In November 1991, a shocked world watched as the Soviet Union collapsed, ending 74 years of socialism in the country of Russia. Suddenly, the doors of a nation which had been the epitome of the atheistic, humanistic state were thrown open to the influences and philosophies of the outside world.

The father of Russian socialism, V.I. Lenin, had once written, "Religion is a kind of spiritual intoxicant...Our program necessarily includes the propaganda of atheism." Russia was a land which had for generations been indoctrinated in Godlessness. The state was the only god. For those who had put their faith and dependence in the state, their god collapsed in November of 1991, leaving in the lives of many an enormous spiritual vacuum.

The collapse of the U.S.S.R. created a myriad of serious difficulties for Russia and other eastern European societies. Among those problems was the issue of raising youth in a society which was in a state of chaos and confusion. The Russian Department of Education quickly began to see the need for some kind of moral foundation to be established in the schools of Russia. With the fall of socialism, a flood of pornography, rock music, immoral films, drugs, and other harmful influences invaded the nation and created new problems in the land that had once been under the heavy, censoring hand of the soviet state. Freedom had come, but was being used as a license for all kinds of evil.

The Department began looking for groups which could come and teach character and morality in schools of Russia.

It was during this time that a small group from the Advanced Training Institute in America (A.T.I.A.) made a trip to the newly opened country of Russia. This Institute was a Biblical based home education program which focused on teaching students Scriptural principles and Godly character as well as academic subjects.

During the short trip, the Institute was invited by some minor education officials to hold a program in the headquarters of the Moscow Department of Education. As the students from the program began singing and sharing testimonies of God's work in their lives, one of the officials was so impressed that she went directly to the office of Dr. Lubov Kezina, the head of the Moscow Department of Education and urged her to come and observe the American group.

Dr. Kezina protested saying, "I've seen plenty of American groups, and I've never been very impressed."

The official explained, "but this group is different!"

Reluctantly, the busy Dr. Kezina walked into the auditorium and began observing the group. She was shocked by the brightness of the students' countenances, their smiles, their neatness, their joy, and their enthusiasm! Immediately, she leaned over to the official who had invited her and whispered, "whatever it takes, I want our students to become just like them!"

That providential encounter with A.T.I.A. led to a number of meetings between the leaders of the Moscow Department of Education (D.O.E.), and leadership of A.T.I.A. to arrange for a program of serving, ministering, and working in the schools and orphanages of Moscow.

A.T.I.A. explained that their teaching of character would be based on the Bible, and the D.O.E. made it clear that they were willing to agree to whatever it would take to produce bright, joyful, radiant students like the American students they had seen.

Throughout the next year, A.T.I.A established some contacts, and began planning with the Moscow D.O.E. for a focused campaign of visiting schools and orphanages throughout Moscow. There were a number of trips made by the Institute with small groups of students, but in Autumn of 1992 the plans had been laid for the first large scale ministry effort.

The early part of 1992 was a time in my life when God was preparing me for some of the exciting things which lay ahead. I was fifteen years old and beginning to realize the importance of a life of total commitment to God and His purposes for my life. I was learning that experiencing God's best often means that I must yield to Him my own desires and plans and trust that He will work in more wonderful ways than I could have imagined in my own planning and thinking.

Early in the year I was invited to travel with my grandmother on a tourist trip to Egypt. I had excitedly begun to prepare for the adventure when I was directed by my parents that it might be a wiser decision to stay home during the summer and prepare for other missions trips in the future which would be opportunities to invest in the eternal souls of people rather than simply pleasure. I was disappointed at first because I didn't see the possibility of any other trips in the near future, but as I was attentive to the Lord, He prompted me of the wisdom of this counsel. So I stayed home, and throughout the summer the Lord provided money in numerous ways that I could have never anticipated!

On July 25th, I received an astonishing letter: an invitation to travel with a large team of A.T.I.A. students to Moscow, Russia! With amazement, I realized that if I would have gone on the trip to Egypt, it would have been impossible for me to have prepared for this opportunity.

During the summer, God continued to provide in amazing ways. He also continued to prepare me spiritually with many vital lessons in faith and discipline, and on September 11, 1992 I found myself lifting into the air on a Russian Aeroflot flight en route to Moscow, Russia along with a group of over 200 other A.T.I.A. students! I was thrilled about what God was doing in my life already!

The First Trip (September - November '92)

On the way to Moscow we stopped in Gander, Newfoundland and our layover was quite extensive due to a flat tire on our Russian airplane. During those few hours, I met the members of the team with which I was to work during the coming weeks. Our large group was divided into teams which were identified by particular colors, our color being "peach." Hence, we were the "Peach Team!"

As we arrived in Moscow, every impression was new for me: the dark and dismal Cheremetova Airport; the glaring customs officers; the blaring Russian over the airport intercoms; and as I stepped outside into the cold night, I also noticed the small European cars and large, deisel smelling gruzaviki (Russian trucks).

Our home for the next several weeks was to be a ship which was situated on the Moscow River at a port in the Northern part of the city. I stayed in a small cabin on the ship with a twenty-one year old student from Tennessee, Scott Forrester. We immediately became good friends and he was to become a great source of challenge and spiritual encouragement to my life.

