I have served as a missionary for 15 years in Kherson, Ukraine with orphans with special needs. When I began my ministry, I watched unhindered, unashamed abuse happen to the young children and teens I was quickly growing to love. I didn’t understand it was a result of the Soviet era mindset that those with disabilities should be treated as less than dogs and shut away, out of sight from society. Holding and embracing a child was scorned. I would give them physical touch, care for their needs and show them love and compassion but then they would cry for more and the nannies wouldn’t stand for that. If these children lived to become teenagers, then they would be moved at 18 to adult institutions with little preparation. After walking through this process with a few teens, my heart was wrenched as these kids’ said goodbye to the only home they’d ever known and moved to a foreign place where they would be until they died.
The Lord instilled in me a desire to help change their futures and gave me the vision for Stephen’s and Naomi’s Homes. After much research and investigation, I started an organization, PROMISE, in 2014 so that the state government would recognize us as a charitable organization helping disabled young adults. In 2021, Stephen’s Home became home for 5 young men under the care of house parents, and in 2022, the war spread to Kherson. Due to the war, we moved the Stephen’s Home family to Sacele, Romania and they have been there since that time. My plan is to join them by the end of the year.
This transition, as the result of war, has not been easy for our team of PROMISE, myself included. But the Lord is faithful and he’s calling me to continue to serve those with disabilities and help give them understanding, to bring them into a relationship with Jesus Christ so they too can know our Savior and be embraced by his redeeming love.
I’m honored and thrilled to be serving the least of these.