While peace talks make the headlines, the reality in Sumy, and now Lebedyn, is very different—missiles continue to fall, and the team often works through the sound of explosions. Thankfully, everyone is safe. The team have distributed more bread this week and, thanks to your generosity, have been able to fund 300 food boxes for refugees! Camp and youth event plans are moving forward, and even in the darkness, there’s joy.
As fighting near the Sumy border intensifies, more families are fleeing to Lebedyn for safety. Food is getting harder to source, but Bohdan has found a new wholesaler to help provide basic meal packs for just £10. The team continues to support places like Larisa’s growing orphanage and struggling villages like Shtepivka. Youth groups are still full, but heartbreaking decisions are being made as families send teens abroad for safety. Amid it all, camp and conference plans are moving forward—offering kids a much-needed break from the reality of war.
Last weekend, around 50 young people gathered for a mini youth conference in Lebedyn, and it was such a success the speaker from Kyiv wants to return! While the region continues to feel the heavy impact of war, with refugees arriving daily and aid running low, there are still moments of real hope—like one gentleman, who lost everything but found faith and joy through the Centre. Plans for summer camps are underway, including a special week for children with additional needs.
Lebedyn remains under a fragile calm, with missiles still passing overhead. Despite the tension, the team has been busy - delivering aid to bombed villages, providing special formula for a malnourished baby, and baking extra treats for soldiers and care homes. Over 300 people attended recent services, with two coming to faith! Bohdan received his exemption papers quickly this time, a big relief, and preparations are in full swing for summer camps, and the first youth mini-conference kicks off this weekend. Please keep praying for peace, strength, and continued protection.
As the world marks VE Day, war continues in Ukraine, with over 1,200 missiles hitting the Sumy region this year alone. Yet amid the challenges, the team remains busy - helping families, supporting orphanages, helping soldiers, and giving out aid and bread. Youth work is growing, with baptism classes underway and big plans for the summer camps. The local hospital even thanked the team with a certificate of appreciation. Please keep praying as they prepare to reach over 500 young people in the months ahead.
While Lebedyn has been calmer this last week, nearby towns like Sumy and Samotoivka face heavy attacks, forcing families to flee. Pastor Andrew’s family is now seeking a permanent home as returning isn’t safe. The team has focused on helping young families, which has brought some joy. Even small things—like remaking broken candles into something usable—make a big difference.
The past few weeks have been very difficult for the area of Lebedyn and Sumy, as you will have seen on the news. The destruction of the war has been on the front doorstep at times. But, the team continue to faithfully serve, and it is remarkable what they continue to achieve whilst leaning on each other and their faith in Jesus!
It’s been another tough week in Ukraine. Sumy was bombed again, injuring 23 children and damaging schools and hospitals. Pastor Andrew and his family had to evacuate to Lebedyn, where many others are also seeking safety. But there’s good news too—our long-awaited aid truck arrived, just in time to help those in need! Camp preparations are in full swing, and spirits remain high despite the challenges. Please keep praying for safety, strength, and healing especially for Pastor Sergey.
It’s been a hard week—Sumy city has been hit hard, and missiles hit near Pastor Andrew’s home. Delays to the aid are causing concern as well. Despite the danger, the team keeps baking, helping families, and preparing for camp, which filled up fast. Many young people are hurting, but find hope in the work the team do! Pastor Sergey is unwell again, so please keep praying. Thank you!
The area around Lebedyn continues to be under attack, and with food is running low, aid can’t come soon enough. Pastor Andrew is not well, but staying on in Samotoivka for his church, while Pastor Sergey is recovering after emergency heart surgery. Despite it all, the puppet team won national prizes, and Dasha and her grandmother have found hope in Christ and want to be baptised. Please keep praying for peace, strength, and provision—your support means so much!
Attacks on Lebedyn have continued this week, making life tougher than ever. Pastor Sergey has been taken ill, and needs heart surgery but hospitals are overwhelmed. Larisa's orphanage is struggling with no funds for food or heating. Yet, the team keeps going—baking bread, welcoming more young people, and preparing for a much-needed aid delivery. Thanks to new partners like Ukraine Relief, help is on the way.
