Anika’s Story
I grew up in southern California, the second oldest of 9 kids, enjoying being outside in the sunshine and swimming practically year round. With so many kids our house has always been a bit chaotic, but for us it’s just normal. I love spending time with my family and the craziness of every day life with so many people under one roof. I’m kind of addicted to coffee and good coffee is hard to come by in Ukraine so if you want to send us some goodness from the US of A, I can give you our address. 🙂
After a year at Biola University, I went on my first trip to Ukraine. I had anticipated the trip to change my life, but was not so much prepared for it to become my life. My group of kids at camp that summer were the oldest at the orphanage. I instantly loved them, getting to know them through charades and a few Russian words. Coming back again a few months later I saw a few of my kids in the village. They’d all graduated from the orphanage and were on their own. It hit me how quickly the statistics had become their reality, and I wanted even more to continue the relationships and help them. Then and now, it’s my desire to show them God’s love in a tangible way.
I’m so thankful to still be loving on these kids now years later. I still have relationships with some of those kids from my first trip back in 2006, and even get to be god-mom to one of their kids! I’m so blessed to call so many of these kids family, and I can’t wait to see what God will continue to do in their lives.
