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Dear Friends,
After the horrendous Palm Sunday weekend where churches were targeted with missiles in Sumy, this past week has been quieter within the region, although drones still fill sky through the day. It meant that Easter activities could continue without too much trouble. Along the borders it was quieter with the peace declared for Easter Sunday, although there was still some incidents occurring.
The team baked Easter cakes and gave them out over the weekend to the many that came to Easter services, as well as to a new refugee centre over the road from the Centre. This used to be student accommodation for a college but it now houses 83 refugees, mainly from the Samotoivka area which has been largely evacuated now. Pastor Andrew helped with this work. There were 2 services on Easter Sunday, and one on the following Monday morning.
There were also other meetings on Thursday last week where food and hygiene items were distributed too young and old alike. The need remains great. The spiritual impact of these services was amazing as 7 people came to faith as a result over the Easter period. One of them was Pastor Andrew’s daughter, Victoria who is loving having friends and staying in Lebedyn and going to the youth clubs and bible studies. These 7 want to be baptised as soon as possible as well.
Bohdan visited Larisa and the orphanage as they are trying to extend the property to receive more children from Sumy city. Larisa sent her Easter greetings and thanks everyone for their love and support. We have helped contribute to their food through this time, and Bohdan will visit again this next week.
This is a quieter week for the team, as it is the week everyone plants all their seeds. Bohdan took Monday off, and with Pastor Andrew’s help they planted many potato seeds as you can see in the picture below. Yesterday, the large area we have designated for growing fruit and veg at the centre was also planted. Next week the plan is to see as many refugees in the area as possible to assess the needs and to see what can be done to help. Refugees arrive daily with nothing and now there is no housing in the city. This too is creating a huge problem as Pastor Andrew would like to stay within Lebedyn but we cannot find suitable housing. Please do pray for this as Andrew and Veronica’s help has been so valued by Bohdan. With Pastor Sergey doing less , Andrew has been able to share some of the preaching at the church services.
On Palm Sunday, when helping to evacuate people a nearby drone exploded causing damage to side of the mini bus. It shows how close the team have been getting to helping those in need. They are now trying to find someone to help fix it. A lot of mechanics and body shop specialists have been conscripted into the war, so fixing it could prove to be difficult.
Also for prayer, you might recall a while back we helped 11 year old Sophia with her cancer drugs. She was moved to Kyiv, who did not have space to help, and then taken down to Odessa. With the cost of the required operation being prohibitive, and the time delay of all the vast travel, sadly, the cancer had spread and she has been given just 6 weeks to live. The grandmother who lives in Lebedyn has gone down to be with the family at this time. Please pray that Sophia and the family find peace and security in Jesus through this time.
Bohdan has sent the Easter greeetings below for us to send on to you.
"Thank you for your continued support, prayers and encouragement. Every day brings new challenges for the team, so we continue to pray for peace within the nation."
For your encouragement, the Spring Camp ended well with children having such a great time. There were air raid sirens on the last day, but it did not deter parents sending the children along. Here is a link to a 3-minute highlight video of the children at the camp.
Spring Camp Children's Meetings 2025
As you'll see, a great time was had by all!
Every blessing
Peter Martin
Founding Director of Hope Lebedyn
