Shyian, Valentyna

Опис

Tell about your childhood, school, family, etc.

Until I was 8 years old, I lived in the village with my mother and grandmother, without my father. We were very poor. Then we moved to the city of Dzherzhynsk, Donetsk region. My mother remarried, gave birth to my brother and divorced her husband. We had an apartment and I went to school. I went to work and studied at a pedagogical institute part-time.

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

Then I worked as a secretary to the principal at the school and also as a librarian. The conditions were difficult. It was very cold in the school. I got tuberculosis. Then I continued to study at Donetsk University to become a philologist. Then I worked as a teacher at a school in Dzerzhynsk (Toretsk). I have professional burnout, the work is very hard and nerve-wracking. Now I have a disability. I have problems with my stomach, eyesight, and nervous system disorders.

Tell about your present life.

Since 2014, life there has become increasingly difficult. The city was constantly under fire. Together with my mother, who was already 96 years old, I moved to Kyiv. Together, our pensions were enough to rent an apartment and pay for utilities. In 2024, my mother died. Now we are facing serous financial challenges. I don’t have enough money for medical treatment. I have no savings. I have a grandson, he lives in Poltava region, he is a student. I would like to help him too, but I don’t have this opportunity now. I am very grateful to St. Paul’s Church for all the help I receive from them.

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

Yes, I have believed in Jesus Christ since childhood. I went to church with my grandmother every Sunday. Since 2018, I have been reading the Bible more and more often on my own. I want to study God’s word more thoroughly and pray together with other believers.

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

I have a serious need for housing because I cannot afford to pay rent. I constantly pray to God for help. I ask the Lord for the end of this war and therefore join the common prayer for our victory and peace.