This week Lebedyn was hit by a drone attack. Thankfully, the Centre and the homes of the team were spared. However, the youth meetings are growing, we’re baking and sharing bread, helping students learn catering, and supporting those in need. But challenges remain - medical care is scarce, and Bohdan faces struggles with his exemption papers. Your prayers and support mean the world, reminding people they’re not forgotten. Thank you for standing with us!
Sadly, as we approach the 3rd anniversary of the war on 24th February, military activity has escalated this past week, with some of it over Lebedyn. However, all the team's activities have continued, and there is some good news from those we've been praying for. But, the need continues to be great.
After a few quieter weeks in the region, late last week there was another heavy attack, particularly on Sumy city. However, clubs have gone ahead and are really well attended, bread has been baked and distributed, and the team continue to help the community. Aid is in short supply, but plans are in motion to obtain more!
This last week the team have been able to go ahead with weekly activities because there have been fewer sirens, drones and missiles, which has been very welcome. Some of the young people continue to come despite parental or peer pressure, and are growing their faith amazingly! Whilst some flee the area, others are returning to help. This week Peter also had the opportunity to meet up with an old friend!
It has been a quieter week for the team now the camps finished, and military activity has reduced as well. Bohdan has been reflecting on the camps, and is still enthusing about them. There is much need amongst the children, many of whom have experienced such loss, and the camps offer them the opportunity to experience love and kindness. There's new from the special service held last week as well!
This last week has seen an amazing Winter Camp. One of the best so far, it has been filled with fun, but also stories of families impacted by the war. The team have also been out to a school and Larisa's temporary orphanage. We also have an update on much needed aid.
Happy new year! We have news this week of the team's activities over the Christmas period, including their visit to a school nearer to the Russian border where they took Bibles and the puppet theatre. Work also continues with soldiers, and local children and youth, all of whom continue to attend the church and Centre in great numbers!
Christmas is nearly here, and plans are in full swing. Unfortunately, the holidays have been delayed by the government which means a delay to the camps, but they still go ahead! The team have been out in the local area distributing aid and performing with the puppet theatre to bring some cheer to the children and community. We also have a new video for you made by the team to celebrate Christmas!
Last week was quieter than it has been which was a relief. The children and youth have continued to come to the Centre, which is a chance for them to be 'normal' young people. Bohdan and Farmer Sergey joined the trustees for our meeting last Monday, and they were able to share stories of need and we were able to pray for them. Preparations for the Christmas camp continue which the team are excited about.
This week saw the 25th anniversary of Peter meeting Pastor Sergey. The rest is history, which is full of amazing answers to prayer, and no small amount of hard work. Schools have allowed children in as there have been less sirens, but their time is limited. Bohdan has been travelling, and has also put plans in place to help Larisa's orphanage. We've also managed to obtain some more supplies of aid to distribute.
This week has seen more bombing and drone attacks in the Sumy region. Power cuts are even more frequent, and rationing of it is inevitable. However, the team continue their work, and groups continue to meet for Bible study, games and fellowship. The work making and supplying bedding to the community is growing, and plans for the Christmas activities are in full swing!
This week saw the 1,000th day of this war pass. Over 70% of all families have been displaced from their original homes, and huge numbers have been killed or injured. Yet, Bohdan and the team in Lebedyn continue to reach the least and the lost, and underpin all they do in prayer as practically demonstrated by the youth this last week.
The situation in the Sumy area has continued to escalate this last week. It is now very difficult for the team to move around, and problems with power have affected baking, and damaged some equipment. However, the team continue to be resilient and are in good spirits,, continuing their work handing out bread and Bibles! We've also an update from Larissa and the orphanage.
We're glad to bring more news and a video of the Autumn Camp this week. There has also been concern at the increasing care with which people now have to move around the area for fear of being conscripted. We also have good news on those who have been poorly that we've been praying for!
