Polikarp T.
SGA-Supported Missionary Pastor in Ukraine

Among the many testimonies we see and hear, there are stories of quick changes, and there are those where it takes a lot of time, tears, conversations, and prayers for someone to come to Christ. Yulia’s story is exactly that. Yulia grew up in a dysfunctional family. Her father left them when she and her siblings were still small. Her mother mostly neglected her daughter, so Yulia was sent to a boarding school. From time to time, she saw her grandmother, but her grandmother was elderly and could not fully take care of an active teenage girl. Then at age 15, Yulia came to our church.

At first glance, Yulia was very open, easily engaged in conversation, smiled a lot, and quickly made friends. It seemed that she was easy to be around people. Later we began to notice something else: many people treated her with caution. Later it turned out that Yulia had a habit of taking other people’s things. At first it was small amounts of money. Then she would take a bank card, buy something for herself, and return it unnoticed. When she was caught, she almost always denied everything.

There were long conversations with her and warnings along with tears. There were promises to change. But after a while, it all happened again. And again—now with larger amounts involved. We sent her back to her grandmother again and I told her, “We wish you all good, but you yourself must take a step towards God. The Lord changes lives, but it happens only when people stop justifying themselves and begin to honestly admit their sin. This time Yulia remained with her grandmother about six months. This time when she returned, we saw a different person. Gradually she began to read the Scriptures. She took notes on sermons. She could often recount in detail what was said in the group or service. Months passed. Few believed that the changes were real. From the beginning of our acquaintance to the moment of her repentance, three years passed. Three years of struggle. Three years of falls. Three years of chances. Then Yulia said she wanted to be baptized. I asked her why, and she said, “Without God and the church, I will be lost. I have already been there… Help me!” Her words touched me deeply and I understood that she was telling the truth. There are things that social programs will not cure. The human heart needs Christ!

A year has passed since then. She is a regular in services and groups. She has noticeably grown spiritually. When I look at Yulia, I wonder what would have happened to this girl without God, without the church, and without people who gave her a chance again and again? The greatest miracle is a changed human heart!