The Stories of Us

Sympheropol

Last month new people joined the English + Bible group. Sasha, one of the participants, said that the Bible part was even more interesting for him than the English part. This month there were lots of conversations about Easter. And we watched a Prince of Egypt in English. It brings us joy when people participate in conversations without a leader's help and share their testimonies. Olga A. told us about her teaching kids in school about creation. One Friday, she was going to go to visit her parents in Zaporozhie. But suddenly the academic dean came into the classroom and said that she needed to fill in for another teacher after classes and to teach a science class. She got upset but agreed though she had a question in her mind "Why today, Lord?" When she came to the class she found out that the topic of the lesson was "The Origin of Man." And in the children's textbooks it was told only about apes and evolution. And then she understood why she was supposed to be there that day.

Dnepr

Most of all what makes us happy in our English + Bible group is that all participants become good friends. This year they gathered together to color eggs for Easter. Larisa came with her daughter. Everybody was happy with interesting work and with fascinating talks. During our last group, Larisa came with prepared questions about adultery. They often call each other on the phone and have fellowship. Unfortunately, neither Natasha nor Larisa could come for our Easter celebration. But there is a Trinity holiday soon and that is a special holiday for Larisa. She baptized her daughter that day.

Zaporozhie

One more person joined the Bible study group on Tuesdays. Her name is Tatiana Dobisheva who used to come to the English beginner group. She is interested in the Bible and wants to study it even more than the English. Praise the Lord! Tania Perova is the second blessing for us. After the Leadership Training conference, she decided to try ministry. Maxim suggested that she lead the group, and she agreed. The group was wonderfully prepared. It was interesting with inspirational questions that helped people to think more about the passage. She gave people the opportunity to share their opinions with others. She also asked one interesting question for the participants to answer at the next conversation. This conversation is planned to be at her house during the May holidays.

Zhitomir

Pasha Panchenko: We've started a new English + Bible study group this month. About 5-6 people attend this group every week. One of them is a believe,r and all the rest are not. This is one of the groups that inspire me the most and strengthen my confidence in the fact that my ministry is important and means a lot for God and people. Lily, the lady from this group, once said that after each Bible study she becomes closer to God and learns to trust Him more and more. At her work place, she shared her experience of trusting God, including the way she prayed and how God answered her. We talked about how to learn God says, what the meaning of life is, and how to find God.

Cherkassy

Larisa Malamuzh: I am thankful to God for opening people's hearts to the faith. Ira Beletskaya, the accountant, has come the Bible study group twice already. She is planning to go to the camp with her husband. Oksana Filonova that teaches English at one of our groups shared her impressions from going to the Orthodox Church on Easter: "There's so little from the Bible in what is going on during the ceremonies, there's even no place for Christ in what people are doing." She has faith in God and even repented, but she hasn't been "born again" the way Bible describes it. Oksana and her husband decided to go hiking to the Carpathians. We hope that God will finish what he has started in her heart through the spiritual atmosphere that we want to create during our hike.