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Dear Friends,
Firstly, a big thank you to those that came out to our service of prayer and thanksgiving on 25th February to mark the first anniversary of this terrible war. It was great to see such a large crowd gathered to pray for Ukraine and for the team in Lebedyn. To have some of the team present, to hear Bohdan speak, and to see baby Zoryana was a special treat. It was also a joy to welcome so many Ukrainian nationals to the meeting who joined us trhoughout. The service was recorded and we have a link to the recording if anyone is interested.
I spoke with Bohdan on Wednesday and there is a level of stability in the region due to the fact there is more power available to all. The villages in the region of Sumy, close to the border to Russia, lie empty and uninhabited with the destruction of buildings evident. Fear of a Russian attack has meant the people have fled from these more remote parts. The area commander has said that small incursions akin to scouting groups have come across the border, but so far they have not penetrated through the defences. Daily the sirens echo out, and even today the schools are closed, with gunfire being heard, sirens ringing out and drones flying around. Just on Wednesday night, a huge explosion rocked Lebedyn. Air defence brought down a large bomb on its way south.
The team in Lebedyn have been asked to do more for the families of the soldiers fighting. Many in the church and associated to the mission centre have family members that are fighting on the frontline. More services will be held, more aid sought, and more specialist first aid given. One couple that have been coming to the church regularly have their son in hospital seriously injured from the fighting. I have said we will pray for this family.
A few months ago I asked for prayer for Alla’s (children’s worker) mother-in-law. She was captured due to her role as chief administrator to the Mayor down in the south of Ukraine where the fighting is at its most severe. She was released a little while back, too traumatised to talk, but Alla visited her last week in Kharkiv where she is staying with her sister. When she was captured a hood was placed over her head and she had to wear this the whole time of captivity. Food was scarce and what she did have tasted foul and “off”. Prisoners were only allowed to go to the toilet twice a day; there were 20+ people crammed in a cell with only 9 beds, so most nights were spent on a cold, dark cell floor with no heating and sub-zero temperatures outside and in! When the time came for her to be released, they heard stories that when people left they were filmed walking out to prove their release and they would then be shot in the back. Thankfully this did NOT happen. Instead they were told to walk off across the fields to get to the Ukraine army. It was very dark with no light or even moonlight to direct her ways. Prisoners all split up and went across several fields. She could hear explosions so she knew she was close to safety as that would be near where the battles and Ukrainian army were based. When greeted by the Ukrainian army, they were astonished to see her, and they told her they did not understand how she was alive. The fields the people had been directed to walk through were mined, and the explosions heard were fellow inmates stepping on land mines. Alla explained that many people had been praying for her safety. Alla’s mum is not a Christian, but she is thankful for all the prayers. No wonder she was traumatised. We thank God for answered prayers.
The bakery is now getting going, and the team are learning how to bake as you can see from the pictures above and below. They bake for all the children’s and teen work, and for the parents that bring them. All of this is very well received.
The work in the area continues with all the clubs for children and youth. Aid is being given out where we can get hold of it. The work seems like it never comes to an end and there is always more to do at the end of the day than at the beginning.
Bohdan has asked that we pray for both Musical Sergey and Sasha. Sasha is down with a flu type virus which Bohdan had. Because his immune system is compromised there are always concerns when he gets ill.
Musical Sergey is recovering from his operation but still without much energy. He tried to do something at the Centre this week, but was sent home. He also asked for prayer for four young people that over this past week or so, have become Christians and want to be baptised. They are Sofia, Camila, Alexei & Vadim.
Again thank you for your ongoing support and it was great to see so many of you on the 25th February.
Every blessing,
Peter Martin
Founding Director of Hope Lebedyn
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 marks the first anniversary of this terrible war between Russia and Ukraine. As a result, I have been able to have plenty of contact with Bohdan as we plan to mark this occasion locally here in Eastbourne on Saturday 25th February at 4.00pm, for a 4.30pm start, at Victoria Baptist Church with a service of prayer and worship. As we reflected we have been astonished by the amount of answered prayers, the amount of help given and the number of lives that have been impacted. The recorded interviews made for the service (in case we cannot do them live) have been done with Bohdan, and will be shown in the future. The service will also be recorded and we can send a link for those interested. Please email for this.
