Vika — Loubetin orphanage

Life International Christian counselor, Natasha: “Working in Loubetin orphanage daily, I can be sure that there is nothing that God cannot do. He can soften even very hard hearts. Those children that I thought would never come to God, never change, sometimes accept the Gospel more quickly and more sincerely compared with their more open friends.”

Victoria, or Vika, was admitted into the orphanage in June 2003. She had witnessed her father being brutally stabbed to death by a family “friend.” When she came to Loubetin she was sullen and unwilling to share her heart. On Saturdays, Vika would come with some of the girls to talk to Natasha about a variety of subjects, but Vika never took part in the discussions.  During the weekly lessons she would often sit in a corner and do her own thing. 

“I tried to talk with her one-on-one, but it looked more like my monologue because she said just several short phrases and the rest of the time she was silent.”

After a month away from the orphanage to take exams, Natasha returned to a different Vika. “Victoria ran up to me, hugged me, and told me that she missed me and the CCP lessons. In the evening, she asked if she could accompany me to the bus stop.  Today I cannot remember a day when I went home without Vika.”

Now Vika visits daily with either Natasha or team member Nadia. She attends church on Sundays and the Bible studies on Saturdays. She is actively involved in the Christian youth club led by LI team members.

“It’s hard to say when Vika changed, but I see an absolutely different person. We are praising our Lord for Vika’s spiritual maturity.”

In front of 200 people, at a camp hosted by Life International, Vika confessed that she came to Loubetin lost, and in a strong voice filled with emotion stated, “I am God’s child now.”