Thank you Hope Now for the work you have done in the prisons. The Word that you sowed, in due time sprouted also in me. You made a difference!
Yura and Alyona's big day
I was born (1982) and raised in the small town of Stavishche. I learned early, that people were generally afraid of the strong and humiliate the weak. I decided that I should be strong and trained myself physically and emotionally, so that people around me would respect me. Sport was my outlet but making money was my deepest desire. In 2000, I arrived to study in Kyiv but had no desire to study. Eagerly, I pursued the satisfaction of worldly desires, but one needed much money for this purpose. Quickly, I got to know what to do and became acquainted with guys who thought the same. We engaged in robberies, but without any definite strategy or plan, so I knew it could not last long. Therefore, I searched out and joined people who were engaged in professional crime. Then, in July 2002, came the first conviction. The charges were serious, so I was sent to Lukjanovka top security prison. There, for the first time, I called on the name of God. I prayed the Lord’s Prayer. I thought, “If God helps me to avoid punishment I will correct my life”. Amazingly, the court reassessed and released me after only 8 months so long as I didn’t leave Kyiv. The first thing I did was to go to St. Sophia’s cathedral. There I offered money, lit candles, and the priest sprinkled some water on me. I felt some release. I thought that all my sins were forgiven. After leaving the cathedral, I engaged in the same criminal affairs as before and, after only four months freedom, was sent back to Lukjanovka. My old acquaintances welcomed me with pleasure. Sometimes I met believers but had no desire to speak with them. But, once again, the court was kind to me and gave a conditional discharge. Free, but with no desire to change, and now acquainted with even worse criminals, we engaged in robberies. I thought luck was on my side, that no court would really punish me. I was wrong! At 22, I was condemned to twelve years “hard labour”. My friends told me not to worry, because I would probably go to one of the camps of the Lugansk area where there were ‘friends’ who could arrange for my release. But, then the Lord intervened in my life. On the way to jail I learned that the train was going south in the direction of Odessa. I was in great confusion. In panic I began to plan my own suicide rather than go to this dreaded prison. Then, to my surprise, we came not Odessa but to Cherkassy. Here, convicted, believing brothers came to tell me that God is love and loves everyone. I disagreed with them, thinking, they were just hypocrites who were looking for a way to avoid trouble. But soon, I recognized a difference between the usual grey, lifeless, emotionless faces of the ordinary prisoners and those who called themselves “brothers in Christ” – they were ever joyful, their eyes sparkled. Several times I visited “Freedom Church” (built by Hope Now). I liked the quiet music, the silence, and the Word began to touch my heart. I heard the testimonies of how the Lord changes people’s lives. I began to think that maybe God could change my life also. One Sunday morning I had nothing to do, and decided to go to church. I can’t remember the theme of Vic’ the sermon, but I remember one episode. Vic asked one prisoner to exchange shirts with him. He now had a dark prison uniform and the prisoner had his new white shirt, with a pass from the jail in the pocket. With such a pass, that person might easily leave the jail. Vic said he would stay and serve the rest of the sentence for the prisoner. Everyone laughed, but Vic had made his point. In like manner Jesus had taken upon himself the penalty for our sin on the cross. Under strong conviction, for a long time I wrestled with these words.
A heritage called Esther
Months later I accepted Christ as my own Savior and in June 2006 Vic baptised me. I had eternal life, but God also relieved me of my punishment. Instead of 12 years, I stayed only three years and two months. I was released on November 10th, 2007. On release I had some worries, but now I can say that the Lord will never leave His children. Many brothers told me that believers outside do not like those who were imprisoned. When they learn that you were in prison they put their bags on the other side of the bench. I prepared myself for such an attitude, but the Lord arranged everything absolutely, another way. I was accepted very warmly. They invited me to spend nights at their homes and supported me spiritually and materially. I was accepted very warmly at the church in the village of Brilivka. Now I serve that church and Zhuravliha Church as a preacher, and study at the Pastors Training Institute. I also publish “The Hope”, Christian newspaper. In August of 2008, the Lord blessed me and I married Alyona, a woman who loves God very much. In May of 2009, God presented us with His wonderful heritage, whom we named Esther. Thank you that you came to make a difference. With love, respect and prayers for you, Yura and Alyona Karpenko
Under Communism, it was not unusual for believers to baptise new converts under cover of darkness, even in the winter going to such extremes as cutting a hole in the ice. To this day, few, if any churches...
