From 17th - 24th February we are holding a week of prayer as we remember the 2nd anniversary of the war in Ukraine. To help you pray, we've created a PDF guide that contains some daily prayer points.
Click the image above to view and download it.
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,
Yesterday, we had a longer meeting than normal because, as you can see from the picture above, all the team joined together so they could share stories of all their work. It was great to see those that could make it!
There was much in common within what they were saying. All said it is getting so much harder to do their work due to the level of military activity in the area. Sirens are sounding for longer, and travelling around to villages is getting more dangerous, but that is where so much need is. They vowed to continue to do that work as long as they can. They also mentioned that many families are fleeing the area, and those left behind are struggling with the trauma of everything. Young people are hardening their hearts as they tire of the war. They long for peace and stability. They have become a tight team where they encourage each other despite all they are going through. Every member of the team can tell a story of people they know who has been killed or injured in the war. Bohdan shared that he found an old photo of the youth together from 2014. Nearly all the then teenagers are fighting in the war, and he reckoned that nearly 50% have been killed.
Sasha reported that he has a good number of young people attend his computer classes aged between 6-23 years old. They are given work and homework to do, so some drift off as they think it is only a way to play computer games. From here many of them will join the other groups held within the church and Centre.
Musical Sergey has 26 children in the puppet theatre now – the largest ever! These are split into three teams. They rehearse each week,and are frustrated that they cannot travel more to give their shows as the roads are too dangerous. They visit the hospitals, orphanages (such as they are) and some schools with their shows, sharing stories from the Bible in a contemporary way. Many children come to the Centre to see their shows. Sergey also oversees the work with the elderly. They meet each week, and he also does computer classes for them . Again there is much need. Many are alone and isolated; some have partners that are severely disabled and in need of help. Bread and food is often given. Sergey said that at the beginning, their tradition was to pray to icons within the orthodox church, but now they pray to God in a true way and they see great spiritual results.
Valentyn and Lyuba reported on the work with the teenagers. There is little stability in numbers attending due to sirens, and families arriving and leaving. There are a good core group now meeting in homegroups as well as the clubs. There is growth, but it is slower than they would like. The young people struggle with their identity, but through love and encouragement and Bible study, they are seeing that change more and more.
Svitlana’s work with the children has been amazing. The children trust her. Her studies in child psychology help her within this work, but she has been trying to teach the children to be thankful even in times of war as this will keep them positive and kind to others. Numbers again fluctuate for the same reasons as with the youth.
Aid is still hard to find, but thanks to your generosity there was some surplus within the Christmas appeal money, and all of that, with some extra specific gifts received, have now been sent out to purchase food, aid, and sanitary wear for the elderly. The planned aid from Germany has not materialised, so we are still searching for more supplies.
Many of you will remember a post I shared early in the war about a young lady called Natahsa. She has been known for many years to the work in Lebedyn as when a teenager, she was involved in an accident that has now left her bed-ridden and with no mobility. At the start of the war, this family were struggling as they lived in a village called Vorozhba nearby to Lebedyn. Access to facilities and food was almost impossible. The team were able to help, and through a kind donation, a house was bought in Lebedyn for her and her family to live in. It has been transformative for both Natasha and her mother, as her mother gets to go to the Centre for the services and the church help where they can. I mentioned above that the war is getting more intense within the region and on Monday/Tuesday there were sirens for three hours at a time on several occasions, and sounds of a big explosion. It transpired that Vorozhba was hit badly, people were killed, and most houses had significant damage. It landed very close to where Natasha’s family used to live, and they would have been injured, if not killed, if they had stayed there. We are so thankful for their safety, but it shows also how close the war is getting to Lebedyn once again. It also shows that it is not military areas that are being targeted, as this is just a sleepy village outside of Lebedyn.
The team are trying to visit this area and some other nearby villages this week, but Bohdan said the roads are terrible and it is a very risky journey. We continue to pray for their safety.
Please see the reminder note below about our prayer service coming up soon on February 17th. We will be sharing other stories at this time of how the war has impacted people and the impact of the work to the people both physically and spiritually.
Thank you for your continued support and prayers. It is so appreciated.
