In 1991, Valera’s father took him, at about the age of 5, to tag along for a day’s work on a farm to chop wood. This had become a normal part of Valera’s life as mom was now at home with his toddler sister. On these days, Valera would entertain himself while his dad plowed fields, watered farm animals, sheered sheep, butchered hogs, milked cows, did simple repairs or like today; he chopped wood for the coming winter. At the end of the day, if the work was satisfactory, the family might invite them to have leftover dinner portions On this particular day, the father’s work seemed satisfactory, so he and Valera were given some food to eat. After dinner, as is customary, the woman who owned the farm handed the boy’s father a glass of wine. However, this day’s glass of wine was very unlike any previously offered to his dad. Apparently, the family didn’t have the money to pay for the day’s wages and some alternative was sought to get out of doing so. Not quite understanding what he saw, Valera would later remember something: the woman took a thermometer, broke it, and poured some liquid from it into the glass of wine. She then handed it to his dad.

Soon after eating, Valera and his dad began their journey down the dirt farm road towards their home. But unlike other days, his father stumbled and rolled off the road and into a ditch. Valera, thinking his dad was playing a game with him, rolled down the hill as well, thinking there would be some fun on the way home as had happened on days before. However, after some time passed, and it became dark and started to get cold, Valera realized his dad was not playing any games. He lay down to sleep next to his dad, but later realized his dad would never wake up again. He had witnessed the poisoning and murder of his father and it was a day that changed the rest of life as he knew it.                                                                                                                                          

This began the demise of a family; something that no one would have expected or desired for a child of his age to endure. His mother, stricken with grief over the loss of her husband and the economical destruction of her family, soon lost her home and turned to vodka as a self prescribed medication. Without any spiritual, financial, emotional or social support systems, she soon began a life of living on the streets with her 2 small children now 6 and 4. Valera’s role quickly changed from being a happy child to the new head of family. This all occurred during the initial years of the break up of the Soviet Union. Food was scarce, jobs were few and there was no extended family or government system in place to assist them. The political outlook was chaotic and dysfunctional at best. The small family lived wherever they found shelter, never staying in one place longer than a few days. Valera now became the one to gather food, and provide for his sister and mom. He learned how to jump fences and steal whatever fruits and vegetables he could get from others who had small gardens. He realized that if he could snatch a bottle or two of nail polish from a flea market vendor, he could return the next day and sell it to another vender for some coins. Making things even more unbearable, his mom became pregnant again and soon had another son. For the first year or so, it was Valera who had to stay up at night and care for his baby brother as mom had turned to prostitution to earn money for her drinking habit. However, the baby’s father eventually came and took the baby which provided some needed relief for the short term. Valera never had any stable home so he was not able to attend school. But, about 4 years later, around the age of 9 or 10, they happened upon an older couple who had a mentally ill son who offered a place for them to stay in their barn. In exchange for assistance to care for their farm animals, work the fields etc they were offered a place to sleep and access to food to eat. Because Valera had remembered learning and watching from his dad’s work on farms he was able to drive the tractor, slaughter the hogs and chickens and milk the cows. The woman taught him how to sow crops and eventually harvest them. So, for about 2 weeks, Valera and his family lived in the barn and life was drastically better.

However, his mom, who now suffered from an alcohol addiction, was unable to stay in one place very long. One day, mom announced she was tired of the farm and she was moving…again. Fed up with a life of uncertainty and constantly seeking shelter while having to steal to eat, Valera finally rebelled! Mom gave him an ultimatum…go with her and his sister or stay on his own. So, Valera made a decision that no child should ever have to make. When mom announced her departure, he hid in the barn and refused to go with them. That was the last time he ever saw his mom and younger sister.