01.09.2010 For Brenda Greenwood, Val Lyman, Arthur Glinn, Phoebe Attrill and Fred and Gery Hendon who are volunteers at this week’s Widows’ and widowers’ camp in Kompas Park.
01.09.2010 For the Spirit of the Lord to use this last day of the widows and widowers’ camp to minister to the many needs of those attending
02.09.2010 For Vic and Sue as they go on holiday for the next three weeks, that they will be rested and refreshed, to face their final month with Hope Now.
03.09.2010 For Trisha Jackopson-Hendy as she goes to the Isle of Wight to enthuse Islanders to attend the Medina Theatre for the Silver Jubilee concert.
04.09.2010 For Peter and Rosemary Pearson and Bernard and Wendy Downton as they fly out to Ukraine to help at next week’s Widows’ and widowers. Camp.
05.09.2010 For churches to advertise the Silver Jubilee concerts to get maximum attendance to say goodbye to Vic and welcome to Jon as the new CEO of Hope Now.
06.09.2010 For Alla Kostyunina, Frank and Lin Collier and the Kompas Park members of staff as they engage in the last camp of the summer season.
07.09.2010 For Jon Budgell and Brenda Greenwood as they prepare to take on the two key positions at the Southampton office on the 1st November.
08.09.2010 For Dr Alexander Doreshenko and his team of health volunteers as they minister the gospel and heal the sick, via the Mobile Medical unit.
09.09.2010 For the young people at Cornah House and Swindon House pre-independence homes, as they settle into their studies.
11.09.2010 The Teachers and students as they commence a new year at the Cherkassy Centre for Biblical Studies. Pray especially for the new post-graduate course.
12.09.2010 For the final arrangements for the Silver Jubilee tour so that tickets get sold and accommodation found for the team.
13.09.2010 For Margaret Ferguson as she guides the young people in Cape Town to secure places at universities or colleges, in preparation for independence.
14.09.2010 For those young people who are still waiting for sponsorships to start studies at university or to stay at our pre-independence homes
15.09.2010 For Dee Ewart in her struggle with cancer and for Peter to be strong as her cares for her.
16.09.2010 The children and young people in our care especially those who find school and discipline irksome.
17.09.2010 For those ex-prisoners who have become pastors and church planters to receive wisdom, insight and knowledge as they lead in their communities.
18.09.2010 For Vladimir Kuzin, Rector of the Cherkassy Centre for Biblical Studies and Valentina Kurat, the Secretary and teaching staff, as they seek to expand the school.
19.09.2010 For Alla Kostyunina as she writes her report and assessment of Kompas Park summer season and plans for the building of the new staff accommodation.
20.09.2010 For the Silver Jubilee fund to be supported so that Alla will be able to start building and complete the final phase of the Kompas Park development.
21.09.2010 For those children, young people and adults who experienced the touch of the Lord at Kompas Park, to be fervent and persevering in the faith.
22.09.2010 For Frank and Lin Collier as they return to Southampton after a busy summer at Kompas Park and make themselves ready for the Silver Jubilee Tour.
23.09.2010 For Vic and Sue as they return home from their holiday and for Vic as he prepares for the Silver Jubilee tour in the UK and later in Ukraine.
24.09.2010 For Anatolii Perepilitsa and Sasha Tarasenko as they preach in the prisons and minister to the ex-prisoner.
25.09.2010 For Misha Vyshemirskyi as he leads the Hope Now staff, that he may be given much wisdom to make good decisions and vision for the future.
26.09.2010 For Vic as he preaches today at Colwell, Isle of Wight and uses the time there to encourage more people to attend the Silver Jubilee concert at the Medina Theatre on the 8th October.
27.09.2010 For Michael Quicke and David Coffey as they prepare to preach and lead at the Silver Jubilee Celebration at Chatsworth Baptist Church, West Norwood on the 2nd October.
28.09.2010 The Board of Directors as they meet this evening and for Vic and Sue for whom this will be the last board meeting. Pray for wisdom and grace in everything.
29.09.2010 For the church planting and twinning programme to be effective and new churches to be found, willing to twin with a church in Ukraine.
30.09.2010 For Bob and Patti McLeod, John Conner and Tim and Myles Thompson as they fly to the UK to participate in the Silver Jubilee tour.
