Image: The family with one of the white bags that helped save the family.
HIV infected - with five years to live
In 1996, when I was in prison, I was diagnosed with HIV and the doctors told me I only had five years to live. I wanted to live so badly and thought: "I still have three years left of my prison sentence and then I only have two years left of my life!"
Every night when I went to sleep, I prayed to God that He would give me at least two years to live after my release so I could leave something good in the world.
Vladimir married Irina despite HIV - he had faith in her recovery
When I was released, my mom took me to church. There I met my future husband. He was praising the Lord, and I thought that if God had changed him, he could change me too, because I knew how he had been before he became a Christian. My husband, Vladimir, had also accepted Jesus in prison, and that's how the Lord brought us together. I was surprised that Vladimir wasn't intimidated by my HIV diagnosis and my sinful past. He said that everything is possible for God and that God would heal me, and I believed him and agreed to marry him.
Could Irina have children after 4 miscarriages?
But my victory did not come easily. I had to be strong in faith for the sake of my children because the doctors were worried because of my HIV diagnosis.
Threatened with forced abortion
During my pregnancy with Michael, the regional AIDS Center threatened to terminate. My heart was broken and I turned to God. They prepared for the abortion, but suddenly the doctors completely changed their minds and agreed with me, and I gave birth to my son Michael - it means "protector of God's people".
Two years ago, I fell ill with tuberculosis of the lungs and lymph nodes. It lasted for seven months. The fever remained high and again I had to put my trust in God.
The church helped send my children to a health center, and my husband tried to find work but earned little. In the hospital, I had a good opportunity to share God's word with people, I made new friends and some of them came to faith in Christ and we have been friends ever since. In the hospital I had two major surgeries and three minor ones, and they all went well, thank God.
The church helped with white bags - sponsored by Danish European Mission donors
When I came home from the hospital six months ago, I immediately brought the children home, but our financial situation was very difficult. The church helped us temporarily with "white bags", which are large quantities of groceries in a white bag. It is a great support for our family and it helps us to get through this difficult time until we can take care of ourselves.
We would like to say to all of you that we are very grateful for the help and care we have received in our difficult situation.
Grateful for the bags of hope
It's been more than 12 years since I got out of prison! 12 amazing years with God, and my dream of becoming rich in good deeds is coming true. Everything is possible with God.
Helping other poor families
Lately, we've been thinking about helping other poor families through the church's aid program, so we signed up for "Helping Hands" - a service where we help people with practical things. For example, we refurbish poor people's apartments. We hope to one day be able to buy washing machines for large, poor families and do many other good things.
We thank God for your compassionate hearts and prayers for the needy in our city.
Kind regards - the Funtikova family
Give bags of hope to the poor and vulnerable in Kazakhstan: Support