For about 3 years, Valera stayed and worked the farm and lived in the barn in exchange for food and “home”. The woman offered that if he managed his daily chores, he could also attend school. So, Valera got up about 4am, did his morning chores and went to school, starting the first grade at the age of 10. After school, he would come home and do afternoon and evening chores and study by candlelight until he fell asleep. This went on until about the age of 12. One day, the family’s grown mentally ill son, chased him and attempted to kill him with a pitchfork. Fortunately, this attempt was not successful and Valera escaped. However, first hand experience of living with this crazy boy and knowing how successful he had been in killing a horse in the same way, Valera knew his life was in danger. The next day, he confided in a school teacher and he was immediately removed from the home.

At first a foster family was located and Valera was moved in with them. However, because the town was rather small, there was talk and constant fear that the crazy boy would come to harm Valera and his foster family. So, it was soon decided that it would be safer for everyone to move Valera to a larger city where he was first taken to a hospital for a full medical evaluation and eventually moved into an orphanage in the city of Ulyanovsk Russia. This was in the summer of 2000, and Valera was now 12 years old.                                  
A few weeks later, Valera would meet Americans for the first time in his new home at the orphanage. Little did he know or could he even contemplate, that he was meeting his new parents! Life as he knew it, would, once again, change forever. However, this time God was answering prayers of a couple who were in the midst of adopting their infant son, and happened to stay in Valera’s orphanage during the process. On the night before their departure, Valera would receive a gift that he would never forget and to this day, continue to share the importance of, with others. The couple came to say goodbye to Valera who had played with their family during the week’s stay in the orphanage. He also gave them a gift from his personal stash of treasured items: a small metal “Matchbox” style car with a few broken pieces, but one of a few items he could actually call “his own”. This American mom, reached for Valera and wrapped her arms around him…he was so small and slight and boney! She could have wrapped her arms around him twice! At first, Valera didn’t know what to make of this: his first hug. But, quickly, he felt warmth, love and something he had never known before: safety and a sense of belonging. He felt chosen and important! Ten months later, the couple returned to his orphanage, but not to adopt a baby. This time, they came for Valera, their new son who was now 13 years old.

So, who is this boy and why is Valera’s story so important today?

As a famous radio announcer Paul Harvey, once coined, “And now, for the Rest of the Story”…

That was 10 years ago. Now at the age of 24, you’ve possibly heard about Valera. However, his name has been changed and he is known as Taylor Dakake. You see, Taylor was adopted by my husband and me in June, 2000, and finally came home to his “forever family”. We enrolled him as a scrawny 74 pound, 7th grader in a Christian school with only 4 years of formal education behind him. Seeing his resilience factors such as his exceptional abilities in sports and art combined with the ability to laugh at himself with a keen sense of humor, he had the tools to succeed. He excelled in soccer and was asked to join the Varsity team as an 8th grader, while playing on a YMCA Select Traveling team during the same season! He was voted by his peers to be their Homecoming Prince as an 8th grader. The end of his first year in school, he received numerous awards for “Outstanding Achievement” in Bible, Mathematics, Art and Physical Education along with “Outstanding Christian Character” in Soccer. He also received awards for “Most Improved” in English, History and Science. However, the most noted award that he received that year was the Principal’s Choice Award. This was given to a select child from the school’s population whom the principal saw as overcoming a Life Obstacle and Excelling. This was the “Eagle Award” and Taylor proudly received it before a group of tearful teachers and students, and of course, both of his parents. Above all, he accepted Christ that year as his Lord and Savior at a chapel gathering: He received Eternal Life.

It didn’t bother anyone that he graduated High School at the age of 19 while being named Valedictorian of his graduating class who had to give the commencement speech in a language he had only learned over the past 6 years. He was also named to the All Region and All State Varsity Soccer teams and was offered college scholarships in both soccer and academic achievement. Now, Taylor is a junior at Kennesaw State University and is studying International Business. He recently bought his first home after working full time for the past 3 years at Discount Tires. He had the ability, but no opportunity to succeed in Russia as an orphan. In America, he had the opportunity and grabbed it with both hands, along with 2 parents who love him dearly and has succeeded. Yes, we missed most of his childhood and the time we had together at home felt way too short. But, that comes from selfish desire and not a necessity in loving and parenting a child. I challenge you to please consider bringing one of these teens, who is facing the end of their opportunity to find a way to succeed in their lives.

