NICHOLAI ‘Kolya’ Deykin | Visiting the Valley

Nicholai “Kolya” Deykin was born with a birth defect. His legs end at the knee, and he is missing the lower part of his right arm. The 12-year-old lives at Renewal Orphanage in Dimitrov, Russia.

Hosts: The Rev. Kathryn Adams and her husband, the Rev. Russ Adams, are hosting Kolya at their home in Canfield.

Activities: Kolya has attended a Phantoms Hockey game, at which he commented “there aren’t as many fights here.” He attended the Harlem Globetrotters game Saturday and likes watching American basketball on TV. He also wants to see a monster truck night. “He tags along with me wherever I go,” said the Rev. Mrs. Adams, who said they’d be seeing the movie “The Artist.” Kolya also is with her when she works as director of Protestant Campus Ministries at Youngstown State University and has gone with her to visit nursing-home residents.

Food: Kolya is a “picky eater” but loves potato chips and hamburgers. He also likes spaghetti, grapes, popcorn and turkey sandwiches. Mrs. Adams said she has fretted about his weight, but thinks he will always be slim.

To Russia with Love volunteer-in-mission team: The group, led by Mrs. Adams, recently returned from its 19th trip to Renewal Orphanage, where they take gifts for physically disabled children and do a work project. Fundraisers have helped pay expenses for Kolya and Vlad Makarov, who also was fitted with prosthetic legs. Mrs. Adams said this year she opted for a letter campaign, which was successful in raising funds.

Contact: Visit www.ysucampusministry.org. for more information on the To Russia with Love program and how to get involved.