There has been a lot of military activity in Kharkiv area which brings more displaced people into Lebedyn. The flight path for missiles going to Kharkiv appears to come over Lebedyn, and several have been destroyed in the air above the city. It is quite frightening for the children. Otherwise, it has been a reasonably quiet week, with power on more than off. Nobody knows what to expect on the anniversary day and the weekend, but Bohdan has been informed that there are an estimated 10,000 troops encamped along the border of Sumy. Lebedyn now has between 2-2,500 troops based within it so there is expectation of hard times ahead.
Since my last report, and having the uncertainty of the above situation, the team have tried to reach out as much as possible to the vulnerable, disabled and displaced. Most of these people cannot get out of home to even get supplies and have very little income to buy anything.
As they drove around the villages, not much has been done to repair buildings and infrastructure. There are people living in abject poverty with no local shops open. As shown below, they were given the iCare food boxes donated through Mission Eurasia to help us in the region. These boxes give enough food for a family of four for 7 days. We are grateful for our partnership with them.
Aid is still being distributed, although stocks are getting low. The usual meetings have been taking place with extra gatherings happening to distribute more seeds to families, ready to plant and harvest later in the year. The teenagers still come to meet and the number grows week on week. Just this past week, Sophia, whohad been coming with her friend sporadically, really met with God for the first time, and it was an amazing meeting by all accounts. She now wants to be baptised along with the growing list of others.
We have been mentioning about the bakery for a while and I am pleased to say that all the work has been finished and it is ready for use. The team that bakes are learning how to use the new ovens, and loads of flour has been ordered and delivered ready to start baking and giving bread out to those in need. Apparently the smell is lovely through the building!!
As this is the one-year anniversary, I want to take this opportunity to thank those that receive these updates and have been standing with us in prayer and have been so generous with your donations throughout. This now goes out wide and far so thank you for spreading the word.
We have found out that we are probably the only charity that is working within the Sumy region, so we are really making a difference into the heartbeat of the community. God has been good and gracious, and Bohdan said in one of his messages he recorded that we must rejoice always. We are thankful for their safety and protection, and that their buildings and activities can still happen when so much has been closed.
Keep praying and keep supporting and spreading news about the work and thank you once again!
Every blessing,
Peter Martin
Founding Director of Hope Lebedyn
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 has not seen as much military action in the region and although sirens have been going off they are not so regular but tend to last longer.
Sadly, Bohdan and his family have been struck down by a horrible flu-type virus, and Bohdan has spent the week in bed trying to get rid of a high temperature. He has seen a doctor twice, but there is nothing anyone can do. Please continue to pray for the family as the youngest of his children has been hit hard with this virus at the same time.
Activities still continued and as usual, work with the children and youth took place through the weekend. Numbers were high in attendance as you can see from the pictures above and below. The children and youth want to be at the Centre all the time!
Through the week, services were held and aid was given. Again numbers seemed high. That could be just people are needing more aid, but Bohdan thinks people are very nervous about the anniversary of the war. There are many rumours that an invasion will happen again, with greater air strikes and with more force.
On Tuesday a meeting was held and aid given. At the end of the session two ladies asked to be prayed for and became Christians. They found a joy and peace amidst the chaos of war. Many are still turning to God to look for a hope.
As mentioned before, the old and vulnerable seem to suffer the most, so food parcels are most welcome.
Although Bohdan and his family have been unwell, it has been good to see the team do so much during the week. Musical Sergey is now at home following a stay in hospital, so we need to keep praying for all their health so as to continue this work. We were able to send a few supplies and treats to Bohdan this week which really cheered them up.
Belated Christmas presents were sent with the help from our friends at Hands of Hope in Romania who regularly send parcels by going over the border into Ukraine. This was the first time we tried this and it worked brilliantly. We are thankful for such help.
Here in the UK, we have some meetings with other potential partners to get aid and help to the Centre. Please pray that these are fruitful.
Thank you all for your continued prayers and support. Please keep praying for safety and peace, and that in these next few weeks they will not experience the military activity predicted.