We were given a few days of intensive training for our ministry, the meetings taking place in the very D.O.E. auditoreum in which Dr. Kezina first observed the students from A.T.I.A. the previous year. Those first days were also opportunities for our "Peach Team" to become aquainted.

September 14 was my first day in a Moscow school. As we were driven to the school that day and in the days to come, I was always amazed at the sights which met my eyes! Moscow was a different world from my small town in Ohio. Large, run down, identical apartment buildings were the residences of every Moskovite, and the people could be seen everywhere, crowding the streets and public transportation.

Our first school was Moscow school #273. The day was to be fairly typical of the coming weeks.

Our team of about thirty students was ushered into the school auditoreum with young Russian students gawking at us in amazement from the halls and doorways, some of them building up the courage to shout out a greeting or a phrase which they new in English. This would be followed by a chorus of nervous laughter!

The director (or principal) of the school and the head English teacher gave us the history and details about the school through our team interpretor, Tanya. We were then taken for a tour of the school, visiting the classrooms, and meeting the students.

After some time of this, we were taken back into the main auditoreum where all the students had gathered. Some of the Russian students then presented a program to us with poems, songs, and folk dances. After this program, our team assembled at the front, and began to sing "How Great Thou Art," and other hymns. Our team leader, Phil Schwind, then introduced our group, and asked one of us to share their salvation testimony. In the weeks to come, we would have more time to organize a program with singing, testimonies, object lessons, skits, and an invitation to the students and teachers to respond to the gospel message.

After the programs, we gathered into pairs and the students began inviting us to their homes for the remainder of the afternoon. I teamed up with Jeremy Tanner, and soon a fourteen year old young man named Dimitri approached us with an invitation to his home. As we left the school, Dimitri was visibly excited about having these two Americans to his home, and he eagerly used every English word he could think of to express this to us!

Dimitri's home was located in a old, crumbling high-rise building, and when we crowded into the dark elevator, it took some time to finally get it working. His apartment was small, but very nice and clean, in contrast with the world outside. His newly married sister (who spoke English) and his mother were home, and expecting us. To our astonishment, they had a beautiful meal prepared for us!

It was my first experience of the Russian generosity which was to become so familiar to me. I was continually humbled by these people who were so poor, and yet so hospitable and generous!

For the next few hours, we dined on blini, caviar, and other Russian delacacies, and enjoyed learning about them and their life. We had the opportunity, as well, of sharing with them about ourselves and, most importantly, about our Lord!

As we left, they showered us with small but meaningful gifts, and even money ("so you can see our city...," they explained)! We left Dimitri's home with a new, deepened sense of appreciation and respect for the people to whom we had come to share the truth of Christ.

Over the next two and a half months, that love for the people of Russia was to grow and deepen in my own heart. I had come to minister to them, but I found that I had so much to learn from them. This first day out in Moscow had shown me two of the great, great qualities which the Russian people possessed: generosity and openness. Over the next several years, I would time and time again find myself overwhelmed by these traits in the people to which we had come to minister.

Another aspect of the trip that challenged me was the fellowship with the "Peach Team." We would return from a day in the schools and homes, and gather together in one of the ship's meeting rooms for a time of testimonies, singing, and prayer. What a joy to share and to hear about each day's experiences! The meetings were times of growth and recommittment in all of our lives.

One particular meeting stands out in my mind. It was at a point in the trip when our team seemed to be struggling with discouragement. I'll never forget the time of prayer that we had during our meeting on the evening of September 22. I wrote of it in my journal: "We all stood in a circle and prayed against Satan, who had been putting somewhat of a cap on everything. Everyone had tears in their eyes when they realized all the little ways Satan had been warring against us. Little ways, but big effects. We prayed in faith that it was by God's help that we would take the city...."

In my own life, I was learning lessons that were to be of the utmost benefit to me for the rest of my life.

On the stern end of the ship was a deck that was almost always secluded and overlooked a beautiful view of the city across the river. Each evening, I would get alone to pray in that spot.

One specific night, I felt a peculiar heaviness in my spirit. As I prayed, the Lord was faithful to reveal to me the problem. I later wrote, "That night, as...I prayed to God and thought about why everything hadn't flowed, I suddenly felt God tell me the reason. I was witnessing in my own power. I hadn't bothered praying!...This morning, we spoke about that. About keeping our priorities centered around Jesus, and not depending on our own strength, for that's one of Satan's main tools." The Lord clearly spoke to my heart of the need for the Holy Spirit controlled life. From that time, I sensed a new power and ability in my witnessing as long as I continued to walk in the Spirit of God.

Another area of growth was the increasing awareness of the importance of "redeeming the time," and using every moment to invest in eternal values. I wrote on October 13, "God's been convicting me...about using time wisely, and making every moment count... This trip is too important to have a 'pleasure' mindset. I asked God to help me go around with a smile and good humor, but to give me a purpose. That's my will, and more importantly, His will..."

There were occasions daily for me to put into practice the lessons of reliance upon God which I was beginning to learn.

