Victor and Aliona Shushkevich have had a lot of children – 44 so far, and they hope to have many more! But in case you’re wondering, they are not all theirs.
Even so, each one has been entrusted to them by God, and over the last twelve years they have loved them as their own, in a family-type orphanage in Riscani, Moldova.
The children come to them from a variety of backgrounds, some bearing the physical and emotional scars of the abuse they received at the hands of their biological parents. While being cared for by Victor and Alena, they enjoy a more settled existence that brings with it a fresh start in life and healing for the body, soul and spirit.
Over the years many of the young people have come to faith in Jesus Christ, and one young man, Andrei, has subsequently graduated from Chisinau Christian College and is now serving in a church in that city.
Some of the children who stay at the orphanage eventually return to their own families. Others finish high school and go on to study at university, while some others have married and started their own family.
Daniella came to the orphanage with her brother Vasily in 2016. They had been appallingly treated by their parents who forced them to work long hours, and, never satisfied with their efforts, beat them so severely that Vasily was eventually left disabled. Despite all this, Daniella turned to God and became a Christian, following which Victor and Aliona’s biological son, Gregory, fell in love with her and they married.
Today they have one child of their own while caring for many others, having themselves begun serving in another family-type orphanage in Moldova where they hope to help troubled young people find their way in life.
Pray for Victor & Aliona, and for the ten children who are currently in their care, that as the love of God continues to be shown, the Gospel will be shared, and many more lives will be transformed as a result.