Peter Martin
Founding Director of Hope Lebedyn
P.S. please remember that we plan to hold a service of prayer on Saturday February 17th at 4.00pm at Victoria Baptist Church, Eastbourne . Bohdan will be speaking to share some of his thoughts through this service. His attendance is of course war permitting. Because the support base for Hope Lebedyn has widened to even be international, we are looking into having this gathering live streamed. If this is possible the stream will be by invitation only. If you would like to be part of the stream then please do let us know so we can register you. It would be great to see as many of you as possible in person if you are local or are prepared to travel to be with us. We also hope that this will start a week of prayer for all that is going on in Ukraine which will take us up to the anniversary date of 24th February. More details will follow.
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 situation has not improved any in the last week, with constant missiles and threat overhead, and children at home rather than at school. There's even been high category sirens, which mean a bomb has exploded somewhere in the region nearby.
The past weekend has been busy. On Friday, I had the following text in with pictures from Bohdan. “Good day! Today we visited people who live below the poverty line or simply left alone in this life, and no one needs them, some cannot even walk. We bought food for them, distributed Christian literature and testified to the love of God”.
There is little aid left, and are trying to source supplies. We are still waiting for a big shipment from a German charity, so we are praying that this comes soon. In the meantime, the team buy what they can to help those in need. Families are really struggling, as more often than not, loved partners are away fighting or being a key worker, working long hours, and often away from their home town. This lady below with her baby, asked if we could help, and again some food was taken along with nappies. It is so tough for families right now.
The Bible College remains closed, as the college in Kyiv we partner with, will not send people to help because Lebedyn and Sumy is too dangerous to live in. Bohdan has asked for prayer for the team as they are a young team (him included!), and there is the constant threat of call-up for military service.
Bohdan has a sister (Oksana) who is married and Bohdan is quite close to her and her husband (Zhenya). Sadly, news came in yesterday that Zenya’s mother died very suddenly. She suffered a massive stroke. The family were close, so we want to uphold them in prayer at this time.
This weekend is going to be a very busy one. Today it is a bank holiday within the orthodox calendar. They celebrate the time Jesus was taken to the temple after his birth. It looks like the government have not stopped this celebration, so the church is holding a big service and will be up early baking hundreds of loaves of bread to distribute. They are expecting many people. Then, in the evening the youth will meet and Saturday will have children’s club, computer workshops and English classes. Sunday too will be full of the usual services, plus the youth gathering again as well.
Given the conditions the people in Lebedyn are living under, with the ongoing energy and faith they have, their work remains so encouraging and humbling at times. They continue to plan for all kinds of work that will help those within the community, plus special weeks with camps throughout the year.
Thank you again for your prayers and support at this time, and please see the reminder below for the service in Eastbourne in a few weeks time.
Every blessing
Peter Martin
Founding Director of Hope Lebedyn
P.S. please remember that we plan to hold a service of prayer on Saturday February 17th at 4.00pm at Victoria Baptist Church, Eastbourne . Bohdan will be speaking to share some of his thoughts through this service. His attendance is of course war permitting. Because the support base for Hope Lebedyn has widened to even be international, we are looking into having this gathering live streamed. If this is possible the stream will be by invitation only. If you would like to be part of the stream then please do let us know so we can register you. It would be great to see as many of you as possible in person if you are local or are prepared to travel to be with us. We also hope that this will start a week of prayer for all that is going on in Ukraine which will take us up to the anniversary date of 24th February. More details will follow.
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 intensity of the war continues within the region, and sadly the children have not been able to attend school this week. Sirens still sound daily. Over in Samotoivka where Pastor Andrew is, you can hear and see the bombs land, but in Lebedyn they are normally flying over to another destination hopefully for them to be shot down before damage gets done. Bohdan said to me it is only a matter of time before one lands in Lebedyn. Let’s pray not!
The team had an SOS from the soldiers based in Lebedyn. They had been helping in another city and when they came back they reported finding six families who were desperate for help – all had very small children. Nappies, baby milk and other supplies were given to the soldiers (along with some Bibles!) to take to the families concerned. They were so grateful, and now come and speak most days about how good it is to be able to help others. Once again these moments give favour to the team in Lebedyn with the military as the soldiers love what is being done through the work at the Centre.
