Nastia is a 15 year old Moldavian girl. I have gotten to know her over the last 4 weeks while I have been in Ocnita, Moldova. A year ago Nastia was at a youth camp when she decided to follow Jesus with her whole heart. Since then she has become a student leader for the House of Prayer Church in Ocnita, eagerly serving those around her and praying for them to experience the same love she has received from God.
As I heard more of her story, I was amazed at the joy and determination this young woman possesses. Both of her parents live and work in Ukraine while she lives in Ocnita with her older sister. This is common for parents, as it has been difficult to find work in Moldova since it’s independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. Her father moved to Ukraine 10 years ago and her mother followed 5 years later. Her parents try to visit at least once a month but sometimes that is just not possible. This year has been particularly difficult. Nastia has only seen her Dad once in February and her Mother once in July.
Nastia is entering 10th grade and loves basketball, she’s a player on the high school team. As part of the ministry I’m involved with in Ocnita, Sunday night basketball games have been a way to build relationships with the local kids. Nastia is always there and certainly loves to play. Last Sunday I noticed she was shoeless after she stubbed her toe and was hobbling around the court. I asked her where her shoes were, she told me they were broken to the point where the soles were basically gone. She said maybe my Dad will be buy me a new pair before school starts.
The next day I asked how her toe was feeling and if she had heard from her Dad. She said her toe was ok but she isn’t going to be able to get shoes before the season starts. I went to my Reckless Redemption teammates and asked how they felt about pitching in to buy Nastia a new pair of shoes. They agreed and the next day my teammate, Ruby and I met Nastia at the market.
As we went from shoe vender to shoe vender Nastia kept saying “oh this is too expensive, this is too expensive.” As Ruby and I consistently replied with it’s no problem and it is our pleasure to buy them, she eventually gave in to getting a fly pair of shoes. I was bummed they didn’t have any Jordan's or And One’s but I think the pair we got will be just fine. The shoes ended up costing 250 Lei which is equal to 20 US dollars! My teammates are pitching in less than 3 US dollars each in order for Nastia to be able to play basketball this season!
As we said goodbye to Nastia with many hugs, she walked off with one of the biggest smiles I have seen yet on the race.
Thank you to all my supports who made my relationship with Nastia possible!
