Maria

Meet Maria Yermachenkova!

Sometimes God places a person in your life and you’re not really sure why. At first, perhaps I’m supposed to teach this person, mentor them, or shepherd them somehow. While maybe that’s true as a person of a more seasoned age I’m supposed to be those things to younger people. But sometimes it’s not so much the impact I have on them as it is their impact on me.

Maria Yermachenkova (pictured right) is one such person. Maria, (or Masha as those who love her know her) inspires me. She can brighten any dark day for sure. Masha is one of the happiest and most tenderhearted people I know. Her laugh, smile, and energy is more contagious than a cold in an elevator!

I met Masha about a decade ago in Simferopol, Crimea. At that time I was leading volunteer teams of young adults in an outreach ministry to orphans. Of course, in 2014 Crimea was annexed from Ukraine and that brought our trips there to an end. However, the many friendships we grew out of that time prevailed and continue to this day. My relationship with Masha is one of the most meaningful and significant.

Masha serving at a home for handicapped residents near Aalen.

Probably though the most alluring thing about Masha is her heart for serving. She loves serving the Lord and serving others. When Russia’s invasion of Ukraine began she was still in Crimea. It was about this time that she began feeling the Holy Spirit leading her toward a new life. She shared these thoughts with me:

“When I was in Crimea I wasn’t going anywhere in life. I was trying to understand myself, I didn’t have any plan to run away from something or someone. You may recall the words in scripture about Mary and that “she treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart.”? Well, so did I. Different people from different sides of our planet would ask me if I wanted to go or if I had thought about going to Germany. And I repeat again that I did not have it in my plan, but after I saw or heard another person asking me about going to Germany, I said, “Ok, God, do you want me to go to Germany?“

For many refugees, the only way out of Mariupol and Melitopol was to cross the thin isthmus connecting Ukraine to Crimea. The lucky ones made their way through Crimea, into Russia, all the way around to the Baltic states, and finally into Europe.

It was during this time that Masha went to serve at the refugee station on the Crimea-Ukraine border. It was there that she was first struck by the despair and anguish of Ukrainian refugees escaping the war. They had lost everything and many came with only the clothes they had on their backs and few belongings.

In July, Masha made the decision to leave Crimea and move to Aalen Germany. We chatted by text off and on about her desire to move and the challenges she was facing in that decision - both the emotional and the spiritual struggle it was causing her. But during that struggle, she received the affirmation she was looking for. Keep reading…

“In July (2022) a period of miracles began. When I said that I’m going to Germany (keep in mind that I still didn’t know why or what for) one of my college friends, with whom we have not been in contact for over 10 years, called me and said that her family wanted to invite me to their home in Germany. God affirmed my decision! Later during our farewell party on one of my last evenings at home with my family (my parents and brothers with their families are still in Crimea), my father said these words to me: „You know what, I always wanted to have my children to live near, and the fact that you are leaving soon hurts my heart, but I give you my blessing“ When he spoke these words to me, it was like lightning striking. A blessing from my father was like another sign for me, that God wanted me to come to Germany.”

Masha is now settled in Aalen living with friends and helping with their kids. She has been studying German and recently took her proficiency exam.

“After I came to Germany in August 2022, I faced so many problems - immigrants, foreigners, or missionaries all came together from different countries - a foreign language, an uncommon culture, and no family or friends around. I began to pray, “Hello, God, is this where you led me? Is this what I have to go through?“ There were so many other questions! I was angry with Him, but God would repeat - “I’m here with you, Maria, don’t worry.”

But that isn’t enough for Masha. She has been seeking the Lord’s will and for ways to serve Ukrainians who find themselves as refugees in Aalen. Almost sends me a text every week to tell me about the way God has been leading her and revealing himself. And she’s always surprised by it. And as for me? I just laugh and then remind her that it’s the answer to what I’ve been praying for her all along.

Recently, She helped a family move into an apartment. “Another page of my life here started with German classes, I want to understand and to be able to communicate with people here.

This February we found out that one family from Ukraine (A woman - a mother and 5 children, 3 of them are foster kids, and a grandmother) was coming to our city. God revealed himself through even more miracles! First of all, refugees come here and it takes months to find an apartment. God had a different plan! An apartment was found before this family even arrived! Different people got together to help this family to find furniture, mattresses, and other things so that they would not have to worry about when they would come here.”

That same week she connected with a new friend, Olga (pictured here with Masha). Olga is also from Ukraine, from the area around Bucha and Irpen near Kyiv. You may recall the news stories and these suburbs of Kyiv and the atrocities that occurred there in the Spring of 2022. Olga has been providing humanitarian aid and sending much need items like adult and baby diapers, medicine, and hygiene products back to these de-occupied Ukrainian towns near the Kyian Rih region from Germany.

It turns out that Olga was sending parcels filled with as much aid as she can afford from her own paycheck. That’s right, from her own pocket. Masha explained,

Olga (L) and Masha (R)

“These parcels go to elderly people and those who are in hospitals and need help. Diapers for adults, layings, bedding, and food. They also asked us to send blankets because they meet refugees in their church and make bed pallets on the floor. We’re not stopping because we see photos of the people who receive our parcels - it's a special feeling!

Some of the parcels that Masha, Olga, and Alyona have been busy preparing, packing, and shipping.

About a week after she told me about Olga, we decided to send a small amount of money to Masha to help. Masha didn’t disappoint. She got right to work purchasing the goods that were most needed. She reported the expenditure of almost every penny. She packed half a dozen parcels and still had some leftover dollars. She went back and purchased even more items, packed them, and prepared them for shipping.

Masha and her new friends Alyone (L), Masha (C), and Olga (R).

We were looking for a way to support Masha and her passion for serving. God is always good. He has given her the gifts of energy, joy, compassion, and determination. I love her heart. I know Papa loves her heart even more. And now he has provided her with a way to serve people who need her kindness and care the most. And we want to encourage that.

“Who knows, maybe I was sent here for this very purpose; for such a time as this”, Masha said.

We are supporting Masha on a semi-monthly basis and we want to establish a budget for her in the near future. But to do that, we need pledges and commitments. If you would like to join our partnership team and fund Masha monthly.

Please consider supporting our effort to partner with Maria.

Visit www.1231ministries.org/donate. Memo: “Maria”

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