Each Saturday, we held outreach meetings in the auditoreum at the Moscow D.O.E. (which had at one time been the communist party headquarters in Moscow). The meetings were opportunities to continue relationships with those whom we had met during the week in the schools. During the meetings we were further able to share the good news of salvation through faith in Christ, and also to teach Biblical principles for living.

At one meeting, I saw two teenagers, one of whose home I had been to a few days previous. Both of the boys' names were Alexei, and they were thrilled to see me! They took me out to meet a group of their friends who were smoking and wearing shirts with the names of heavy metal rock groups on them. After meeting them, I was able to share the gospel with them, and one asked me, "will God punish me because I smoke?"

I explained to him what God's Word says about harming our bodies, and he answered thoughtfully, "well, I guess I'd better quit smoking."

They had many more questions, and before we left they walked me over to a kiosk and insisted on buying me a soda. The leader of the group told me, "I have a different view of Americans now after talking to you." I challenged him to think about what I had told him, and he promised to do just that.

At school #358, I was able to explain the plan of salvation to a fifteen year old student named Pyotr. His English was minimal, but as I slowly spoke with him, he seemed to hang attentively on each word. If he didn't understand, he would ask me to repeat the phrase. When I finally asked him if He would like to receive the gift of eternal life, he enthusiastically nodded his head, and prayed after me.

I later visited his home, and gave him a Russian Bible. The Bibles which we were able to give were powerful tools, because they could communicate to the Russians in their language. We passed out hundreds each day. I led Pyotr through the New Testament and underlined various key passages of Scripture for him to study after we had left.

Truly, this was the reason we had come! One young English teacher I spoke with expressed it perfectly. She asked me what the real reason was that we had come to Moscow. After I had explained about our program, and about my relationship with God, a look of understanding passed across her face. With a smile she said, "I see! So you have come to save."

On the 27th of October, I was given my first chance to speak publicly to a group of Russians.

The schools which we visited almost always fed us a lunch in the cafeteria (a lunch that was invariably better in quality and quantity than what the students were receiving). We would then be taken for a tour of the school.

On that day, as we went from classroom to classroom, the director of the school made some remarks about a particular class of students. Standing in front of the classroom, with all the Russian students and our group listening, she declared forcefully, "these pupils are rebellious and ill-behaved." The students just sat glumly with their heads down.

A young man named Greg was the unofficial spokesman for our little group in that classroom, and although he was temporarily at a loss for words, he finally managed to say, "well, I think we have all had struggles with authority and with misbehaving. I would like one young man in our group to share about his experiences..."

Then, to my shock, he turned and introduced me! God granted me wisdom, however, and I was able to share my testimony and encourage the students that God could bring purpose and joy to their lives if they would receive Him.

In another school, one that specialized in culinary arts, a class of high school students had read that the world was predicted to end on October 28! We used that as an opportunity to share about how we can be ready for when life ends by knowing Christ! Nearly the entire class prayed to receive Christ!

Toward the end of October, I wrote about another excited experience in my journal. I had invited my two Alexei friends to the ship for a meal and "after dinner, we went up to the lobby on one of the floors, and had a really awesome talk. As I showed them my family and spoke about them, I was able (by God's grace) to lead into salvation! God just filled my mouth with illustrations and words, and Alexei asked a lot of deep questions....God gave me the grace to answer them all! He was really open, and finally he said, "Yes. You are right in what you say."

I had laid it all out as God had prompted me so I told him about prayer...and asked him if he would like to tell God that he would accept this gift!

He asked, "Now?"

I said, "Yes, if you feel you would like to, there may be no other time."

So he said, "Yes, I would like to!"

Praise Jesus...!"

Another tremendous ministry was the work our team was able to do in one of the orphanages of Moscow, orphanage #109. One of the American A.T.I.A. families was living full time in the orphanage and serving the leadership and the children in any ways possible. Our team spent many hours and days cleaning, painting, digging, and teaching at orphanage #109.

The young orphans became special to all of us. There was Vova, a 17 year old boy whose only English consisted of curse words which he had learned on television; there was Denis, a young boy with a crippled leg, whom we privately nicknamed "fingers" because of his amazing knack of being able to empty the pockets of anybody with a few yards of him; and there were many, many more.

The growth of a good number of the orphans had been stunted by the medication that had been given them in an effort to keep them from becoming too hyperactive. They were almost always dirty, shabbily dressed, ill-supervised, and often hungry.

Each of them was starved for love and attention, and as we worked and served in the orphanage, we treasured every moment that we were able to spend with them. They loved the little balloons and pieces of candy which we would would give them, and quickly came to trust us as friends.

They caught on quickly to the gospel lessons and songs which we taught them!

One day as I sat for a few moments at a piano to play a few chords, a young boy came up and began excitedly to speak to me. Soon other orphans crowded around, and the boy finally began to sing (in Russian) the song "This is the Day that the Lord has Made!"

Then I understood and began playing it with all of them singing at the top of their lungs! what a joy to hear those little orphans praising God!

The Lord was teaching me the truth of James 1:27, that pure religion is "to visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction..."

