By Fred Hardinge, DrPH, RD, FAND, Associate Director of Health Ministries for the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists
This recently opened institution is located a few kilometers from the heart of Kiev where more than 30 people have been killed in the civil unrest that is shaking Ukraine. While many have fled the city, the staff of our Center remain faithfully sharing the healing love of Jesus.
Yury Bondarenko, MD, MPH, medical director, shares this powerful testimony. In spite of the turmoil, 20 people attended an evening program on Healthy Sleep. Following the close of the last evening, a 39 year woman came to Dr. Yury to thank him and concluded “especially the spiritual part of the program.” He answered with a “praise the Lord.”
“But,” she continued, “this program through the four evenings was a real blessing and the salvation for me and my children.” She then explained that she had found a tall building of 17 floors with access to the roof so she and her two children could commit suicide by jumping to their deaths. Instead of following through with that plan, she came to the class on sleep.
“After two meetings I found hope, and decided not to commit suicide with my children! I found kind people who took a genuine interest in us.”
As Dr. Yury was sharing this story, he said tears of joy were running down his cheeks. He concluded with, “I don’t have any more comments, just ‘Praise our Lord Jesus!’” Amen.
Please pray for the people of Ukraine and the staff and work of this new Center of Influence in this now troubled city, that the Hope of Jesus will reach many, many more discouraged people.
