Completely warped
Valera was born in Moldova, the son of a woman with a severe alcohol addiction. At the age of six, a doctor's incorrect medication causes a degenerative disease. As a result, Valera's body begins to deform.
From then on, he is increasingly dependent on a wheelchair. When he is eleven years old, his mother sells him to a gang of beggars in Russia for 1000 dollars. There he has to beg on the streets for three years. They dress him in transparent clothes so that passers-by can see his unusual curvature.
For three years, he is simply wheeled into the garage overnight and never lifted out of his wheelchair - not even to go to the toilet. He begins to have suicidal thoughts. One day, he threw himself and his wheelchair down a long escalator in Moscow. The attempt fails, Valera survives injured. The gang benefits from the sight of his fresh wounds and immediately sends him back to begging.
Some time later, he manages to escape. The police pick him up and deport him back to Moldova to his mother. When she sees him coming, she says to his face: "You are not my son. I don't want you."
He lives in a state home for the disabled for around three years. But when he turns 18, he has to leave. The home's management intervenes on his behalf so that he doesn't end up on the street: She persuaded our partner Pastor Viktor to admit Valera to our home - a home that had yet to be founded 14 years ago.
This is where Valera meets Jesus, gives his heart to him and is baptised. Here he finally has a good life. He also proves to be extremely skilful: He repairs wheelchairs, mobile phones and computers. The amiable resident provides our team with very valuable support.
One day, Valera wants to visit his mother. Accompanied by a member of our team, he drives three hours to her home and brings her a bouquet of flowers. "Mum, I forgive you for everything you've done to me. I have come to know God, and it is the God of forgiveness and love!" But his mum tells him again: ‘You are not my son.’
Around six months ago, Valera receives a phone call. He is told that his mother has terminal cancer. There is nothing more they can do for her in hospital, and she is still an alcoholic and completely destitute. Valera asks Pastor Viktor if he can take her in.
A few days after her arrival at the home, her condition deteriorates dramatically. Viktor and Valera realise that they have to explain the gospel to her now, otherwise it will suddenly be too late. When they do, the mother decides in favour of Jesus. And asks her son for forgiveness for everything she has done to him. Three days later, she dies.
Valera has been in a critical state of health for several weeks now. The curvature of his spine is advanced, it protrudes from his body in two places, as does his stomach. Valera has severe pain that never subsides. Nevertheless, he is a living miracle: although the doctors told him he would not reach the age of 20, Valera was able to celebrate his 32nd birthday a few days ago together with a group from Switzerland!
