Work of my dreams – there is nothing impossible for God!

Recently I was asked to share my testimony. I hope it will encourage some of you.

I was always busy and very active at work and church in Ukraine. I used to work as an assistant professor at Dnipro National University there. But when I got ill in 2018, I had to quit my job which I always took as my missionary field. Working for the secular university, in an often hostile environment, I was pressured, underestimated, and never paid well! I know that my value is not determined by what I did or do for God but still, it was a very difficult experience.

When we moved to Canterbury last August I knew I would need a job so I began to work on my CV to make it in alignment with English style and requirements. Due to my disability, I needed a remote job – it looked like a “mission impossible”!

Somewhere in September, Kathryn Segal preached on ‘Follow Me with your work’ and the Lord touched me through that word mightily. I remember myself sincerely crying out to God right in the meeting: “Lord, I feel as if I’ve been put aside on a shelf as something not needed, useless, helpless, and disqualified, at work and at church!” I was sure the Father would take care of us. I knew He would provide, I just didn’t know how.

The very next week I brought my son Makar to the chess club at the University of Kent. Another lady, Olena, came there and brought her nephews to the club that day. Apparently, Olena was a Ukrainian professor who moved here and works at the Department of Social Work at the University of Kent. Social Work is my specialization and I thought: “Hm, this cannot be a coincidence!” So, Olena asked me if I was searching for a job. Of course, I nodded still a bit surprised! They needed a researcher for a project at the University of Kent.

Within a week Professor Sally from the project contacted me and after 15 minutes of our conversation via Zoom, she told me that they were happy to see me in their team! The University of Kent hired me for a remote job as an Associate Researcher without even seeing my Ph.D. Diploma or seeing me in person. God provided me with so interesting work within the scope of my interests and skills, with a decent salary, and blessed me with a team of such lovely and supportive people I can learn from and share the Gospel and love of Christ with! During our business trip to Lithuania earlier in June, I have already had some very interesting conversations with my team about my Christian faith, God’s love and forgiveness!

I am sure that the Lord enjoys responding to our trust, providing for us in the things that seem to be too difficult for us!