Anya

My name is Anya, and I live in a city in western Russia in a university dormitory with my classmate. When I was very young, my father left our family, so I grew up with just my mother and brother. For a very long time, I did not understand why my father left us and never felt my father’s love. As a teenager, I had problems socializing and accepting myself. I felt like no one was interested in spending time with me because I was quiet and unremarkable. My heart felt empty until I encountered Christ.

After my father left us, my family went to church. However, it was not until I was a teenager that I truly encountered Christ. One day, at youth group at my church, I realized that I had a heavenly Father who loved me just the way I was. This filled my heart with so much love. I made many friends at church and began serving as a media leader in the youth ministry. I enjoyed photography so much at church that I decided to go to university to study it. When I moved cities for university, I was invited to Young Life. This ministry has become so special to me, and I am now a leader with Young Life College.

As a recipient of the Developing Global Leaders scholarship, I am studying photography technique and art at university. After graduation, I want to be a photographer and videographer. I want to show people the beauty of God’s creation and world. I also plan to stay in ministry as a leader for Young Life. I want many friends to come to know God through Young Life.