(Editor's note: Marina Aranchuk is a gentle Russian Jewish woman with a strong faith in Yeshua the Messiah. After earning a degree in mechanical engineering, and her family immigrated to Brooklyn in 2000. The Lord brought them to Hope Of Israel Congregation, and now Marina is the Director of Hopeline, the new crisis telephone ministry of the Russian Community Life Center. Her testimony is translated from Russian.)

Speaking Thru His Creation

I was born in Minsk, Belarus into a Jewish family. My parents were atheists as were most people who grew up under Soviet rule. We were taught that religion is the opium of the people.

My grandmother raised me until I was six. In contrast to my parents, Grandma and Grandpa believed in God. They were Hassidic Jews. At that time, in Minsk, the women did not wear schindels (wigs) and the men did not grow payot (side curls) or wear black hats. Any faith, including Judaism, was persecuted.

My dear grandparents managed to observe every Jewish holiday and Grandma kept kosher and baked challah bread for Shabbat. During the holidays, Grandpa quietly went to the Hassidic synagogue situated in a small house hidden from the eyes of strangers. At home they spoke Yiddish, sang beautiful Jewish songs and read the Scriptures in Hebrew. However, we grandchildren had to keep all of it to ourselves. I knew there was a God and that He loved the Jewish people. At the same time, I was taught that the Goyim (Gentiles) have their own God and that is why they do not like Jewish people.

As if it were today, I see a bright sunny summer day when the Lord revealed Himself to me in His love and mercy. I had just turned eighteen. I was sitting in the backyard of our home studying for an upcoming physics exam. But I could not concentrate on anything because of a horrible headache, the consequence of a recent concussion.

I had always been a good student and I could not imagine failing a test. I was desperate. Suddenly, everything seemed dark in my life. I looked up to the blinding blue sky and thought, "Could it be there is actually Someone out there?" I said, "Lord, if You exist and the truth exists, help me! I don't know what to do. I am all alone and no one will help me."

I am not sure how to describe this, but suddenly I felt great stillness and peace, and a bright stream of light stretched out to me. I knew something was happening. I could not move. Later, I got up, went home and went to sleep.

I woke up in the evening of the next day with joy and the realization that something wonderful had happened to me. I reviewed my notes and the next morning I passed the exam. I was healed even though I knew nothing about His healing power!

Speaking Thru His Son

Something inside me had changed and I looked differently at the people around me. I also stopped swearing. After my finals I went to Leningrad ( now Saint Petersburg). There in the Hermitage museum I was looking at the works of the great artists. Stunned by the number of paintings dedicated to Biblical themes and heroes, I spent most of my time thinking about God. I wondered why so many art works were based on the Bible. Why had people worshipped God for so many generations? Why was such a horrible death as that of Yeshua needed? What should I, a Jew, do with the knowledge of Yeshua, the Son of God?

I had never heard a sermon or seen the Bible. I had only seen the Torah in Hebrew. I learned the account of Yeshua from the museum tour guide. His story touched my heart. I was crying for nights and saying, "Yeshua, I love You, but I shouldn't because I am Jewish. What should I do? Forgive me!" I never could have guessed that this was a prayer, or that it was called repentance.

Speaking Thru His Scriptures

Soon, I found the Gospels in the old Slavic language, and then in Polish. The Lord Himself was coming near to me and doing miracles. I read in Polish and understood everything! A short time later, I was listening to the radio and came across an evangelistic broadcast in Russian from Monte Carlo. I began to listen to it daily.

Soviet magazines such as Atheist and Science And Religion printed excerpts from the Old Testament. They tried to prove that there is no God, and told all kinds of tales about believers, but I learned to read between the lines.

It took me a long time to realize my faith. I spent years looking for the Bible and for other believers. I was totally surprised to find other Jewish people who believed in Yeshua!

Today, as I continue to walk with the Lord and grow in my faith, I cannot stop speaking of the One Who changed my life. He who spoke to our forefathers in the wilderness, revealed Himself in the last days through His Son.

No one can convince me that He forgot His people. No one can say that His hand is tired and He no longer heals. Yeshua showed me His love through His death on the cross. He spoke with me through His creation. What I needed to know about Him, He spoke directly to my heart. He is merciful, healing, all-forgiving, not wanting to condemn. He revived my heart. He gave me the Holy Spirit to illuminate the Scriptures. All of the prophets spoke of Him and everything they said about Him is true!

My children, my parents and my husband all believe that Yeshua is the Messiah of Israel. Even today, He does not stop working miracles and we will not stop praising Him. Yeshua lives and He is coming soon!