We're delighted to share that the Autumn Camp has been able to go ahead this week, and they were over subscribed! We've a brief update today, with a longer report to follow. As you'd expect, the war continues to offer challenges, but people are still coming to the Centre for the clubs and classes in good numbers, offering the team the opportunity to serve and share the Gospel.
This week, the region has been under the heaviest fire so far. Bohdan was shocked to see the dead in the Sumy area when he recently visited. It reinforces the reality of the war. However, the team find the positives in what they are doing - the autumn camp planning, baking and distribution of bread, and handing out what aid can be found.
This has been a week that has started to see power rationed, but the last few days have been quieter. It has certainly not been without it's challenges - Bohdan was called in to prove he shouldn't be called up to fight! The bakery continues to provide free bread, and the clubs are still able to meet, so there is a lot of good work still happening.
Life in Lebedyn is still very difficult, with explosions being heard every day. The good news is Bohdan is out of hospital! The bakery continues to provide free bread for the community, and the children and youth groups are still meeting.
This week has been a difficult one, with Bohdan ending up in hospital. He is determined to see the Gospel continue to be preached though! Despite the close proximity of the fighting, the youth and children's clubs have been able to continue, which is amazing.
There have been more frequent explosions this week, and the war has felt extremely close. However, there is great work still taking place at the Centre with the children and youth, the bakery is very busy, and more there have been more services preaching the Gospel!
This has been as tough a week for the team as they have known. Please read on for items they have asked for prayer on. Happily, Pastor Andrew was able to visit this week, and many people continue to attend the activities that are possible at the Centre so amongst the gloom there are also stories of hope!
Conditions in the region continue to be extremely challenging. Military activity is going on all around, and above, Lebedyn. However, the team continue to serve their community in remarkable ways, and are seeing people come to faith.
Sadly, this latest update brings sad news of a missile strike on the orphanage that Larisa runs, and that the Mission Centre in Lebedyn have supported.
This last week has been a frightening time given Lebedyn's close proximity to the Russian border where Ukrainian troops have crossed. Nonetheless, the camp was able to run, and some of the team have taken time off. They've also been busy preparing food for the winter, and baking bread to hand out to those in need.
As you may have seen or heard on the news, there has been much more military activity in the Sumy area. However, Lebedyn has remained unharmed thus far, and the teen's camp has been taking place. It's been an anxious time though, as you might imagine. Still, the youth have been enjoying their time camping at the Centre, whilst other activities continue there and at the church.
This week has been more encouraging, with fewer power cuts and sirens. The teenager's camp was able to go ahead, with some great stories of how the youth have been helped. Watch the video highlights too! We also have some prayer items for you
Another successful camp has finished, with many children in attendance, despite the heat. Conditions in the Sumy continue to be challenging for the team, with food now becoming difficult to source. The reality of war continues to be hard felt in other ways as well.
The second children's camp has finished and gone very well. We've news of one special story, and of Larissa and the orphaned children that we were able to send food to, who have sent us a message back!
Despite power cuts and hot temperatures the team went ahead with the first camp, and many of the children were still able to attend. They had a wonderful time as you'll see, and each of them received a present!
As the second week of summer camps comes to an end, we reflect on a time that been both incredibly rewarding, but also challenging. Sirens and power cuts continue, but the children have had a wonderful time!
This week we have a short update about some of the summer camps for the children. These have gone ahead despite challenges with power, food and water, with the children having a wonderful time, distracting them from the situation around them.
This last week has seen some sickness in the team, and lots of power outages as electricity is rationed during the day. The good news is the solar charger has arrived, and the team continue to receive and distribute aid, along with hygiene kits. Registration for the Summer Camps has also begun, with great success!
Power outages continue to be a problem in the region, but the team have a solution for the Centre! They continue to work hard distributing aid, and are now preparing for the summer camps which they've decided will go ahead, including puppet theatre team training.
Last week was exceptionally difficult, as some of you will have seen on the news. Drones, bombs and missiles are a constant threat to the region now. Laws are also changing, which may impact the team. However, services and clubs continue, and the team seem upbeat.
