I started working for the UEC two years ago, the Monday after my graduation from ICU-Kyiv. During these past two years, my life has become closely entwined with the life of the Center. And as the UEC is facing a time of change this summer, it is also a time of change for me personally.

This summer we are saying goodbye to Sergiy Lyakh. Sergiy has been the UEC manager for most of the Center's life. Four years of his work were devoted to the growth, development, and everyday life of the UEC. Sergiy trained me the first few weeks of my work at the Center, showing me how to check-in and check-out books, where to put fresh towels in the morning, and what to tell people who want to register for the library. He also gave me much of the knowledge and skills that are so necessary for me now and that I am very thankful for. Sergiy will be going to Pepperdine this August to pursue an MBA. As sad as it is to see him leave, we wish Sergiy a great start to this new step in his life. Please pray that God would bless these next two years of study.

Despite some sadness connected to Sergiy's departure and changes at the UEC, there is a great joy in my heart. On May 27, I had the honor to have my UEC family join me and my new husband, Vitaly Samodin, to celebrate our wedding.

Vitaly and I decided to ask Chris Lovingood to perform the ceremony, as he had participated greatly in the conversion and spiritual growth of both of us. Vitaly first heard the Gospel in the Introduction to Bible course led by Chris, and I started coming to church services after attending Saturday student nights organized by him and other Nivky church members. At different times and in different circumstances, as our faith grew, we both became members of the body of Christ at Nivky. We also became regular UEC patrons, and we have been blessed by its work for many years now. In the beginning of this summer, God blessed us with a wonderful day of celebration filled with joy and warmth in the unity of our natural families and our one big spiritual family at Nivky.

On that day, God also joined our lives together and we have begun a new life as one. We pray that we may become a family that will serve Christ with this new life.

Vitaly is currently involved in ministry with the Nivky Church of Christ. After returning from our honeymoon in Crimea, he also started a half-time job with the Ukrainian Education Center. He is going to take over many of Sergiy's responsibilities. It makes me rejoice that the UEC gives us an opportunity to serve Christ together as a family every day.

Poste on August 29, 2006