The Russian Federation
Located in Eastern Europe, Russia is the heart of the former Soviet Union. After the collapse and breakup of the USSR, the country struggled to adjust to a free market system. In recent years, Russia has experienced strong economic growth. However, many Russians still struggle to survive and many children are orphaned due to poverty, crime, and other factors.
"Officially, there are 730,000 orphans living in Russia alone. That means that Russia has more orphans today than after World War II! Statistics show that only one out of ten Russian orphans becomes a functional member of society. The others are lost to drugs, crime and suicide. Millions of Russian children are on the run living on the streets or in underground sewers desperately needing basic food, medicine and clothes." 1
"According to the Russian Procuracy General, around 15,000 orphans 'graduate' from the orphanages every year. Within a few years of graduation, of the 15,000 graduates, 30% will be unemployed, 35% will be homeless, 20% will have criminal records, and 10% will commit suicide." 2
Why not another country?
You may ask, "Why Russia?" After all, there are orphans in every country of the world. The simple answer is that the Lord has put Russia on our hearts. Several years ago, God gave me a desire to take a short term mission trip to Russia, and in the Summer of 2008, He opened the doors for me to fulfill that desire, and a I travelled to Moscow and Tambov, Russia with Calvary Chapel Church Planting Mission. On that trip, the Lord gave me a love for the people of the Russian Federation. So, it just seems natural that our adoption journey should lead us to this country. For more of our story, visit the "why" page of this website.