Russia Blog Diary, Entry Six

Scott Collins is blogging about his experiences in Russia as part of the 2008 ‘Shoes for Orphan Souls’ mission trip. This is Scott’s first trip to Russia with Buckner since 1999. He is vice president of External Affairs.

She Stole My Heart
ST. PETERSBURG, RUSSIA – I never knew until today that the way to my heart is through my hands.

Baby Home No. 16 here is a testament to commitment and perseverance. I remember it as one of those places I was unable to fully photograph or explain because I couldn’t capture the smell.

Today it is as fine as any facility you’ll find in the United States, thanks to the work of Buckner and our donors. It really is a marvel.

The last time I was here, children were kept in ground-level cribs that looked more like stock pens for cattle. Today, the home has tremendous rehabilitation rooms, bright, open play areas, and row after row of neatly spaced baby cribs.

Back then, there was maybe one caregiver for every 10 children. Unattended children would stand up with one leg tied to the crib bars and rock themselves for stimulation. Now, there are ample numbers of loving women engaging with the babies at every turn.

The place even has an small indoor swimming pool used for therapy that was donated by Buckner.

I was enjoying the renovated facilities and even more, I was enjoying taking dozens of photos as the team I’m with put new shoes on the feet of the children. Talk about Kodak moments.

And then Natasha Voytakova told me about Masha, a little girl in the next room.

She is two years and eight months old. Masha had been adopted by a Russian family and taken into their home. No one knows when.

But yesterday, the family changed its mind and brought Masha to Baby Home No.16. Just like that. With no explanation. Traumatized doesn’t even begin to explain the look on her face when I walked into the room and saw her sitting alone on a tiny sofa.

Suddenly, I was no longer a photographer. I put the camera down, held out my hands and Masha entered my heart.

We sat down on the sofa and I cradled her in my arms and immediately she knew what to do. She rested her head on chest. I could feel her breathing as she nestled into my embrace. And with every heartbeat of hers, I could feel my heart being torn apart.

People on these trips often comment, “I could just take them all home.” To be honest, I don’t often feel that way. But I did today.

I didn’t know it, but the rest of the group had left. Natasha came back looking for me and it was all I could do to hand Masha over to her caregiver.

As hard as it was for me to be pulled away from this precious little girl, I can’t imagine what it must have been like for her to have been pulled away from her “family.”

But here’s the thing. I know that in Baby Home No. 16, Masha will receive the extra love and attention she needs right now. And I know that Buckner helped make that possible.

And in case you’re wondering, she was moved to the top of the list of adoptable children and a Russian family is already interested.