This last week has seen some highs and some lows. The team's hard work has paid off, and a lorry-load of aid arrived from Germany! Sadly, a cruise missile strike damaged the power station that serves parts of Lebedyn, but miraculously, power was diverted and the Centre was able to operate.
As the war continues unabated, the work of Bohdan and the team continues amongst the children, youth, and the community. English classes are proving a great success, and the bakery continue to give away hundreds of loaves a week. There's some good news on the aid front too!
It is sad to report that the situation in the Lebedyn area remains very difficult. People are fleeing from Sumy every day, some of them coming to Lebedyn and others going further afield. The team though, continue their amazing work. Bedding is sewn, "cakes" and bread are baked, and they somehow manage to find food and other provisions to give away.
This week, Holy Week, has focused the team on the last week of Jesus' life, and how God turns the most evil of things into great joy. The war continues around Lebedyn, now with many refugees arriving in the town, and at the Centre. Bohdan and the amazing team though, continue to serve the children, the youth, families, and the elderly in their community!
In the past week or so, we have seen in the news the intense pressure that is being put on Ukraine through increased military activity. This has meant some clubs cannot run, but the team have still been baking bread and going out into the community. Aid is becoming harder to source as donations dry up, but this last week has seen some promising conversations with other organisations that may help in the future.
The last 10 days have seen a mix of highs and lows. News of the death of a friend killed in the war came as a shock to the team, but they have seen great progress in work with local schools, and have also been to the largest care home in the area.
Last Saturday the Trustees met, followed by a service to mark the start of our week of prayer ahead of the 2nd anniversary of the start of the war tomorrow, and we were delighted to be joined by Bohdan and Farmer Sergey. The week that has followed has been extremely challenging for the team. The military activity in the area seems to be escalating, and aid supplies are proving hard to find.
This week has seen the date which most of our calendars will tell us is the day of “love”- Valentine’s Day! War challenges the root of love. Many are grieving lost ones, many suffering life changing injuries, some abandoned, many away fighting away from home, and others living alone and destitute, longing for the care and love of someone around them. 14th February is a difficult day for them. The team continue to reach out to all these people and show God’s love in hopefully a practical way. To feed, share encouragement and often giving someone a hug!
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 to download that contains some daily prayer points.
This week, Peter's usual meeting with Bohdan became a meeting with the whole team. They were able to give updates on each area of work they are involved in, which was amazing. The war continues, with sirens sounding more frequently than ever, but the team continue to visit those in need with aid and friendship.
Today is a bank holiday, and the team aim to make the most of it with youth and children's clubs, classes, and services this weekend! The situation in the region has not improved at all, and conditions are really difficult, so the Centre and the team are a beacon of hope for the community.
This week, children have not been able attend school at all because of the war. The team have been busy - working to bake bread, find aid for those displaced by the war, and running the ever popular youth meetings. This update also contains Bohdan's report about the winter/Christmas camps that many of you so generously supported.
This week has been even colder than last week! Despite this the youth and children continue to enjoy their time together and are keen to come. Aid is still difficult to find, but the team continue to work hard to find it in trying circumstances.
This last week has been extremely cold, down to as low as -20c! It has also been Bohdan's birthday, and the team have had a few days off to rest. During this time they have created a video of the recent children's camp which we have shared here. There is also worrying news about 'Farmer Sergey'.
The team have worked tirelessly over Christmas and New Year, despite an escalation in military activity in the region. Today's update brings news of the Christmas Camp, and the services and events that have taken place since our last update.
Today’s update is divided into 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!
This week has been another busy one. Ukraine's main mobile communications network has been taken down by bomb damage which has made life more difficult for the community, but the team continue to work in the local area giving help and aid where they can. We've news of this and a special 'first' for one team member!
This week the team have been braving the biting cold and sirens, travelling to take aid and support to other villages and churches. The youth and children's groups are growing, and bringing much needed joy to young lives. Life is never boring in Lebedyn!
Winter has certainly arrived in Lebedyn, with snow and freezing rain. As usual, the team just get on with it! Preparations are being made for Christmas, and there have been great stories of the youth coming to faith.
