In two great stories of testimony, we hear from women who lost everything after their houses were destroyed but regained it all through God’s grace. Even in the midst of chaos, God has turned their sorrow into joy.
Tamara’s Story:
My name is Tamara. I am 73 years old. I was born and raised in the Mykolaiv region, in a beautiful cherry orchard. I spent my entire childhood and my pedagogical career in the village. I have 50 years of pedagogical experience. I am a biology teacher. I have the highest pedagogical ranking. I also worked as a school principal. Today I am considered to be the deputy director for educational work. When I lived at home, it was much easier for me to work, everything was close to where I lived. Everything was coordinated. I am a widow, my husband died. My son also died. I have one adult daughter. On the first day of the war, my brother called me and said that the war had started. It was hard to believe it. When our village started to be hit by shells, I first hid in the neighbors’ house. People started to flee the village. Then it was unbearable for me to endure feeling all the explosions nearby, so my daughter took me to her place. I left with nothing at all, because I was sure that I would be back home in 2 - 3 weeks. But I am still here. I have been teaching lessons online. I have several students. While I have been living here, our village has been shelled many times. My house was completely destroyed. Everything I had acquired with my own hard work was destroyed and burned. Of all the wealth I had and lost, I only regret the old photos.
But over time, when I started attending the church, I was and am being helped with food aid from the mission, I talked to many people in the church, God touched me. I realized that everything I had: my house, my wealth, all of that has no value to me now. I repented before God, realized what a sinner I was, and God forgave me. This summer, I was baptized and I am so grateful to God for all the circumstances through which He has brought me. Without the war, I would not have heard about Him. There was no such church in our village, and for me, salvation and living prayer to God is something extraordinary. I am happy with the Lord. My daughter, when she found out that I go to church and was baptized, she was surprised, but she supported me anyway and is happy for me that I found peace and joy in the church. I serve as a Sunday school teacher in the church. I have a good experience of working with children. I am grateful to everyone who supports us with prayers and products. May God keep us all safe!
Liubov’s Story:
My name is Liubov. I came here from Bakhmut, Luhansk region. My husband died. I am a pensioner, I lived in Bakhmut alone. When the war broke out, my son asked me to move out of there because he knew that our city would be like hell. It was very hard to leave my house, everything in the house. I was headed to uncertainty. I came here with my neighbors and I am still here today. There is nowhere to go back to, all our houses were bombed and destroyed. When I was invited to the church, I agreed right away because it is very difficult to stay at home alone. You can go crazy from everything that is happening around you! Here in the church I have made friends with many people, I come to Bible study groups all the time and I love it when the pastor tells us and explains everything from the Bible. No one has ever explained it to me like this before, as I now hear everything with my own ears. Not so long ago, I realized before God that I was a sinner and wanted to follow Him and obey Him. At first my sons did not allow me to go to the church service, but then they saw how God changed my sadness and sorrow into joy, so they stopped resisting me! I am happy to be in God’s house with His children. Thank you all for your support and prayers, which I am sure God hears!
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