Hope in Ukraine: Larisa and the orphanage

The shocking realities of war and how Hope Lebedyn are supporting orphans as a declaration of God's love and protection

Wednesday 26 February 2025

2012 saw Ukraine host the Euro championships. It cost Ukraine a great deal of money, resulting in sweeping and harsh consequences for the nation. A decree was made that there was no requirement for any orphanages and they should be closed as funding was being stopped. A lady named Larisa had heard about the changes and was horrified by this news. She knew about all the orphanages but had not heard any news from one of them based on the outskirts of Sumy so she decided to visit. What she found was some of the most distressing scenes witnessed. She estimated that for about a month the 55 children there had been living without any adult supervision and were suffering from malnutrition. All were admitted to hospital and only 54 came out alive…

Larisa committed to helping these children, to show them love and care resulting in her going part-time in her senior role within government. Larisa formed a bond with the Hope Lebedyn team at the centre who gave regular help and support. Every year, food and aid were given along with the usual Christmas activities and gifts.

Spring 2022 saw the full incursion into Ukraine by the Russian army. Almost all other orphanages had been closed or abandoned at this point. Sumy city where Larisa’s orphanage is based was being hit hard. Pastor Bohdan took the puppet theatre over to share the Easter message and to give each child a special present –The Jesus Story Book Bible.

Pastor Bohdan had previously shared stories from this before and the children were captivated by them. A few days after the team had visited, Larisa called to say that things were bad but something miraculous had happened. When the bombing started she had instructed the children to grab their emergency backpacks and one thing that was special to them. Each one grabbed their new Bible, that they had received just days before! Whilst in the shelter they all started to read and then Larisa noticed that one by one they started kneeling by their beds and praying for safety. Larisa, who is not a Christian was moved to tears.

Hope Lebedyn were miraculously able to move the children to safety in Austria. In the years that have followed, the government are still allocating children into Larisa’s care and so she now runs an orphanage both in Austria and back in Ukraine.

In August last year, Ukraine troops invaded the Kursk region. To achieve this, they came through Sumy city. Once again, the orphanage was back under severe threat of attack. Around Independence Day Larisa was informed that orphanages and children’s institutions were to be targeted. She believed them but the school next door sadly did not. That night the orphanage was destroyed by missiles as was the school next door. We know that several of the children living next door were killed. God again had spared these children.

Larisa has now moved the children with government help to another location, making it easier for the team to help. Last Christmas the team went there and shared the Christmas story and how much Jesus loved them all. The church has rallied around helping them to settle and now several of the children are in the process of being adopted by families within the church.

Over the years we have witnessed God’s love and saving grace for the forgotten children of war. There are so many. We continue to pray for these children that through the horrors of war the team can continue to show God’s love and mercy that will lead them to a place of trusting in Him.