ANYA and her 2 siblings were placed in the orphanage after their father died and their mother, due to excessive drinking, lost her parental rights. Anya has a physical defect which does not effect her mentally, but the orphanage director made her attend a school for mentally challenged kids.

Anya became apart of The Harbor family in 2016. She worked during the day and attended school in the evenings. She earned her high school diploma, then was accepted into an elite cooking college where she began studying to become a professional chef. Anya continued working part-time while attending college full-time. She did so well in college that the famous Russian Chef, Konstantine Ivleva, hand-picked her to join his internship.

Since coming to The Harbor, Anya learned that through hard work and determination difficulties in life can be overcome. Married now to a wonderful man she met at college, Anya is living the life she always dreamed of. Anya often stops by The Harbor apartment for a visit, sharing with us what is going on in her life. We have become her family. Praise the LORD for another life restored by God’s love.

“I know the plans I have for you,” says the LORD. “They are plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11

MAX lived with his family until he was 10 years old. His mother abandoned the family due to severe alcohol addiction. His father died one year later and Max was forced to enter the orphanage system.

At 16, Max was placed with a foster family. Hoping to find a loving family, instead the family took advantage of him by stealing his benefits and kicking him out when those benefits ceased. Max ended up on the streets of Nizhny. Believing his only choice for survival was to trade sexual favors for shelter, Max was beyond despair and decided to commit suicide. BUT GOD intervened!

That very day Max met Nastia, a former resident of The Harbor. She shared her experiences of how she, with the help of The Harbor, learned to live on her own. Introducing him to Dr. Olga, The Harbor Director, Max decided to enter our program.

18 months into his residency Max was curious about God and began attending church with one of our male mentors. This was a HUGE STEP for Max, who claimed to be a Satan worshiper. BUT GOD intervened again. Max became a believer and now worships Jesus Christ!

Max graduated from our residential program and has held a steady job for over 4 years. He married a young lady from his church and God recently blessed them with a baby girl. His wife’s family has accepted him into their family with loving hearts. He finally found the right kind of love and the family he was longing for. Max continues to grow in God’s grace. God’s marvelous love rescued Max!

“For I assisted the poor in their need and the orphans who required help.” Job

NASTIA was placed in the baby orphanage upon birth and suffered much trauma in the Special Needs orphanage she later transferred into.

Being one of the few orphans in Nizhny to receive her government apartment after aging out of the orphanage, Nastia had shelter, but no idea how to live on her own. She was never taught how boil water, cook, or keep her apartment clean. Not understanding the value of money, she had no idea how to shop for herself. Without any guidance on how to obtain an education, job training, or make a living Nastia was struggling to survive on her own.

It was at this point in Nastia’s life that our mentors came alongside to help her. It was apparent to Nastia that she needed full-time assistance and she decided to move into The Harbor in order to learn the life skills needed to successfully live on her own. Nastia graduated from our program and is now back in her apartment. Trying her hand at various trade schools, she finally settled into University to pursue a career as a secretary.

Nastia became a believer and is passionate about sharing her faith. She is a light and God has used her in the lives of many of our residents. In 2018, Nastia was diagnosed with Hodgkins. Her unwavering faith in God sustained her through this trial. His loving hand was upon her, providing the medical care she needed. In July 2019 her cancer was in remission and she married soon thereafter.

Nastia’s life began tragically BUT GOD called her into His marvelous light and He has never left her or forsaken her. She continues to faithfully follow Jesus and be a testimony of His faithful love to her. We are thankful the LORD brought Nastia to The Harbor.