When we met Pasha, he was deeply alone.
As a little boy, he had a normal life. He studied and played sports. His father died when he was ten, but he still had his mom. They argued, and had some financial trouble. But they were working things out. Then it all fell apart. Pasha’s mom died when he was fifteen. “Life became much more difficult,” he said. That year he left for trade school in the city.
Some of our young people have living relatives, often neglectful and abusive. Some, like Pasha, have simply lost everyone.
For orphaned youth, these traumas compound into an experience of isolation and hopelessness. And with their homeland at war, any chance at a good life seems like yet another casualty.
But God is still at work! During my trip to Zhytomyr this fall, I saw the fruits of our staff’s ministry to orphaned youth. In the midst of war, they remain undaunted. They trust that God has appointed them for this service.
Pasha’s future might have seemed inevitable. Without help, many orphaned young men like him end up jobless and on the street. Over half spend time in prison.
But Pasha isn’t alone now. He was drawn into Last Bell’s community by fun activities and our caring, persistent staff. He began sharing his story and his needs. Our staff took him for a vision exam, and helped him with housing documents.
Such big impacts aren’t as expensive as you might think. Pasha’s vision exam only cost $18. The documents required for Pasha to claim his childhood home were just $350. Pasha still needs surgery on both eyes, a lifetime of good vision for about $1000.
December 31st is the deadline to provide for our youth’s needs in 2025. Will you give this Christmas to help care for Pasha and all our orphaned youth?
Your generosity today means a future of safety, health, and community for Pasha and the orphaned youth we meet each year – and innumerable chances to share the love of Jesus.
$35 can pay for vision and medical exams
$350 can help with housing paperwork and other legal documents
$1000 can cover major surgeries or home repairs
All of us at Last Bell are inspired by our donors’ joy in supporting this ministry. Thank you!
Wishing you the peace of Christ this season,
Marguerite Havard
Executive Director
PS: During the war, Ilya says, “orphans and ordinary people are forgotten. Such people need help, even more now.” Will you give this Christmas to show you remember Pasha and others like him and believe in God’s hope-filled future for them?