Fighting to love Matvey

In October 2024, mum Marina found herself in court. The reason? She was fighting for the custody of her disabled son who was living in an orphanage, having to prove to the guardianship authorities that she is now a fit and loving mother. This meant begging strangers for permission to love her son.

When she was a child, Marina’s parents were both heavy drinkers, a behaviour she later adopted too; she was left caring for her younger siblings who called her mum. Life was hard, but she didn’t think much of it at the time.

As an adult, a failed first marriage resulted in her daughter Evia. Much later, Marina married again and Matvey was born four months premature. Matvey had a multitude of health problems. This meant that Marina and Matvey spent most of his early years in hospital. She'd get up early to travel to a hospital on the other side of the city every day to express milk and do all she could during these really difficult years.

This stress highlighted how unhealthy her marriage was. She was unsupported and alone with Matvey’s difficulties and her husband eventually abandoned them both while Matvey was still in hospital. Soon, she lost the apartment they’d shared and Marina and Matvey had to move in with her now adult daughter, Evia.

This living arrangement was a recipe for disaster. Evia was alcohol-dependent and Marina was too, which exacerbated the problem for them both.

It all came to a head when a disgruntled ex-boyfriend of Evia’s reported that Matvey was in danger…

“The police arrived and everything was checked while Matvey slept peacefully. Soon afterwards, the police visit triggered the guardianship authorities to look into me. I voluntarily registered and tried to prove that I was not an unfit parent. This was an awful time. I had to give blood to prove Matvey was mine, I had to prove that I was taking him to all his doctor’s visits, I had to pass tests, provide certificates… I felt powerless.”

This situation led Matvey to be taken from Marina and her parental rights removed. It was recommended that Marina use this time to rehabilitate from alcohol and change her situation.

Praise God, Marina came to our Women’s Crisis Centre for help and everything began to change…

“There is a lot of childhood trauma within me, things I never spoke of. Here at the Centre, I can talk and it is becoming easier for me. Being around the other girls here, I see how their lives have been changed for the better and it is encouraging. I now know that I needed the help of counselling, not alcohol, and I know the Lord is with me. After a difficult, sometimes unbearable life, I now wake up with the words ‘Thank you, God!’. Here, I’ve learned patience, obedience and humility. It can be difficult, but I hope I'm doing well.”

We are so delighted that Marina has made the decision to follow Jesus!

From the moment Marina arrived at the Centre, Alina began the process of trying to reunite Marina with her disabled son Matvey permanently.

At the court case in October we were all delighted to hear that Marina was awarded temporary custody and could keep Matvey with her. Within days, Alina’s next job was to help Marina address Matvey’s many health complications. As well as having special needs, his sight, hearing and a hernia all required surgery. Some of you may remember that at the end of October we sent out an appeal so we could begin Matvey’s treatment.

Thanks to our generous givers, Matvey’s treatment got underway in November last year. Both his eyesight and hearing have improved.

In March, Alina sent us this wonderful message about them and a thank you to all of you who support our work…

“Praise God! Matvey will stay with his mum!

After several months of intense legal proceedings, Marina’s parental rights have been reinstated. The court took into account her efforts in recovery, her sincere desire to create a good environment for him, and have returned her right to raise her son.

This case highlights the importance of our individual approach to each child and it’s an example of how, even after serious mistakes, it is possible to restore a family if it’s in the best interests of the child.

I am so grateful. We couldn't have done it without your giving and your trust. By working together, God allows us to save women and restore families. Our centre provides stable living conditions - if it did not exist, we couldn’t do this work. Your support has given this family the chance of a happy life!” – Alina

Marina’s story doesn’t end here. In our next blog you can read what happened to Marina’s daughter Evia who has now joined her mum at the Women’s Crisis Centre.

Support the Crisis Centre that helped Marina and Matvey