It was dark by the time we arrived at Yana’s dorm room, so we hurried to visit her mother’s apartment, which was only a 5 minute drive nearby. Yana’s mother had passed away this last spring, which was a very difficult time for Yana. Not only was she tasked with taking care of burial proceedings, but paying bills and brining things to a closure were falling on this only responsible child’s hands. Yana is the second to the oldest of 6 children and had always reached out to her mother. Yana had so much love for her mom , even though Yana was not properly cared for, and ultimately was taken away to live in the same orphanage as Rhya and Luke. Still, Yana loved her mom, and she gently wept as she gave us a tour of her apartment.
The hallway leading up to the door was dangerously dark, there were thresholds of wood sticking up from the floor halfway down the hall, and the door rug was still in place as if nobody had been missing for the last 7 months. Natalie saved the day by producing a flashlight since the electricity had been literally severed for no payment on the final balance. Yana described the contents of the apartment. This is my bicycle, pointing to a young girl’s bike which was still showing bright red, and apparently never had a chance to get worn out. This is where my mother and boyfriend slept, this is where my two brothers slept, and this is where I slept, and my baby sister. (Rhya has three baby sisters) The six of us all jockey’s back and forth in the crowded one bedroom living room floor with the one flashlight bouncing back and forth from one tiny bed still made, to another. Kris was snapping pictures left and right and we would all get a new shocking images burned in our minds as every flash showed more evidence of an extremely raw, well used, and harsh living quarters.
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| Looking way nicer than in real life |
The bathroom had many holes in the ceiling & walls. The kitchen was still equipped with every accessory and apparently left just as it was when it was last used before Yana’s mother was hospitalized for complications associated with alcohol abuse. Everything had an appearance of being 30 years old (to Americans) but Alex maintained a positive encouragement to Yana that she is doing the right thing in her pursuit of ownership. This apartment could be cleaned, refurbished and provide an adequate home which is a far cry from not having one, once Yana’s university studies are complete. If her grades continue to be good, Yana will have her schooling (university) paid for and allow her to get a degree in social work. In contract with the government, she will then have to move to where the work is needed, often times remote villages, and return her debt for her education. Her story is unfolding like the Ukrainian system intends, but it is easy to see how most do not succeed. Yana finished 9th grade at the orphanage, went on to 10th and 11th (because of her strong desire to learn) and entered the University next.
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| Hugs! |
Yana is an incredibly unique individual, and we are blessed to have her in our lives. It is rare for orphans to learn English, rare for them to get into a university, and rare for them to sustain good grades. (We are not even going elaborate on her many other talents like singing and ice skating!) We can thank her relationship with Christ and support from the shelter at Last Bell Ministries for walking along side of her and helping her in so many ways. Yana is in her second year at the university and needs continual prayerful support.
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| Hugs For Everyone! |
After touring her mom’s apartment, we returned to Yana’s dorm room and were showered with affection, presents, a talent show, tea & Kiev Cake, and delighted with her roommate as well. Three girls share an 8X11 room with no refrigerator, a modest table, a sink for laundry, and a window that is cracked. None seems to matter, since Yana’s capability and drive show through with everything, including the plywood that she sleeps on to avoid the springs that qualifies as a bed. Her cabinet is adorned with Stoesz family pictures and her bulletin board holds a picture of a beautiful 19 year old holding a young boy. Yana’s brother and mom are captured on a black and white photo, and the resemblance is obvious, and beautiful. Yana's life is night and day different from her Mom's life and God gets all the glory.
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| Natalie, Roomate Natasha, Yana and Rhya |
Yana gave us gifts for many people back at home in Colorado, and proceeded to name nearly everyone that she had met back in 2008 when she visited Colorado with us. Her memory is incredible, and it is obvious how much she has replayed her memories over and over in her head. Yana is a gift from God for all of her positive energy that flows from her. She loves to smile and is often asked why she smiles so much. She is even mistaken for being American, and this flatters her. She desperately wants to live in a country where you can go up to a stranger operating a cash register and be received with a genuine and sincere smile and question of, “how is your day?’ Such a thing happened at Murdoch’s in Longmont, and I’m sure that the cash register girl had no idea how she was impacting an orphan of Ukraine.
We spent portions of three days with Yana and had a difficulty departing this morning. Praise God for Last Bell Ministries, and for a strong young lady that is going to change the world for so many! We Love You So Much Yana!!!
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| Having a Skating Blast! |
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| Yana Showering US with gifts!!!! |
The five of us pictured upstairs at Last Bell Ministries
What a special young woman. I will keep her in my prayers.
ReplyDeleteMonique