Ruslan,

Ruslan, was a 16 year old Orphan, He hung around with a whole lot of them out on the streets. They were a rowdy bunch, outcasts of society and looked on with suspicion. They definitely were not trusted.
When we tried to speak to them about Jesus, they were rude, never looked at us, whispered amongst themselves and laughed mockingly.
We didn't know it then, but they were hearing every word we were saying. They needed us to prove to them that we were real.
Most had parents, but their parents didn't want them or couldn't afford them. They lived in an orphanage and had no one who would truly care for them.  They ranged in ages 13 through 19, and had been orphaned most of their childhood.
Their lives were void of adult supervision, so they looked out for each other.
On the day of our church grand opening, We got our first glimpse into their sad, empty, and tragedy filled lives.
We were getting ready to begin our service and our interpreter was no where to be found, my wife found her in the hallway as she returned from the restroom pretty shaken up. One of the orphan teenage girls had just miscarried a baby in the toilet. the baby was still there, the girl? gone... who was she? was she OK? No one knew. In the coming year, we would frequently witness such tragedy in their lives, but our heart never stopped aching for them.

Ruslan had parents. When we met him, he had just returned from their home. He had been told all his life that they had died in a fire, then at age 16 his social worker told him that his parents had been found alive! He was scared but excited, after all, even though they never spoke about it, they all dreamed of having a home, a Mom a Dad! He was sent to them. They sent him back, letting him know they did not want him.
It was at this point in his life that we met him.
He began coming to church with the rest of them, they always walked in late noisily shuffling their feet. They all sat together in the back rows and talked amongst themselves during service.
But they came in every service.
A few of them gave their lives to Jesus Christ and began to grow spiritually. God began to give them confidence and direction. They began to learn to apply God's Word. Their morals began to change. They were young people who were desperate for Hope. They found it in Jesus Christ!

One particular day I looked at Ruslan, Now 18 yrs old, He held a good paying job ( a miracle in Russia) Had his own apartment, gave offerings, witnessed enthusiastically and Paid his tithes faithfully. He stood behind the pulpit in our church, joyfully praising Jesus,........He was our Worship leader.
(With God, Nothing is impossible!)

WE Held Our Services In School # 5.

   Sometimes the Person in charge of opening the door to the school where we had our services would simply not show up. Things like this were a common occurrence in Russia at this point in time.

The very first time this happened I arrived early with my family in order to set everything up for our Sunday morning service, the chain was still on the heavy double doors of the school. As we stood out in front of the school, shuffling our feet to avoid the piercing cold coming up through our Shoes. I began to see the congregation arrive. They got off buses or walked from all directions. Carrying their customary shopping bags filled with their Bible, pen and notepad or anything else they decided would be needed on this particular day. Bundled up in their fur hats and their heavy coats. Many of the children came without their parents. We waited and waited on the Porch steps. The day was cold and the snow was slushy and wet.  The people were used to waiting. There were long lines for everything in Russia. Of course, being Americans we would become inpatient. "Such is life" our Russians brothers and sisters would say. This was a different world. Many of the styles of dress, the vehicles and even the technology was outdated, Still the young Russian women were very sophisticated.

  Not many people owned cars, yet those that did had a whole assortment of Ladas to choose from. Red, Yellow, Green and I believe blue and orange. Being so isolated for over 70 years of Communism had truly created a time warp .

  We had greeted one another and made small talk, but the doors were still locked. When it became evident that no one would come to open the doors, the people began to ask, "Pastor what shall we do?"

  I though for a minute, "We will have service right here." I answered.  "Right here? Outdoors?" They asked.

  Under communism the preaching of the word was outlawed for over 70 years! We would have been arrested for doing what we were about to do. It was now 1991 and God had just tore down the iron curtain! He had seen the hurting souls in Russia. He'd heard their prayers, and longed to wipe their tears. He wanted to let them know he loved them and that if they gave him their heart he could change their lives! What a privilege my family and I had to bring such a wonderful message to these weary people. Angels long to bring the message of salvation, yet the gospel is to be carried on the shoulders of man! What a privilege indeed!

  So we stood on the stairs or leaned on the wall and began to sing our worship songs. At first the people felt a bit awkward. They sang softly, Then louder and with more zeal! Some who passed by stared as they walked, going to market, or catching a bus. We sang, praised, clapped our hands and I preached a short message. We forgot about the cold, we forgot about the staring faces. The presence of God surrounded our small congregation. Some who walked by now stopped to listen. I made the Altar call and the church responded. A bystander that stopped to listen responded as well. There on the steps of school #5 we led him in the sinner's prayer, another soul won for Jesus, the Angels in Heaven rejoiced!

  Thank God we didn't allow the devil to defeat us. It was God ordained that service should be held on the stairs of the school that morning. What we considered an inconvenience was actually an appointment for a man to hear the Gospel that day! we pushed through the obstacles, God touched us and we left service rejoicing. The Russian people were amazed that we had service right there on the steps! They learned that where 2 or 3 are gathered in his name, there he is in the midst! Even on the Stairs of School #5.