Every blessing,
Peter Martin
Founding Director of Hope Lebedyn
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 has been a week where the team has seen both the quiet and the noise of war . On Monday, the team managed to get a day off. There were no sirens all day and no threat of military activity. There was an unusual peace. It meant Bohdan had time to spend with Zoryana giving Alla a break. Bohdan said that it was an oasis and reminded him of times before the war. It had been snowing, so as you can see from the picture above, he took Zoryana out on their sled!
However, the weekend had sirens throughout and then on Wednesday a message was sent round to close all schools and workplaces in the area due to impending missiles attacks. They stayed closed for the rest of the week.
Much of the work this past week has been focused on the elderly and vulnerable, as well as giving more seeds out. As people sat around drinking tea they shared stories, each one knowing families deeply affected by the war. People are becoming angrier and show bitterness about what is going on.
After school this week, the Centre has held some English classes. Parents are keen for children to learn some English, and it is not possible to do this at school as all lessons plans are disrupted by school closures.
Before the war the Centre organised sewing classes and workshops. For many people they rely on this for making clothes they otherwise couldn’t afford. Alongside this they would make bedding to take round to the hospital. In Lebedyn hospital they do not provide bedding or food – you must take your own in and for many that are on their own this is simply not possible. They have also been making bedding for those that are displaced and arriving in the town with nothing. This week the team have been back action sewing and training some people along the way as you can see below.
Of course, the usual things like giving aid when we can obtain it has been handed out as well.
Some of the team and family are unwell and Bohdan has asked for prayers for them. His own boys, especially their youngest have had high temperatures with no other apparent symptoms. Musical Sergey has been under the weather for a while, but suddenly took a turn for the worst. He has been taken into Sumy hospital with heart issues and high blood sugars. Apparently, he is quite poorly but they are doing investigations as to what is going on.
We have been preparing for some meetings coming up, and it was amazing to recap over some of what has been done over this past year and how God has answered prayer in peoples lives. The testimonies have been quite astonishing and will be shared over the next few weeks.
Thank you for all your ongoing support and prayers. The team really appreciate them.
Every blessing,
Peter Martin
Founding Director of Hope Lebedyn
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 has been a tough week for the team in Lebedyn and a lot has happened since the last update.
Tensions are rising as troops build up along the border. Everyone is expecting another mass invasion but are busy preparing defences. Last weekend bombs fell in the Lebedyn area taking out the power plant. Subsequently, they have it back up and running with limited capacity, but for a few days there was no power even in the centre.
Fuel is starting to run short so although we have generators the problem will be obtaining the fuel to run them. Many families are fleeing once again, but new rules around conscription are in place and no men can leave the country. I am told by Bohdan that they have also imposed restrictions on Ukrainian males living outside the country that if they do not return within 3 months they will tried for treason when they return. It is splitting families terribly.
Aid too is getting hard to obtain as Lebedyn is so close to the Russian border. We have sent extra funds over to help get some basic medical and food supplies for those in desperate need. We are also planning for the potential evacuation some of the families of the team if things escalate further. However, it is thought that the onslaught and big battle will not start until around the anniversary date of the war.
Air raid sirens are currently active for most of the day. When I did a video catch up with Bohdan he had to rush at the end to go and pick up his 3 children from the school bomb shelter. He said they get used to it now, but their hearts are heavy with all that is going on.
Even with all the above happening the team have been very busy. The teenagers and youth still got together to study the bible and have other activities. 47 arrived at the centre in the dark, walking through unlit streets to get there. We cannot stop them meeting to study and pray as they plan other times to meet at the centre even when not planned. It is keeping Alla and Luba busy. Children’s clubs were much lower in numbers as some families have left the area, but most were taking shelter at the time everything was happening. Even so around 30 children turned up.
Aid is still being given out. The seeds were distributed to many families through various services that were held. This will continue over the next few weeks. Having these seeds gives hope of new life and of the guarantee of some food in the future.
