During the socialist regime Christians had no access to higher education. We can't even imagine how many "bright Christian minds" were prevented from realizing their potential to benefit society. For all those years, church members were not able to present biblical values to those being educated under the reign of communism. The social disintegration which we are reaping now is the fruit of the godless rule of our predecessors. The modern generation of young Christians have access to those areas of public and political life that were previously open only to members of the Communist Party.

As the Church, we very much welcome the intellectual development of the individual Christian to the glory of God, and therefore for the good of society and our country. We hope that this interview with a student of the Medical Academy will revive in your hearts the seed of hope and faith, and encourage to you pray for a blessed future for Ukraine.

- Hello, Yaroslava! I hope you don't mind answering a few questions about your personal, student and professional life?
- Of course not. Go right ahead!

- Tell our readers a little about where you are studying and why you chose this university.
- I am studying at the Ukrainian Medical Dental Academy. The idea to devote himself to medicine developed gradually. Ever since my childhood, I, like all children, constantly saw doctors, teachers and business people. This is the time when the idea started to form. On top of that my father is an anesthetist. During vacations, when all the other kids were reading story books, I read about anatomy. Maybe my heritage was making itself known. But, in fact, I didn't make up my mind about where to study until May of my final year of high school (very much "in the nick of time"). As insurance, I also applied to the technical and cooperative universities. I was accepted at all three schools, but nonetheless, my choice was medicine.

- When you came to the Academy, were you already a believer?
- No, I came to Christ in my third year. And at the time, frankly, I did not believe in God's power and help in mastering the "ocean"of science, given how much of a load they were putting on us. At the time the most important thing for me was to physically withstand the workload. It was hard to understand how God could help, if I myself had not learned the material, and hadn't put in my share of work and time.

- Yaroslava, how did God call you to himself? They say that doctors are skeptics don't believe in anything supernatural.
- With regard to the skepticism of medical professionals - it's true.

- And how does it develop in people of this profession?
- First of all, every day you see human misery. At first, you are compassionate, and then you get used to it and lose the feeling. Secondly, each doctor takes responsibility for the most precious thing - a human life. Doctors believe that so much depends on them and that everything is in their hands. Medicine liberates and grounds people in the material. Doctors think that God is a fantasy for people who can't take responsibility for themselves. Most have no fear of Him.

- Then how did you come to faith?
- First, I have an uncle who is a believer.  He had to work hard in my case!  Secondly, God gave me the opportunity to come to a youth conference here at church. Also, at that time I was struggling with a constant feeling of emptiness in my heart. The feeling builds up that you have everything and nothing. I understood that I wouldn't be able to go on without God, and so I turned to Him.

- How do classmates and teachers perceive your beliefs and lifestyle?
- They don't care.

- And how do you convince a physician of the existence of God and "introduce" him to Christ?
- They don't like it when you start to ask them questions like "Do you believe in God?" There is no point in asking that.  Actually, every doctor has moments of doubt and inner struggle. Particularly in critical situations, for example, when a patient dies. They start to doubt their own abilities, blame themselves for not meeting the expectations of others.  Those are the times when they think about God. And if God presents the opportunity, that is the time to talk about Him.

- And now let's talk a little about you. Do you think of the medical profession as a job or a calling?
- As a calling, of course. It's not just a calling to medical work, but first and foremost a calling to love people and help them. If you don't love your patients, then you are better off not trying to heal them. For example, I am aware that for each of my future patients I will be required to give account to God. Sometimes the best medicine a doctor can provide is a friendly disposition and a willingness to listen.

- The ability heal, is that talent that God gives to certain people, even those who do not believe in Him? You're believer. What are your spiritual gifts?
- I am confident that I have the gift of helping people. I really want my future profession to be a good opportunity to use this gift. I would like to see my medical practice directly related to missionary service. I think that in fact medicine is missionary work. I hope that my patients will find true healing at the hands of the Great Physician.

- Let me ask you a couple more questions concerning our country. How do you see the future of Ukrainian medicine?
- I think there is no future. Too many students are studying in medical schools only to get into a prestigious profession, and no more. Many Ukrainian doctors are so focused on material wealth that they have no feeling of compassion for the patient.

- How can we change this situation?
- Our government should be interested in talented and competent staff. The doors of universities should be open to everyone. It should be possible to get into medical school without pulling strings, through a fair and transparent process. The most talented students should be able to get jobs when they graduate. Today it is impossible to get a job in a hospital without connections or "relatives." There is no bright future as long as "corruption" remains a byword for Ukrainian medicine.

- What do you wish for your Christian colleagues?
- Perhaps it sounds trite, but I wisn love and patience. I think everyone will really find value in these qualities of character when working in the care and service to others.

- And that wish for our readers?
- For the readers I wish chronic health and recurrent grace! (for clarifications contact Yaroslava Bespalova).

- Thank you, Yaroslava, for taking the time with us and our readers. We hope that through young professionals like you Ukrainian medicine will become a powerful instrument of physical and spiritual healing in God's hands.
- God bless. You're welcome!