This week has seen snow, and temperatures well below freezing. As plans for Christmas are made by the team, they and their families continue to work amongst a community fearful of both the dangers of the war, but also of further conscription. On a positive note, we're delighted to share a song made and sung by some of the children who attend the Centre, and the team, to thank those who have supported them all.
This has been a difficult week for Bohdan and the team in Lebedyn. The number of funerals of locals killed fighting in the war is increasing, and Bohdan lost a long-time friend. Costs of basics are rising considerably, and families are feeling the strain. However, the team continue to serve, and there are good news stories! We also have a great report from the Autumn Camp for you.
From a wet and windy Lebedyn, we have news of the Autumn Camp, along with news of the community around them. Sadly, war is becoming a part of daily life. There is also an important prayer request.
Thank you for your continued support and prayers for the work in Lebedyn and Sumy region of Ukraine. This Christmas, we would like to bring a little hope to the children and young people of this area. Please can you help?
These last couple of weeks have seen the team hard at work. They have travelled great distances to source aid, and quickly distributed it. They've been into the local hospital and worked with the children there. And they have been able to provide the Autumn camp for the children over this last week. All this in spite of an escalation in the fighting that, in light of other sad world events, is now under-reported.
It's been another weeks of sirens and bombing, where the process of daily life is just getting that bit harder with winter approaching. However, the Autumn camp will still go ahead, the youth continue to meet and have fun together, and the team find new ways to help the community around them!
This last week has seen no let up in the war, with some of the Sumy area under sustained attack, non-stop sirens, no school, and yet the team in Lebedyn continue to serve. The new computer and English classes have begun, and the puppet theatre team have started their Christmas rehearsals!
Another week passes with sirens sounding and much military activity still in the region. Power cuts have become a regular occurrence, but that doesn't stop the team. Renovations to the bomb shelter continue, and planning for Christmas has started!
This week has been tough. The threat of bombing is increasing, with sirens sounding every day. Despite this, the clubs have started up again, and are as popular as ever. The team have also been to a nearby village to offer aid and support.
This week has been seen yet another increase in military activity within the region. On Tuesday night the oil refinery within Sumy was targeted, causing extensive damage, and, for the first time within Lebedyn, there was a bomb scare at the school Bohdan’s children attend. However, the team still plan, and this week we share a little of what has gone on and what they hope to happen in the coming days.
This last week, Sumy city and the region have seen an increase in missile attacks, including on residential areas. Against this backdrop, schools are trying to return, and work at the Centre continues, including baking of much needed bread. There's also news from the bomb shelter inspection, which will necessitate further spending.
After a period of intense military activity, the last few days have been calmer in the Lebedyn area. The team have been as busy as ever distributing aid and books, and have been asked to do more with the local hospital.
This past week marked the 18 month anniversary of this terrible war. Both Ukraine and Russia have suffered heavy losses, but the impact on family life and everyday living is taking its toll on people living in Ukraine. However, the team have been busy organising children's clubs, distributing aid, planning new activities and more! There's also good news from one of Bohdan's friends who was missing.
Sadly, the situation in Lebedyn and the Sumy region has deteriorated over this past week which included Ukraine Independence Day. Sirens have been sounding all day and night and bombs have been heard. New regulations are coming in that the team need to adapt to, but they continue their amazing work,handing out aid where they can, although supplies are running short.
It has been 2 weeks since my last update as we were away last week. Much has been happening to fill you in with for news, updates and prayer.
Last week Sandra (trustee) and Jez, Karen and I ventured over to Ukraine to meet up with Bohdan, Alla and family, and “Farmer” Sergey! Read more here...
Another week has passed where the military activity has once again increased. However, this week, Bohdan has taken a large group of children camping. Needless to say this is not in the Sumy region, but much nearer to the west in a camp near the Carpathian mountains where it is much safer. Find out more here.
This week has been a calmer week for the team with no camps happening. Instead they have been working on-site with the drainage and development of the playground, and helping those that have come to the Centre. There's also news from Larisa in Austria, and a special delivery!
The team have put together a highlights video from the teenagers' week of the 2023 Summer Camps. Once again, despite all that they are living through, it's fantastic to see these young people playing games together, worshipping, praying, learning, and generally having a great time!
