Reaching Dreams through God’s Grace
Natalia Hopes for a Husband and a Happy Family
When Natalia was widowed ten years ago, she turned to drugs to numb the pain of her grief and despair. She was left alone to raise 7-year-old Anastasia, 4-year-old Denis, and the baby she was expecting. Natalia knew she needed help and found her way to one of Mission Possible’s shelter homes. She received support specific to her circumstances, gave birth to daughter Maria, heard the gospel, became a believer, and made new friends. After leaving the shelter home she got a job, bought an apartment, raised her children, helped her elderly mother, and attended church.
But over time, the longing for something else began to increase.
“The church and my friends cared a lot about me, but in my heart, I wanted a husband. When my children grew old enough to be on their own, I would face loneliness,” said Natalia.
Natalia became profoundly depressed and started drinking and doing drugs to cope as she had done ten years earlier.
With the substance abuse came boyfriend Artyom, a drug addict. He was a nice, cheerful person who cared for the children and helped them with homework. The children liked him, but they were worried about the adults’ addictions. This concern prompted 17-year-old Anastasia to talk to her mother and persuade her to seek help.
“Anastasia’s words made me see what I was doing to my children and myself. I am very grateful to her for confronting me,” said Natalia.
She returned to the shelter home that she knew well. Ten-year-old Maria – who was born there – stayed with her. Anastasia and Denis moved in with their grandmother. Natalia felt like a failure and unworthy of help again. But when she confessed her issues and decided to deal with them, the love and forgiveness of God and the Christians in her life renewed her faith.
Wonderfully, at the same time, Natalia checked in to the shelter home, and Artyom went to a rehabilitation center for men. One day, Natalia received a phone call from Artyom telling her he had encountered Christ and put his trust in Him!
Natalia and Artyom know they both have a lot of work ahead of them. Accepting this and relying on God, they are building the foundations for their dream of a life together. After rehabilitation, they want to make that dream a reality: get married and have a happy family.
