From Russia With Love – Natalia’s Story

Natalia, who speaks four languages, grew up in Siberia and came to the United States in 2016 as a college student studying linguistics in a work and travel program. Here she came to know Christ, met her husband, married, and had two children. But when covid hit she and her husband both lost their jobs and eventually, they lost their house and were living in a hotel. The marriage became rocky, and they separated. That’s when Natalia discovered she was expecting her third child. As a single parent, times were tough, and she could not make enough money to support herself and her children. There was only enough food for the children many nights, and Natalia did without. “I learned to rely on God much more when I had literally nothing and had to rely on Him for my next meal.” Kind neighbors helped and sometimes would show up at her door with a home-cooked meal. “The Lord told me to give you this food,” they would say. Friends at her church, South Orlando Baptist, kept encouraging her to apply to the Mission, but Natalia was offended that they wanted her to live in a homeless shelter. Then she learned about the scope of the Mission’s ministries, changed her mind, and in July 2023 decided to humble herself and apply. “It was really clean and nice,” she said. That’s when life changed for Natalia. She served her discipleship in housekeeping and got to know many of the staff and volunteers. “I fell in love with all the people who work and serve here,” she said. She completed the Victorious Life Class, the Parenting class, and Jobs Partnership, earned her certification as a medical office specialist at Valencia, and is a regular in the sewing class. “Sewing is like therapy, you can completely abandon yourself. I never knew I could create with my hands. It makes me slow down, and I’m learning to trust the Lord.” Natalia is blessed and amazed by the amount of support the Mission gives. “It starts with the case manager and all the volunteers who show so much love.” Her three boys are now thriving at the Mission. Jeremy, age 13, has played sports, including flag football and basketball, which is his new favorite and participated in the arts program. But most of all he’s benefited from the Boys to Men program. Daniel Ings, husband of Natalie’s case manager Naomi Ings, is Jeremy’s mentor. “They truly care,” Natalia said of the couple. “They have spent countless hours off the clock, praying and mentoring, constructively and positively modeling good behavior for Jeremy. They have taught me how to handle moments of adversity with patience and humility.” Joseph, age 7, has enjoyed a rich program of activities in the Youth Learning Center, and baby Ziggy loves playing in the Early Learning Center. “And I have the opportunity to save my money while I’m here,” Natalia said. “I am in awe of how God knew exactly what I needed.” Today Natalia works as a patient coordinator at a dentist’s office. She is growing in her faith, learning about God’s great love toward us, and learning to love others. “When I read in Acts about how the Christians grew in numbers and shared everything together, I realized I literally saw that unfolding here right before my eyes.” She is so thankful for the donors who made it all possible. “I personally know one of the donors, and I am extremely grateful for their obedience and desire to sacrifice for the cause of the Lord,” she said. “I’m so grateful.”