There were several other highlights of those first months in Moscow, including the arrival of my father for the last two weeks of the ministry trip. The Lord used him in a special way, and it was a joy to minister together with him.

On one occasion, as we sat in the assembly of a large school, the students and teachers began to ask us some very deep questions about the Lord. My father had the opportunity of standing up and sharing his entire personal testimony to the huge assembly of attentive students and teachers.

Our group also held a seminar in Basic Life Principles in a large Moscow arena, and the attendance was extremely high. Night after night, Russian people packed into the crowded coliseum to hear God's principles being taught to them.

When we passed out Bibles after the evening sessions, the spiritually hungry attendees pushed against our tables, reaching eagerly for the Bibles and taking them faster than we could give them out!

The Billy Graham crusade was also held during my time in Russia. It was an honor to attend and witness the thousands of Russian individuals who responded to the gospel message!

As the trip came to a close, it was almost unbelievable that two and a half months has already sped by! My first day in Russia, I had written in my journal: "Dear Lord...I am undertaking this trip in Your Name, in Your blood, in Your strength, and in the power of Your Holy Spirit....Lord, make my life a witness..." God had honored that request, and had begun to build in me character, disciplines, and faith which would be invaluable to me in the months and years to come.

As I boarded the airplane and left the country of Russia on November 23, 1992, I had no way of knowing that all the amazing things that had just transpired in the preceding weeks were only the beginning!

The Second Trip (March - May '93)

Upon my return home I was given many opportunities to share about my time in Russia, and as I went about my day to day activities, I was very aware of God's hand continuing to mold me and shape me into a servant of His! The desire was growing in me for something deeper and more substantial than the "Christianity" which I observed in so many of my acquaintances and youth group friends.

In February of '93, I went to Indianapolis for a training seminar on basic life principles in Scripture for youth. I was deeply challenged, and it was during this time that I received an invitation to return to Russia for a second time!

My father cautioned me wisely, saying "just because the opportunity has arisen does not necessarily indicate that it is the Lord's will; we must seek Him." I followed this counsel, and the Lord directed me to Psalm 37: "Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed. Delight thyself also in the LORD: and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass. And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday."

God had given me the desire to return to Russia, of that I was certain. As I read the words, "dwell in the land," I knew that I had received my direction!

I arrived in Moscow with fresh anticipation on March 8, 1993.

Initially, we were divided into teams to do ministry much like we had done the previous autumn. This, however, was only temporary and secondary to our primary goal of holding another Seminar in Basic Life Principles in the same large arena in which it had been held in November. This involved a great deal of work, but it was worth the joy of seeing more Russian lives touched and strengthened with God's Word!

It was also exciting to see the fruit in many of the young people to whom we had ministered several months before! Every week, discipleship meetings were held to encourage these students in their faith in Christ. They received further encouragement by working for us as interpreters and being a part of our ministry teams.

After the seminar, we spent about two weeks doing various work assignments in orphanages and small ministry efforts, but mainly being trained for our principal outreach tool: teaching specific character qualities in the public schools. It was this work which was most desired by the Moscow Department of Education. They continued to be amazed by a group which wanted to serve without receiving anything in return, and we were constantly being visited by government delegates who were interested in our work. The doors were wide open!

On April 1, we began our character teaching ministry. My team of about ten people was led by Jim Furgeson, and throughout the coming weeks, our team would share many special experiences together!

We initially met with the directors of the schools and established a bi-weekly schedule for teaching in their schools. Afterward, we began a program of teaching qualities from Scripture such as attentiveness, gratefulness, and obedience. The teachers and directors were thrilled to have their students enthusiastically learning such qualities! We taught using stories from nature, from history, object lessons, dramatizations of Bible stories, and we tied every lesson into the salvation message. The response was wonderful, and we built good relationships with the Russians, allowing us opportunities to further minister to them in their own homes or at our Saturday outreach meetings.

There were many special times with the children, including one particular time when, after teaching an entire class period on the quality of attentiveness, the children were so excited about what was being taught, that they begged their teacher to let us stay with them another class period! The teacher, who was also engrossed in the program, laughingly agreed!

In other classes, unexpected things happened. The teacher told us that she wanted her students to break into groups and talk to us personally. This was different than usual, but it opened tremendous doors to speak about the things of God.

I began talking with the teacher, and was amazed at her openness. She was so interested in why we had come to Russia, and what our purpose was in teaching character from the Bible. Since it was an English class, there were many English proverbs and sayings posted on the wall all around the room. I directed her attention to one which read, "A tree is known by it's fruit." I explained how it was a quotation from the Bible, and illustrated the reason for which we had come to Moscow: to share that only with Jesus in one's life can there be true character and goodness. She listened intently, and as we left, she thanked us from her heart for coming.

On one occasion, I had the opportunity to visit the home of Sveta, a young girl in one of our character classes. I went to her home with several others on my team, and we enjoyed a Russian feast with Sveta's family and some of her school friends. Afterward, they began to ask us more about ourselves, and I will never forget the rapt attention with which they listened as I shared my personal testimony with them.

