asked for help, including doing some special Christmas events at the Centre for refugee families. They are working out some dates and times. Aid is still being sought. Hopefully, we will hear about some further help in early New Year.
Vladamir continues to make good progress and is starting to feel much better. Oleg who suffered major trauma injuries as previously mentioned, is also making good progress and hopes to return home after Christmas.
On behalf of the trustees and the team in Lebedyn we would like to wish you all a very Merry Christmas.
The video below was made by the team, and features the carol Silent Night. It shows pictures taken through the year and some of the devastation within the town and surrounding area.
There is no planned update next week unless there is something urgent to share. Normal service will resume in the New Year!
Please stand with the team with your prayers and support as you have done throughout this year. The level of support from all over the world has been staggering. Bohdan and the team are extremely grateful and humbled by this support.
Merry Christmas and a happy, blessed and peaceful New Year to you all.
Thank you!
Every blessing
Peter Martin
Founding Director of Hope Lebedyn
