Элизабет

Elizabeth is a loyal and resilient young woman from a large southern city in Russia. She is one of many children from a blended and broken home with little stability apart from the unconditional love of her deceased grandmother. Her childhood was dismantled by waves of addiction, abuse, and the tragic loss of a sibling. She and her sister formed a tight but tumultuous bond as they navigated their home life as well as the difficulties of adolescence and strained friendships. Elizabeth coped with the pain of abuse and the wounds of neglect in the only ways she knew how by engaging in the ways of the world, yet always was left with emptiness and the desire to be known.

Elizabeth’s first encounter with God came from a simple invitation to join a group playing games in the park. Certain they couldn’t want to include her; she was overwhelmed by the kindness and warmth she was shown as the Gospel was shared over time by this group of Young Life leaders. She had a special encounter with God at Young Life camp and felt comforted through the death of her cherished grandmother and the grief that followed her. Now a Young Life leader in her community, Elizabeth is passionate about reaching out to lost teens with the unconditional love of God.

Elizabeth is studying agronomy at a local university, hoping to have many opportunities for employment and the ability to fully support herself financially. When dreaming about the future that once seemed only dark, Elizabeth shares, “I really want to do ministry and the only thing I knew for sure is that I want to serve others, be a part of God's work, and talk about Christ's love and salvation. Eventually, I would like to go somewhere where Young Life does not exist yet and start a new ministry, because it is simply the best tool for preaching the Good News! As a Developing Global Leader, Elizabeth will be the first in her family to graduate from university.