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Nine Years with Masha: a LB Anniversary Story

July 31, 2016

Last Bell is celebrating its 10th anniversary in August! As part of the celebration, we’re sharing about young people we met during each of the last ten years.

It’s hard to believe we’ve known Masha for nine years! Her story is full of hope and success, as well changes and disappointments. Last Bell staff members have walked alongside her through every twist in the road.

We met Masha in 2007. Her parents were alcoholics, and she went to the “baby orphanage” at six months old, then Orphanage #4. Masha was a tomboy, always fighting and getting into trouble—until she began following Jesus as a teenager. (Watch a video about Masha’s life.)

Masha loved the Shelter, and grew close to Andrey and Oksana Pankyeyev. In 2014 she changed her legal name from Segarova to Pankyeyeva.

June 2015: Masha, right, attended the med school graduation of close friend and fellow orphanage graduate Anya Hrobust, center, with Andrey and Oksana.

June 2015: Masha, right, attended the med school graduation of close friend and fellow orphanage graduate Anya Hrobust, center, with Andrey and Oksana.

After Masha became a Christian, she enthusiastically pursued a life of evangelism. In 2010-2011, she studied in a Youth With a Mission (YWAM) program in Kyiv, then went to Azerbaijan on a mission trip. In 2012-2013, after a few months of working odd jobs, she went to a six-month counseling school with YWAM in the country of Georgia. Last Bell donors were instrumental in helping with the costs. Masha often wrote to supporters with gratitude and requests for prayer.

masha in georgia

Masha in Georgia with fellow students

In 2014 she hoped to begin training as a counselor before going on to become a full-time missionary in Azerbaijan. But that plan fell through.

This precipitated a time of reflection for Masha, who had now spent several years as a Christian learning, growing, and spending time with Last Bell staff who accepted and loved her unconditionally.

She realized that while YWAM had grown her own relationship with God, she was not ready to counsel other people. Plus, she needed a practical way to support herself. Last Bell had been paying her rent.

Andrey and Oksana sat down with her and asked, “What do you want to be? What’s your dream? What did you dream about when you were a child?”

For the first time, Masha really talked about her childhood dreams. When she was little, she loved sports – she was good at them, and she wanted to be a coach. But as she grew up, that dream seemed impossible.

masha segarova

She began to believe in this dream again. Perhaps she could be a coach on the mission field. Anybody who’s met Masha can see she would be a great coach! She’s always personable and playful.

Before Masha could study athletic education, she needed to pass university exams. In 2015, after working with a tutor, she took the exams for the first time. But she didn’t pass.

In the midst of this new pursuit, in October of 2015, Masha’s mother died. She had been living in nursing home in a village, a long way from Zhytomyr. Oksana Pankyeyeva shared the news with the comment, “This is always very sad, because any hope to rebuild relationships with their parents dies with their parents.”

masha mothers gravesite

Masha at her mother’s grave

The same year, Masha connected with a women’s soccer team from the church Yulia Los attends. She fits in well and has been successful as a player.

masha3

Masha showing off her goalie skills on the soccer field

Masha didn’t give up on her dream of a university education. She worked with a tutor for months and retook the tests this spring. However, she still wasn’t able to pass. Naturally, this was a big disappointment.

Still, who knows what God has in store for this unique young lady? She’s following Jesus, and trying her best to use the gifts she’s been given. Last Bell staff will keep supporting her as she figures out the next step.

Please pray with us about Masha’s dream to be a coach, and for comfort in her disappointment. We know she is precious in God’s sight, and we pray for her to “not just survive, but thrive.”

goofy masha with staff

Masha with Last Bell staff members