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 week had been a little quieter in Lebedyn until late Wednesday when two ballistic drones hit in the street Bohdan lives, just 100-150 meters from his family home. The picture above shows the house that was hit.
Bohdan was driving in his car returning from Sumy city with Ratmir when Bohdan had a call from Alla. All he could hear was heavy breathing. Obviously, he was terrified of what might have happened. Alla and Zoryana had been walking back from the store and when the drones hit they dropped to the ground and couldn’t speak. Sergey came to collect them and took them to the Centre where it was safe but both were terribly shaken. They went home on Wednesday evening, but 4 year old Zoryana did not sleep well .Bohdan said that Thursday morning she was still shaking, does not want to run around the house as usual, and is very subdued. Such a massive trauma for all concerned. Please do pray for them as a family.
At our meeting on Wednesday, Bohdan shared that anxiety, depression, and anger are increasing as the war continues. The loss of life, missing loved ones and family members called away to fight—often with no communication—are taking a heavy toll. More people are turning to prayer, but they are also crying more often.
Areas east, towards the Russian border, are under mandatory evacuation orders. In the Sumy region, more than 34,000 people, including 436 children, remain in these most dangerous areas, and 121 people have been killed since January. More than 4,300 people, including 161 children, have been evacuated and are now internally displaced. Internally displaced people now make up 25% of Lebedyn’s population, worsening already severe poverty. (All statistics are from the Sumy government authorities, 8 October.)
The woman pictured below arrived at the Centre on Monday, desperate for help. She had been evacuated to Lebedyn from the area near Samotoivka. When the family was told to leave, her husband was taken away to fight. Within days, she gave birth and now has no home, family support or husband beside her. After the team delivered bread to the college dormitory hosting refugees on Tuesday, she crossed the road to the Centre to ask for help. They gave her nappies and, at her request, a Bible. She is desperately searching for hope amid this turmoil.
We are still waiting for our large truck of aid. Unfortunately, it remains at the border, because vehicles must be registered before crossing, which is causing delays. Please pray that it will get through soon, as the aid is urgently needed.
Thank you for all the comments, prayers and support for Larisa’s work with the orphanages. Bohdan and the team have been unable to find a temporary building. Larisa is met with the Sumy regional government yesterday to present her case. The process is complicated because demand is high and the government has very little space available, although one or two suitable buildings are currently vacant. After Larisa presents her case, the council must vote on whether she may use one of them. We hope and pray that they can offer her a building. Meanwhile, all the children are becoming very ill, and some are developing unusual allergic reactions. As Sumy remains the third worst-hit region in Ukraine, we wonder whether substances released by bombs and explosives may be contributing. We are urgently trying to source medication, but supplies are difficult to obtain.
All activities continue, including clubs for teenagers and older youth, children’s clubs, home groups, the bakery and much more. The puppet theatre’s three teams are busy rehearsing for the camps now being prepared, as shown in the pictures below. The camps begin in ten days: one will be held at the centre and the following week at the school we have been supporting in Hyrntsevo.
The Centre’s reputation is widely known, and its work has blessed many people over the years. An army chaplain contacted Bohdan for help after front-line soldiers requested 100 Bibles and 100 copies of the Gospel of John.
Finally, some good news. We previously shared that Sasha and Rita married a year ago, and they are now expecting their first child. The baby is due on 22 February, the anniversary of the war! How wonderful it would be for the child to be born in peacetime.
Thank you for your help, support and concern for everyone affected. Your kindness keeps the team going through these difficult, dark days.
Every blessing,
Peter Martin
Founding Director of Hope Lebedyn
If you would like to donate to Hope Lebedyn or support any of our projects, please visit Support us - Hope Lebedyn for more information.
