Last Bell & Evangelism Series, Part II
(See Part I here)
We love welcoming orphanage graduates into “the fold”: listening to their questions, including them in Zhytomyr’s community of Christians, teaching them about God, and rejoicing when they choose to follow Jesus.
Digging a little deeper into Last Bell’s culture of service and evangelism, we want to highlight Vitya Andrusenko, who’s been with Last Bell for eight years. Vitya and his wife Lena have shepherded many orphanage graduates through their teen years and into their 20s. Here’s what Vitya shared about his personal approach to evangelism.
While Helping
“The best way is while helping,” Vitya said. On the day he was interviewed, Vitya had just been teaching Ruslan, a young orphanage graduate, how to fix his bike. While their hands were busy with bike parts and tools, Vitya shared some ways the Bible applies to everyday life. “It’s like in the movies,” he said, “those scenes where guys are playing basketball but talking about something personal.”
Vitya also helped Ruslan’s brother fix a bicycle – twice. “My hobby is doing different things with my hands, practical things, fixing cell phones for lots of people,” he said. He often talks to young people about God and their lives while fixing their cell phones. “It’s an opportunity for relationships.”
Off the Clock
“The kids are most attentive to conversation about God,” Vitya said, “when you help them during your free time – special days or evenings they know you’re not supposed to be working. They see you care about them.”
Growing Toward God
At first, orphanage graduate Oleg “had no budgeting skills, and wasted money easily, so he never had any money. I spent a lot of time teaching him how to manage it. Now he knows how to budget, and this helps him in his everyday life.”
Oleg and Vitya at a Last Bell summer camp
Vitya worked with Oleg to purchase a broken bicycle, then taught him how to fix it, mostly in his personal time. Like Vitya, Oleg is good with his hands, and was able to sell the bike for a small profit. They did the same with a second bike, and again Oleg was able to sell it for a small profit. He’s now working on a third bike. Vitya also taught him how to fix cell phones.
Oleg (left) with another orphanage graduate and a staff member at the Day Center
Oleg became “like a younger brother.” He attends church with Vitya’s family, and started dating a young woman from the church. He visits Vitya’s family at home, dropping by even without an invitation. He’s planning his future with the guidance of the church. He hasn’t yet been baptized, but Vitya says he’s very close to God.
Oleg said he sees “life with God is much better,” not only in getting but also in giving: Oleg has begun volunteering with the little kids at our Stop the Cycle meetings.
We’re grateful for all of you who support and pray for our young people’s hearts, and for our staff as they seek opportunities to share Jesus’ love. Thank you! “The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective” (James 5:16, ISV).