We have learned to knock on the door, sometimes kind of lean on the door, even to push the door, but never kick the door down. The office in Moscow, which oversees the prison system in Vladimir, gave us permission to visit the women’s prison weeks ago. We had been trying to nail down a scheduled date for weeks.

The Orthodox Church is in control of the prisons. They have told Christians, “The prisons and hospitals are ours; you can have the orphans and the drug addicts.” Strange, isn’t it? The church is our main roadblock; they allow no evangelical Christians to witness in the prisons.

We had pastors and others trying to get us a date. If the church told us “No”, they would have to give us a report in writing, as to why we were being refused. Instead, they play shuck-n-jive, until it is time for us to leave.

Each time the pastor talked to them, the program changed. They went from giving permission for a full gospel service to the entire population, to see a “few” moms and a “few” babies with no mention of God, then to “you can bring gifts to the kids, but you can’t see any women.”

Sorry, we ain’t Santa Claus.

If you have a Plan A, it isn’t complete, unless you have a Plan B, as well. We had a Plan B, the Vladimir Children’s Hospital, where we took all the medical equipment in the summer of 2005. We called and asked if we could visit the kids and bring them gifts. Side bar: Other ministries have not been allowed in the hospital, so we did not know how much freedom we would be allowed. They said, “Come on down!” (We have a friend on the inside at this hospital. That usually helps.)

After the chief nurse greeted us, we went 2 by 2 onto the floors. We had been given Beanie Babies before we left, so we handed one to each child we passed in the halls or treatment rooms. We had 4 suitcases full of big, colorful toys. In some cases, they brought the kids to us, in other cases where they were too ill to leave the room, we went to them.

The kids’ eyes popped as each could pick their toys from the suitcases. How about that? A choice, something they never get. Angela and Jan where thrilled, as they were allowed to form circles of prayer in the hallways for nurses, doctors, parents, and kids.

Our group was lead into the rooms with the gravely ill children. It isn’t easy standing there, seeing them lying in their tiny beds, knowing some of them will surely die simply because there are no medications available for the right treatment. It’s not that there isn’t medicine, it just isn’t available there.

On the other hand, we were excited to see the autosyringe we brought from Amsterdam, in 2005, being used on one of the sick babies.

As we entered the last room we were to visit, we found a frail teenage girl who, unless God touches her, will not survive. Her arms were crossed over her chest, fists tightly clenched, as her body writhed in unrelenting pain. Her face tortured, as she wept without tears. Momentarily, she would stop, as her eyes stared off into nowhere. Her mother stood at her side.

I leaned over her, as I held her hands and told her God knew her condition. I spoke to her about Jesus, and things He had planned for her, then I prayed for her. As I began, she turned and looked at me, tears started to flow, as she listened to me speak. I believe the Holy Spirit was translating to her. Donna, said, “She is understanding your words, He is witnessing to her soul.”

In Russia, children are property of the state and a parent can walk away at anytime and they do. When the diagnosis is terminal, they leave, never to return. But, this mom was different, she left her 3 year old to sit beside the bed of this child.

Tears rolled down Mom’s cheeks, as I held her face in my hands and prayed for her. Vitaly did the translating this time. When I finished, she looked at me and said, “Without God, there is not hope.”

Parts of the missions are fun, filled with joy and laughter. Some parts are hard. Real hard.

We all met up back in the office where the Chief of Staff came to greet us. He was smiling from ear to ear. He had gotten the report of the quality of the toys and the hearts of our team. They were blown away by your generosity.

Thanks to you, we were able to purchase a new German IV pump for the hospital. Our hope is to add 2 more. Over the last 7 years, our toe in the door has come more from medical equipment than food. So, we buy a pump, save lives, and best of all, get to share the Good News.

In the end, we were where God had planned for us to be. Had we not had the idea of the prison and the toys for the babies, we would not have brought toys with us. If we had gone to the prison and not been able to tell them who sent us, it would have been a wasted trip. This way, 4 floors of a children’s hospital got to see and hear God loves them.

 

Women's Shelter in Vladimir

Lena, one of our translators and friends, told us of a new program she and her husband, Uri, have been involved with at a women’s shelter. She made a call and the director invited us to visit at the last moment before they closed for the New Year holiday. We later laughed, she was as bad as us when someone says, “Treasures of the Heart? What do you do?” She talked for one hour. Can you say, “Take a breath”?

It is a government program to help people in need. Her dream is to open a 10 bed shelter for battered moms and their kids. Our heart leaped as we saw her joy and excitement. We gave them all types of blankets and clothes for babies. We believe God is opening another door of ministry, as we partner with this program. We will stock the playroom and bedrooms when they are ready.

 

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