I believe it is often obscure, hidden places where you find God’s people faithfully serving behind the scenes. I met 20-year old Kristina Pikuza-Bararushkina at Schofield Chapel, HI, last December. Her deep-rooted faith in Jesus Christ and courage to honor Him despite circumstances are inspiring. I pray her story will bring hope to those struggling in dark places. Our God hears, and He is near to the broken-hearted.  Her story reminds us how vital ministries like Samaritan Purse’s Operation Christmas Child are to children around the world. And most emphatically, what an incredible gift we have to worship freely in our country.

What is your background?

I was born in Kiev, Ukraine, in 1997. I moved to the USA in 2011 around 13 years old to Pennsylvania; and Brooklyn, NY, during my high school-college years. After marriage to my husband (who serves our US military), Artem and I were stationed in Hawaii.

What is your testimony?

I was born in a home with a Christian mother. Since I was a child, some pastors prayed continually for my salvation. I grew up going to church and remember being surrounded by love. I loved hearing stories about Jesus and watching biblical cartoons. I moved to the USA in middle school, and it was then that I put God on hold. I had to learn English, adjust to a new culture, survive school, and keep up with the flow of soul-shaking events. I always believed in God, but I stopped praying. I didn’t read my bible. God was not the center of my life; I was lost, broken, and miserable. I was soon married after high-school to a wonderful man. However, within five months, he shared his firm opinion that God was not his priority. I was scared, and I fell into a deep depression. How did I let myself fall into these circumstances? I knew I was not a holy person. I had committed some horrible sins; I believed unforgivable.

A few years later, I drove by myself to a chapel on Schofield, but it was closed. I sat on the front steps and prayed. For the first time in a long time, a sincere prayer rose from the dark pit of my soul. I started attending regularly but lied to my husband about it. I was afraid he would forbid me to go, take away my keys, or much worse. Still, it is a sin to lie. No sin is small or big. I went for a while, sat in the front, and was desperate to talk with someone. Then Chaplain Moose Myers preached one morning, and I came to him afterward. After sharing my story with him, I was surprised he didn’t judge me. CH Myers wasn’t terrified or wanted to send me away. He immediately connected me with his wife, Ashley, and I started going to a Navigators Bible Study. When I finally had enough courage to tell my husband I was a Christian, he simply said, “Okay.” Everything I feared would happen to me didn’t. I am thankful God used my unbelieving husband to bring me back to Him.</p

Explain how Operation Christmas ShoeBox has ministered to you.

We were qualified to receive shoeboxes each year from age 4-11 years old because we were poor. It was another source for me to know about God’s character. The most important thing was not worldly things, but the notes from people sharing, “I am praying for you,” and “God loves you SO MUCH.” I felt needed and cared for.

What are your thoughts on the current state of our culture compared to how you grew up?

In the USA, the government knows you are in church. No one is bombing you, setting your church on fire, or kicks you out of your home when they know you are gathering. I experienced much of this growing up. I didn’t know there could be freedom in worshipping Jesus Christ. We also don’t have much gun violence in Ukraine. I’m surprised it’s not banned here since there are higher potential risks of people shooting people in churches. However, your government protects your rights to be in church, funds churches, and lets you say the Word of God out loud. Communism is the opposite. The younger years of my grandma and mom were the times when pastors were put to death.

What advice or counsel would you give to young people today?

Set your eyes on God. There are going to be heartaches and challenges. Maybe you are experiencing these things now and say to yourself, “This is it for the rest of my life, I’m good now.” I wish this were the truth. It might come to a point where it will seem as though you are abandoned and hopeless. BUT GOD. He is Life, Love, and the Way. You are never alone from God. And remember this truth, He loves you the way you are! You don’t have to earn His love. Whatever sins you have committed now or in the past, confess those to Him. He will forgive you. Pray and watch your life be renewed.

How would you encourage those who are contemplating a shoebox and who continue to give?

Your shoebox matters! Don’t allow the enemy to make you believe that it’s not worth doing. Everything you have filled the box with is ABSOLUTELY USEFUL for this child. God already prepared this child for you. Pray over this child before you begin filling the box, and God will guide your heart to gather what is needed. It is also crucial to write a note and attach a picture of yourself to make it more personal. Add an e-mail address in case if they have a computer where they can write you back. Remember that you are changing a child’s life with your box. Every child will receive the Word of God through You, and that is rewarding.

To join in the effort to reach every child with the gospel of Jesus Christ with Samaritan’s Purse Operation Christmas Child Shoebox Outreach, visit here.