Bohdan

My name is Bohdan and I grew up in Zhytomyr, Ukraine. I lived with both of my parents until the start of middle school when my parents started working in other countries. I lived with whomever was home or with my grandparents. When I was 14, my parents divorced, however, both support and love me. Throughout those years of transition, my friends and I began drinking, smoking and fighting; we were searching for any activity to fill the emptiness in our hearts.

One day, after basketball training, I found an announcement about a free music school hosted by Young Life. All I knew was that I really wanted to play drums, so I went and had a surprisingly great day. I left with one question in my mind, “Why was I so happy that day without drinking or engaging in my typical ‘fun’?” I started going to club and eventually ended up at camp. It was the best seven days of my life! I finally found an answer for my first question, which led to a second. “What was the difference in these new friends?” I got an answer ... they were different because Jesus was in their hearts. During the 20 minutes of quiet, I had my first talk with Jesus and made the decision to give Him all of my life. After that camp I started to volunteer with Young Life in my city.

I am studying international business and dream of opening a café where teens have an inviting and safe environment to spend their time. As a Developing Global Leader, I am a team leader in Krakow where we serve teens who speak Ukrainian and Russian and are desperate to know they are seen by a God who loves them.