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Dear Friends,
It was a joy to meet most of the team this week—though sadly Bohdan couldn’t join us, as his son Ratmir was hospitalised overnight with a severe ear and throat infection. Due to overcrowding, he was sent home with antibiotics, which thankfully are working. Despite everything, the team remains upbeat. When I asked how they were coping, Valentyn replied, “The same as before the war! The main things don't change if we fix our relationship with God daily.” His words were a powerful reminder of the faith that fuels their resilience.
You may have seen reports of intensified missile and drone attacks across Ukraine. One night saw over 400 drones and 40 missiles strike five regions. Kyiv was hardest hit, followed by Sumy—where Pastor Andrew serves. Tragically, a family we’ve been supporting near Samotoivka were killed when a bomb struck their home. The loss has deeply shaken the team.
Musical Sergey continues to lead 25 children in puppet theatres across three skill and age levels. Due to new legislation, public performances are normally restricted to buildings with bunkers or shelters, and they have to use these where possible. They were, however, able to hold a show in Larissa’s orphanage hall and will visit the children’s hospital this weekend. Many of the children there are seriously ill or abandoned, and the hospital has asked for weekly visits to support both education and morale. Another team will travel to Shtepivka to perform for children with mental disabilities and deliver food aid. Please pray for their safety and impact.
Valentyn is encouraged by the growth of home groups and youth clubs—over 30 young people attended last weekend’s gathering for the teen club. He and Lyuba work together to support both teens and older youth, and the hunger to learn is deep.
Computer classes for the teens and youth have resumed, led by Sasha and Musical Sergey. “Farmer” Sergey oversees all children’s work with numbers being lower than expected at the start. He hopes to grow the club to 100 attendees by Christmas, despite many families having fled the area.
This weekend, the team will also deliver food and blankets to villages around Lebedyn, where families are living without heating due a government ban restricting any heating until October 15th. Daytime temperatures have dropped to 5°C, and illness is spreading. Our Food Bag Programme has launched—each bag feeds a family for a week and includes a copy of John’s Gospel. The first 100 are ready to go and will be taken to the villages the team are able to get to.
Please continue to pray for Pastor Andrew and Veronica as they seek housing in Lebedyn. This is an urgent need. Medical aid has reached soldiers and their families, refugee services and bakery work continue, and a new batch of general aid is en-route to Ukraine—pray for its safe arrival.
When asked what we should pray for, the team’s first response was clear: peace, and an end to the war. They also ask for prayer that their work continues and that the Christian message reaches hearts wherever people go.
Pastor Sergey couldn’t join us due to health concerns and worry for his son Roman, who pastors a church in Kyiv. Recent bombings destroyed Roman’s church windows and doors, with another nearby church completely levelled and the pastors house destroyed. Yet, the next morning, believers gathered to worship among the ruins. This is the unseen courage the world rarely hears about.
You can watch the video on Facebook here: Worship in the ruins.
Thank you again for all your support and prayers. Every week we see the value of this, and as things get busier and the cold months draw in, your prayers and support are even more vital.
Every blessing
Peter Martin
Founding Director of Hope Lebedyn
