We met in 2010 and got married in 2013. We moved to the countryside, but after being married for only a year and a half, Mikko left quite suddenly and wanted a divorce. The reason for that was depression and infidelity. Mikko soon filed for divorce, got his own apartment, and lived a ”free bachelor life.”

Immediately after Mikko left, I turned to the Lord and sought help for the seemingly hopeless situation. I found an article online that talked about the ”love story” of Hosea and Gomer in the Bible. Hosea was a prophet who was told to take Gomer as his wife and love her, even though she was unfaithful. I felt that God was speaking through that story and urged me to forgive Mikko.

I thought that Mikko would come back immediately if I just said that I forgave him and we would start over. It didn’t quite happen that way, though. God first had to heal my own heart so that I could let go of all the anger, bitterness, and unforgiveness. Finally, I told Mikko that I would wait for him to come home even until I was 80 years old, because that’s what Jesus would do. I apologized for my own faults in the marriage and told Mikko that I loved him.

In the summer of 2015, after half a year of being apart, prayers were answered and Mikko returned home just as surprisingly as he had left. The old life, addictions, and wrong relationships were left behind all at once. The divorce had not yet been finalized. We held a marriage reaffirmation ceremony in our new home in the fall of 2015. Now we have five children.

God gave me this Bible verse, when I was waiting for Mikko:

Perhaps the reason he was separated from you for a little while was that you might have him back forever.
Philemon 1:15

Now we want to share with others the good news that God can touch anyone’s heart and change anyone’s life, marriage, and family – no matter what the circumstances are! Nothing is impossible for God. However, God needs someone to pray, fight, and ”stand in the gap” for others.

I looked for someone among them who would build up the wall and stand before me in the gap on behalf of the land so I would not have to destroy it, but I found no one.
Ezekiel 22:30

Would you stand in the gap for your family and loved ones? You are not alone!

Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.
Acts 16:31

Raisa

See also our testimony video (with english subtitles):

For more content in English, see Rejoice Marriage Ministries