Olya Melnik’s friends place their hands on her pregnant stomach at a home church gathering in their home. At 23 years of age, Olya is 27 weeks pregnant with her first son. “We weren’t planning on having a baby this year, but the Lord had completely different plans for us,” she says. 

Olya and her husband Mark Melnik, left, sing in their home church along with community members during a gathering. The Slavic-American couple, both 23, run a weekly house church gathering at their home. “You’d see the younger people [in Sedalia], they’d go to church, and then after church they’d party, get into trouble,” Mark says. He and Olya wanted to form real relationships and to walk an authentic Christian walk. “Why don’t we just invite these people to our house, have dinner or something, and worship Jesus?” he says. 

Olya works a shift at Teremok European Market, owned by Mark’s parents. The market has an adjoining coffee shop run by Mark’s sister and brother-in-law.

Olya interacts with customers at Teremok European Market, owned by Mark’s parents. The market has an adjoining coffee shop run by Mark’s sister and brother-in-law.

Olya and Mark shop for baby clothes in T.J. Maxx. They are expecting their first child on Dec. 26, 2023.

Olya holds up a dress in Cargo Largo while shopping with Mark and friends for a dress for their upcoming baby shower in Kansas City, Mo. They are expecting their first child on Dec. 26, 2023.

Olya asks for her friend’s opinion on a dress at Forever 21 in the Independence Centre Shopping Mall. She is expecting her first child on Dec. 26, 2023 and is shopping for a baby shower dress.

Olya and Mark hang out with a friend in the Independence Centre Shopping Mall.

Olya and Mark pray in the 24-hour prayer room in the International House of Prayer (IHOP), a charismatic evangelical Christian movement Kansas City, Mo. The prayer room features a live 10-piece band which plays 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and simultaneously broadcasts via its website and YouTube.

Olya and Mark attend a weekly Bible study group at their family-owned cafe, Temerok Coffee & Desserts in Sedalia, Mo. They are expecting their first child on Dec. 26, 2023.

Olya embraces her sister, Evelina, while at a weekly Bible study group with Mark, and mother, Lyubov, at Teremok Coffee & Desserts. The cafe is owned by Mark’s sister and brother-in-law.

Olya holds hands with a friend in the car. They are driving to Kansas City, Mo. to shop for a baby shower dress and visit a 24-hour church. 

Mark and Olya relax in their living room with their dogs, Rosie and Mila. They are expecting their first child on Dec. 26, 2023.

Olya gets ready in her bedroom for her mother’s 60th birthday. Her mother travelled from North Port, Fl. to be with her to celebrate her birthday and attend the baby shower.