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Waterproof Paper |
  In
the fall of 1993 we were invited to help a Russian young man Peter
Kulakov do a Revelation
seminar in the Ukraine. We had met him when he translated for Pastor
Lonnie Melashenko in Perm, Siberia that same year in the spring. Peter
liked our children's program and his friend, our translator Igor wanted us
to help them in the Ukraine. We gathered some gifts for the pastors like slides and a set of health
education tools. We gathered money to buy Russian Bibles for the children
and printed 1,000 lesson books to give the children. Each box had to be
weighed and taped with heavy package tape for durability in the journey.
We bound the books hoping to make sure each received the complete set even
if they became sick and missed a meeting. The children are used
to sharing. One book for 4 or 5 children is normal for them. As long as
each family received a book, we were content that the printed lessons were
adequate. Finally just in time for boarding the plane, we had all the
lessons paid for and packed. With a tremendous effort emotionally, I said
good bye to my other 3 children and husband. Again my family wanted to
help with the children. It was another 3 week piece of time away from my
doctoring in Portland. |
  Arriving in Moscow, it was such a blessing to have the
customs person look at my smile and say, looks like you are having fun, he
just waived all our boxes through as though it was nothing. What a
blessing to see someone we knew waiting for us at the airport. He had a
truck ready for what he knew we had. Igor had translated for me in Siberia.
The rain began to fall and the tarp on the truck allowed it in because the
wind was strong. We were in a nice comfortable car following the truck.
We prayed every minute of that trip that God would protect the children's
supplies in that rain storm. These brave strong men were so kind to us. They made sure we had everything to make us
comfortable. Chairs were arranged in the motel to help little 7 year old
son have a place to sleep. This trip was a great learning experience for
my son. He learned Russian words so much faster than I did. He drew
children to meetings. The whole culture was a great learning event for
him. |
 Tears
came to my eyes and probably troubled our kind men helpers as they labored
hard to bring our wet cardboard boxes in out of the truck. Boxes were
placed near heaters and they reassured us they would be dry by morning
when we needed to board the train with them. I had some frustration inside my heart
at God for I had sold a car and used every dime to print the Bible lessons. On
the way to pick up the lessons, my car blew its engine. I was thinking
some very discouraging thoughts as I watched the boxes disintegrating. I
was sure every lesson was ruined. |
 One
box was really bad. It had orange dry powder for making juice spilled
throughout and it was wet with muddy water. It clung to my night clothes,
my dress clothes, and all the other supplies in that box except
for one thing. It was something that could not be washed. It was
the robes I used for teaching about the sanctuary. |
 Another
box that had Bible lesson sets in it had a corner gaping open. Muddy water
was pouring out. I decided to put my hand in and feel how much damage
there was. After finding the teacher robes all clean and dry, I wondered
what God had done. I knew something was about to happen for it always does
when things are so bad I'm tempted to give up. Inside that box, it was
dry. The lessons were all dry and looked good. So where had that muddy
water come from? It was as if the lessons had a special waterproof wrap on
them. I decided that God was perfectly capable of taking care of HIS
things I had dedicated to Him. I did not have to worry if I had done my best. |
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  I
believe God allowed my washable things to be soaked to prove to me that it
was only by HIS POWER that all HIS tools were still dry and ready to use
when we arrived. A couple boxes had to be replaced. We were able to get
boxes and repack for the train ride in the morning. God provided all we
needed. In the process, I began to see a bigger picture. It is not my
little strength or knowledge that does the work, it is only by God's power
and strength that anything can really get done. |
 The
children loved their lessons. We had to have our meetings repeated
sometimes 3 times in order to give all the children an opportunity to come
listen to the Bible stories and studies. I did run out of lessons
each night. They practiced and really learned the Scripture songs well.
(These are the same songs as heard in English on our Basic Bible set). I
had not counted on so many learning the songs. The professional singer
sent to help us said the songs were horrible. I had my translator Igor
(seen at the left) help me write out the sound of each word and I
practiced for a long time each early morning and taught it to the
children. They loved me trying to say their language. |
 One
little Armenian mother was standing at the wall every night. They came
after seats were full and always stood up near the front. She translated
into Armenian what my translator was saying in Russian. Three languages
were going. She loved the materials and made sure her son had everything.
She told me some very sad stories of having to flee. |
| The mothers came up dragging the translator over to tell me how much they appreciated my sacrifice in leaving my precious little ones home to come share the Bible truth with them. Tears filled their eyes as mother to mother we talked sharing our love and concern for their children. |
  A
wide angle lens could not have gotten in all those dear children into the
picture. They crammed in there every one of the sessions. The moisture
from their breath made the humidity unbearable. At times I felt faint. The
walls dripped with water from their breath. God must have given us the
oxygen we needed. When they sang those Scripture songs, their sweet music
sounded like a choir of angels. Nancy Stagl always showed the children so
much love from her place at the piano. She could keep the kids in their
chairs by her music. Having composed all the Scripture songs, she was the
very best teacher. What a valuable traveling companion she was. She was
like grandma to all children. Love was in every line of her face and the
children were drawn to learn her music. |
 Across
the hall we set up the sanctuary and took groups over in shifts to
explain. The children all wanted in at the same time and were willing to
stand up. It was really fun watching their excitement over this part of
the Bible studies. Pastors, Russian helpers and translators were very
interested in what we had as visual aids. |
| Thirty children over age 9 chose to commit their lives to Jesus and be baptized showing their choice to follow the example of Jesus. |
| The were all happy to get their lessons that God had
protected from water damage.
God blessed us more abundantly than we asked or thought He could possibly do. God heard our prayers and answered them in the most exciting way. I learned to trust Him more on every mission trip He assigns for me to do. "Heaven's music" will tell of the same trip yet a very dangerous obstacle that we faced. You can go there now by clicking here: Heavens Music |