If you would like to support us financially you can do so below. Remember, if you are a UK taxpayer, please confirm that you would like us to claim Gift Aid on your donation. This will add 25p to every £1 you give.
Dear Friends,
This past week has seen the second camp being held, with nearly 100 children attending. Many people have told Bohdan that they have been surprised that the camps can go ahead due to the severity of the war. There is split opinion amongst the community, with some making negative comment but plenty of people so thrilled to see what is happening, and the children being happy, living out some degree of normality in their lives. To see the children smile is special.
The success of the camp programme has spread far and wide. A family arrived from Kharkiv for the week especially to send their children along. This past week brought much favour from the local community, with children attending whose parents are firefighters, police and medical workers. There have also been many children from refugee families. Air alarms still sounded through much of the day, but Lebedyn stayed safe until the last day when they heard a massive explosion nearby. It is thought that a military compound was hit as there has been little news about this. Children were more scared in these past weeks than before, which affects their attitude to things. The team also found parents more aggressive, but when they are spoken to you hear such hard stories of loss and grief. This region is really being hit hard now.
However, there are always stories of hope. The theme for the week was based upon some of the heroes of the Bible and how they trusted God. After one talk, one boy shared that he prays for his father as he is his hero. His father had been away fighting for a long time and he misses him. He knew that he had been captured so he prayed every day for him to come home safely, but so far hadn’t. He asked Bohdan and the team whether they thought his father would ever come home? The team said they would pray with him, so they did that right there and then. The next day his father returned home. This young lad had a smile on his face that would never stop. Sadly, for every one father that returns there are many that will never come back. The toll on families of their grief grows ever stronger.
The team have compiled a video of the camp, which shows the fun and joy the children have experience. Click on the image at the top of the page to watch it.
This week, the team are having a quieter week but will be preparing for the camp for teenagers next week. Medical aid is on its way soon, and Bohdan has been working with our wonderful friends at the Christian Medical Association in Lviv to arrange delivery.
Azat, who is now based in Zaporizhzhia, has been donated quite a bit of aid and he’s shared this with us. A van arrived with 1 ton of shampoo!! Although this seems a lot, there is not much of this in the shops so it will be greatly appreciated. People continue coming to the Centre for help and our food bags are being shared with those in need. See pictures below.
Many of the team have gone down with heavy colds and viruses, in particularly “Farmer” Sergey. This is the 3rd time he has had this in as many months, so please pray for him to recover along with the others that are suffering.
In our meeting on Wednesday, Bohdan described Sumy region as like Jurassic Park! The region has been constantly bombed, mainly with drones with the nearest dropping just 200 meters from the Centre. For the last few days of camp they had no water, rationed power, and little or no gas. This is the same this week as they try to repair supply lines. Please do pray that these are all up and running by next week when over 80 teenagers arrive!!
Thank you once again for your continued prayers and support. It is greatly appreciated.
Every blessing
Peter Martin
Founding Director of Hope Lebedyn
