Some stories do not begin with safety.

Denis’s story began in Mariupol, Ukraine, in a childhood marked by instability, loss, and vulnerability. After his parents were deprived of their parental rights, Denis was left without the protection and support every child deserves.

Instead of being cared for, he was used.

His stepfather forced him to pretend he was disabled, pushing him in a wheelchair so they could beg for money. Over time, something meant to be only an act began to affect Denis in deeper ways. The weakness he was forced to perform began to settle into his own mind and body.

But God had a different plan for Denis.

In time, he was transferred from Mariupol to Father’s House in Kyiv. It was an unusual transfer for an orphan, but looking back, it is hard not to see the hand of God in it. At Father’s House, Denis found more than shelter.

He found family.

He found people who saw him not as a problem to manage, but as a child to love.

And he found Roman, the founder of Father’s House, whom so many of the children lovingly called “Dad.” For Denis, Roman became a living picture of something he had rarely known before, a father figure marked by faith, courage, steadiness, and compassion.

As Denis grew older, that example stayed with him.

When he turned eighteen, Denis left Father’s House and stepped into independent life. He worked hard laying train tracks at the railway station. He built a family. He tried to create stability.

Then war came.

In 2023, Denis was drafted directly from his job into the military. Though he had carried health struggles throughout his life, he served faithfully and bravely. During active fighting, he was injured by flying debris from an explosion. His back was badly damaged, his eyesight was affected by cataracts, and his health began to deteriorate.

After serving, Denis was discharged as a veteran.

But when he returned to civilian life, he had almost nothing to return to.

His wife had left, taking their son and cutting off contact. At just thirty-five years old, Denis found himself without a home, without family support, and without a clear path forward.

So he returned to the only home that had ever truly felt like home.

Father’s House welcomed him back as family.

Today, Denis is receiving medical care and rehabilitation with their support. Though he is not yet able to work full-time, he contributes where he can as part of the maintenance team. In quiet, humble ways, he helps care for the place that once cared for him. He works with his hands. He helps keep things running. He earns a small income while learning to manage his finances and save toward the future.

It is not glamorous work.

But it is dignity.

It is responsibility.

It is a step toward healing.

And perhaps most importantly, it is a reminder that Denis is not alone.

At Father’s House, they remind him that this chapter is not the end of his story. They believe he can regain strength. They believe he can find stable work. They believe that one day, Denis can have a home of his own.

And Denis still dreams.

After all he has endured, his dreams are simple, but deeply human. He wants a place to call home. He wants his health restored. He wants relief from the constant pain caused by severe gum disease. He wants to eat, speak, and smile without suffering or shame.

For Denis, dental treatment is not about appearance. It is about dignity.

It is about being free from pain.

It is about being able to smile again.

Thanks to the generosity of friends and partners, nearly the entire cost of Denis’s dental treatment has already been raised. Only $1,000 remains to fully cover the procedures that will help restore his health and dignity.

There is something sacred about a place that does not forget its children when they become adults.

Father’s House has been that kind of place for Denis.

A place that received him as a wounded child.

A place that helped shape him into a man.

And now, in one of the most fragile seasons of his adult life, a place that has opened its arms to him again.

Denis’s story is still being written.

And with hope, healing, faith, and the steady love of people who refuse to give up on him, greater things are still ahead.

About Father’s House — Kyiv, Ukraine
Father’s House is a Christian ministry in Kyiv that has been serving vulnerable children and families since the 1990s. Founded by Roman Korniyko, the ministry began as a refuge for children rescued from the streets and abusive environments, providing rehabilitation, counseling, and a path into loving families.

Today, under the leadership of the next generation, Father’s House continues its mission through programs like Restored Life, serving families displaced and devastated by the war in Ukraine. By offering a holistic approach, spiritual, emotional, and physical care, they walk alongside families as they heal, rebuild, and move toward independent life.

At its core, Father’s House exists to live out a simple calling: to love God and love people, restoring lives one family at a time.

To learn more about Father’s House and their work, visit: http://www.o-dim.com/en/

About Capturing Grace
Discover the story behind Capturing Grace and how my daughter Christina’s life continues to inspire this work at capturinggrace.org/about-us.