The
Kingdom of God is always advancing and ground is being taken in both the physical and spiritual realm. This month’s newsletter includes examples of where kingdom advancement has taken place at StreetCry.
Student Spotlight: Cristina Kapralova
Cristina is studying in her second year at the StreetCry School of Ministry. She is 26 years old and came to Christ after ending an eight year addiction to heroin. Here is her story:
When I was eight years old my parents divorced. My father moved out and my younger brother and I stayed with mom. This was a pivotal event in my life as it occurred at the time I needed my father’s attention most. Before leaving, father tried to set some boundaries for me and enforce discipline. Now, there was no one in the family who could stop my rebellion or guide me down the right path. His absence removed any restraint I felt and freed me to do what was right in my own eyes.
At the age of 12 I missed more school than I attended. I started smoking cigarettes and experimenting with drugs. In the beginning, hash and marijuana were my drugs of choice. At the age of 15 I was introduced to heroin and became a regular user. From the age of 15 to 19 I used drugs every day.
After graduating from high school I moved around a great deal. As a result of my involvement in a certain criminal affair, I owed a large sum of money to a very dangerous man in our area. He had the means make life very miserable for me so I did my best to stay out of sight and on the move.
The infamous Dybenko market in St. Petersburg was where I purchased my doses of heroin. At that time Dybenko was the third largest drug trafficking spot in the world. Ironically, it was here I heard the gospel preached for the first time.
One day while I was at the market I noticed a man playing guitar, singing songs, and handing out flyers. To my absolute shock and horror I recognized the singer as the dangerous man I still owed a large sum of money. Before I could escape he noticed me and had signaling for me to come talk to him. My whole life flashed before my eyes. When I stood face to face with him he smiled at me and asked me what I was doing there. He then pleaded with me not to purchase any drugs but to repent and give my life to Jesus. The fact that he was in Dybenko market telling people they did not need drugs impressed me but it did lead me to change. I thanked him for his concern and quickly departed from his presence never to see him again.
In order to support my growing heroin addiction I became a dealer. One day while making a sale at Dybenko market, I bumped into a girlfriend I had grown-up with but not seen in many years. During our high-school years she had desperately tried to stop me from using heroin. Sadly, she too was now a user. As we talked she told me that her and her husband had joined a Christian rehab but quit before completing the treatment. Just as she had done in school she pleaded that I stop using heroin. She also told me about Jesus and then gave me a Bible and suggested I try reading it. As soon as she finished she proceeded to bartering with me for a hit of heroin. I was bewildered and confused at the glaring contradiction in her message. This gave me serious doubts about the validity of the gospel message.
During this time I was living on my own and gradually increasing my daily dosage of heroin. My health was deteriorating and my debt escalating. The police and debt collectors were both after me. I lived in a state of constant fear. At this point I realized I needed to change.
I had been trapped in the drug lifestyle for eight years and left disappointed with the results. Using all the will power I had I stopped using drugs. I found a legitimate job and began paying of some of my debts. I also severed all contact with former friends who sold or used drugs.
After making these dramatic changes I expected to find some happiness and contentment. Instead I fell incredibly depressed and empty. I began to long for the days when I had the heroin to keep me occupied. My thoughts turned philosophical as I pondered the true meaning behind my existence.
During this time of soul searching my girlfriend from school surprised me with a personal visit. She was excited to tell me that after making several more attempts at finishing rehab treatments she finally succeeded. As she shared her story with me I noticed a new joy in her countenance I had not seen before. This time she talked about Jesus as if He was a personal friend. She and her husband were making plans to open a Christian rehab center outside of St. Petersburg.
To my surprise, she asked if I was interested in becoming their first patient. Before she had a chance to finish explaining I stopped her to state that I was no longer a drug addict. Still she persisted and told me joining would ensure a complete recovery. I was drawn by the joy and sincerity in her voice and, not knowing exactly why, I agreed to join their new venture.
As I began the rehab program I was determined not to be influenced by my friend’s devotion to this man Jesus. One day while eating together my friend explained the gospel to me in detail and asked if I wanted to pray the sinner’s prayer. In order to appease her and I agreed to say the words of this prayer. Afterward I felt no difference in my heart and mockingly told her she was crazy and that God did not exist.
Soon after this a new girl joined the rehab. One day I overheard my friend explaining the gospel to the new patient. As I eavesdropped on their conversation I began to feel a strange sensation in my heart. This time when I heard the gospel message explained it made sense to me and I felt a strong conviction that I needed to get saved. Right there and then I received Jesus and repented. I went to my friend and told her that this time I really meant it when I prayed. From this time on I told others about Jesus and that He is real.
After finishing my rehabilitation I stayed and helped other girls get free of drugs and addicted to Jesus. Today I thank God that I am alive because without Him I have no hope now, or in eternity.
News
Expanded Office Space
A new agreement has been made for StreetCry to acquire additional square footage in the current rental facility. The new space will be designated exclusively as work space for office staff. The already inhabited space will be transformed into a bookstore/evangelism coffee house. Basic renovations are currently underway in the new room which should be completed in early February.
Prostitute Outreach
For more than six years evangelism teams from StreetCry have ventured out into the streets of St. Petersburg to witness to women working as prostitutes. They have seen the response to evangelism improving. Sergei, who participates in the evangelism every week, recently commented that the women are now more willing to receive the ministry being offered.
Sergei shared a story regarding a recent surprise encounter he had while witnessing in January. He and another person met two women they recognized, having ministered to them two years prior. One of the two girls had accepted Christ as a result of this meeting but then returned to prostitution. The woman informed them that over the past year she had been in prison and then the hospital and was now just recently back working on the streets. She was very glad to be reunited with the team and expressed interest in joining a Christian rehab center.
There is a need for more workers in this type of ministry as prostitution is a growing problem in St. Petersburg. Sergei and others have been encouraged to see women graduating from the Christian rehab centers and joining in the efforts of reaching out to females working as prostitutes.
Prayer Points for February:
- Evangelism ministry to prostitutes in St. Petersburg
- School of Ministry students and staff
- Wisdom and understanding for leadership team
- Physical and spiritual protection for entire ministry
- Spiritual breakthrough in St. Petersburg and Russia
- Righteousness, peace, and joy for everyone in the ministry
- Wisdom, compassion, boldness and power for evangelism ministry
