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Dear Friends,
The second week of the camps finished well.
Over 200 children have attended so far these past few weeks, each with their own individual story of how they cope living in a time of war and conflict. When asked, the most common thing they fear is that loved ones will not return from the fighting. They were keen always to pray for peace.
Thankfully, throughout this time the bomb shelter did not have to be used although on several days sirens sounded as the children arrived at camp. It has been felt that children have really appreciated the camps much more this year. This week, the team have all been able to take a day or two off to recover, with the exception of the catering team who have taken the whole week off. These wonderful people are all volunteers, but come in each week to bake bread and meals.
All the children that were new to the camps and region, and who did not own a Bible, were each given a copy of the Jesus Storybook Bible in Ukrainian. They were so pleased to receive this.
There are plenty of pictures and stories to share from the camps. Below is a picture of Danik. Bohdan wrote:
"I have already written about Danik before as he is a boy who I sometimes did not understand and could not accept, because he was always on his own wavelength.
In this camp, he was just a completely different boy whom I did not even notice (in a good sense) because I did not need to make any remarks to him. Danik was not noticed by his bad behaviour as before but this time he was noticed by me for his attentiveness and obedience.
This is the boy I saw very often in the city, wandering the streets and saying he was told to leave the house. He once sat alone on the steps of the store and played on the phone, because, according to him, he was kicked out.
Danik was in my team probably more than 5 times. How wonderful it is to see the changes taking place in his life. On the last day of this camp, Danik said the following words: "this is the best day in life, but at the same time it's sad because it's ending”.
We want prayer support for this child, who is only a child according to documents, but in fact, he is already like a mature young man who God can form, or has already begun to form into a real Christian young man."
The heat and conditions in the Ukraine have been widely reported in the news here in the UK, as on one day this past week, temperatures reached 45C with the kitchen having to operate with temperatures over 50C. Fridges are not coping, and on top of this power cuts are far too often, and for longer periods of time. All of this is hampering the plans for the camp for teens next week with over 70+ teens expected. Food in stores is in short supply with ever increasing prices, their fridges are not coping with keeping fresh food chilled, and many are only wanting cash for goods purchased which is hard as there is a shortage of cash at the banks, with banks being closed for much of the time during power cuts.
Below is a picture of Lyuba and Sasha working during the power cut as the generator had kicked in working.
In other news, Bohdan shared that within the region, much of the extensive fields of wheat should now be harvested. However, these fields have been targeted by the enemy to try and destroy the food supply and export. Missiles, drones, artillery fire are all used to try and cause maximum damage. Farmers are nervous about harvesting as still some fields could be mined. Bohdan asked that we could pray for safety for the farmers and for this situation.
Larisa has been in touch to say a massive thank you for all the food we purchased a few weeks back. She is so grateful of our help and support. You can see her below serving drink and foods for the children. You can also see the bomb shelter that is being built, which she is raising funds to complete for the children.
Here is a video from the children saying thank you. Most of these children are newly orphaned by the war.
This past week, the Ukrainian government authorities did an inspection of the orphanage and queried where the good food was from. She was able to say that the Centre in Lebedyn had helped which they seemed happy with. She has a growing number of children both here and in Austria to look after.
We are still fairly desperate for aid, as supplies have dried up, and all that we received over the past months has been given out to help those in the region. Bohdan said the need is growing as many just cannot afford what is in the shops, and many of the old and vulnerable cannot leave home to even get it. They have increased the number of services they are doing weekly and seen attendance growing this week. Once the camps are over then bread will be baked and distributed.
We thank you for your continued support and prayers - it has been amazing to see so much happening over these past few weeks in the hearts and lives of children. Next week, God willing, they start again and meet with the teenagers.
Every blessing
Peter Martin
Founding Director of Hope Lebedyn
