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Dear Friends,
Another week has passed, and the war continues to take a heavy toll on the communities in and around Lebedyn. A planned trip to Byshkin last Friday had to be cancelled when it became clear that the road was too dangerous to travel.
Bread has been baked again, and additional services and events have been held to distribute it to those most in need. Children’s and youth activities have continued with growing attendance, and the young people also led a service at another local church.
Preparations for the summer camps are well underway. The first camp will take place in the first week of June, when the team has been invited to run its usual programme at the school in Grintsevo. Parents will be invited during the week to share in the excitement and see their children enjoying the activities. There is a large bomb shelter available if needed, though we pray it will not be. We are responsible for providing breakfast and lunch, while the school kitchen team will prepare the meals.
Food prices have risen sharply in recent weeks, significantly increasing the cost of the camps. Please pray that the camps will run smoothly, that all the logistics will come together, and that there will be enough team members to help, which remains a challenge for some of the six weeks.
The strain on family life continues to grow. Arthur, who served on our team some years ago, left Ukraine with his wife to live elsewhere in Europe so that he would not be called to fight. His father had been ill for a long time and sadly passed away this week. Arthur was unable to return in time for the funeral, which added greatly to his grief. As has happened so often, the church had to manage everything for the family, with little or no relatives present. It is heartbreaking to see how much sorrow and pain families are enduring.
On a more encouraging note, Ivan visited the Centre while home on leave. He is a soldier and a friend of Costa, Lyuba’s husband. Like many men in Ukraine, Ivan had fallen into drug and alcohol addiction and was sent to a Christian rehabilitation centre near Kharkiv, where others have also been helped through Bohdan’s recommendation. He came through the programme successfully and has been serving in the army since the war began. On Tuesday, Ivan came to the Centre unannounced and asked to speak with Bohdan. After talking together, he prayed and became a Christian. Bohdan and the team are now helping him find a church near where he lives and serves. Please pray for Ivan, and for many others in the armed forces who are searching for hope.
Bohdan also travelled to Zhytomyr at the weekend for Paulo’s wedding as you can see in the photo above. Paulo served on the team as a youth pastor until three years ago, when he moved there. Bohdan was invited to preach at the service. Paulo’s father was probably our first youth pastor and has since pastored a church in Hadyach. In the first six months of the war, Bohdan and the team helped that church receive aid from Poltava. The church is now struggling and has asked for support, so Bohdan and the team plan to visit in a few weeks. Please pray for Paulo and his wife, and for Andrew and his church.
Please continue to pray for more aid to come our way as this is now desperately needed and for a new resident caretaker to replace Misha as he has left the country.
Thank you all so much for your ongoing support and prayers.
Thank you for your continued ongoing support both financially and prayerfully. It is very much appreciated.
Every blessing.
Peter Martin
Founding Director of Hope Lebedyn
P.S. It costs around £35 for one child to attend a non-residential camp week. This covers two meals, drinks, snacks, and all activities. We need to send $25,000 to meet these costs, so if you can contribute in any way, we would be very grateful.
