Shimanskaya Lena

Description

Tell about your childhood, school, family, etc.

There were five children in our family. I was the oldest. During the Second World War, my father was part of the partisan movement. I used to bring them food. Once I was almost captured by the Nazis. But I managed to escape and hide in another village. Then my father went to fight on the front line and died six months later. After the war, a distant relative took me to her home in Kyiv.

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

In Kyiv, I went to evening school and at the same time started working at a garment factory. I was earning money and thus helping my siblings as well. I liked working at the factory. I was good at my job. I worked there for 40 years. I received an award for conscientious work and housing from the state.

Tell about your present life.

I got married. Life started to get better. But my husband got cancer. After the diagnosis, he lived only three years. I was left alone because we had no children. Now I have big problems with my eyes, I can hardly see anything. My pension is small, it is enough only for medicines. I am very grateful to American Christians who provide us with financial support. I am also grateful for St. Paul’s Church.

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

I am a survivor of the Second World War. But I have believed in God all my life. Whenever I could, I went to the Orthodox Church with my parents. I accepted Christ in my heart in St. Paul’s Church in 2006.

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

Now I have problems with my hip joint. I can hardly move with a cane. I am advised to have an surgery, but I am worried whether it will really help me. I live alone. But at the same time I am not alone – I live with God!