God is using your support to radically change this orphan’s life

Diana
SGA-Supported Orphans Reborn Ministry in Central Asia

Sasha at the soccer camp.
Sasha at the soccer camp.

Sasha is 12 years old. We met him this summer when we held a football camp for boys from a village that we visit some distance away. Sasha lives with his grandmother in this village. His parents are alive, but his mother abandoned him in the maternity hospital. When she gave birth to Sasha, on the same day she wrote a renunciation statement and left. Since then, no one has seen her. Sasha’s father abandoned his mother even before Sasha was born. He left for another city . . . and started another family!

Thank God, Sasha’s grandmother intervened and took him straight from the maternity hospital. She has been raising and caring for him ever since. Sasha has never seen his parents. When he was little, he did not understand anything. When he began to grow up, he realized that every child has a mom and dad, and saw that he did not have either. When he reached adolescence, he felt even more abandoned and unwanted. Sasha’s grandmother Galina said, “Not long ago, Sasha sat by the window every day and cried—cried about how no one needs him. He asked, “What is the point of my life if no one needs me in this life?” Sasha began to suffer from deep depression. He did not communicate with anyone.”

Around this time, our team visited poor, large families, widows, orphans, and the disabled. One day, we visited Sasha and his grandmother. Their story really touched our hearts. Sasha was very withdrawn and would not leave his room. But when he heard that we were going to have a summer soccer camp for boys, he came outside to meet us. For the first time, he showed interest in something. Grandma was happy and happily let him go with us.

“I don’t recognize my grandson!”

When Sasha arrived at soccer camp, his shyness, brokenness, and lack of self-confidence were visible. But the camp had a major impact on him. In addition to learning sports skills, Sasha received a lot of mentoring about the character of an athlete, about love, compassion, and a unified team spirit. Sasha started smiling and getting to know other kids, and he changed a lot. He looked like he had come alive. Sasha told us, “This football camp is very special. The people here are especially kind and very friendly. I found a real friend here, his name is Joseph. He became like an older brother to me. And now he is my coach. I am very happy. I don’t want to miss training. I want to be like the biblical characters that our mentors tell us about.”

Children at the camp.
Children at the camp.

After the soccer camp, we started holding lessons every Sunday. This idea came from our Joseph, who is our eldest son. He holds soccer training for more than 20 kids from different villages. Sasha started coming to these lessons every Sunday. Two hours together. Training, mentoring, games, and treats. Sasha’s grandmother joyfully told us about the impact on him:

“I don’t recognize my grandson! He has become active and cheerful. Every day he does the sports exercises that they are taught during training. He started communicating and helping around the house. Reading the Bible. Every day he counts how many days are left until he can see all the guys again.”

We believe that this is the beginning of good changes. Please pray for Sasha, asking God to come into his life, that he will become a faithful and devoted Christian, and never feel lonely again.”

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