"Mama," Lara looked up at her mother. "Who is God?"

Mama stared into the darkness. "I don't know. Why do you ask?"

Even as a young girl, Lara had a hunger to know who God is. People said He lived in a place called heaven and could see everything. But why could no one tell her more about Him? And why did people say His name when they were upset?

Growing up in Kazakhstan and Ukraine, life for young Lara was difficult. If only Mama and Papa could get along. Then they could live together as a family and have money to buy lots of food. But maybe it was better this way. Better than having Mama and Papa yelling at each other....

Lara's journey had many twists and turns, many painful memories—her father's tears, a mysterious death, a "haunted" house, cursed drink.... Through it all, Lara had one overriding goal: to learn to know God.

Her heart's cry reached the throne of heaven. Working through His people, God answered Lara's prayer and gave her peace. The hunger in her heart was finally satisfied.

Table of Contents

• [maps]

• 1. The Dugout
• 2. The Harmonica Deal
• 3. Jaundice and Jam
• 4. To the East
• 5. Mama's Nerves
• 6. Finding Papa
• 7. Cold and Hungry
• 8. The Ishim River
• 9. Southern Ukraine
• 10. Grozove
• 11. They Way Life Is
• 12. New Neighbors
• 13. Orphanage School
• 14. The Missing Calf
• 15. Back to Buzuluk
• 16. Hunger
• 17. Komsomol
• 18. To Lakinsk
• 19. Eleven Rubles
• 20. The Sanatorium
• 21. Visiting Meesha
• 22. Another Trip South
• 23. The Letter
• 24. Alyona
• 25. Women's Day
• 26. Love Returns
• 27. To Marry or Not to Marry
• 28. Communal Living
• 29. The Telegram
• 30. Searching for Peace
• 31. The Divine Book
• 32. Surprise Visitor
• 33. The Meeting
• 34. Salvation
• 35. A Different Kingdom
• 36. Phenomena
• 37. A Deadly Combination
• 38. A New House
• 39. Uncertain Future
• 40. Survival
• 41. Mysterious Illness
• 42. Homeless
• 43. "Consult Your God"
• 44. Trip to Kiev
• 45. The Truth
• Epilogue
• About the Author