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Cassie* has ministered with The Mission Society team in Kazakhstan for four years. She volunteers in different orphanages, primarily one for children ages seven-to-eighteen years old. She hosts a birthday party for the kids each month and helps them with their English homework. Here is the story of one orphan and her journey to healing.

“I first met Natasha* in 2008. I knew right away that she was bright, and we formed a friendship over the years. She was one of seven children, all of which were left at the orphanage when their mother could no longer care for them,” said Cassie.

“Her mother is an alcoholic and a drug addict. After Natasha’s father died, her mom couldn’t take care of the kids and took them to the orphanage. Natasha was about 10 years old when she entered the orphanage. Her youngest brother was only two years old at the time.

“Natasha has incredible determination. She knows that she wants a better life than her parents had. She’s determined to hold on to hope and succeed.”

Natasha enrolled in culinary school after graduating from the orphanage. Most orphan graduates in Central Asia and the former Soviet Republic have little hope of a “normal” life. Many of the girls are coerced into prostitution, and many of the boys join gangs. A large number commit suicide.

There are an estimated 730,000 children in Russia who have been orphaned or abandoned by their parents. Around 230,000 of these children are in orphanages.

Natasha’s own brother committed suicide when he left the orphanage. In second grade, he fell onto some train tracks and lost one of his legs in the accident. “In Kazakhstan, anyone labeled as ‘invalid’ is put into a group home. Whether you have a mental or physical handicap, are young or old, everyone is put into this group home. Natasha’s brother knew what the group home was like, and chose to take his own life before being sent there.”

Despite the immense tragedies in her young life, Natasha pressed on. Cassie took Natasha in after she graduated from the orphanage. They shared Cassie’s apartment and Natasha continued culinary school. Four of the siblings have now graduated from the orphanage and live with Cassie from time to time.

“They are determined to stay together as a family. They are quite an anomaly in that way. All six of the siblings were together for their youngest brother’s birthday in December.”

When she started living with Cassie, Natasha began attending the church Mission Society missionaries planted years ago. “Natasha is usually very excited to go to church. She often invites her friends home with her on Saturday nights and they come to church with us.

“Natasha once said, ‘I can feel God right there, but I just can’t let Him in for some reason,’ but now she reads her Bible and is getting bolder about praying with other people. I’ve really seen her grow, and I can see that wall that orphans build for protection coming down bit by bit.”

“I never wanted children and I hate snow. God sent me to Kazakhstan to be a mom to these children – and I love it!” exclaimed Cassie.

Natasha will graduate from culinary school this June.

*Pseudonyms used for security purposes.