There is still no news of Lena’s son’s body being repatriated for burial after all this time. She is hanging in there, but it is tough. We have also found out that Sasha’s cousin was fighting on the front line and went missing in action. Today, we heard that he had been taken captive by the Russian army and is being held prisoner. Please pray for his safe release.
The bakery is becoming something of positive local gossip! Bohdan said that “their bread has fame now!” People have said it is the best tasting bread and cannot wait to sample it. The soldiers too are hearing about it, and have asked Bohdan what it is all about. As a result they are going to bake extra loaves, and invite the families of the soldiers in and bless them with some bread. He is even going to try and ask the area commander to come in! We wait and see what happens.
Lyuda oversees the work in the kitchen as she is head chef! She is also musical Sergey’s wife. Bohdan has said that she is suffering with ill health of quite a serious nature which means it now looks like that Lyuda will have to step down from the amazing work she does. Like here in the UK, to cook publicly there are health standards and certificates that need to be held to do this work. Those that help Lyuda do not, or cannot, do this so Bohdan is now looking at someone new to take on this voluntary role. Alla is a possibility as she is a qualified caterer, but with 4 young children and homeschooling we think it might be one step too many for her! We would value prayers for the replacement to be found as people are now relying on the bakery.
Last week, I reported that Nicolai, one of the church leaders had left to try and help his family in Russia. The route he took was very circuitous driving the whole breadth of Ukraine into Poland, then up to Belarus and into Russia. Thankfully, he has arrived safely. They do have a problem though, in that getting access to their finances is nearly impossible and any inter country banking permissions have ceased. He cannot use his card or even do internet banking within Russia. This means he will have to come back in the spring so please pray for them as a family, and that the operation his granddaughter hopes to have will be a success.
I also write with good news and thank you for your prayers as it looks like Victor will not have to go and fight. They have told him that for now, due to a past medical condition, he will not be called up. Bohdan said that he has also been informed that, for now, he will not be called up either, as he has four small children with one being an infant. He said it proves that Zoryana is a true blessing!
Every Friday, the amount of youth turning up is growing. The photos on this page show a recent evening. This is even though many families are still leaving the area. This Friday they think that nearly 50 young people will arrive if there is no sirens. They also have had to grow the bible study homegroups as many come out on the Tuesday evening to these as well. This weekend will still see all the activities happening as usual.
I mentioned before that the winter/Christmas camp was a huge success. Bohdan’s has written a spiritual report, which should encourage those of you that have supported at this time.
The presents that were given at the orphanages, hospitals and throughout the season at all the special events were so well received. The team are now planning for an Easter camp week!
Thank you once again for your ongoing support and prayers.
Every blessing
Peter Martin
Founding Director of Hope Lebedyn
P.S. please remember that we plan to hold a service of prayer on Saturday February 17th at 4.00pm at Victoria Baptist Church, Eastbourne . Bohdan will be speaking to share some of his thoughts through this service. His attendance is of course war permitting. Because the support base for Hope Lebedyn has widened to even be international, we are looking into having this gathering live streamed. If this is possible the stream will be by invitation only. If you would like to be part of the stream then please do let us know so we can register you. It would be great to see as many of you as possible in person if you are local or are prepared to travel to be with us. We also hope that this will start a week of prayer for all that is going on in Ukraine which will take us up to the anniversary date of 24th February. More details will follow.
From left to right: Sasha, Valentyn, Lyuba, Svitlana, Bohdan, Farmer Sergey
(missing are Pastor Sergey, Musical Sergey, Victor & Paulo)
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 situation this week remains largely the same. Missiles fly overhead at night, and sometimes through the day, but thankfully the area around the Centre remains untouched!
Bohdan said to me on Wednesday that he thought it a miracle. In Samotoivka it is a difficult situation. Andrew does not want to leave, but bombs land daily very close to where Pastor Andrew lives, so he has to think about safety of his family and the work of the church. They do so much to support the local people who are largely unable to flee and live in poverty. We are talking about whether he could base himself in the Centre in Lebedyn, and then he could have the help of the wider team. There is much to think and pray through with this.