Later, Angelica, who had interpreted for us that afternoon, approached me and told me how much that testimony meant not only to them, but to her as well. What a blessing it was to know that God was using even me.

We built such close relationships with the students, and after school, dozens of them would sometimes follow us to our bus stop continuing to visit and talk with us! Sometimes, we would buy ice cream for everyone and enjoy singing the songs we had been teaching them!

We learned that relationships opened the doors for witnessing.

There were several other aspects of the ministry in Moscow during those months.

Orphanage work continued with teams doing work projects and teaching in various locations throughout Moscow. I was involved in this to some extent, and did some plumbing work and cleaning in orphanage #7.

I also led a small team every Thursday for a few hours of teaching in a small dyetski sad, the Russian word for "kindergarten." The director, Valentina, and her assistant, Luba, always made us feel welcome, and we enjoyed sharing with them and their young pupils! The children especially liked my little puppet dog, Benji, who was a good example of obedience in our character lessons!

Our Saturday outreach meetings continued to draw many people to Christ.

After one particular evening meeting, a young lady named Lyena approached me. I knew her from the seminar which we had held the month before. The theme that evening had been on "being a soldier for Christ." She asked me with all sincerity, "Scott, I've heard about being one of Christ's soldiers; but how do I become one?"

I had the joyful opportunity of explaining God's plan of salvation to her, and she went home that evening and prayed to receive Christ. It was wonderful to see her hunger for God, and she quickly began to grow in her new found faith! Some of the American young ladies began to disciple her, and that summer, she would work in Christian camps outside Moscow, and be a blessing to many!

We still stayed on the ship in the Moscow River, and my roommate was a young Russian student named Michael Agafontsev. He and I grew to be close friends, and I had the opportunity to disciple him in his new faith. Many nights, we stayed up late talking about the Christian life, and the keys to being a victorious believer.

Michael and I shared some special times together during those weeks, and we even had the chance to do some sight seeing together one day and stop for lunch at the new Russian McDonalds!

During this trip, we used the Moscow city transportation much more than we had on the previous trip. Using the metro, trams, busses, and streets gave us more opportunity to hand out gospel tracts and Bibles to Russian people.

I continued to be impressed with the willingness with which the literature was received. I wrote in my journal: "The Russians are so open and hungry. Even though the political situation isn't too good, they have not closed to the message at all. When we give them tracts, they often stop where they are and begin reading. When we tell them about the Bible, about God and about Jesus, they listen attentively and ask questions, and express their beliefs. I have never seen a Russian turn down a Bible. Most open their eyes in amazement and gratefulness and express to us how it is so difficult to get a Bible and how they will certainly read it. It shows the pride of America. God blessed our nation because we trusted in Him, but we now trust in ourselves. We feel the same emptiness and lack of purpose in life, but we have built up a wall of pride."

Another one of my favorite aspects of being in Russia was the occasion to visit Russian churches, or "Houses of Prayer," as they are called. It was always with a sense of deep awe and respect that I worshipped with these believers, many of whom had suffered much for their faith under the heavy hand of communism.

I awoke early one Sunday morning for the opportunity to go with a small group of friends to find a church in a village quite some way outside Moscow. One of the group, a friend named Dean Kershner, had met a member of the church on a previous Sunday when that member was visiting the Central Baptist church in Moscow, which is the main evangelical church in Moscow.

Our directions were vague, but we took an electrichka (train) to a village about two hours from Moscow, and entered a small town. It was my first train ride and my first time in a small Russian town!

We passed out Bibles as we went, and showed the address to several people who, in turn, pointed us in our general direction. We found ourselves walking down a dirt road, passing small dachas, or country houses with goats and chickens in the yards, and small gardens growing. We strolled by small pond, with a small, "onion" domed orthodox church on the other side. It was an incredible sight for me as I took in the Russian countryside for the first time!

We finally heard singing coming from one of the houses, and as we entered, we found that the walls had been removed to make more room, and the meeting place was filled with believers. It was the evangelical church for which we had been looking! They welcomed us heartily, and we enjoyed a special time of worshipping with our Russian brothers and sisters!

Each opportunity that I had to attend Russian services was special, and my experiences served to instill in me a deep love for Russian evangelical believers.

As the trip came to a close, I was even more aware than the last time that it was not my last journey to this nation. Some of my American friends left, having learned much, but with little desire to return. On the other hand, I had grown to have a deep love and appreciation for the people of Russia, and the more time in this country, the more I felt in my heart that the day was coming when I would once again return.

As we flew toward Chicago, and thoughts filled my mind about seeing my family, and about the summer ahead, I had little idea of how quickly and to what extent this desire to return would be fulfilled.

The Third Trip (September '93 - May '94)

Once again, upon returning home, I was given many opportunities to share about my experiences and lessons learned in Russia. I even had the privilege of speaking to a public high school sociology class about my ministry in Moscow!

I made it a priority to spend time with my family, realizing that only God knew the doors which could open up in the near future.

