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How My Bible Came to Life.

By Mina Sochina

March 17th, 2026

“But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.” Isaiah 40:31

Although I didn’t believe in God as I grew up in Russia, He proved to me that He was real through a series of events that can only be described as miracles. He healed my daughter from a high fever and provided my family with an apartment. He met my real needs and proved that He heard my prayers.

Although I didn’t know anything about Him, I wanted to thank Him and teach my children how to worship Him correctly, so I began to read the 1898 edition of the New Testament my mother gave me.

It was difficult to read because it was written in Old Church Slavonic, the language used by the Russian Orthodox Church, and sometimes I despaired of understanding it. There were so many religions, and I felt like I needed to choose one, but how could I know which one was really God’s church? I knew that everything depended on my correct choice, so I turned to God for help. Lord, show me where Your church is so that I may teach my children the truth and so they may know and love You, I prayed.

Then, in 1993, my neighbors sold me a Bible in modern Russian, and I read it with great interest. It was like a history book, and I immediately believed that all those events actually happened. They couldn’t possibly make this up! I thought. I was struck by the fact that all the biblical heroes were described in a genuine, sincere, and open way. They made mistakes, repented, and again sought after God! For me, the Bible became an indisputable authority.

Then, unexpectedly, I learned that believers were gathering to study the Bible at an apartment in our building. They told me there was a church in our city of Nizhny Novgorod where they studied the Bible, too.

Arriving at church, I decided to carefully approach their doctrines, always bringing my Bible and checking everything said from the pulpit. Then, Bible in hand, I would once again check whether everything the preacher said corresponded to the Holy Scriptures when I came home.

I can’t say that I was eager to go to that church. From the first time I waited for bus #51, I prayed, Lord, if I don’t have to go to this church, then let the bus not come for a long time. But although it usually ran late all week, every time I got ready to go to church, bus #51 would arrive on time!

Finally, I was convinced that they were teaching Bible truth, so I invited my children to come with me. They immediately liked the children’s services, and I was glad they saw and felt the Lord’s presence there.

I guess I was just looking for a church for my children but had no plans to attend regularly myself. However, I soon realized that faith in God is like a fire—if you don’t put wood on it, it will quickly go out. So I made sure I maintained fellowship with God and my fellow believers, coming to church with my children every week.

I learned a lot there—how to pray, be thankful, and glorify God. Then, to my great joy, my eldest daughter was baptized, and I was baptized, too.

So much has changed since then. My faith has grown, and the Lord has sustained me through two strokes. With the hand of faith, I have gripped tightly to His promise in Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me,” and although I have not had the best of health, the Lord keeps me safe and in working order.

More importantly, I have peace in my heart. I trust Him and in His promises. “Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits.” Psalm 103:2.