The Rescue of Alla

Nadya, Alla, MJ Ready for the wedding!

In November we "rescued" a teenage girl from a difficult and potentially dangerous situation. Alla was living at the Domboki state orphanage with her younger sister and brother. They were placed there 4 years ago when they were found homeless and living on the street as their single, alcoholic mom had no place for them. The children were doing well at Domboki but Alla never quite fit in as she was a bit different than the rest. After a battery of intelligence tests, Alla was declared to mentally fit for Domboki and she had to be sent out of the orphanage and back to her mom. Domboki is for the mentally and physically challenged and Alla’s scores were too high. In fact, the tester said she was smarter than her teachers! Of course, this was good news. When she finishes the 9th grade she can then go to regular high school and possibly on to university. It really gives her a chance at a full and normal life. Most children graduating from Domboki are only qualified as street cleaners and dishwashers. Alla just turned 15 and gave her life to the Lord last year. My pastor friend Paul Berube has always had a special spot in his heart for her and has watched out for her all the years she has been at Domboki. She has always seemed to be a very special girl. But this was also disturbing news as the orphanage director, Luba had no choice but to send her home and she was very concerned for her welfare. After 3 weeks Alla, had still not been taken to school and her mom was often too drunk even in the mornings to make the arrangements needed. In addition to that her living situation was not good.

Her mother does not have her own home but lives with her friends, two women who are prostitutes! Both of these women had 3 kids each and Alla was having to care for them. Luba began putting lots of pressure on the mom to send Alla to school but there were many complications. In the end, Luba threatened to have the police come. That was the day before our November visit and when we met with Luba she felt there was no hope for Alla. We decided to check on her right then. Everyone was concerned for this poor child. We prayed and asked God to go before us but even so we were amazed to see what the Lord did. He so totally opened the door for us, gave us favor with the mom and even enabled us to leave with Alla right then and there! This was even more than we dared to dream – it happened suddenly but we were ready! And so was Alla, she quickly packed her things (in a small paper bag), kissed her mom goodby and off we went amazed but rejoicing in the Great God we serve who cares so much!

Alla is now officially signed over to our Hope and Life ministry as her guardians. She has begun school in Uzghorod and is doing very well. She is well liked by her classmates and is thriving under the care of Nadya, a lovely Christian woman we knew. She is part of the local church and loves youth group. Paul has promised to send Alla to university if she does well in school and she is studying very hard. Her mother was thrilled for this opportunity! This picture is of Alla and Nadya and Mary Jill ready to go to Richard and Anya’s wedding. Anya is director of Hope and Life and guardian to Alla.