Boyko, Nadiya

Description

Tell about your childhood, school, family, etc.

I started working helping my parents when I was a child. By school age there was no father in our family, only a mother, aunt and a grandmother. When I was 10 started milking our cow and had to work in the field in warm season. I also had to help my mother in a collective-farm. I had no time to rest then. From 1968 till 1970 I studied in the boarding school which was not as good as in school since our freedom  there was limited. Until now I stay in touch with some of the class-mates.

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

After school I tried to enter Law College but failed the exams so I had to work at construction spot. It was hard – we had to carry cement in special trays. After graduating from Zaporizhya State University I worked in school and later at Mariupol Steel Institute as a teacher, then at Mariupol customs and final as an engineer at The Center of Radio Connections. Before I retired I had worked for 45 years. I would have worked until now if it had not been the war.

Tell about your present life.

As most of people in Mariupol I was evacuated with my daughter’s daughter whose parents were courageously defending Mariupol in “Azovstal” plant till in May 16, 2023 they received the order from the Military Head of Ukraine to leave. Now they are both in Russia. First my granddaughter and I stayed in a village in Lviv region and later in August 2022 we came to Kyiv where we rent an apartment for $150 a month. My granddaughter entered International college to become an architect. I do not work. My friend brought me to St. Paul Church. My heart breaks over my kids, my husband, my family and friends who were killed in Mariupol. Nothing can cease this pain. I believe my kids will get back and Ukraine will win this war.

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

I believe in Christ in the depth of my heart. I feel His support. A man must always acknowledge the glory of our Savior. Sooner or later every person will come to God. During my life I have always felt God’s greatness and it is only in St. Paul Church I started studying the Scripture and now due to our leaders’ ministry I understand the Word of God much better. I am glad I was brought in this very church.

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

I am an optimist, strong-willed, enjoy to share and support. I am also a poet, I have prepared a set of poems to be published – they are about life, courageous people, the power of our nation. I believe in God and our victory in this war. I love my land. I dream to be able to travel after the end of the war – I do not know where to take the money, but The Mighty One knows our dreams.