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Dear Friends,
Sadly, the situation in Lebedyn and Sumy is becoming increasingly concerning. Due to ongoing conflict in the region, missile and drone attacks have become frequent, making daily life ever more difficult for residents.
Bohdan recently shared that explosions were so powerful they knocked books off his shelves and onto the floor. Sunday through to Monday was particularly intense. Throughout this period, the power supply has been severely impacted. On average, they are only receiving about 2–4 hours of electricity each day because power stations have been hit and rationing is in place when power is available. In addition, temperatures have plummeted to an average of -15°C, so everyone is feeling the cold.
Despite these challenges, the team continues to reach out and support as many people as possible. Amid ongoing difficulties in the community—including frequent missile and drone attacks, limited electricity, and severe cold—the team organised a mini conference focused on trauma recovery, which drew around 50 participants. Coping with trauma is a pressing need for everyone, and Bohdan shared that all who attended found the sessions helpful, especially as they explored these issues from a biblical perspective.
Many people are living in extreme poverty, which has made the need for food support ever more urgent. As a result, funds have been sent out to buy more food for the food bag programme they are running. Each bag contains enough food for a family of four for one week, but obtaining supplies has proved challenging: the local wholesaler has had to close, and another in Sumy was ransacked by Russian troops. Thankfully, Bohdan has found another food source. For comparison, when we first provided these bags last year, each cost $17; now, due to inflation, the price has risen to $27. The team identifies families most in need through local community leaders and outreach efforts, ensuring that aid reaches those who are struggling the most. They will be visiting the poorest households in villages and inviting others to the Centre, where people can be kept warm. We have also been able to purchase extra fuel for the large generators, and our smaller solar generators are powering the offices. Thanks to these efforts, dozens of families have already received essential supplies, and we plan to continue expanding our reach in the coming weeks. We thank God for the provision of these resources!
The services continue throughout the week, with many people still coming in for help. I mentioned previously that Valentina, who oversees all the IDPs (Internally Displaced Person) in the Lebedyn region, has been sending people to the Centre. She has been truly outstanding, even as she faces significant personal hardship—her son, Vladislava, was badly injured in the war. He has already undergone major facial surgery, but still needs at least two more operations on his face. She has asked that people pray for her son, Vladislava.
Musical Sergey is holding more computer workshops with the elderly community. Many of these older individuals have found themselves isolated, with family members having left the town, and they are eager to stay in touch but lack the necessary skills to do so. The workshops focus on helping them connect with loved ones and navigate everyday life using technology, providing much-needed support and encouragement during these challenging times.
Musical Sergey is also writing and developing a new puppet show which can be performed all year round, not just at special occasions. The children are excited to be part of this and still 30 children turn up each week to practice and train in puppetry. All productions have a Christian theme.
Sadly, one of Pastor Sergey’s relatives passed away and he conducted the funeral on Sunday. As he stood by the graveside he got cold and has been in bed ever since with a flu virus. He is not well so please pray for him.
Bohdan also wants to try and help the church and people in Okhtyrka. Next week, he plans to visit with food bags to help this impoverished town.
Conscription remains a stark reality in the region, often handled with little compassion. One member of the church, Ilya, has recently experienced this first hand. Four years ago, at the start of the conflict, his mother and sister left to seek safety abroad, leaving Ilya behind with his ailing father. His father, whose health has been severely affected by alcoholism and who is registered as disabled, relied on Ilya as his carer. For this reason, Ilya had previously been exempt from conscription. However, recent reassessments of disability status meant that his father’s category no longer qualified Ilya for exemption. Ilya, who had just turned 25 and was due to complete his studies in April, was summoned to the military office to register. There was no opportunity for him to collect any personal belongings or say goodbye; he was simply shipped off to Sumy on a bus.
Two years ago, Ilya had come to the church seeking support and found a new sense of family. He became a Christian and was baptised in 2024, quickly becoming an active member of the church community. Bohdan hopes that Ilya, a trained chef, might be assigned to help in the kitchens rather than sent to the frontline. Now his family grieve for a son that has been taken to war.
Many come to the Centre for help, not always is it for food or warmth, many times it is seeking spiritual help. Bibles are requested, and more often than not, these come from the teenagers who are trying to find out the meaning of life. War has such a massive impact in so many ways.
As always, thank you for your ongoing support and prayers.
Every blessing
Peter Martin
Founding Director of Hope Lebedyn
