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...
01.03.2010 For Ukraine, which has voted in a new president, Victor Yanakovych. Pray that he will be just and lead the country into a new era of peace with both Russia and Europe.
02.03.2010 For Vic and Sue as they spend this week in Memphis, Tennessee, where they will be attending the mission's conference and sharing experiences of ministry in Ukraine.
03.03.2010 For Dee Ewart who is one of Hope Now's directors as she undergoes investigation for suspected cancer, that the doctors may be guided to the correct diagnosis and treatment.
04.03.2010 For Anatolii Perepilitsa and Sasha Tarasenko as they lead the outreach to prisons and for sufficient funds to come in for the creation of a counselling and rehabilitation suite to the rear of the prison church.
05.03.2010 For CHRIST, OUR HOPE MISSION preparations and for the protection of evangelist Stanislav Gruntkovsky from the attack of the evil one.
06.03.2010 For the mission minded, Christ centred, Evangelical Free Church in Memphis where Vic and Sue will be joining in the celebration of their 75th Anniversary.
07.03.2010 For Jon Budgell and Brenda Greenwood as they continue to hold the fort in the Southampton office.
08.03.2010 For Frank and Lin Collier and Alla Kostyunina as they work out the implications of the new Child protection policy and prepare for the summer.
09.03.2010 For Vic and Sue as they fly home and take a few days off to rest after a busy schedule of activities in the USA.
10.03.2010 For the young people in our pre-independence homes as they grapple with studies and the practicalities of looking after themselves and the homes.
11.03.2010 For the students of the Bible school as they begin to look forward to their future ministries in the churches of Cherkassy and beyond.
12.03.2010 For Valerie Reddaway as she oversees the church planting and twinning programmes and hands more and more responsibility over to the staff in Ukraine.
13.03.2010 For the planning of the Fresh Start for Children, orphans camping fortnight and for sufficient funds to host it at Kompas Park.
14.03.2010 For Vic as he preaches today at Castlehold Baptist Church in Newport, Isle of Wight.
15.03.2010 For Margaret Ferguson and the trustees as they oversee the education of the young people in South Africa.
16.03.2010 For Misha Vyshemirskyi as he leads the team in Ukraine and makes preparations for the Silver Jubilee Celebrations in June.
17.03.2010 For Larissa Vovk in her essential work as Child Care officer for Hope Now in Ukraine.
18.03.2010 For Alexander Doreshenko as he and his team of doctors, nurses and dentists visit the villages of Kirovograd to give primary care and preach the gospel.
19.03.2010 For Vic as he speaks this evening at the Christian Viewpoint for women in Worthing this evening.
20.03.2010 For Vic as he speaks at an evangelistic breakfast for men in Yeovil and goes on to Taunton to visit old friends.
21.03.2010 For Vic as he preaches at Martock Christian Fellowship this morning and looks forward to a day of rest tomorrow.
22.03.2010 For the students who are sponsored by Hope Now, that they will be a constant source of witness for Christ on the campuses of Ukraine.
23.03.2010 For Vic as he travels today to Ukraine to meet with the planning committee for CHRIST, OUR HOPE MISSION and the Extreme Water camp.
24.03.2010 For the teachers and adminstrator of the Bible School as they faithfully serve the students alongside their other multitude of responsibilities.
25.03.2010 For the government of Ukraine to serve the people with dignity and honour and to create a climate of freedom and responsibility for all its people.
26.03.2010 For those Ukrainian, Christian, young men who have set up businesses in Ukraine and now employ young people who might otherwise have had to go to Kyiv or further for work.
27.03.2010 For the pastors in Cherkassy to give leadership to their churches in preparing for CHRIST IS OUR HOPE MISSION. CHERKASSY FOOTBALL STADIUM 5 - 6 JUNE.
28.03.2010 For the directors and staff in orphanages to look after their children with love and dedication as they prepare them for life beyond the institution.
29.03.2010 For those of our prayer partners who have lost their jobs that they may soon find work and receive from God's overflowing grace.
30.03.2010 For Vic as he travels home and that the plans he and others have made for the summer will bear much fruit for the kingdom of God.
31.03.2010 For the good health of our workers in Ukraine, most especially Misha and Leyna, who carry such a weight of responsibility.
