Samuel&Vivian

Samuel & Vivian's Love Story

Vivian and I first met at Mount Zion (now Great Harvest Missionary Church) in Moscow, when she and three friends visited after finishing their medical degrees at Rostov Medical University and relocating to the city.

As was our custom, the pastor welcomed the first-timers after the service. Chatting with them, he learned they'd just moved and were settling into a new apartment. When he heard which area they'd moved to, he immediately thought of me — I lived in that same neighborhood.

He sent for me, introduced me as one of the church's leaders, and asked if I'd help the newcomers settle in — show them around, make sure they had what they needed. I agreed, said a quick hello, and let the pastor finish his conversation with them.

Afterward, I went back and talked with them a bit more. We exchanged contacts, and I began checking in on them from time to time.

Something about Vivian stood out to me from the start. As the weeks went on, our friendship deepened, and slowly but surely, it grew into something more.

And by God's grace, here we are today.