On July 19, I received an exciting telephone call. It detailed some of the recent developments between A.T.I.A. and the Moscow Department of Education. William Gothard, the president of A.T.I.A., had been discussing with the D.O.E. the possibility of sending into Moscow a team of fifty young men who would serve as English teachers in various public schools. The leadership in the Moscow D.O.E. was excited about the work being done in the schools and orphanages, but was interested in establishing a more continuous program of character teaching in it's school districts. Because there was such a need for English teachers, it was decided that A.T.I.A. would provide some young American "teachers" who would not only teach English, but also build relationships with the students and serve as examples to them.

The call which I received on July 19, was an invitation from A.T.I.A. to be a part of this team of English teachers!

I wrote in my journal the next day: "Yesterday, for the 3rd time in my life, I was invited to return to Russia, this time for 9 MONTHS! I am so excited, but each time, I'm also hit with some reservations. And this time is the same. First of all, my family. I don't think any of them want me to go. Especially for nine months. My major goal now is going to be to spend time with them, and build our relationship in these last couple of months. It will be hard being apart from them, but personally I'm plagued with those same old thoughts, 'am I truly the one God wants for such an important job like this?' I see so many others that could do the job so much better. I still struggle in so many areas, and I still have so many questions and the need for Godly disciplines... However, if it's the Lord's will for me to go, I will go with the promises of His Word... The most important thing to me right now, is making the wisest use of my time these last two months: spending time with my family, earning money as God provides, studying, spending time praying, memorizing, and fasting... There's so much to do..."

Under the direction of my parents and my pastor, I prayed that, if it was God's will for me to return again to Moscow, He would provide the finances. Incredibly, within three weeks time, the Lord had provided all of the money for me to go, and finances continued to come in to pay for auxiliary expenses and preparation for the nine month trip!

Throughout the summer, the Lord continued to teach me important lessons, and to prepare me for what lay ahead.

On September 9, my family took me to Indianapolis where I met the group of A.T.I.A. students with whom I would be going to Russia. It was difficult to part, knowing how long it would be before we would be together again, but we were all certain that I was in the center of God's will.

For several days, our Russia team stayed in Indianapolis receiving some training in teaching English to foreign students, and beginning our own study of English grammar. These sessions would continue throughout our stay in Moscow.

It was such a joy to arrive in Moscow, and after getting through customs, to see the group of Russian friends who were waiting eagerly for us! How special to see some of the fruit of the past year! In fact, at the time of my arrival in Moscow, it was just over one year since the first time that I had set foot on Russian soil!

Our "home" for the next nine months would be the Nikolai Bauman, a Russian ship similar to the ones we had stayed on during previous trips.

The ship would also be the first "campus" of another phase of this particular trip: the founding of the Moscow College of A.T.I.A. Because of the work I would soon be involved with in the public schools, I was not as connected with this aspect of the ministry.

The "college" was actually a private high school, designed to train young people in the principles of God's Word, as well as academic studies. It provided a means of further discipling and training the students who made decisions for Christ during our outreach. The Department of Education in Moscow was thrilled with this concept, and gave their full approval to begin establishing the foundations of an A.T.I.A. "college."

On the twenty-ninth of September, after several weeks of training, preparation, helping with the new college, and some various small ministry projects, all of the young men who had come to Moscow to be English teachers assembled for a meeting at the D.O.E. building.

Teachers from the various districts were also assembled there and we were assigned to various districts, and then to individual schools. For the first time, I became acquainted with Olga Igorivna, the head English teacher of school #1275. She was anxious for me to get involved right away, so we made plans to meet the following day.

This was the beginning of my experience with school #1275, located on Dostoevsky Street near the center of Moscow. The school actually specialized in the French language, and English was taught as a second foreign language. For this reason, I was immediately faced with some challenge, in that, the students were quite limited in their English usage. The director of the school was Elena Danilovna, an elderly woman who had directed the school for it's entire thirty-eight year existence! She was a much-loved, matriarchal figure to both teachers and students. During the first half of the school year, however, she was absent with a serious heart condition, and I was not to become acquainted with her until later.

After an initial meeting with the English teachers and the assistant director, I worked out with them a schedule. Because of the students' limited English, I would work as an assistant to the English teachers, and, as necessary, a substitute teacher. I expressed to them that my purpose was to serve them in any way possible.

Over the next weeks and months, I had the opportunity of building friendships with many of the students and teachers. I also found that God would always provide wisdom for creative ways of bringing Biblical principles into my teaching.

Sometimes, I would have opportunities to teach the younger children songs, tell them stories, or share with them object lessons to teach Scripture. Other times I would simply serve the English teacher by listening to texts, or asking questions on grammar usage and pronunciation.

The children loved songs, and what a joy it was, for example, to hear an entire class of Russian public school children singing: "Oh, be careful little eyes what you see; for the Father up above is looking down in love...!" As I would teach them songs, and explain the important lessons behind the words, they always listened attentively! One of their favorite times was when I would accompany them on my harmonica!

As I would listen to their reading of English texts, I used that as an opportunity to talk with them about what lessons could be learned from the simple little stories they were reading.

Holidays such as Christmas, Thanksgiving, and Easter provided further opportunities to reinforce Biblical truths, as I would teach them songs and give them assignments to write in their own words about the purpose of the particular holiday.