Another reason for asking Pastor Andrew to come over is that the church has lost another of their leaders, Nicolai. Before the war Nicolai’s daughter married a Russian man and subsequently went over to live in Russia. The tensions they have been living under have been immense as something like this can destroy families. However, news came through that Nicolai’s granddaughter is seriously ill, and the parents need help in looking after their other children while the granddaughter is in hospital and might need to undergo a very serious operation. She currently is paralysed and needs specialist care. Therefore, Nicolai and his wife have packed their belongings and will journey to where his daughter lives in Russia. It is a very dangerous journey, and many might think he is becoming a traitor or deserter, but they are going to help loved family members. Their journey is complex, and for obvious reasons cannot be shared publicly but they need our prayers for a safe journey.
Last week, I shared for prayer that “Farmer Sergey” had been served his papers and along with Victor, who was undertaking a medical, they were expecting to have to go and fight. The good news is that neither of them, so far, have seen this happen. The rules are that if you are under 27 you are not allowed to go and fight on the frontline. Sergey is 24, and will be 25 in March. However, they can still call you up to train and to do other military work. The oldest age you can go and fight has been raised to 60 years, but again, it is more likely you will be given a driving job or similar rather than fighting on the frontline. Sergey was told to go away and report back in April with no further action and then they will assess his case again. Such good news for now! Victor passed his medical, but has not heard anything about what is happening, so remains working at the Centre. We keep praying for favour. Here they are again below.
This week has been bitterly cold, with the coldest being around -23C to -25C!! And we think it has been cold in the UK! Despite this, the children and youth still come out to the various groups. Here are the youth that were out in these temperatures with it snowing as well. They just love being together. They also meet in homes for their Bible home groups and eagerly come to study. Bohdan has said his house is full on these nights as is Svitlana’s.
On a Saturday morning, the Centre is filled with classes. Although the schools might not be open, the two Sasha's lead different groups, one for English classes, and the other computer classes. Then, in the afternoon there are the children’s clubs.
We have good news in that Paulo will be joining the team as from the spring, war permitting. Paulo has a medical disability with his knees which so far has prevented him having to be called up to fight. He is 27 years old, so now eligible so it depends on whether the rules around disability change or not.
The shortage of aid is something we are still trying to address. We still expect aid from Germany to arrive this month, and Paulo is in contact with them to try and hurry this along. Many people do not like travelling to the Sumy region now as they deem it unsafe, but hopefully more supplies can come through. We sent some more funds out to help buy some aid in the meantime to help those in need.
There have been several families that have arrived from areas badly affected by the war. One lady from the Donetsk region arrived at the Centre with her children on Tuesday asking for help. They have been given somewhere to stay in a village called Budilka on the outskirts of Lebedyn, but they have no beds or bedding, clothes or food. The Centre now has a store of bedding which those that go to the sewing groups make for times such as this. We still need to find mattresses , pillows etc. Others have reasonable accommodation but just no money or food. Bohdan said that they lived in terrible conditions. We can take bread as each week still hundreds of loaves are being baked. And we have managed to source other foods so as to help. Bohdan or one of the team is also going to Kyiv or Poltava to see if we can obtain some food items there in bulk. Nappies for 10kg+ children and adult incontinence pads are now desperately needed.
Bohdan sent me some pictures of some of the team in front of the centre building. You can see one at the top of this page, and one here.
Thank you for your ongoing prayer and support. It is so appreciated.
Every blessing
Peter Martin
Founding Director of Hope Lebedyn
P.S. please remember that we plan to hold a service of prayer on Saturday February 17th at 4.00pm at Victoria Baptist Church, Eastbourne . Bohdan will be speaking to share some of his thoughts through this service. His attendance is of course war permitting. Because the support base for Hope Lebedyn has widened to even be international, we are looking into having this gathering live streamed. If this is possible the stream will be by invitation only. If you would like to be part of the stream then please do let us know so we can register you. It would be great to see as many of you as possible in person if you are local or are prepared to travel to be with us. We also hope that this will start a week of prayer for all that is going on in Ukraine which will take us up to the anniversary date of 24th February. More details will follow.
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,
What a week this has been, with many highs and lows. The amount of work the team were able to do throughout the festive season and beyond was exceptional, and this week they have enjoyed a few days break. Paulo and Inna have returned to their respective towns, but are praying through whether to join the teams on more full-time basis. This would give extra support.
