Harbor Kursk

Ihave encountered so many stories of broken families in my 24 years at Orphanos that it often feels too normal. The vulnerable children that our partners work with come from dysfunctional homes that include loveless and/or abusive parents. It has made me so grateful for my family.

Situations have arose many times through the years where if I didn’t have my family supporting me, I would have been stuck in a bad place. Maybe you can relate? I know thousands of orphans who would have no one in their corner if our partners weren’t present.

That sentiment rings especially true when I tell you about Cy.

Cy is a graduate of the Harbor Kursk ministry, a program directly connected with the Harbor in St. Petersburg and a new partner to Orphanos as of 2021. Most of the youth that the Harbor Kursk works with have special needs and Cy is no different; he has a congenital leg deformity making it difficult to walk. He first connected with the Kursk team while enrolled at an orphanage for kids with disabilities.

After graduating five years ago, he attended two years of vocational training then moved into his own place. Cy’s story is true of many orphans; he was on his own, but in dire need of direction for how to live outside the orphanage walls.

Thankfully he had the support and guidance of his Kursk family.

Weekly meetings over the past three years, and God’s faithfulness to answer many prayers, have helped Cy become comfortable with grocery shopping, meal planning, budgeting and home maintenance.

There’s something even better going on here too. During the weekly meetings, Cy asks a lot of questions about true friendships, relationships, family, children, life after death and God. You see, Cy knows that his Kursk family believes in God and so he is attentive when they point out His provision and care for him. They remind Cy that only in Christ will he find peace, hope, strength and love.

I am so grateful for the Harbor Kursk’s ministry and their faithfulness to disciple Cy even though he’s not under their direct care any longer. Please join me in praying that Cy’s eyes would be enlightened to the truth of the gospel!