People ask me every day, why consider a teenager for hosting or possibly adoption? My answer is simple and one that comes straight from my heart: “Why not?” The children we are spotlighting on this “Children to Pray For” email are those who our interview team has met over the years and we have fallen in love with them. We see the hope that remains in their eyes and the smile in their heart with a desire to come on the hosting program. They are boys and girls who probably have similar histories to Taylor’s. But, without someone to step into their life at this late hour, their future will be nothing like the story you read above. They have literally no hope. While I visited our daughter, Valerie, who still lives in Saint Petersburg Russia in January, she received news about a few of her friends she grew up with in the same orphanage where Taylor lived before being adopted. Two of them had died: one by suicide and one in an accident. Two others had babies recently: both were placed into an orphanage as they had no job and no home. She, however, is now engaged to an intelligent and loving Russian Christian man. They are both employed; have places to live and she finished high school in Saint Petersburg with our help and accountability for her success. She also attended the local university for 2 years learning English which gave her an exceptional ability to communicate with our family and others. While she aged out and we were not able to adopt her, she did come to live with our family for a year during the 10th grade where she also became a Christian while learning “family” and how to make better decisions other than her friends did. We recently completed the adoption of her younger 16 year old sister, Ashlee whom we met during the adoption of Taylor 10 years ago. God works miracles in these children’s lives, but He uses us and needs us to hear and practice His Commands: “Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unspoiled from the world.” James 1:27; “He predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of His will.” Ephesians 1:5.

Related posts:

1. Update: Hosting, Short-term teams, Humanitarian Aid
2. A letter to an Orphanage Director
3. “Why would they care?”

The Hosting Program is entering it’s last few weeks when families and Russian orphans from Saint Petersburg along with orphans from Ukraine and Latvia are matched.

In the list of participants Russia is traditionally the most difficult in terms of permission from directors and first one to close out the list for hosting as it takes the longest to collect papers.

Among other struggles was the decision of one o the directors not to take part in the program as there was another case in US where an adopted child was killed.

Below are several quotes from the letter from a hosting family who was about to host a child from that orphanage.

“We understand your concern over the horrific tragedy involving an adopted Russian child resulting from an American individual.

We are as appalled as anyone over this situation, however, as with any situation, we ask that you not punish all individuals based on the act of one. We appreciate and respect your decision, however we beg you to reconsider and send not only Anya, but the other children as well.”

We assure you that we are respectable, upstanding, loving individuals, who are parents of ten year old twin boys. We promise to care for Anya , keep her safe, a provide her memorable experiences.

We have completed our home study, have character references, and have always dreamed of helping and providing an opportunity for a child in need. We feel Anya is this child.

We want to comfort her fears, provide her with confidence, an education, a home, a family atmosphere, and joy and happiness.

Our son recently asked us while he was looking at Anya’s picture, “can you love someone without meeting them?” We told him “yes” as we feel we have all fallen for this little girl and are planning our summer with her in mind.

Then, please reconsider your decision and send Anya and these children for the amazing summer hosting program New Horizons for Children provides. Please trust that they will be cared for and loved.”

The hosting program continues it’s work in 5 other orphanages in Saint Petersburg. There are 2 more weeks to match families and children before the list is closed.

If you’d like to host a child, contact New Horizons for Children www.newhorizonsforchildren.org.

Related posts:

1. Update: Hosting, Short-term teams, Humanitarian Aid
2. Christmas in America
3. Summer program

We are starting to work on the summer 2010 Hosting program. So, next week we will go to administrations of orphanages. Please, pray about that!

For us is very important to recieve permissions from these leaders. It’s necessary for children (from new orphanages) in order to be part of summer program.

Thanks for your support!

