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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!
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Yura and Alyona's big day |
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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.
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
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