Matveyeva, Vera

Description

Tell about your childhood, school, family, etc.

My childhood was hard. There were 3 kids in our family. Our father was killed in WW II in 1945. Because of grief our mother died of drinking. So we, kids, were raise by our grandmother. Often we had no food at home so I went out to bag for money. I remember going to Besarabka Market (downtown of Kyiv) to collect vegetables leftovers. It was during the famine of 1947. I finished 10 years of school where I loved to sing at all parties. School principal treated me as if I were her own child.

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

After school I started working at a factory. My work was very hard. Once at work I fainted, after that I was moved to a management department. I would always take part at all the concerts in our factory. Once at a music contest I took the first place. The director of the TV and Radio Choir offered me to work in hid choir. At the factory I made 450 roubles a month, and he offered my 690 a month. While still studying in school I studied in the evening school for adults – thus I received music education. So in January 5, 1959 I became an artist of the TV and Radio Choir where I worked for 47 years. I gave concerts everywhere: at factories, in music halls, at radio stations and TV programs.

Tell about your present life.

I have turned 85, have been through some serious surgeries, have an uncurable disease which makes it difficult for me to walk and do something, but because of my character I do not give up for I need to take care of my son. I regret of been so old – otherwise, I would have joined the Army to defend our land. I write poetry. I have a number of poems about the war, about our courageous soldiers, about our strong nation. That will surely overcome the attack of Russian barbarians and bandits. Glory to Ukraine – glory to Heroes!

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

I have believed in Christ since my childhood. The Lord has helped me in all life situations. I would always cry to the Lord and He helped. I have been in St. Paul Church for 20 years now. With great love I remember Roger and Diane, Kim and Wes – I ask God to give them good health, joy and happiness, strength of the spirit, power from the Holy Spirit to overcome our enemies.

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

I thank God for having given us such sponsors and friends who help us, St. Paul Church to survive at such time of the war. I have written about 1,500 pieces of poetry. My dream is to publish them one day. Recently I have written a poem about Christmas. Here it is (no rhyme in translation, sorry ):

Christ is born! Let us praise Him!

It is the best holiday of all!

He was born of the Spirit and

Had power over the whole world.

His glorious works were known everywhere

And songs of praise were sung.

Lord – You are our God, Defender and Savior,

You are the Ruler over heaven and earth!

You works have been known by all generations,

People of faith keep on coming to You.

You are with us, our Savior and our Father,

We believe that soon the war will come to its end.

You are our hope, faith and love.

Our Ukraine will be restored by You.

Merry Christmas – Ukraine is saying to You,

Our Defender Who will bring us victory!