The camp held from the 2nd – 6th January went well, despite the many interruptions due to missiles and air raid sirens. Bohdan said it is not much fun to come to a special meeting and sit for 4 hours in a bomb shelter! The first and last days were the worst for this, as on the 5th in the night over 100 missiles were fired from Russia to intended targets in Ukraine. The noise was quite frightening by all accounts and the children very scared.
A video was made of all the fun and action of the camp, and you can see this if you click on the image below, which will take you to our You Tube page. Also, a report will come through in the next few weeks telling the stories of what happened and I will share this in due course.
As you can see from the photo at the top of the page, some of the team gathered with friends to celebrate Bohdan’s birthday this week. There was lots of fun and laughter despite all that was going on outside and plenty of Pizza by the looks of things!!
The new minibus has arrived and already it has been taken out to get some aid. However, it is very cold and roads are treacherous with hardened ice. (see picture below). Many days are -20c or more, and the warmest has been -6c with very cold winds. This has not helped getting out and about. Bohdan was able to source locally (through funds sent) around 0.6 tons of food. We have given most of this to Pastor Andrew in Samotoivka where the situation is becoming evermore dangerous and desperate. Another college nearby Samotoivka was bombed this week – thankfully with no children or staff in the building at the time. We have a another ½ ton of pasta due in next week we hope, which will be given for free. Bohdan is trying to source food and aid wherever it is possible and with Bohdan’s car being fixed on Thursday this will help with transportation.
As I write, I have heard that “Farmer Sergey” has been served his papers, and is at the Military Commission having medicals with the view to being called up. Bohdan told me that there is a loophole in this system which he is hoping Sergey will be able to use. The law has not been changed on the minimum age that people can be called up to fight. That age is 27. Farmer Sergey in only 25. We are praying that this rule will be upheld, as he has been such a help especially to Bohdan at this time. Here is a picture with me and Sergey back in August when we visited in Ukraine.
As things keep deteriorating our prime concern of course is the wellbeing of the team. We are doing all we can here in the UK to support and encourage them at this time with special plans in place in case of emergency.
Next month, the war in Ukraine marks a its 2nd year milestone. Like last year, along with Victoria Baptist Church in Eastbourne, we plan to hold a service of prayer on Saturday February 17th at 4.00pm. We will send out more details nearer the time but once again we hope that Bohdan will be able to speak and share some of his thoughts through this service. His attendance is, of course, war permitting. Because the support base for Hope Lebedyn has widened to even be international we are looking into having this gathering live streamed. If this is possible it will be by invitation only. If you would like to be part of this, then please do let us know so we can register you. It would be great to see as many of you as possible in person if you are local, or are prepared to travel to be with us. We also hope that this will start a week of prayer for all that is going on in Ukraine which will take us up to the anniversary date of 24th February. More details will follow.
Thank you for you continued support and prayers. This past Christmas season has been hugely successful, and the team have done some amazing work whilst serving under enormous pressure. To those that again have sent messages of encouragement, we are so grateful. Let’s keep praying for peace as it really does need a miracle right now.
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,
Many of you will have heard that over the Christmas/New Year season Russia escalated its war activities in Ukraine, and sadly this was felt in the Lebedyn/Sumy region. On Tuesday I received a text from Bohdan to say that over 100 missiles had been launched in attack, but thankfully most had been bought down by air defence systems. However, the explosions were heard all around and many were encamped in basement bomb shelters for safety.
Since I last wrote before Christmas much has happened, with the team working tirelessly to help others. Firstly, I must thank you so much for your ongoing prayers for the team and the work going on out in the Lebedyn area. They were much busier than I thought they would be. Christmas Day was cancelled by the government, and therefore, there were no days off for families to enjoy what we probably take for granted. Although the intention was to have some time off, the team decided that they too needed to keep supporting those around. Here are some of the highlights:
Here are some more of the photos from last week.
Yesterday, as the team started the camp week off, Pastor Andrew and his family came over to visit Bohdan so his children could also attend the camp. The stories he told of the war in Samotoivka were, by all accounts, deeply distressing. This included how the local school was bombed just days ago, and it was 5 minutes after his daughter walked out of the building!
