Alina was a normal, healthy child. At the age of 10, she started becoming unusually clumsy and it was soon revealed that her spine was deteriorating. She has been diagnosed with "a hemangioma involving the vertebral bodies of the thoracic region." In short, her spine is now a jelly-like substance and she constantly lays in a cast that has to be re-made from time to time for her growing body.
Alina and our son Nate share a birthday on the same day. She turned 18 today, and our Nate turned 6. We were blessed to begin our day of celebration by making a visit to her home.Last year, my hubby David asked Alina to share her testimony with the teenagers who attended our annual Youth Camp/Conference. Her testimony was such a rich credit to the omnipotence of God and His working in her life, that I have decided to share that testimony here with you:
Hello! I am Alina. I have a great desire to share with you how God has changed my life. Nine years ago I became ill with a spinal disease. I cannot walk and after an operation, during which there were complications, I became paralyzed. Many doctors have tried to heal me, but no one knows how to help me. I live with my mother and my sister. My father left us, and he lives in Russia. During the beginning stages of my illness, my mother was unable to work because she had to be with me and my little sister. We lived with my grandmother and my grandfather and the three of us lived on their pension.There were times when it was very difficult on us, and I asked myself, “What are we guilty of?” I thought that God was punishing us.
There were people who wanted to help, but when they came to understand that their efforts were in vain, they stopped coming. All of my friends, with time, also left and forgot me.
My life changed when God brought a Christian sister into our home - Natasha Nikitina. Natasha introduced us to Pastor Bob Van Sant, and he shared with me about the Savior. On the 31st of August, 2004, I was saved.
When I received the Lord as my Savior, my life changed. I finally understood that, even before salvation, God had not forsaken us. He had placed family members around me who were always willing to help. Everything that our family suffered was not punishment, but rather a test which was given to us so that we would draw nigh to the Lord and grow in our faith. Now I understand that the Lord is with me, and He protects me and my family.
I am thankful to God that He saved my family and that we are able to be involved in church. There are so many people there who pray for me, help me, and come to visit me in my home. I have received many letters through the church from many cities and countries. I am very happy that I now have friends who sincerely love me and fellowship with me.
Every day I praise God for the faith that He has given us. There are new medicines that may be able to help me. I believe that, with God’s help, I can one day stand and our lives will be easier, and I can begin attending church.
I want to say thank you for the opportunity to praise the name of the Lord. I hope that my testimony will help you realize that THE ALMIGHTY helps us in everything, and that “all things work together for good.” The most important thing is to pray and believe in Him. [This testimony can also be found on the BIMI website, a missionary-sending agency with over 1,000 missionaries working in 82 countries.]
Alina's sister Tanya, aunt Irina, mother Luda, and cousin Luda
Alina rarely leaves her home. Since she cannot even sit up, it is difficult to transport her and she is also extremely susceptible to illnesses due to a low immune system. We are blessed with her presence in our church services two to three times a year (Easter, Youth Conference, and Christmas). Nelya, a young lady who works for us, goes to her home once a week and teaches her the Bible.We have been praying for a miracle in Alina's life, and I want to ask you to join us in prayer for this miracle. We can see the hand of God already moving, and we are begging Him to do something amazing for this beautiful child of God.
A few months ago, we were able to get all of Alina's medical documents translated from Russian to English. This was no easy task because not even a highly qualified translator could do it. The translation had to be done by someone in the medical field who knew the proper terminology as well as both languages. Now that we have these documents translated, we are seeking help for Alina abroad. Just this past month the Lord allowed us to cross paths with an American family that was here adopting a Ukrainian baby. Through this family, we have been put in contact with a world-renown doctor who has taken an interest in Alina's case. Alina knows nothing about this, and we do not want to say anything to her or her family for fear of disappointing them. However, this doctor knows what needs to be done to improve her situation, and he has the talent to perform the delicate surgery needed. Because her legs have been paralyzed, we do not think that she could ever walk again. However, maybe the Lord would allow her to be able to sit up once again. Imagine how much easier that would make her life... just eating and drinking would become drastically easier! Please join us in prayer in asking the Great Physician to work in this doctor's heart... that he would agree to heal Alina to the best of his ability and that he would be able to find sponsors for this great undertaking. It is a huge request, but we are stepping out by faith and begging God for this miracle! If YOU will begin praying with us, please print out her picture and leave a comment here to let us know you are joining our prayer team!