Meet Natasha and Valodia Bogomolov, our National Directors in Russia. As a teen, Natasha Bogomolov became a leader in the young communist movement, and later became a school teacher. Despite her membership in the Communist Party, Natasha was unsettled about her government’s world view. “It was part of my job to teach children that there was no ‘God.’ The only ‘god’ we had was Mother Russia.” Natasha would ponder these required teachings as she walked home at night. Along the way she would often pass an old lady sweeping the streets. “She had a terrible job,” recalls Natasha. “Yet even in the coldest winters the woman always had a smile on her face and a pleasant word when I passed her.” One evening Natasha stopped to talk with the woman and asked her why she always had such a positive attitude.  “She told me that I could have the same inner peace if I asked Jesus into my heart.” Natasha recalls. After giving her heart to Jesus, Natasha secretly began attending an evangelical church. A year later, Natasha met and married Valodia, a former Army Major who had also given his life to Jesus. Early in their marriage the Bogomolovs gave birth to two handicapped children, both died after only a few years. They received no government help and were even shunned by friends and neighbors. Natasha realized that there were many other families suffering in silence with handicapped children. She began seeking them out to bring comfort, understanding, advice, and practical assistance. Today Natasha and Valodia’s ministry to handicapped children (and their families) extends to over 800 homebound and institutionalized kids. Our Russian teams provide practical services for orphans including clothing and food distribution, medical support, counselling, Christmas and Easter programs, Bible studies and Christian programming at Internauts (orphanages) and institutions in Krasnodar, Sevastopol, Tulsky and Maikop.