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Dear Friends,
As we fast approach the 3rd anniversary of this full scale invasion into Ukraine, sadly we note this week that military activity has risen a further notch raising concerns and tensions.
Tuesday evening I received a text from Bohdan to say Zoryana was not sleeping and was scared due to the noise of planes as more than ten explosions were heard, shaking their house. When on our weekly video chat on Wednesday another loud explosion happened; the first I have witnessed, and then during the afternoon another text came in. A plane had just shot down a Russian missile above their house, and Bohdan’s children saw it. Lubomyr was so scared he started to choke, and Zoryana took ages to calm down. This is all becoming very close now to the team.
Whilst this is going on Bohdan has been having issues with his papers. Every three months his exemption papers have to be renewed as I explained last week. On Monday after four hours of queuing he had to leave as it was too dangerous to stay standing there with sirens and activity. Tuesday he arrived at 9.00am only to find a huge queue. He had to wait in this queue for 7 hours standing outside in temperatures of -8C. When eventually he saw someone, they insisted he went to have a medical so yesterday he had that and now his papers can be processed. The medicals are meaningless as people will be passed now unless for exceptional conditions, as the need for more soldiers is an ever pressing issue. Around the towns and cities, young men are being taken to fight, often in devastating circumstances. Exemptions are getting harder to apply, and now you cannot be a conscientious objector due to your faith. One person known to the team is now serving a six year prison sentence for refusing to fight under these conditions.
I am amazed that despite all this the team carry on. Yesterday, after we spoke Bohdan visited the local hospital and other medical places in the town (see picture below) as Pastor Andrew in Samotoivka had been donated hundreds of bottles of specialist nutrient drinks often given to patients like cancer sufferers. He gave many of these to Bohdan to distribute. This means they got valuable liquid food. They were so grateful.
All the services, children’s and youth clubs, computer classes, puppet show training homegroups, Bible studies, seed distribution and bread supplies continue. This is a lifeline for so many. In fact so many are turning up we have had to purchase 50 more chairs for the Centre!
Bohdan and I spoke about many of the people we have prayed for over the past months:
Bohdan told me that in Lebedyn the town has erected a gallery of all people that have been killed during this war. Already, this is over 100 people and growing every day it would seem. People gather there to pay their respects. It is a constant reminder of the tragedy the people of Ukraine face on a daily basis.
This week, we ask for special prayers for our team member Lyuba. Last year, we shared that her aunt who she was very close to died. She had three children, all young teens, and her uncle helps to pastor a church in Russian occupied territory in the south, and the Authorities there will not let them leave the area. By all accounts, it is very challenging living in the town. Her uncle had moved in with her grandmother to help with childcare, but sadly the grandmother has been taken ill and lies in a coma unable to access good medical care. She is not expected to live much longer. Lyuba cannot help as she cannot enter Russian occupied territory, and the family cannot leave either. She feels so helpless. Bohdan has asked that we please pray for Lyuba and her family, as naturally she is very upset by the situation.
Please continue to pray for the aid as we have heard the lorry should be loading next week ready to drive to Lebedyn. The team are so excited about receiving this, but as you can see from the above it will not be a straightforward journey getting to Lebedyn.
Below is a picture of Bohdan’s daughter Zoryana. Due to the difficulties this week, she has begun to show evidence of trauma, being more afraid and unable to get off to sleep well. Bohdan text me a lovely message last evening saying that Zoryana prayed for the first time. She said, “I love Jesus, Amen!” Later in the evening she started reading a book about Jesus to her doll. He added “ Maybe this is how she wants to forget the horrors of this day”. Please continue to pray for the children affected by this war, and that by having a relationship with Jesus they may find comfort.
Thank you all again for your continued prayers, messages of encouragement and your ongoing support at this time. We are looking forward to our prayer service next Saturday, 22nd February, at 4:00pm and hope many of you will be able to join us whether in person or online (let us know in advance if you wish to use this facility).
Every blessing
Peter Martin
Founding Director of Hope Lebedyn
