By now, we shared a few times about different ways of how our Russian-speaking churches responded to the needs of fire victims of Paradise and surrounding regions. What follows is one more story of a family from that region, and how the Lord led them to meet the Slavic relief workers.
The family of Jason and Andrea have five children: four of their own and one adopted. A few years ago they lost their house in the fire because the dried out fir tree caught on fire. It was not easy to begin their life anew. They put a lot of effort to stand on their own feet. About three years ago, their dream came true and they were able to purchase a house with a big lot in Concow, close to Paradise. Jason is an agriculturist by trace, and Andrea is a nurse. Their life began to take a positive turn.
About four days before the fire, Andrea’s sister moved from Pennsylvania to live with them. Cynthia and Dray have two daughters: one two-year-old, and the other—four. A day before the fire they finally finished moving their belongings from the car.
On the day of the fire, the parents were at work in Woodland. The fire came upon the residence while the children were alone early in the morning. The oldest daughter of Jason was miraculously able to get all the children in the car while the flames of the fire already moved to their lot. They had to travel on the winding road of the burning forest. They saw the burning cars of their neighbors one of which lost control of his vehicle on a sharp turn and crashed into a tree. Some of the neighbors were not able to get out of this fire.
After hearing the evacuation notice, the parents rushed to come back home and were in total uncertainty about their children. After some time, they found out that their house and all their belongings burned to the ground, but by God’s miraculous act, their entire family was safe.
While the federal emergency response services relocated the fire victims, they placed the families of Jason and Dray in a hotel in West Sacramento. Having lost all of their belongings and necessities, their entire family had to live in one room—four adults and seven children.
While searching for a thrift store, Jason accidentally came to Bryte Church of West Sacramento. Praise God for the helpfulness of this congregation! One of the pastors of this church, Michael Yuryevich Avramenko, met them and arranged so that they got help in acquiring the things that were temporarily needed.
The next day, he gave these families’ information to Nicolay Kvach who was a minister at First Slavic Church and was designated in the Association as a coordinator for the relief efforts to the fire victims. As soon as he could, Nicolay visited them in the hotel which was paid for by the Federal relief. At the end of December, they were running out of the financial aid for their living, and they were getting ready to live in a tent. After finding out about this need and with the mutual efforts of First Slavic Church, Nicolay Kvach and his team was able to purchase a trailer with a camper for them. Jason and his family could return to their neighborhood where they resided, and their children could return to the local school.
However, the story does not end here. The Christians of Sacramento who participating in helping this family became much closer to each other. Jason and his family currently learning how to commune with God and how to trust and rely on Him.
Please pray for this family which God put in the path of believers from whom they learned about Jesus Christ and His love.
Nicolay Kvach
Please click on the first slide to see picture in a slide-show
{rapidgallery}_newsRelated/2019/jan-storyFireVictims{/rapidgallery}