Related posts:

1. A letter to an Orphanage Director
2. Update: Hosting, Short-term teams, Humanitarian Aid
3. Christmas in America

As many of you know MIR partners on a hosting program with New Horizons for Children over 5 years now. This program had its ups and downs, has been through so many changes in terms of management, reporting to Russian government and orphanages participating. When we learnt this fall most orphanages have a concern about H1N1 and would wait till summer to participate, I was wondering if it was worth even tryin to get any of the children to come. I asked Mike to help me discern this and he had a feeling some children would still be able to come. Two months later when Katya and I were siting in US consulate and I was having a moment of discouragement, she said: remember, some children should come so this is what we are here for.

So, December, 13 was the day 8 children arrived to US and were picked up at the airport by their host families. When I called the children through the next couple of days to check in with them, all of them told me it was absolutely awesome. Welcome party at amusement center, and the Nutcracer show at Fox Theater  were the highlights of this week for those  staying in families in Atlanta area. I am very blessed to be able to come with the group and experience for myself what a gift of family is. I can testify God has given me a family in USA  and fills in the emptiness that I have since the time my mother is gone. I’m glad more then anything else Christmas becomes  a relationship experience for me and the children.

Related posts:

1. Christmas prep starts in September
2. A letter to an Orphanage Director
3. Update: Hosting, Short-term teams, Humanitarian Aid

We continue our hosting program; twice a year we send Russian orphans to live with American host families for 4-6 weeks. Twenty five children and four adults safely arrived in the USA on June 25. This is our second trip under new regulations the administration of the city placed on hosting programs. Gladly, the preparation for the trip went very smoothly, the permits and visas were issued a week before departure.

New Horizons enters a transition period this August as our current coordinator, Ms. Sveta Kouzyakova (far left, with Olga Cantrell), is retuning to her calling: teaching at the International Academy. It has been a blessed year and definitely God’s provision to have Sveta on staff with MIR. We trust that the new person God sends for this position is going to be a good fit with MIR staff and an enthusiastic and productive worker.

We also are looking for new groups of children to work with:

• Inviting creative groups for performances (dancing, singing, sports, crafts): orphanage directors would like to see children learning new things and getting various skills, so they encourage a more intensive program of events. Also, if creative groups of children can be hosted, more opportunities for fund raising events for the program might come up. We hope to expand into this new area.

• Hosting children from Russian foster homes is another area we’re investigating. Crimson Sails, a Christian foster care ministry for orphans in St. Petersburg, is investigating the documentation needed to send their kids to families in USA. These kids would already have Christian influence and adjustment to family life, and we think this would be a great addition to our hosting program.

Short Term Teams

Disabled children and adults were in the focus of recent short-term teams and individuals coming on MIR invitations this June. Pavlovsk orphanage for disabled children and several facilities for disabled adults were visited by volunteers. MIR’s role in the work of these teams varies at times, depending on the need. At the least, MIR issues official invitations and registers the volunteers, but this time MIR was more involved in communication

with directors and learning about new medical requirements for short-term volunteers. Medical tests are now necessary in order to approach children at state orphanages. We are investigating the quickest and least painful way to get medical documents for future teams.

Camp Druzhnikh will host two teams from San Antonio this summer. The MIR staff is looking forward to camp fun and making new friends this July.

Humanitarian Aid

May and June traditionally are the months kids finish school, pass tests and leave to camps for the summer. We were glad to supervise the purchase of a large amount of summer clothes for children at Orphanage #8 and a graduation dress for a #8 graduate.

Instead of just getting what they were told to wear, kids picked their clothes themselves and promised to take better care of the the clothes that they took initiative in choosing.

Tanya at Peterhoff Orphanage #1 (at right) and Natasha at Zelenogorsk Orphanage #69receive regular support from donors partnering with MIR. Tanya is in constant need of enzymes to help digest food, and we’ve been able to supply them for the past few years.

Medicine, transportation expenses and surgery aftercare were provided to various orphanages. Also, the Lomonosov Baby Home received financial aid for reconstruction of the facility.

Related posts:

1. Katya’s update: Get ready for school year!
2. Visiting Teams
3. Summer program