Schools, hospitals and churches are being bombed with regularity it would seem. Bohdan was able to get 600kg of humanitarian aid for him to take back and help people in the village. Ruslan, Pastor Andrew’s son is now presumed dead but it still difficult to prove this. Normally DNA tests are used, but because Ruslan was adopted at a young age this method cannot be used. Alla found the news disturbing as families are being torn apart
When I met with Bohdan yesterday afternoon, Farmer Sergey and Inna (who is back helping the team) shared more stories of how the war is affecting the team and region.
Victor, our site manager, received his call up papers at the age of 56! Pastor Sergey’s son Andrew also got called up, as did our previous site administrator, Sasha, who broke his back in an injury quite a few years ago. Bohdan was surprised that they would call him up, but they are desperate for more soldiers.
I promised Bohdan that those of us that pray will continue to do so, and especially for their safety as there is no doubt things are escalating again quite rapidly.
Aid has effectively run out and we are waiting for a delivery from a German charity this month that have promised to help. We hope that they will be able to get through to the Centre.
Thank you all for your kind wishes, donations and support over this Christmas period. The team are aware of them and thank you deeply for all your love and care. Bohdan said he was humbled by all your care and attention.
Let’s hope and pray that in 2024 peace will return to Ukraine once more.
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,
What a year this has been! Today’s update will be the last of the year, as next week the team are busy with the Christmas programme and preparing for the Christmas camp the following week. Today, this will be an update of two halves. The first being an up-to-date report on what needs prayer and support, and the second half a review, which puts into context the amazing work and ministry the team have achieved through the year, plus a message from Bohdan!
We struggled to video this week as power outages are more common than not. Today was 20 minutes on, and 20 minutes off! We got there in the end!! There is sad news in that Lena, who used to head up the cooking and now helps on a voluntary basis in the office for Bohdan, was informed that her son had been killed in the war. Her grief is strong due to the fact that her daughter died quite some time ago, and now she has lost her son, Sasha. They cannot hold the funeral yet as the body has not been repatriated back to Lebedyn. In fact, Sasha’s body still lies in a battlefield somewhere along the frontline, and the Russians will not let the dead bodies be collected.
The view of Bohdan is that many people are suffering and getting angry about the war. People are leaving the area, including people within the church, to try and find a safer place to live. Rumours of further invasion are rife. The government has also cancelled any days off over Christmas, so there is no time off to celebrate this season. The church and Centre will be celebrating Christmas on the 25th December instead of the old orthodox Christmas on 7th January. On Christmas Eve they have a special service in the morning, and then in the evening until curfew they are holding a massive meal for all the church family, team, and families and friends to celebrate together. On Christmas Day they all celebrate at home with their families. On Boxing Day the team start their 4-day visitation to orphanages, hospitals and special daily events for families. Then, after New Year the camp starts from 2nd-6th January – war permitting. We ask that you continue pray for the team over this period, for their safety and effectiveness in all they will be doing.
Still the team are visiting and helping those they can with aid, including freshly baked bread. Youth groups and children’s clubs continue. There’s no stopping for Christmas. See pictures below…
The list below is not exhaustive, but an indication of what has been achieved by the team in Ukraine in partnership with Hope Lebedyn in the UK. Nothing done in Ukraine happens without the people hearing about God’s love, whether in a service or through Bibles and literature given out.
When ask about how many people had come to faith, Bohdan thought and said, “more than I can count!”
This is the reason for our existence. The only hope for those people who are living in this conflict is the hope found in Jesus Christ.
We have also seen many praying for this work. Our prayer update is shared around the world, not just in the UK. In Eastbourne, Victoria Baptist Church continue to hold a special prayer meeting for Lebedyn and Ukraine every week.
The financial generosity has been exceptional, and whenever a need has been there, a donation has been received. These have come from churches, from sponsored activities, individual’s, companies, rotary clubs and charitable trusts, both home and overseas. We are conscious that God has provided for all the above and much more besides. THANK YOU!!!
Our trip into Ukraine in the summer was something we will never forget. The joy of being together with Bohdan and Alla, their family and Sergey, albeit in a country at war, will forever remain in our hearts. To be able to hear the stories of how the war is impacting the Sumy region was both heartbreaking but inspirational. To find out the level of commitment of this team was just incredible, and the times of prayer, powerful.