The camp for teenagers this week has gone well, and as expected larger numbers than registered turned up. There has been plenty of fun, but also times of ministering to children who are living through a time of war and all the trauma that brings.
Week 2 of the camps finished on a high, and the team have had a week off between camps so it has been a little quieter for them. Feedback from the parents of the children that attended the camps has been so positive. Work, study, and play hasn't stopped though!
The team have put together a highlights video from the first week of the 2023 Summer Camps. It's great to see the children having loads of fun despite the circumstances they're living in!
What a week it was last week! Increased military activity, the threat of nuclear destruction, hailstones the size of marbles, sweltering heat and then the coldest day on record for this time of year! The week started in the bomb shelter, but the children had a great time, and kept coming back for more!
Last week was the first of the camp weeks and it started in style with torrential rain - and it has not stopped since! Bohdan has said that he has never seen as much rain as this during a summer camp week.
Over 100 children turned up, 25 more than expected. Around 75 have lived in the locality through much of the war. The other 25 are displaced children fleeing from very tough conditions, or they have just arrived back from living in Europe for a year. I was on a video call last Thursday and could see the children having a lot of fun and laughter, which was good to see.
The war in Ukraine continues to reveal new atrocities daily. The loss of life grows with 216,000 Russian soldiers alone reported to have died as of 13th June 2023. Ukraine has not suffered the same level of deaths, but the toll on family living and the innocent has been great. The team do amazing work, and many have come to faith as a result. We are so grateful for your continued support!
I had one of the most encouraging and helpful meetings yesterday morning with Bohdan, despite the intermittent internet signal and all they are going through. Their positivity and energy is simply amazing! The team are preparing the site ready for the new playground and planning all the summer camps, some of which are full already!
This last week has seen some calm in the area, although tensions are running high as the people are rocked by the news of the dam in the south being bombed and causing great damage. However, training, preparations for the playground, and the summer camps continue.
As there was no update last week there is some extra information for you within this update. The team continue to be remarkable, running the final children's camp before the summer and going out into the community to distribute aid. The situation locally is not great. There have been periods of no water and power has been intermittent once again, and yet the team continue to put smiles on faces.
We are now approaching 15 months of war in Ukraine. As you will have seen on recent news bulletins, Russia has escalated its attacks on Ukraine and in our region of Sumy there has been much new damage inflicted. However, there has been amazing news this week about the playground and the Bible college...
This week, the team have been doing preparations of the grounds for the many summer activities planned. We have started to build a new playground, so there are safe spaces for children to find “normal life”. Sadly, this is against the backdrop of increasing military activity, with regular sirens disrupting life and education, bringing with it a fatigue of the war. The work of the Centre is so important in bringing a sense of normality and joy.
This past week the sirens have been a little quieter, making it possible to get into some level of routine. This has meant preparing the grounds ready to be used with all the activities the team do. The fighting is heavy in the south and still along the border with Russia in Sumy not that far away. At the weekend there were families that came for refuge from Bakhmut. They literally arrived with nothing.
In Lebedyn, the last week has been spent preparing for their Easter activities across this weekend. There has been more stability in military activity locally with less air raid sirens. In the north of the region and near the Russian border, there is still much activity with daily missiles being launched, much of it still focused on the infrastructure.
Last weekend was full of military activity with lots of sirens, no school on the Friday, and on Saturday a massive bomb in the area in a small nearby village. This bomb killed several people, destroyed the school, the hospital and power infrastructure. Once again, a reminder that the team in Lebedyn are working in very challenging conditions in their region. However, the Easter camps have been in full swing!
The general situation in Lebedyn has not changed significantly. There have been less explosions in the area, but still many air raid sirens and today schools were closed, yet again. As always, the week has been busy reaching out to many people. A lot of soldiers have been in contact and Bohdan has been connecting and praying with them before they go to the front line. Sadly, this past week has seen many funeral processions in the town as the bodies of those killed on the frontline defending Ukraine return for final farewells from family.
