17 Apr Dasha, the Fairy Godmother, and the Finish Line
Capturing Grace on a journey to KyrgyZstan
If she’s first, she praises; if she’s third, she leans across the line anyway—because finishing is a kind of worship too.
There are eighteen beds at Kara-Balta Children’s Home—eighteen stories that don’t fit on a chart. On the wall of one room, Disney princesses watch over a sixteen-year-old runner who trains her grief into stride length and her hope into a finishing kick.
Dasha’s mother died when she was three. Her father tried to hold the world together after a devastating accident and eight surgeries, but illness and poverty fractured what love alone could not sustain. A grandmother’s alcoholism and anger drove Dasha to neighbors’ doors for food, and finally, to this home. Here, church felt familiar again. Here, someone said “welcome” and meant it.
On the track, a coach saw what sorrow could not extinguish. He moved beside her like a father, prayed with her, and taught her to take the next hurdle. Dasha now trains three to four hours most days, chasing a dream the size of Master of Sport in the 400m hurdles. Her best time is 1:12.2, but the stopwatch doesn’t measure what you and I see: a heart learning to keep rhythm when life loses count.
We sat together in her room where Cinderella smiles from the page. I asked a question I don’t always ask:
“If you had a fairy godmother, what would you wish for?”
Dasha looked down, then up, and said softly, “To see my father again.”
Tears came to my eyes. I told her I would ask for the same—to see my daughter, Christina. We spoke about popcorn and princess movies, about how Christina loved making coffee for others and how her smile still lingers in the café where I write. We spoke of a Love that holds us when answers don’t come. We agreed that even without a fairy godmother, there is a hope beyond graves and goodbyes.
When Dasha runs, the wind meets her face and lifts it. The problems don’t vanish, but for 400 meters they must keep up with a girl who won’t stop. As she nears the finish, she thanks God. If she’s first, she praises; if she’s third, she leans across the line anyway—because finishing is a kind of worship too.
I like to think that every photograph I take carries a little of Christina’s light. Today, that light fell on Dasha—strong, smart, worthy—created in the image of a Father who sees and never forgets.
If she’s first, she praises; if she’s third, she leans across the line anyway—because finishing is a kind of worship too.
One day, in a country without tears, I believe Dasha will find her father and I will find my girl.
And in that long line of stories Christina has touched around the world, Dasha will be there—smiling, telling me, “You were right. She is special.”
And I will answer, “So are you.”
🌿 Partner Spotlight: Mercy Charitable Christian Foundation
Kara-Balta Children’s Home is part of the Mercy Foundation (MCCF), a ministry providing schools, housing, and mentoring for orphan graduates who would otherwise have nowhere to turn. The home is supported by the Global Life Enrichment Center (GLEC) in California, whose faithful partnership allows spiritual coordinators to share the Gospel and nurture children in faith, education, and life skills. Together, MCCF and GLEC are helping children like Dasha discover purpose, dignity, and the unshakable truth that they are loved by God.
About the Work in Kyrgyzstan
These stories were made possible through the work of Alina Khan, who serves children and families across Kyrgyzstan by coming alongside local ministries, strengthening their efforts, and helping create pathways for children to grow up in safe and loving families.
Alina is part of Kyrgyzstan Without Orphans, connected to the global movement of World Without Orphans, which equips leaders and communities to care for vulnerable children through family-based solutions. To learn more about this movement, visit https://worldwithoutorphans.org
About Capturing Grace
Discover the story behind Capturing Grace and how my daughter’s legacy continues to inspire my journey: capturinggrace.org/about-us
Our time in Kyrgyzstan
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