(Editor's note: Irina Ginzburg is an earnest young Russian Jewish lady who loves Jesus the Messiah. She and her son, Eric, faithfully attend Hope Of Israel Congregation.)

Persecuted Future Refugees

I was born in Uzbekistan in 1966. I knew nothing about Judaism as a child, but we did celebrate Passover. Grandmother made delicious matza.

Mainly, I knew that being a Jew was somehow bad. We tried to keep it a secret. I always heard slurs, and in school I was beaten up several times because I was a Jew. One day, the teacher asked what my religion was. I wanted to hide it, but she forced me. The entire class turned around and stared. Some kids stayed friendly, but most stayed away. Some would wait for me and say, "You don't belong here! Go to Israel!"

Deep inside, my mother knew there was a God, and she told me to talk to Him. I grew up with the vague idea that Someone was up there. When I was upset, I talked to Him. I did not know if He heard, because I did not know Him personally. Once, walking to school with a friend, I told her that I believed in God. I asked her not to tell anybody. Well, you know what happened. Now I was not only a Jew, but I also believed in God. This meant double persecution.

In the late 1970s, there was an opening for Jews to leave the Soviet Union. On the way to America, we had to stay in Italy for a few months. My parents were having marital problems by then, and Mother was depressed. One day, she came home with a small Bible, and she was smiling. Slowly, she started learning about Jesus and relying on Him. I began to hear more about God and how good He is.

When we got to America, I was 13. We lived in Cincinnati for three years, and I went to a Jewish school where I first heard about Jesus. They said He was a good prophet born to Mary and Joseph. I was excited to live in freedom without fear of being a Jew.

After we moved to Brooklyn, I often ran into Jehovah's Witnesses on the street. Their international headquarters is in Brooklyn. Everything they said to me was very appealing because my life was full of struggles. I read their magazines from cover to cover. But something always stopped me. Now I know the Lord was protecting me.

Later, I married and had a son. When Eric was small, he was often sick. I did not know God, but at night I cried out to Him. He showed me His mercy in delivering my son from harm.

Persistent False Religion

After I went back to work, my mom babysat. By then, my marriage was in trouble, and the Jehovah's Witnesses began to come to my home when my mother was there. She said she did not need them, but her daughter did!

They came to me with magazines and books in Russian. A Kingdom Hall was so conveniently located near my home. They invited me, and I went. It all sounded good. They had a Lord's Supper, but only a few old people could partake. It was said that they were the chosen ones who could go to heaven.

I spent over two years with them, but never felt like an actual member, although they pressured me to commit myself to their system and beliefs.

They were always available to take me to various activities, and I was with them three or four times a week. As I began to accept their ideas and to change, Mother grew concerned. She had not expected me to be drawn in so much. But God was protecting me.

Then I began dating an atheist and spending time with him. Finally, he laid down an ultimatum - either him or the Jehovah's Witnesses. I drew away from them, but the relationship went sour and I found myself alone with my son , still searching. Meanwhile, my mother started to pray for a place to worship God in her own language. One day, visiting a hospital, she found a flier for Hope Of Israel Congregation!

Perfect Free Redemption

She began to attend often, and absolutely loved it. The preaching, the singing, so many Jews, and all in Russian! She visited and comforted me, and I felt so unworthy, having lived such a shameful life. I thought God could not forgive me and love me. I asked her to pray for me, because I felt that He would hear her but not me. She also gave me a real Bible and a subscription to a real Christian magazine in Russian, and God worked.

At last, I found strength to end the relationship with the atheist. Mother persisted, and a few months later, I visited Hope Of Israel. That day, I heard the message through many tears, and accepted Jesus as my true Savior.

I had finally found what I had been looking for! I was so hungry for the truth that I never missed a worship service but sat at His feet, feasting and crying. The Word of God began washing me, and I so loved the warm and inviting fellowship with the people.

After I had been attending Hope Of Israel for a while, a Jehovah's Witness couple that I had known well visited my home. They showed me things from their books, and it was so very obvious that these and the rest of the Jehovah's Witness teachings were half-truths or lies. I showed them from the Bible the real truth about Jesus, and told them I was happily attending Hope Of Israel. They left, and since then the Jehovah's Witnesses have stayed away. Praise the Lord!

God keeps working with me and changing me. Even in my continuing struggles, He has been so faithful. Eric is now in a Christian school, and one of his favorite subjects is Bible. God has also given me a job in the finance department of Chosen People Ministries! I stand on His promise, "I will never leave you nor forsake you."