In the older classes, I would often hold discussions with them on various current issues. This provided an opportunity to center the discussion around principles from God's Word.

Often we would discuss such issues as dating, music, inferiority, character, evolution, AIDS, American and Russian history, politics, literature, the environment, our futures, etc. I found that in each of these areas, God would give wisdom in bringing His Word into the discussion. The students would listen, and often ask questions such as, "do you really believe in God? How can you know that this is true?"

The Lord began teaching me, from the very beginning, of the importance of not trying to "force doors open," in sharing the gospel. I learned that when I focused on serving, and making the school successful, God opened the doors to His glory. When I tried to push opportunities in my own effort, the result was always discouraging.

One day, for example, I was leading a discussion in an eleventh grade class on the subject of "ecology." The students were aware of my relationship with God, but very skeptical. Toward the end of the class, one girl who was a self-proclaimed atheist, asked, "what does your Bible have to say about ecology?" The question was asked in sincerity, and the whole class listened for my answer!

I explained to them the Biblical principle of stewardship, and caring for the things which God has provided, including the earth. As I shared various Scriptures, they listened closely. It filled my heart with joy, because during previous efforts of sharing the Word of God with them, they had been utterly closed. But God had opened the door, and the students received the truth with careful consideration.

Another day, an English teacher came to me and told me of her discouragement with the lack of life purpose in many of the older students. Being aware of my relationship with God, she asked me if I could come to her class the following day, and tell them about my life purpose! I was more than glad to comply!

The primary witness that I had in the school was through my life, and my example. The students were very interested in my taste in music, entertainment, relationships, and hobbies. I was always able to express to them that it was my relationship with the Lord that governed all those areas. This was astounding to them, because their image of America was molded by secular television, and I certainly didn't fit with that stereotype!

By building relationships with the students, I was able to share my faith with them.

Two young men in a tenth grade class, Dima and Roma, were very shy, but the Lord gave me a desire to reach out to them. There was a small pizza restaurant near the school, and one day, I invited them out. We enjoyed a good time together despite the language barrier, and I was able to give them each a Bible.

The "class clown" of the ninth grade, Ivan, was another one with whom I was able to spend time building a relationship. I even visited his home several times, and bought him a model car to add to his collection. The Lord opened a similar door with another particularly rowdy boy named Arteone. By building a friendship, it opened doors to witness for Christ that would have never been opened otherwise.

After school one day, I was invited to the home of a high school boy, and after he had shown me his home and his hobbies, he showed me a book that he had been reading. I didn't understand the title and he had difficulty interpreting it, but it was obviously a book that was about future events. I began to see that this young man had a deep interest and concern about the future. We sat for a long time together talking about the Lord, and the stability and security that is found in Him. Although he did not make a decision for Christ, I rejoiced that a seed had been planted through a friendship!

During Christmas, my sister, Carlee, was able to come to Moscow for several weeks! During that time, she made friends with two of my students, Katya and Nastya. Together, we visited Nastya's home, and had a wonderful evening. Especially wonderful, though, was the conversation which I was able to have with Nastya's father about the Lord.

One of the ninth grade classes insisted on having a special party in honor of my sister's arrival! They set up a classroom with tables, and each brought some food or drinks! They wanted Carlee and me to quote poetry, so we shared with them several Psalms to which they listened with great interest. When they asked us to sing a song, we sang the hymn "It is well with my soul," and shared the meaningful history behind it! It was interesting to note that one of the students in this particular class was the grandaughter of Boris Yeltsin, the president! Being specialized in the French language, the school was known to have some prestige!

Time after time, I had occasions to visit homes, take walks, play basketball, have snowball fights, buy ice cream, or have conversations with students that led to open doors to spread the joy that God has given me in my relationship with Him.

I especially found this to be true in my friendships with the teachers with whom I worked. There were several: Olga, Lillia, Natalia, and later in the year, Sveta. Each of them became good friends, and I was able to share with all of them, at various times, about my Savior.

Natalia was especially open, and encouraged me to share the Bible openly in class. She often asked me to pray for her when she was facing difficult times.

During the year of my work in school #1275, the Lord was also teaching me some vital lessons in walk with Him.

There were many times when, in spite of the overall excitement of what God was accomplishing, I battled with discouragement. In my heart, I longed to see people coming to Christ in repentance, and although seeds were being sown, I struggled with the feeling of uselessness and failure. I wrote in my journal, "I find that I'm asking myself that question, 'but what will I tell the people back home? They sent me here as a missionary...' Oh, you of little faith, Scott. Why are you so downcast? Put your hope in God. Not in others' opinions. This adversity at my school is an opportunity for the Lord to show His power in a way that I can take no credit for. It must be Him..."

The Lord also burdened my heart with the importance of faithfulness in the "mundane" areas of life. "He that is faithful in that which is least, will be faithful in much." I began to see that God would bring victory through a consistent life of love and diligence.

Throughout the year there were many exciting moments; there were discouraging times; and there were days that I just continued on for no other reason except I knew it was that to which God had called me.

Never, though, in my life will I forget school #1275 and the precious months of lessons learned, friendships built, and memories made!

