After the Romanian Revolution of December, 1989 and the fall of Ceaucescu, Cristi saw much work needed to be done in his beloved Romania. He began law studies, thinking this would be a logical way to bring about necessary changes in his country.

Within two years his life changed forever. He had stopped at a fast-food restaurant after a church service when three young boys came to his table begging for leftovers and money. "I had seen street kids before that night, but something clicked inside of me," Soimaru says. He began talking to them, finding out about their backgrounds, where they slept at night, why they sniffed glue. "I was horrified that kids had to deal with such extremes...It was hard to understand the pain these little kids had to deal with every day of their lives."

Soon Cristi began befriending street kids, some as young as five, at the train station, giving them sandwiches and clothing in an attempt to bring hope to their desperate situations. Cristi knew that he could not turn everyone's life around, but in 1994 he joined forces with Angie Thomson, who had felt a burden to help the street kids. They opened up the Villa of Hope Boys' Home, initially taking in seven street boys with whom they had gained trust. In 1996, Cristian and Angie started the House of Hope Girls' Home. Girls are even more traumatized than boys because many have been victims of sexual exploitation. The same year, they began the Hope Rescue Center that provides hot meals and medical care for children still living on the streets.

"We are not great psychologists or psychiatrists," Soimaru says. "We just try to immerse them in unconditional love. Love keeps the kids here, not a nice bed or food. We really try to provide the children with a family-like environment," Soimaru says. "Before they come here, all of our kids experience a lot of abuse, neglect and pain. Giving hope is so close to God's heart. Just to help ONE life makes a difference."