Thank you for your help, support, and encouragement through this year. The team in Lebedyn and Trustees here in the UK send our Christmas greetings.
At the top of this page is a Christmas card from the team in Ukraine, but if you click on the image it will take you to a YouTube video with a Christmas greeting from Bohdan!
May you enjoy a Merry Christmas, and we look forward to journeying with you through the 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,
This week has been another busy week within the Centre.
Many of you might have seen that in Tuesday’s news the main Kyiv Star mobile communications network was bombed, causing the network to go down throughout the whole country. This is the biggest mobile communications network in Ukraine, so the impact has been immense. Ukraine uses this network as their main communication for air raid warning systems. This caused panic on Tuesday and into Wednesday, as many people thought Russia was invading again in the Sumy region because it was down. Schools also use this network, so it has been difficult to communicate with local schools if sirens sound. It is also the mechanism they use for online teaching, so this has seriously hampered schools once again. Bohdan has asked for us to pray that communications will be up quickly and ready for use.
There has been reliable information given that over the Christmas period, Sumy and the entire eastern border with Russia, will come under renewed attack with the intent of crossing borders. This is now creating fear in local communities within the region.
Meanwhile the work goes on. There have been many people coming from a village called Horky about 10km away for help. There is very little in the shops there, but the Mayor knows of the work done in the Centre, and has suggested they come to try and get some help. The team have been able to help all that have arrived thus far. There has also been a plea for help from the elderly. They told stories of how their children have been killed or are missing in action in this conflict with Russia, and they depended on them for help. Bohdan has promised to see what can be done. The Mayor runs the town but lives next door to Bohdan, and has 3 daughters. They joke that he has 3 sons, so perhaps this is a good thing!! His daughters came to the camp this summer and enjoyed themselves, and now come on occasions to the Centre to mix with the other children and youth. This is why he felt he could ask Bohdan and the team for their help.
In previous updates, I have mentioned twins called Nikita and Roman. Their story is a heartbreaking and they live in significant poverty within Lebedyn. They have been intermittent in coming to the Centre or youth homegroup over recent months, but in the past few weeks they have been attending every week. Roman is very angry as he does not know where his father is. Both struggle with the emotions and trauma of the war. This week, they both arrived at the homegroup, keen to study and engage. They had an amazing time. However, Bohdan could not help but notice that Nikita had very old boots on which had holes in, and were clearly not his size. He believes that they had been previously owned by his grandfather. Bohdan asked him about this and he was embarrassed, but the family simply did not have enough money to buy new shoes. The next morning Bohdan went out and found out his shoe size, and bought a lovely pair of trainers. He was so excited, and has not stopped thanking Bohdan in his texts. Normally he would be angry and ranting, but today his heart is full of joy and love because someone dared to care. It shows that there is still much work to be done.
As mentioned last week, on Saturday the team went to Poltava for a youth conference. The travel on the roads has got much worse since Bohdan made the last trip to that region, but thankfully they left plenty of time to arrive on schedule. They met with around 100 other workers, and were able to share notes and ideas of what is good to do with the young people they meet with. It was a fruitful and good time.
This week, production of bread is still growing, and they have also added other things such as muffins and other sweet things as treats for Christmas. These are all given out at the end of services and activities held. Hundreds come along for help.
Below is a picture of Sasha. He is a young man in whom the team have invested heavily with in training and encouragement over recent years. Last Sunday he spoke and gave the sermon at the church for the first time, which went down well. These things encourage the team in what they are doing, seeing many progress in their faith journey and to be active within the church.
Next week’s update will be the last over Christmas, as I plan to take some time off with the family and the office here in the UK is closed. However, the update will be longer than normal as it will include a review, some photos, and some very special greetings! Bohdan has asked though that we please pray for the plans for all the Christmas activities as there are so many things they want to do. The main hospitals in the region will be visited where hopefully the puppet theatre will perform, and presents will be given out, there will be a week’s camp, special family days especially for the younger children, puppet and theatre shows for all, special services and lots of bread and aid given as well. Please pray for the preparations and plans, and that they are kept safe as they start some of the visits soon.