The team are still planning the future. Alla is planning for our first ever spring camp at Easter, Bohdan prepares for teaching and training so everyone can hear the Christian gospel message, Musical Sergey is preparing a new puppet show, Valentine and Lyuba plan for all the youth work, and Farmer Sergey helps with the aid and in every team, as well as looking after the evangelism programme until spring!
All the above is a stark reminder that, although we do not see as much in the news about this war, it is very much happening, and now escalating. We need to pray for peace more than ever, as many lives will be lost if no peace found. Bohdan said yesterday that every day funerals are happening in the town. Loved ones are worried. In the church in Lebedyn all have family members on the frontline. It is so tough for them all.
Please do not forget about the service at Victoria Baptist Church on 25th February at 4pm, as we hope many will come to worship and pray for the team in Lebedyn and within Ukraine.
Our thanks again for your ongoing support.
Every blessing,
Peter Martin
Founding Director of Hope Lebedyn
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,
As 11 months of the war have passed, tensions are rising once again. What you will be reading in the news is happening in Sumy.
Today, I spent some time chatting with the team whilst sirens were going off as they have been for the past 48 hours, almost non-stop. Shops are closed and there are long queues for banks, sometimes taking over 4 hours to withdraw cash. People are starting to sell things to get money to be ready to flee, if necessary.
New conscription laws are coming into place to try and get those that have fled the country back to fight. They are only giving permission for males to be out of the country for 3 months maximum. If they do not return, they have threatened to imprison them if they go back after the war. Everything seems to be going up another gear now.
Power, and therefore heat and light, are becoming more sporadic which is dampening people's resolve. This has affected some of the work the team have been doing as numbers have been lower than normal. Parents will not let their teenagers come to the clubs (understandably) with no streetlights and sirens going off. That being said, around 30 will still come out and after school Alla has many that just come and meet, all arranged by the young people, and show in the picture above. Less people were also out at the teenagers homegroup, but again, those that came had a great time.
Food is now becoming more difficult to find, and this week we have been trying to work with the team to source aid and food supplies. We had the offer of 5 tons of aid from Romania, but we had to pick it up, and sadly we could not make this happen. We still have some supplies, but with shops closed things will get very tight soon. They still have supplies to help mothers with young children’s food, but aid is now going to be the next challenge given Lebedyn’s position in the country.
For Bohdan, and some of the team, they had the funeral of one of his close friends, Vyacheslav . He had been a lieutenant in the police until his call up to the army to fight, and was a massive help to Bohdan and the camps we have run over the years. He was actively involved in his church when not away with the army, and over 500 attended. He leaves behind a wife and children, and was only 47.
On the faith side of things, many are still coming to the church for help and prayer. New Christians are asking to be baptised and numbers are growing weekly with new believers. Bohdan said it is strange to be planning a baptismal service when sirens are going off! The team want to do a special Easter camp for the children. This year they only get one week off school. Musical Sergey is preparing a new theatre production of the Easter story which will be shown daily for everyone.
We have also had delivered thousands of packets of seeds. Each year these are given out to the needy families in the area (plus some for the Centre’s allotment patch!) to grow vegetables and fruit. For some this is an absolute lifeline, and the only way they will find food. A service is held where they are distributed, and then people come back in September for a harvest service to give thanks for their produce.
The team’s appetite for the work they do is just so impressive. They all look tired, but they are resolute and undefeated in their goals and mission.
Once again the team send their thanks for all the love and support they are getting. It is keeping them going - that is for sure!
Every blessing,
Peter Martin
Founding Director of Hope Lebedyn
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 I was able to have a long chat with Bohdan about the situation out there.
Locally, the situation is much about the same, with power being slightly more regular in its supply and sticking to their 4 hours on and 2 hours off with residential buildings. The children are struggling as each area of town has different times for their power outage, and this doesn’t connect with the school’s online programme. Education is fast becoming untenable with this situation.
At the Centre we still have power and the authorities have connected us to the main power site directly, so unless they get bombed, the Centre will have power all the time. Plus, we have been able to acquire 2 large generators which have the capacity to run both buildings – they have been donated through another charity working out of Greece. This has been a real answer to prayer. Bohdan is now going to talk with the local schools to see whether the Centre could be used for an after-school club, and run refreshments and help for parents at the same time. We could be fast overcome by demand and then have the same issues as the school, so we need wisdom on how to do this in the best way.
