 ID 41593 Family Yurchenko
Kyiv, Ukraine
Valeriy and Zhanna Yurchenko came to Christ in 1996. Before becoming foster parents, Valeriy was a deacon responsible for preaching, mercy ministries and church administration. The father of four also worked full time, making it difficult to spend the desired amount of time with his family. He was in the ministry for three years when he asked God, “Is all this from You or from my flesh?” He felt that he was called to something greater and began praying for God’s will with Zhanna.
When Zhanna was in the maternity ward giving birth to one of their children, she saw two women sign over custody of their children to the state. The couple wanted to help and adopt at least one child, but was not permitted to because there were already six people living in their one-room apartment. In a separate encounter on a train, the Yurchenkos came across many homeless children who were sniffing glue and begging. That also touched their hearts. Valeriy and Zhanna fed the children and shared the Gospel with them, but understood the little ones also needed a family. They prayed for seven years ministering to children when God confirmed his calling and opened the doors. The local authorities approved them as foster parent and the couple received an apartment and financial support to begin a foster family. They currently parent six foster children. “If every family would welcome one orphan into their family, there would be no orphans left in Ukraine,” Valeriy said. The Yurchenkos requested prayer for more foster families in Ukraine, for those in power to support foster parents, for the physical and spiritual healing of the children and for God’s strength in ministry.
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