Thank you for your continuing prayers and support. The situation for this last week has been much the same with air raid sirens daily, children being sent home from school every day after being in bomb shelters, and explosions heard when missiles and drones intercepted. The disruption to daily life is immense and tough for those living in the area. In good news the local hospital in Lebedyn have reached out for help. They are planning to adapt an area to look after children through the day.
Another week has passed where the chaotic life living through the war disrupts normality. Every day drones and missiles are being intercepted with loud explosions nearby. Wednesday night was exceptionally bad, with many explosions and sirens going all night. The team have been out once again delivering food to those in nearby villages, and who live locally but are vulnerable or have no means to support themselves.
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 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.
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 in Eastbourne 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.
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.
Activities still continued and as usual, work with the children and youth took place through the weekend. Numbers were high in attendance. The children and youth want to be at the Centre all the time!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Tanya and Oleg 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!”
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.
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.
As you will have seen in our news bulletins, the situation with energy, power and heat continues to be a massive and growing problem. It is the same throughout all of Ukraine. In Lebedyn and the Sumy region it has been particularly bad throughout - on Monday where they had no power all day.
The constant lack of power, and therefore heat and light, is continuing to make a hard impact on life. With air raid sirens going off daily there is no “normal” routine within which to operate. Families are struggling to keep warm, but thankfully no missiles have landed on personal homes, just on the infrastructure and industry that keeps the nation going.
The situation in the Sumy region is much the same. The end of the week and over the weekend witnessed much military activity with sirens going off more than usual, and then on Monday and Tuesday it was calm. However, on Wednesday afternoon things escalated once again.
This week has been very difficult due to the number of missiles coming over from Russia. Sumy itself has been battered and much of the light and power utilities have been greatly hit once again.
Bohdan has been able to connect with a large new church situated in Sumy city itself. It has grown extensively through the war from 15 people to now around 500 people. The Pastor wants to work closely with Bohdan and the work they are doing.
Every day is different and over these past few days there has been less missiles fire than previous weeks as it had been very intense. When we spoke to both Bohdan and Alla there was an amazing calm. They know they cannot predict what tomorrow can bring but there was lighter spirit there which was lovely to see.
At the end of the week the teenagers met in their groups and although there were some sirens going off through the day we still had over 40 teenagers turn up to chat through things and receive some help where needed. They also had great fun!
An article recently written by Reuters News Agency stated that both the Sumy and Kharkiv regions received more missiles over recent days than in any other region destroying power lines, sub stations and water facilities.
In the region bombing continues to happen but thankfully nothing too close to Lebedyn. Bohdan told me that they are targeting factories so there is no work, electric sub stations, power lines, gas supplies and now no water supplies. He knows of many villages and towns locally where fresh water has been cut off and it is becoming a big problem.
Since Independence Day last week, the Sumy oblast has had over 200 missiles fired upon it but things seem to be quieter now the weekend is over. Most of bombing seemed to be fairly random and was targeted to villages along the border where many have been completely destroyed.
Today marks the 6-month anniversary of the start of the war in Ukraine. This also coincides with their independence celebrations and with the Ukrainians fighting back the team are now experiencing the fall out from this.
in recent days. As usual the team have been busy distributing aid. I recently had a video call with our Mission Director Bohdan and we estimated that they have distributed over 150 tons of aid and have more arriving soon.
Unfortunately, sirens were going off all day yesterday and there were a lot of bombs falling upon Ukraine and Sumy today. This is in retaliation to the bombing of the airfield in Crimea yesterday but it is intense in some areas and fear is creeping back in that the Russian will come across the border once again.
The situation in Lebedyn and Sumy is still unchanged from my previous reports. There are still sirens that sound but that is classed as normal for now. The threat of another Russian incursion is always there so people are learning to live without planning ahead too far.
There has been little change in the situation around Lebedyn since my last update. The northern reaches of the county are still under regular attack from missiles and fear of landmines. The region receives new people daily from areas under attack and as you will have witnessed on the news, Russia is trying to advance into other areas which is causing more people to flee.
