Bondarchuk, Tamara

Description

Tell about your childhood, school, family, etc.

My childhood was not easy. My father left our family when I was little and my mother and I were always moving from place to place to find some shelter. Then my mother found a job at the tabaco plant and we moved into a dormitory. My mother taught me many things She also told me about God and prayer, but I was an ordinary school-girl and did not understand much of it.

Where did you work? Was your work good? Were you happy with your job?

In 1967 I finished school and moved to Tokmak to enter a technical college to become an agronomist. After graduation I went to Crimea to work in the collective farm. The work was very hard. I worked there for a year. Because I could not get used to the climate I went to Kyiv to work as a gardener. I was very happy with my work in Kyiv. Later I got married and gave birth to a son. I had to quit my job, since my son was very sick  I had to stay in hospital with him for a long time. Later I found a job at a day-care facility.

Tell about your present life.

I became a widow after 15 years of marriage. I was in much grief after he died. In 1985 I was invited into a Baptist church which I enjoyed greatly. Music there was very healing. Soon I accepted Christ and was baptized. People in the church were very friendly and strict at the same time. After every church service there was a meeting at which people who did something wrong were disciplined.

Have you accepted Christ? How long have you been following the Lord?

I have believed in Christ since 1985. And nothing would change it though some people laugh at me when they hear about my faith. I talk to God in prayer day and night and He helps me in hard time. I remember once after a surgery I was about leaving the hospital when the doctor found out that stitched fell apart. Then my church friends came to visit me and they prayed over me – as a result, stitches were fine just in two days.

Tell about one thing your sponsor needs to know about you.

In 2002 I came to Roger’s and Diane’s church. I really enjoyed the choir and warm spirit in the church. When I became the church member I started my ministry in the church. I joined EE training, later become the leader, trained 4 more people. We were visiting old people at homes, helped them, read the Bible and prayed. We also were sharing the Gospel in the streets – some people stopped to listen, others  were passing by. Then I became a Stephen minister. Maria Ochkina was my HB. I helped her a lot around the house, did grocery shopping. Though my health is not good and I walk with a cane, I still try to do my best serving the Lord. Now I would like to say to American people Merry Christmas and wish them good health, well-being and all God’s blessings. Thank you so much for your kindness, care and material support – it helps us survive at this time of the war. Sincerely, your sister in Christ, Tamara