Thank you for all your support, prayers and encouragement. The level of donations received over recent weeks has been so encouraging for the team, and the ongoing work which they will do in hugely difficult circumstances with the people in the Sumy region.
Every blessing,
Peter Martin
Founding Director of Hope Lebedyn
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Dear Friends,
The situation in Lebedyn this past week remains largely unchanged. It has been biting cold, and school was cancelled every day due to sirens and military activity.
Bohdan took the team over as planned to visit in the village of Hryntsevo, and to the people at the church in Okhtyrka, taking food parcels with them. The roads were exceptionally bad on this journey, and there were many big holes created by the war which have iced over. The conditions make it treacherous to get out and about. Aid continues to be hard to obtain, and local food prices are still rising. Please see the photos below of some of the people they met.
Other supplies are now also running low. During the war they have received 2 shipments of 10,000 packs of nappies and now they have all gone! The average salary in Lebedyn area is around $250, with a bag of nappies the equivalent of $15 for around 10 days supply. So, these are very expensive. Incontinence pads for the disabled and elderly have now all been given away, so again we need to find a source for these to help those in need.
Activities at the Centre are going exceptionally well, with more attending each week. The children's club is growing, to the point they have to consider what is a safe number of children to host. The English classes have been a huge success, and parents are queuing up to send their children to these. The youngest group learning is 6-8 year olds. They hold this before the children's club so that afterwards they can go and enjoy the fun of the club.
The youth meet socially every Friday evening and they enjoy having fun. Also mid-week there are homegroups for the youth, and Bohdan holds one of these at his house now. The first one was this week and it was a huge success. Little Zoyana (Bohdan's youngest) loved having the attention of all the girls there. Bohdan shared that one of the girls that attends he remembered that after she was born he held her in his arms, and now she does the same to his daughter! They love eating together, so Alla cooks them a lovely meal, and I think a few loaves of bread go home as well to help fill the youngesters' appetites. Svitlana also hosts a homegroup for some of the younger teen girls in the new apartment along with Lyuba. They would meet everyday if they could!
This Saturday, Bohdan and four others go to Poltava for a day conference about youth work in the eastern regions of Ukraine. This is hosted and sponsored by Young Life International. They know of only two churches doing work in Sumy, which is why they feel their work is vital encouraging teenagers and preparing them for what they might have to come up against once turned 18. They will find out who is working in this area and it will help build relationships.
On team news, Luda is much better now that has the right insulin, and is back baking bread in the Kitchen. Miroslav is still struggling with his emotional health, and they plan to see a specialist doctor in the next week. The trouble is that they must travel to Sumy where it remains very dangerous.
Bohdan still helps Pastor Andrew over in Samotoivka who is really struggling and has asked for prayer. Pastor Andrew and his wife have spent a lifetime adopting and fostering children, as well has having their own children. They currently have three sisters living with them as they kept trying to escape local orphanage so they took them in. They have around six children living there currently. Ruslan is their oldest son who was adopted. He was called up to fight in the war early on and was fighting on the frontline. Ruslan has gone missing, and they have not heard from him for 6 months. They are desperate to find out what has happened to him. Their second son Dima has also been called up and has now done his training. Whilst not currently on the frontline, there is talk that he too will be posted on there ready to fight. Their 3rd son, Zachary, is due to finish his studies at university around springtime. He has already had a visit to say that he too must be called up to fight. Andrew and his wife are so concerned for their family and the dangers they are being exposed to. Please keep these people in your prayers, and especially for the safety of Ruslan.
On some good news, we have been searching for a new vehicle, a minibus, suitable for the work they do at the Centre. Bohdan’s friend has managed to source a very good minibus from Germany, which is just such an answer to prayer. It is more expensive than planned, but we are all thrilled to have found this. It will really help them on trips to hospitals, orphanages, to help transport the disabled to and from meetings, distribution of aid, as well as helping the puppet theatre to visit many more places. It will prove invaluable to them.
Life is never boring in Lebedyn. The team are always doing something, and preparation for all the Christmas activities are going well, with a full schedule during three weeks over the festive period.
Thank you for your ongoing prayers and support.
Peter Martin
Founding Director of Hope Lebedyn
