Dear fellows in Christ,
My
name is Yaroslav. I was born in a non-Christian family. When I was
about 10 years old my parents got divorced. I did not know much about
God, actually very little. My mom found another man and started to drink
alcohol with him. My childhood was pretty tough. Because of drinking my
mom did not have much money and I used to be hungry quite often.
But I
had a friend Vasya who lived in a Christian family. They were my
neighbors and they helped me with food and cloth. So time passed and
after I graduated from high-school I wanted to continue my study in a
local technical university but I didn’t have money. I didn’t know what
to do. Mom still used to drink. No money. No job. No future. Life seemed
so miserable to me, so empty.
But
one day my friend Vasya invited me to come to a youth meeting in his
church. I agreed. It was a group of Christian young people. I really
enjoyed it. They were so friendly and happy. They were different than
other people I knew. We sang songs and played games. I liked to
fellowship with them. They also told about Jesus Christ and how everyone
can become a Christian. But I was afraid. Something restrained me.
And
then one day Vasya invited me to listen to an American evangelist Don
Betts. It was very interesting to hear an American speaking so I went. I
remember I listened very carefully while he was talking about Jesus’
life. And then he asked who would like to accept Jesus as a personal
Savior. I realized that I needed to do that. So I came forward and
prayed to God to forgive my sins and asked Jesus to come into my heart. I
was very happy. It happened on April, 22 of 1999. I know God works in
different ways, but this is the way He worked with me. I’m glad He did. I
know when I die I go to heaven because I’m a God’s child since Jesus
came into my heart! Amen!
God
has been very good to me. The same year when I got saved I won
scholarship and entered the Technological University for free which I
graduated from in 2004. I was so excited about the Lord that I also
decided to find a Bible school to learn more about the Word of God.
There was one school which allowed evening classes so I entered it.
During the time of study we passed Bible tracts, preached Jesus and
helped orphans. God blessed me with good friends. One of them was
Michael Glazov. We studied together and used to help each other in the
time of need. We prayed for each other and served the Lord together. It
was such a blessing!
So
I graduated from Beacon Bible College in 2003. A year later I was
invited to the US to witness about God’s work in Ukraine. And the Lord
really blessed my trip. I experienced an American culture and learned
the way the ministry is organized in American churches and missions.
When I returned to Ukraine the Lord had something else for me. God
taught me a good lesson. The life in America was quite different than in
Ukraine. I thought I could do everything by myself but I was wrong. I
had to learn to trust the Lord no matter whether I’m in America or
Ukraine. I realized that I had to humble myself before Him and wait
until His time. I knew that His will for me was to wait until He shows a
right place for me in the ministry. I moved to Kiev and got a job as a
software engineer but at the same time I was trying to serve the Lord. I
passed out the tracts, visited orphanages and hospitals, participated
at the tent meetings and witnessed about Jesus Christ to other people.
Many got saved! Praise the Lord!
Sometime
later the Lord led me to join Bible Orphan Ministry which
was found by Michael Glazov – he is also the pastor of Bible Baptist
Church “Charity” in Zhitomir. I have known Michael for 12 years and I
can say that he is a good pastor and a great friend. I am glad that we
can continue to serve the Lord together just as we did when we were in
College. I am glad I am a part of the team of people who love the Lord
and who want to serve Him and I know that we can serve the Lord better
together not just one by one.
As
I do not have any regular support at this time I have to work at a
secular job to support myself. Of course I am thankful that God gave me
this job. I know I can work and serve the Lord at the same time. But I
cannot do much because the work takes a lot of my time. And I was
thinking to myself the other day: “ok, Lord what do you want me to? I
have to work to earn money but the work takes time and there is not much
time left to do anything else.” And the Lord answered: “Just do what
you can!” There is a verse in the Bible which says: "The harvest truly
is plenteous, but the labourers are few" (Matthew 9:37). There is also
another verse: “But my God shall supply all your need according to his
riches in glory by Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19). So I know that if
this is God’s will for me to become a full-time minister He will provide
the needed support. I will simply do what I can step by step as the
Lord opens the doors. Please pray for me!!!
You
can read more information on the web-site and I urge you to consider
becoming a part of this ministry by praying and helping financially as
the Lord leads you.
Thank you!
Praise God for the wonderful way He has worked in your life. He who began a good work in you will be faithful to complete it. You have His word on it!!
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