In Lebedyn, troops numbers have been building again and many more are seen patrolling the area. This is in response to a build up of troops along the Russian border once again. Currently, there are over 2,000 troops based in the city which raises the risk to more military activity. They use Lebedyn as a hub for resting soldiers before sending them back out to the front line. One soldier known to the Centre had served on the frontline for 8 months without a break. He was told originally he could have 2 months off and then go back, but with the current situation they recalled him after just one week. Bohdan said he was exhausted.
New statistics have been released and it is being reported that:
All of this has been weighing heavy with the team. Conscription looks more and more likely for some of them, including “Farmer” Sergey as those studying are currently not conscripted. This is likely to change. Bohdan still has his military release papers so he will be safe from going to fight.
Bohdan has asked that we particularly pray for them as a family and the team and their families. Pray for peace and safety and that the work they do in the mission centre as it continues.
This week the team have been focussing on helping families that are struggling. Nappies have been given out daily to those parents needing them as there are so few in the shops locally. The children’s and youth work continue. At the top of the page and below are pictures taken this week of the young people, and those around the table have asked Bohdan for a weekly bible study group so they can understand more in their faith journey. Many of them have become Christians recently.
The team have also helped many other people as word continues to spread about that we are doing. The family pictured below were given aid and support. They live in a village just outside Lebedyn and they simply have nothing. Other strangers came to the Centre to share about their situation, so they set out to see them to give food and supplies to help. They were overwhelmed and amazed that they could be helped in such a way.
Lastly, I had a text from Bohdan in earlier in the week to say that one of his closest friends was killed down in Zaporizhzhia. He was called up to fight a while back and together they had run summer camps together as well as done other ministry work together in the Sumy region. It has been a tough week for them in so many ways and they constantly need our prayers.
Thank you for your kind gifts, prayers and messages of encouragement. They have been so appreciated and have been passed on.
Peter Martin
Founding Director of Hope Lebedyn
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,
The same viruses as we have been suffering with in the UK have hit the team in Lebedyn. Several of them have been suffering with high temperatures and this flu-type virus. However, the work has continued. Every day aid is being given out and Friday and tomorrow (Monday) the team are handing out nappies to parents with young children for free. This follows a delivery of some new stock donated by another charity. The children’s and youth work continues through this weekend as normal.
Since the scares of a missile being downed in the city a week or so ago, things have been a little calmer, but sirens go off all the time especially at night. Nearer to the border it is a different picture, with towns and villages still being hit regularly.
Most of the intense fighting is down near Bakhmut which has featured in our news this past week. Above is a picture of Tanya and Oleg who arrived in Lebedyn this week from Bakhmut along with their 2 children.
They say that their town is unrecognisable and more than half the city has been – quote - “wiped off the face of the earth!” They did not want to leave and were involved in the local church. A rocket crashed into their house, but thank God they were sitting down in their basement and were kept alive. They were recovered from the building but lost everything. They arrived in Lebedyn standing in their slippers!!
They were given an apartment to rent in the centre and the team have helped them get the clothes and aid they need to exist including food packages. They were so grateful we could help, and we have created an additional fund and sent it out to the team in order to help other people Like Tanya and Oleg who similarly have arrived with nothing until we can get some more supplies of clothes in.
Tuesday was a tough day. Although Bohdan was suffering with this virus, he had a call from Pastor Sergey for his help. At the weekend Sergey’s cousin and brother-in-law died suddenly. This was due to illness but with the lack of doctors around there is not much help if you get seriously ill.
In their culture they have the funeral within 3 days of death, so Sergey had to go and take the funerals. At the centre services were being held and aid was due to be given out so Bohdan stepped in and took the prayer service and then a service for those that are not Christians. Both had over 80 people in attendance and many received aid and help where it was possible to do so.
I cannot believe that we are only 6 weeks short of the first anniversary of the start of this war (24th February). To mark this moment, Hope Lebedyn, together with Victoria Baptist Church in Eastbourne, will having a special prayer and thanksgiving service on SATURDAY 25TH FEBRUARY AT 4.00PM at VICTORIA BAPTIST CHURCH, 7 Eldon Rd, Eastbourne BN21 1UE.
