This month, our Ukrainian staffdedicated a week to prayer. They set up a small prayer room in the new Day Center, and staff members signed up for two-hour slots. The Board and I also set aside time for focused prayer.
At the start of a new year of ministry, it was important for all of us to spend time reflecting on God’s faithfulness in 2025, refreshing our own hearts for ministry in 2026, and anticipating and praising God in advance for His work in and through Last Bell in years to come.
Video: the prayer room (25 seconds)
Over the next two weeks, would you consider setting aside half an hour or more to pray with and for our staff and their ministry to orphaned youth?
Our staff and Board prayed for funding of the 2026 budget (we currently have a shortfall) and for guidance in ministry this year. Will you pray for these needs alongside us?
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Anna Cherniy prayed “for the hearts of the children who come to us, that the Lord would touch them and they would find Him.” She also prayed for her daughter, with health problems, and her son-in-law, serving in a combat zone.
Marta Balanchuk prayed that donors “would understand that they’re 100% doing God’s work when they support orphans.” Yulia N. prayed blessings over the donors.
Several staff members thanked God for His faithfulness through many years of ministry.
Katya T prayed for God to “open new doors, and show us His way. That we… would be strong in Him, and feel and hear His voice. That He would give us wisdom to lead each student and each mother.”
Khrystya prayed “for new God-given connections” to support the ministry. Many team members prayed, as Khrystya wrote, for “restoration of the team’s strength, health, endurance, and wisdom.”
I prayed several Psalms over our supporters and the ministry in Ukraine.
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Lately, because of the enemy’s attacks, many people in our city and across Ukraine have lost electricity, heat, and water. We appreciate your prayers for them, and for orphaned youth to ask for help when they need it.
Your prayers are very meaningful to our staff as they go about their daily work with our youth. Thank you for trusting God together with us: “You, O LORD, do not abandon those who search for you” (Psalm 9:10).
Thank you!
Marguerite Havard, Executive Director, on behalf of Ministry Director Andriy Pankyeyev and all our staff in Ukraine