MASHA's Story

Masha's Story

Joy. Friendship. Love. Quarrels. Club. God?

She heard about God and knew He existed. But how could she trust Him when she had so much pain in her heart?

As children, Masha and her best friend, Milana, often fought. And with every fight, Masha pulled further and further away. Milana wanted to share about God with Masha; after all, she learned much about Him at the church where she and her family went on Sundays. And she couldn’t understand why it was becoming more and more challenging to talk to her friend about God. Unforgiveness settled in Milana’s heart.

Life pulled them apart, and Masha and Milana lost touch for a few years.

One day, Milana got an invitation to a Young Life club. She was thrilled to find friends who showed kindness and unconditional love. During small group time, Milana shared how unforgiveness could eat away at someone’s heart and how it takes away our most profound joy. “Perhaps,” she said, “I could learn to forgive the people in my life the way Jesus forgave me.”

While Milana found a new spiritual home with Young Life, her friend Masha continued to struggle, searching for a glimpse of joy in her life.

Masha enjoyed being with friends and valued meaningful relationships. But every time she fought with her boyfriend or argued with her parents, a piece of her heart died, replaced with pain and hopelessness.

But God saw Masha, and He grabbed a hold of her aching heart.

After spending six months in prayer and allowing God to transform her from within, Masha’s long-lost friend Milana decided to reconnect with her and invite her to a Young Life club.

What happened next could have only come from God. 

As she headed home that night, tears streamed down Masha’s face like a spring rainstorm. But they weren’t tears of sadness.

What happened in that room? What were the silly games, dancing, and pizza all about? Why did these young people who call themselves leaders care so much about the teenagers? Why are they putting so much work into something that would give them nothing in return?

All these questions crowded Masha’s mind, and the answer kept pointing to just one thing: perhaps there was indeed something bigger behind it all.

Can that ‘something’ be the same God everyone was talking about?

When summer approached and the leaders started discussing summer camp, Masha decided she wanted to go. Although her parents were skeptical and she didn’t have the money, God wanted her at camp. Miraculously, everything came together, and Masha was on her way.

That week was the best week of Masha’s life. She found new friends, learned more about God, and made peace with Milana.

But most importantly, Masha was intrigued by her leaders. What made them so different? How could they be so joyful without constantly proving themselves at each other’s expense, trying to be cool, puffing a cigarette, or hanging out with a cool group of friends?

When one of the leaders shared how her relationship with God brought joy and fulfillment into her life, a small voice spoke into Masha’s heart: “There is another way.”

During the last club talk, the speaker discussed life with and without God, and that’s when everything became clear to Masha. Life doesn’t have to be lived in pain or hopelessness. With God, she can have all the joy she’s been so desperate to find—and she doesn’t have to earn it!

That night, Masha invited Jesus into her heart. The rock that had been weighing down on her for so long has disappeared as if it never existed.

Since then, Masha’s life has changed. After taking leadership training, she became a valuable member of Young Life Club 37 in St. Petersburg. She attends church and, together with Milana, doesn’t miss an opportunity to share Jesus with her classmates at school.

God poured His grace and wonder on Masha, filling her life with hope, joy, and meaning. He also blessed those He placed on her path, reminding them of His great love for each of His beloved children.

"May the God of hope fill you up with joy, fill you up with peace, so that your believing life, filled with the life-giving energy of the Holy Spirit, will brim over with hope!" Romans 15:13 MSG