War permitting, we will have the team being streamed into the church so we can hear directly from them, and we will have time to pray and worship in support. I am reminded that in one of my very first updates I wrote that after the war broke out, the church and mission centre got together to give thanks to God for their safety. So we will replicate that on the 25th.
We will start with some tea and cake, with the service starting at 4.30pm. The reason for this timing is firstly it enables the team to join us as they are 2 hours ahead and if we did it much later they would be outside of their curfew. Secondly, it means that for those that need to travel it is not too late. Victoria Baptist Church seats 450 people, and we would love it to be as full as possible to show our support for these wonderful people. Please do email me if you have any further questions.
Thank you so much for your continued support and look forward to physically seeing as many of you as possible on the 25th February!
Peter Martin
Founding Director of Hope Lebedyn
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,
Happy New Year to you all! I spoke with Bohdan yesterday and he sends his greetings and thanks for all your support, especially over this past Christmas season.
As I write, the team are coming to the end of Christmas celebrations as the children’s work continues through to the weekend where the old orthodox Christmas has been traditionally celebrated. Due to the war, Ukrainian people now have transitioned to mainly celebrating Christmas on the 25th December, and pulled away from the orthodox timeline of it being January 7th.
Your support, both financially and prayerfully, has been overwhelming through this past month. Below you will see some pictures taken from the camps and activities. Fuller reports are still to come through so there will be more to share.
What has been evident so far is the hurt and pain children are going through currently. All have family fighting or that have been injured, and all knew of people that have died through this tragic war. It is scarring young lives.
On Christmas Day Bohdan text me to say he had gone down with a flu type virus with a high temperature, but he was still at the church and centre as there was much to do.
After the Christmas service they handed out aid to all those that had come along much to everyone’s surprise. Food stocks are not great in local stores and getting ever more expensive to purchase, so to walk away with food and supplies was warmly received.
Starting on Boxing Day was the camp for teenagers. They had prayed for 60 young people to come along but instead had 75. Costa, the husband of Lyuba, shared his story of how he overcame drug addiction and many asked lots of questions around this as it challenged them on their lifestyle choices. Yes, that is Bohdan dressed up in the photo at the top of the page narrating the Christmas story!!
They also had a lady turn up in army fatigues, which was interesting. She is a local lady who has been called up to fight and who had been based locally for training. She had no bedding or much equipment, and was told that there would be none given when on the frontline as there was simply nothing available. We were able to give some basics to her like toiletries, and included a sleeping bag to keep warm at night when not fighting.
During the Christmas period you will have seen in our news that Russia launched many missiles upon Ukraine. One rocket was shot down over Lebedyn, which created a loud explosion but little damage thankfully. Many parents were fearful about letting their children go out and so the next day they only had 45 young people. That changed as the week went on and they were back up to full numbers again. There was a lot of uncertainty around this time as you can imagine, but the young people pleaded to come back. Bohdan said that many were crying as they wanted to be there together and be normal again.
In the past you might recall us praying for Azat who was eventually found after being beaten and tortured by the Russians. He had been pastoring a church in Okhtyrka. This week many of the team went there to give out aid and help. The church is small but we gave as much support as we could give at this time, but they will be returning soon to see what else can be done. This area has been hit hard early on in the war with many missiles and rockets.
This week there is not so much a camp, but something going on each day for children and those with special needs.
The puppet show gives at least one performance a day and presents are given to all the children. We are hoping that every child in the city will attend through this week to hear the Christmas story and receive a present.
Below are some pictures of the children receiving their presents and enjoying the puppet show. Thank you to all of those who gave so generously to make this happen. Good conversations are being had to help the children through these war times. They have many questions which Bohdan asks them to submit, and then he answers them all. Some of them are very deep! The response though has been amazing.
These activities will run up to and through this next weekend.
In other news Bohdan has asked that we continue to pray for Misha. He has been sent to a rehabilitation hospital following the 2 strokes he had. He has lost all his balance so in unable to stand currently. Also Farmer Sergey has been laid up with a very heavy cold/flu type virus, and has had a high temperature for several days now.
