The Life of the Nikolaev Family Rose from the Ashes – Literally
This family’s story touched us deeply. As we walked alongside Pavel, Irina, and their grandsons this past year we witnessed their many hardships and deep sorrows. But in the midst of it all, we also got to see God at work!
The Nikolaev family is one of 460 families that Mission Possible teams supported in 2025 by providing frequent personal assistance and spiritual guidance.
Drugs Destroyed Their Son’s Family
Pavel and Irina Nikolaev, grandparents in their 60s and 70s, were devastated to see how drugs destroyed the life of their son and his family. They stepped in and assumed responsibility for their three grandsons (now ages 3, 7, and 8), taking them into their own large and comfortable home with a garden and livestock (cows, pigs, and chickens) to raise.
Everything Burned In a Moment
It only took a couple hours for a fire to consume Pavel and Irina’s home, belongings, all their documents, and their cash savings. This couple – who had graciously rescued others – found themselves in need of rescuing.
More Sorrow
Their trials did not end there. Just one week after the fire, Irina and Pavel’s daughter-in-law (their grandsons’ mother) passed away. The boys had already begun calling Grandma Irina “Mom,” and now she truly had to fill that role.
We Stepped In to Help Rebuild
We met the family soon after the fire and the passing of their daughter-in-law through social services in early 2025.
On our first visit we brought food, clothing, and toys (which the boys eagerly played with right away). Irina was grateful and relieved:
“Daycare and school will start soon for the boys, and now they have clothes.”
We help families with such things as official paperwork, healthcare, and home repairs. When Irina injured her leg and couldn’t walk, we went to government offices on their behalf to arrange for post-fire compensation they were entitled to.
We also raised funds to renovate their bathroom and buy them a phone, which greatly helps them manage everyday matters.
Learning to Pray
On our regular rounds we can see 10–12 families in a day.
The Nikolaev boys welcomed us with hugs during a recent visit as we brought food and supplies, got updated on their situation, encouraged them in the Lord, and prayed together.
“I have started praying every evening,” Irina told us.
Illness Led to Blessing
The Nikolaev’s trials continued. In the spring, Pavel fell seriously ill with pneumonia and could barely speak or eat.
We prayed for him and encouraged him to give his life to the Lord. He was ready to do so.
“Please come and pray for me more often. I already feel better!” he whispered.
At the next visit, Irina greeted us joyfully at the door:
“He is doing better now – eating and talking and sitting up!”
We invited Irina and the children to the church’s Easter service.
“We’ll definitely come,” she said.
A New Loss
In September we found the Nikolaev family in deep sorrow once more. Their son Pasha, father of the three boys, had died of a drug overdose.
It was hard to find words to comfort a family that had lost so much. We prayed together, trusting that God would carry them through this grief as well.
Calmly, yet with tears, Irina said,
“One Pasha has died, but we still have three little Pashas to raise.”
Pavel added,
“Because of you we are not alone. Thank you for being with us.”
Gradually the family began to recover from their loss, and smiles slowly returned to their faces.
They are expecting a visit from their other son. He also struggles with drug addiction, so we plan to speak with him about entering rehabilitation.
“Please bring us Christian literature to read next time,” requested Pavel.
Irina made sauerkraut and gave us a jar for our shelter home as a heart-felt thank you for the past year we have shared together.
This is how new life is built – not in a single moment, but by walking together, step by step.
The families we help are not just recipients of aid –
They become our friends and our brothers and sisters in Christ.
And when their lives are restored they look for ways to help others.
