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Dear Friends,
Last weekend saw the first mini conference held for the youth. Around 50 young people came along from Friday to the Sunday. The guest speaker came from Kyiv Theological seminary, and was really pleased how this event went. In fact, so pleased, he wants to come and visit again.
Amongst all the fun, games, food and worship they looked at healthy relationships and what this means during a time of war. In this week’s homegroups numbers swelled as young people wanted to continue to be together to study further.
The impact of the ongoing conflict is intensely felt across the region. Reports indicate that numerous casualties, including children, have been recorded in the Sumy region. Transportation infrastructure has also suffered significant disruptions, with the Sumy railway station closed for several days. Refugees continue to arrive in Lebedyn, urgently seeking assistance. Unfortunately, the recently received aid has been fully distributed, leaving us with limited resources to offer support. However, a phone call last Thursday confirmed the arrival of another truckload of aid this summer. This is very encouraging news, and we are committed to providing the most needed supplies.
We would appreciate it if our supporters could inform us of any connections they may have in the food, hygiene, or baby supply industries, such as nappies, sanitary products, and incontinence pads. We can arrange deliveries to a single UK address for onward distribution. Please contact us for further details if you have any relevant supply chain contacts.
The team have been holding services for the refugees which means they can give them bread freshly baked from the bakery along with support. The student dormitories in the nearby college are now bursting with as many as 4 people living in one small bedroom – people they have never met before.
Oleg was new to the area. He arrived a few weeks back from a village next door to Samotoivka, which had been completely destroyed by bombs. His whole life gone. His wife had died recently, and we are still not quite sure what happened but we suspect it was because of the war. Oleg had lived in this village nearly all his life and now he shares a room with other men as described above. Hope was non-existent. Oleg came to the Centre to see what help he could get, and the team were able to supply food and clothes. Over the past few weeks Oleg came along to everything he could and listened intently to what was going on in the services. Last week, Oleg amazingly became a Christian, and the change in him has been incredible. He walks in with a smile. His situation has not changed, but he has found hope in someone who is greater than this war.
There are now many from Lebedyn, and especially from the church, that have been drafted into the army to fight. One such man is Sasha pictured below. He is near the frontline, and so the church have sent a parcel to show they care and to help lift spirits. It was greatly appreciated.
News is already getting out that the camps are being planned for children in the coming months. As I mentioned last week, 6 further camps are being planned for children of all ages. Bohdan met with the director of the special centre for those that live with disability. There are now over 30 children there, so we are going to host a dedicated week for these children and for any others we know in the area of additional needs. As so many meals will be made through all these weeks, getting food supplies looks like it will be a challenge so please do pray for this.
The team are still helping Larisa at her orphanage. Things continue to be tough for her and the children, but fresh food is still being regularly supplied to them to help. The team also managed to visit some of the care homes in the town, and as usual, taking in food and supplies as available.
Since before Christmas, we have been reporting on a girl called Sophia who we were asked to help. After being diagnosed with cancer (far too late!) and her having her leg amputated, Bohdan was able to help source drugs to help prolong life. 6 weeks ago Sophia was transferred to Odessa for specialist treatment, but sadly a few days ago Sophia lost her battle with life. She passed away bravely and peacefully. Today, we remember her bravery and a life taken too early. Pictures of the lovely Sophia are below.
Sophia’s situation reminds us that sadly, the children are as much victims of this conflict as anyone else. A recent report by UNICEF states that as of the 3rd anniversary in February:
This all means that we need peace now more than ever. A peace that will be true, just and lasting. We continue to pray for this to happen.
Thank you all for your continued support and prayers for this amazing work being done in Lebedyn. The team are always seeking to do more to help those in need, and often through self-sacrifice. It is great to know that they have your support along the way.
Every blessing
Peter Martin
Founding Director of Hope Lebedyn
