How Jesus Rescued Me From Torture – Yurii, Ukraine

Feb 1, 2017 1754

Yurii now shares the Good News in the very prison where he served time

How Jesus Rescued Me From Torture – Yurii, Ukraine

When I was young I often looked for trouble. As it turned out, at the age of 18 I had a baby son. This created a dysfunctional family, but somehow we stayed together for 5 years. At that time I wanted adventure. I stole things, but money did not make me happy. I also used drugs, and convinced others to start using them as well.

I was put into prison when I was 25, and sentenced to 15 years for a serious crime. I liked music, so by any means possible, I wanted to create a music group. Instead, because of my constant quarrels with other inmates and the administration, I was forbidden to go into the music room at all. That’s why I began attending the library where I unwittingly started reading the Bible and spiritual literature. I started going to sermons in the prison and soon I was baptised. But the truth was that I was not sincere. I only did it to help me get out of prison sooner.

Yurii has always loved music.

Yurii has always loved music.

And then something happened that changed my life. Police officers accused me of a double murder. This meant they could sentence me to life imprisonment, and even give me the death penalty. They took me to another city and tortured me to get a confession.

After one particularly brutal session of interrogation I was so desperate to forget everything that I opened a Bible that I somehow had with me. By chance, I opened it up to Psalm 50 and found the amazing words in verse 15: “I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me”. After reading that verse I understood that I would be delivered, and that after it, I would tell others, giving praise to God.

The thirteenth day of interrogation was coming. I had been so worried the previous nights. Whenever I heard any noise, I would become afraid that they had come for me. However, that night I calmly waited for God’s miracle. In the interrogation room the next day, I said, simply and sincerely, “I understand that you have the right to suspect me. But before you start examining me, I want to tell you that I am not guilty. But if you intend to keep going, I understand.” Then there was silence. The senior officer gave an order to take me back to the prison cell.

I was taken back to Poltava prison. However, I didn’t give praise to God. Instead, I told everyone how cool I was and how I didn’t crack under pressure. In fact, I had been almost broken. When my behavior became too violent, I was put into a special unit for violent prisoners for 15 days. While I was there, I would tell the other prisoners about Jesus. But when the period was over and I returned to my prison cell, I became proud again. It was when I was put into the special unit for the second time that I promised God to tell how He had delivered me.

For the next eight years I preached Jesus Christ. During that time, God gave me a wife and we were married in prison. I was still a prisoner when we had a baby son. God also allowed me to organise a music group.

In 2012, I was discharged early. Now, I am even part of the church worship team. I also assist the GNU supported pastor who evangelises in the prison where I served time. His promise to me came true, and today I thank God for the opportunity to help others. – Yurii (Edited by Ella Rodionoff)

Yurii and his band. He never imagined that he would be leading worship in a church!

Yurii and his band. He never imagined that he would be leading worship in a church!

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