The Angels Rejoice!

We are rejoicing in the salvation of a teen girl during a recent Wednesday evening prayer service! We remember when Oksana came to some of the first services we held in the village Cultural building back in 2006. She attended for a while and then we didn't see her in church much. Once we started a Sunday school for children, Oksana began attending more regularly. Eventually, she stopped coming to Sunday school. 

First Sunday school after returning from furlough-
2009 (Oksana - three from far left)

Sunday school Spring 2010

Sunday School - December 2010 (Oksana - far right)

Then, several years later as one of her best friends began attending regularly she often tagged along. It was during this time that her friend, Tanya, accepted Christ. Oksana simply witnessed the change in Tanya and even started attending our teen discipleship class we started last year. Through the years, Oksana has definitely heard that Gospel numerous times and has learned much about the God who loves her and sent His Son to die in her place.

8th of March (Women's Day Tea)

Sunday School - December 2011

Recently, during a Wednesday evening service, Oksana expressed to me how she has considered repenting of her sins and accepting Christ as her Savior. She said that for some time she has wanted to be saved and then she would forget about it, then want to again after some time had passed. This was all taking place even during the time she was not attending services. Following the service I spent some time talking with her about salvation and reviewing many things she has already learned about the Bible. She was not ready during that service to be saved so I left her with much to think about and promised to pray for her.

Over the next few days, Oksana felt confident that she was ready to accept Christ. She was so excited she wanted to share the news with her Mother who unfortunately did not share Oksana's excitement. The mother's immediate response was that she didn't need to attend services because it was going to "mix up her brains". This is ironic since her mother has been witnessed to by several Christian ladies in the village over the years. Her mother has always been very friendly with our family, even sharing with me how she is happy that Oksana wanted to come to Sunday School. 

Finally, Oksana told her Mother, "Mom, I don't want to go to Hell. I want to go to Heaven!" 

After that she calmly went to her room and started playing on her computer. Her Mom finally came in and told her that this was her business and she could do what she wanted to do. 

That next Wednesday, Oksana came to Wednesday evening prayer service and couldn't wait to tell me she had made her decision to accept Christ! She also couldn't wait for us to be able to talk through the Roman's Road so we sent everyone else into the other rooms while I again shared the plan of salvation with her. Finally, she was ready to bow her head and ask Jesus to come into her heart and forgive her of her sins! We prayed and she immediately said, "I feel as if a weight was just lifted off my shoulders!" We then called the other kids into the room and rejoiced with Oksana. Our son, Ryan, had been able to witness the whole event and as we looked up from praying he was smiling from ear to ear with tears in his eyes. Such a precious moment for all of us to share!

Oksana and Dee just after she accepted Christ!
May 16, 2012

Sisters in Christ!

Oksana couldn't wait to tell David and the adults in the other service of her decision.

After the service most everyone stayed for cake and tea to celebrate her new life in Christ!

Please pray for Oksana to grow in Christ and be a witness to her friends and family!