The Knutzens have a remarkable story.

It all began in Russia, where Chris and Elmira Knutzen live with their 4 children.

They spent a few weeks in Lexington last year while they were in the US getting passports for 2 of their Russian-born children.

Here they made many friends that support their ministries in Russia. That’s where their story began.

Before they met, Chris and Elmira worked for Campus Crusade for Christ in Russia in different cities. Eventually they both were assigned to Eketeringburg.

In time they connected, fell in love and got married.

For several years, both served CCC. It was a big Job, as Russia has 11 time zones, and CCC is active in 350 colleges.

The objective of CCC is to assist believers through partnerships with local churches, individuals and other entities.

It is a easier now that Skype and social media have made it easier to communicate with believers and supporters.

CCC builds communities by finding like-minded and like-hearted people to build relationships with college students all over Russia.

An ongoing function of CCC is making a concerted effort to prepare college students for evangelical missions.

Chris is still involved with Campus Crusade.

After becoming a mom, Elmira did not have the time to participate in the student ministry. But she started building relationships with other moms.

She began doing bible studies with them. The studies are a way to reach nonbelievers. Facebook is a big help in connecting moms.

Now, she’s added support groups for families with adopted children to help them overcome the struggles they face.

God regularly puts people in Elmira’s life that are seeking answers to life’s questions.

They come from a variety of religions and backgrounds, and many of them contact her for prayers.

Both Chris and Elmira have a plethora of life experiences to prepare them to help others.

The Knutzens now have 4 children, Rodick, Aiden, Denis and Vaselina.

The experience with Vaselina changed the direction of Elmira’s ministry.

Vaselina was born without arms. Nobody wanted to adopt her.

That’s when Elmira saw a picture of 6-month-old Vaselina on social media.

Chris and Elmira had no idea how to raise an armless child. After visiting the orphanage and seeing her, they prayed about adopting her.

They felt God was directing them to make her part of their family, and they offered to adopt her. But there were challenges ahead, and lots of them.

The Russian government cited a law that said Americans could not adopt Russian children – even though Elmira has dual citizenship.

That did not stop a determined and God-inspired Elmira.

In the process, she won over the vice Chairman of the Russian Parliament who had publicly criticized her for trying to adopt a special needs Russian child.

He later apologized on national tv and has become an advocate for kids with special needs.

The Russian government even changed the laws regarding special needs children.

Elmira has become nationally known for special needs advocacy.

Elmira now has her own family ministry, working with moms of special needs kids.

The ministry provides bible studies and positive relationships with other women and reaches out to non-believers.

She is just as zealous in her ministry as anything she has ever done.

Vaselina has become a social media star with videos of her functioning without arms. You can watch them at https://tinyurl.com/v3k8n9x .

Have an inspiring story to share?

Send it to JerryBellune@ yahoo.com .