Didenko, Maya

Description

Tell about your childhood, school, family, etc.

I grew up in a family of 5 kids – I had two brothers and two sisters. Our father was in military. My childhood was joyful – I often remember it. Because of our father’s job our family had to move a lot. Before WW I we came to Riga (Latvia). When the war started, father when to the front and we were evacuated to Kazakhstan. Then in 1943 our father was killed in Leningrad (now St. Petersburg). So when in 1943 Kyiv was de-occupied,  we went to Kyiv – it became possible because my mother was born not far from Ukraine’s capital. Mother was raising us alone.

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

In Kyiv I finished 7 grades. Then I finished technical college and became a seam stress. It was something I really wanted to do. Besides due to my further job I could provide for our how family. My mother was working as a bus conductor and surely her pay was not sufficient for our family. It was post-war time and we, orphans, were taken good care off: we could make free trips to theaters, circus, etc. I am still friends with one girl I studied with. I cherish great memories of that time.

Tell about your present life.

Life is going on. Now I am retired. I enjoy reading – it ruined my sight. But I still read a lot especially Chistian stories. There is a water well by our apartment complex so I go there in the morning to pick water: it is a good exercise and it saves water in my apartment. I live on the 8^th floor. Because the power is often off I do not take risk to use an elevator.

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

I have been a believer for quite long. I remember asking some people, “What is the Bible? And what is the gospel?” I was advised to go to church. So I started with a small Bible study group. And there I leant. The closer I get to God, the more attacked I experience from the devil. I read the Bible. If I do not understand something, I ask spiritual leaders and they explain. I have a Bible with large print. I enjoy living with the Lord.

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

I have been attending church for a long time. There we get together, listen to sermons, sing hymns. We can see the words on the big screen. I have not met my sponsor but he knows about me. I wish him good health and long-living. Let the Lord be praised. Life is wonderful.