Please pray for them both for a good recovery.
Over Christmas power was available a lot more, and since then they have had power at all the times they needed it for all the activities and work. Even at home there has been more regularity in receiving power which has helped.
On Christmas Day Bohdan wrote…. “We send our Christmas greetings to all those within Hope Lebedyn and the church. Christmas is an event and time of year that allows us to have hope in the midst of despair, joy in the midst of grief, faith in the midst of human disbelief and apathy, love in the midst of hatred and life in the midst of death”.
With your help the team have been able to bring and give some of that hope to the many they will have engaged with. We hope and pray that this will make a difference in their lives.
We do not know what 2023 will bring, but thank you for continually standing with us as we journey with the team out in the Sumy region, and with the work they are doing. There are lots of things being planned right now for the late winter/springtime, and indeed through all the year. Our next update will hopefully elaborate a little more on that.
So thank you again! May we all experience peace this year, and we all wish you a very Happy New Year!
Peter Martin
Founding Director of Hope Lebedyn
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,
It is at Christmas we are being reminded of the phrases “peace on earth and goodwill to all mankind!”. When you then look through the lens of how Ukrainian people are living, they are praying constantly for peace and that there would be some goodwill, but the rhetoric that is being given says that Russia intends to upscale their efforts in the New Year – or perhaps sooner. For many, Christmas will be hard in so many ways, so please can you continue to pray for families that have been bereaved or are missing loved ones due to this war.
This past week in Lebedyn has witnessed days where there has been heavy shelling in the area and other days where it is more peaceful. Today (Thursday) Bohdan told me that yesterday there were many rockets they could see flying around but today there is peace, but still little power. Despite the ideal of having 4 hours of power and 4 without, most of this week has been 16 hours without power, heat or light. This makes it very hard to teach children and have any normality to life. People are getting tired of it and downhearted as you can well imagine.
As it is Christmas time this past weekend the team did some different things with the teenage young people. The young ladies met and had fun doing Christmas crafts and games, along with many other special seasonal things, and Bohdan with Valentine and Farmer Sergey took the young men to the local “bathhouse”. Apparently this is quite a thing to do and they loved it, discussing life and the effects of war. A bathhouse is like a roman steam/sauna room where the temperature got up to 100 degrees Fahrenheit!
Last weekend we heard that Misha, who is like our janitor/caretaker and looks after the security on site and the boiler room, had two strokes very close together. He is still in a bad way and there is not the medical support around to give him the best care. In the New Year they are hoping to transfer him to a rehabilitation centre. Please pray for him and his family. He has 5 children between 10-20 years of age.
Also last weekend, Bohdan and his family took a day out to visit Pastor Andrew who is in Samatoivka. They are very close to the Russian boarder and this village has received much bombing in recent months. The day they went there was no bombing and Bohdan was able to go and encourage them in the work they are doing, share within the church services and we have also been able to help them with some of the supplies we have been able to get. There was no power or light through the day as this situation is worse in this region. Pastor Andrew was immensely grateful. They work a lot with soldiers and their families and although some photos were taken we are not at liberty to share.
During the week aid continues to be given out, and, as the pictures above show, the team have been busy going out to buy presents and supplies for all the Christmas activities. With the number of sweets they have bought, the local dentist should be kept busy for a while!
So, as Christmas is upon us now, the team out in Lebedyn send their greetings by video. Please click on the image above and it will take you to a message on our website from them to you!
Can I take this opportunity to thank you for all your support, prayers, donations and love shown throughout what has now been 10 months of war. The messages of encouragement you have sent have been special. We are not sure what 2023 will bring, but we know that together we can make a difference.
When we see the amount of work the team have been able to achieve in this small city, extending out into the whole region, it has only been possible through your generosity and with your love, care and prayers. Early in the New Year we will be making an announcement regarding a special event at which we hope you will be able to join us so, watch this space!
On behalf of both the UK and Lebedyn team, we wish you a Merry Christmas and a peace filled New Year.
Every blessing,
Peter Martin
Founding Director of Hope Lebedyn
