Celebrating 20 Years! Letter from Nancy Hathaway.

Dear Friends, 

Twenty years ago, my husband Steve and I, along with fellow adoptive parents, prayed for God to reveal His heart to us. Our visit to Ukraine for the adoption process of our children left us emotionally shattered. The sweet faces of the children growing up in orphanages without parents, love and hope were forever etched in our memories. These kids, desperate for belonging and attention, begged us to take them home or 'find them a family', igniting a fire in our hearts. It changed our worlds forever!

Nancy and Steve with their three adopted daughters Natalie, Sveta Elizabeth, and Angelina

Isn't that just like God? He shows us a problem that cannot be solved without His help. Then He asks if we are willing to follow Him to be a part of the solution--to trust His lead. We took a leap of faith and said yes.

The vision He revealed was a family-style home for teens who had aged out of the orphanage. In the countries of the former Soviet Union, kids leave the orphanage at age 16, and many end up on the streets. These are kids who would never be adopted. The vision of a family-style home involved Christian house parents who would teach the youth life skills, sucah as cooking and budgeting, as well as how to make good choices. They would teach them what it means to follow Christ, to hear His voice, and obey.

When I look back over the past twenty years and see how many young lives have changed, I am in awe! Only God could have done that. More than 6,000 orphans have been impacted. More than one third of the kids who lived in our discipleship homes have given their lives to Christ. It has completely changed them! Most of these young people have gone on to minister to children around the world: India, Kyrgyzstan, Nepal, and beyond. Plus, several of them are now on staff with Heart for Orphans!

Through it all, we are deeply grateful for the unwavering support of donors like you, whose generosity has made all of this possible. Your support has not only changed individual lives but has sparked a ripple effect of faith that is reaching children across the globe. So, thank you for uniting with one heart to be a crucial part of this journey for the last two decades--and many more to come. 

Blessings,

Nancy Hathaway
Founder/Director