The second week of the camps came to an end and both the children and parents did not want it to finish. It felt like some normality had crept back in until near the end the sirens kept sounding. Also at the end there was the news of the explosions in Vinnytsia where children died and this upset the children there.
The first of the summer camp weeks has now been had with huge success. The numbers stayed at around 100 children and these were the younger children in the area that attended. It has been quite clear that the war has impacted every young life with prayers held every day for the those involved. Bohdan informed me that every child had either a father, brother or Uncle taking part.
Urgent support required: 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 to reclaim Gift Aid on your donation. This will add 25p to every £1 you give. Dear Friends, We wanted to share with you about some […]
Urgent support required: 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 to reclaim Gift Aid on your donation. This will add 25p to every £1 you give. Dear Friends, We wanted to share with you about some […]
Urgent support required: 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 to reclaim Gift Aid on your donation. This will add 25p to every £1 you give. Dear Friends, We wanted to share with you about some […]
Urgent support required: 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 to reclaim Gift Aid on your donation. This will add 25p to every £1 you give. Dear Friends, We wanted to share with you about some […]
Urgent support required: 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 to reclaim Gift Aid on your donation. This will add 25p to every £1 you give. Dear Friends, This latest news update seeks to share with […]
Urgent support required: 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 to reclaim Gift Aid on your donation. This will add 25p to every £1 you give. Dear Friends, This latest news update seeks to share with […]
Urgent support required: 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 to reclaim Gift Aid on your donation. This will add 25p to every £1 you give. Dear Friends, In this latest update, we share with you […]
Urgent support required: 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 to reclaim Gift Aid on your donation. This will add 25p to every £1 you give. Dear Friends, As always, thank you so much for your […]
Urgent support required: 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 to reclaim Gift Aid on your donation. This will add 25p to every £1 you give. Dear Friends, As always, thank you so much for your […]
Urgent support required: 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 to reclaim Gift Aid on your donation. This will add 25p to every £1 you give. Dear Friends, Over the last few days, there have been […]
Urgent support required: 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 to reclaim Gift Aid on your donation. This will add 25p to every £1 you give. Dear Friends, As always, I want to thank each and […]
Urgent support required: 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 to reclaim Gift Aid on your donation. This will add 25p to every £1 you give. Dear Friends, As always, thank you for your continued support […]
Urgent support required: 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 to reclaim Gift Aid on your donation. This will add 25p to every £1 you give. Dear Friends, We wanted to share with you some of […]
Urgent support required: 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 to reclaim Gift Aid on your donation. This will add 25p to every £1 you give. Dear Friends, Thank you for all your support, both in […]
Urgent support required: 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 to reclaim Gift Aid on your donation. This will add 25p to every £1 you give. Dear Friends, Thank you again for all your continued support […]
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 to reclaim Gift Aid on your donation. This will add 25p to every £1 you give. Dear Friends, Again another day with relative calm. There is still the sound […]
Urgent support required: 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 to reclaim Gift Aid on your donation. This will add 25p to every £1 you give. Dear Friends, Thank you again for all your continued support […]
Urgent support required: 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 to reclaim Gift Aid on your donation. This will add 25p to every £1 you give. Dear Friends, Thank you again for all your continued support […]
Urgent support required: 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 to reclaim Gift Aid on your donation. This will add 25p to every £1 you give. Dear Friends, On Wednesday 9th March, we received the devastating […]
Urgent support required: 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 to reclaim Gift Aid on your donation. This will add 25p to every £1 you give. Dear Friends, As we mentioned in our last update to […]
Urgent support required: 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 to reclaim Gift Aid on your donation. This will add 25p to every £1 you give. Dear friends, Firstly, thank you so much for all your […]
Urgent support required: 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 to reclaim Gift Aid on your donation. This will add 25p to every £1 you give. Update: Dear friends, Thank you all for your support and […]
As we woke this morning (Thursday 24th Feb), alerts came in that Russia had started its invasion of Ukraine. We have been devastated to hear this news. I have spoken to our team this morning and Lebedyn has not yet come under attack which is good news. However, there is clearly fear of what might […]
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