I'll never forget room #49, the English room!

I'll never forget the joy of walking down a corridor and hearing small Russian voices calling out, "Scott! Scott!"

I'll never forget the warm smile with which Valya, the elderly coat room babushka, would always greet me!

I'll never forget the times when Elena Danilovna, the director, would call me into her office to give me a piece of chocolate; or her look of startled joy when I came into her office with a bouquet of roses on National Women's Day!

I'll never forget the snowball fights, soccer and basketball games, and hopscotch with a group of laughing, playing kids after school!

And I'll never forget the ride home each day on the Moscow Metro (subway), as I would often be so exhausted that sleep would overtake me, despite the noises and motion of the speeding underground train!

There is so much that I will never forget, and to this day, I look back on the year of teaching in that Russian public school as one of the most profound experiences of my life.

At the close of that special year, I was deeply honored by a special program which was held by the school as a way of thanking me, and wishing me well as I prepared to leave! They showered me with gifts, and the director and English teachers spoke many very kind and thoughtful words. I was also given an open invitation to come again and teach whenever I would be able to do so!

When the time finally came to say "goodbye" at last, I can remember looking behind me at the school before I rounded a bend and lost sight of it. My last view was the big, yellowish school building, and all those young pupils hanging on the fence yelling "Dasvidanya! Dasvidanya!" (Goodbye! Goodbye!). It was almost overwhelming for me, as I traveled the very familiar Moscow subway back to the ship that last day, to think about all that had transpired during the previous, amazing months. I was filled with a deep sense of the sovereignty and faithfulness of God.

As the school year came to a close, the Moscow D.O.E. was so excited by the results of the fifty young English teachers who had been sent into the schools, that they asked for one-hundred fifty to return the following year!

During all the English teaching, there had been several other ministry doors that the Lord had opened for me.

We continued our Saturday evening outreach meetings, and it was always refreshing to be a part of that work! God used those meetings in so many ways to meet the spiritual needs of ones who came. When we would meet Russians in the streets or in the schools, we would give them a brochure with information about the meeting. Many would come out of interest, and in the process, would hear the gospel message!

At Christmas time, we held a special meeting for several hundred elderly, Moscow pensioners. These particular pensioners were retired school teachers, and it was extremely difficult for them to live on the meager pension which they received from the government. We were able to hold a special program with singing, a chalk talk, and the plan of salvation, and then each pensioner was served a delicious meal and given an envelope with the equivalent of one month's wages. What a blessing to serve these widows, and to see their tears of gratitude. We were reminded of James 1:27, "Pure religion...is...to visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction..."

We went on many Bible and tract distribution trips. On one occasion, during a Russian holiday, our ship traveled to Yaroslavl, an ancient Russian city. Not only did we enjoy the sights, but we passed out hundreds of Bibles!

On another school break, we traveled along the Volga River to Ufa, another very old Russian city. Several of us walked into the small neighborhoods, passing out Bibles to Russians who were working in their yards!

Of course, the daily travel on city transportation provided constant opportunities to share a smile and a tract with someone. Sometimes, it was refused. But many times it was taken with great interest.

I came to know the city of Moscow quite well. Because of my daily travel within it, the sights of the Kremlin, Lenin's tomb, the onion-domed orthodox churches, the weathered apartment flats, the Metro subway stations, the crowded trolleys and busses, and the busy markets all became familiar sights to me!

My roommate for the first half of the trip was a young man named James Beaird. James was a tremendous example to me, and we became fast and close friends. He was also and English teacher, and His school was only a ten minute walk from mine.

The computer teacher at James' school spoke proficient English. His name was Andrey, and several times we had the chance to spend time with him doing various things. One time, he took us into the heart of Moscow, down old side-streets, and pointed out to us specific places where important authors or artists were born, or lived, or wrote about. It was fascinating, and birthed in me a love for Russian history and literature!

As I studied books and maps which I had bought, or been given by Andrey, I even did some of my own exploring and research!

Several times, I was able to visit famous theaters or conservatories with Russian friends. On one occasion I went to a special "palace of arts" to hear one of my students sing in a choir which sang beautiful French songs!

Sundays were always special as I would look forward to attending the Russian services! I had the opportunity of visiting several churches in the Moscow area, and preaching in a few, as well, which was a new experience for me. In one church which James and I visited, we were even asked to sing!

The fellowship with Russian believers was always a blessing, and there was one congregation with which I worshipped quite regularly. It was a little church in Nemchinovko, a Moscow suberb. Each Sunday, after the service, there would be a lunch and fellowship time. I was so impressed by the warmth and love communicated by the believers in this church. Since travel to the church required a train ride, it also provided us with a great occasion for handing out gospel literature!

Meaningful, also, was the fellowship with the other American A.T.I.A. students. God cemented our hearts during our months of service together. We prayed together, exhorted and encouraged one another, enjoyed times of rest and relaxation together, visited Russian homes, schools, and churches together; and most importantly, we grew closer to the Lord together.

We literally knew the meaning of fellowship! As our leader, Mr. Mattix, stated: "a bunch of fellows together in one ship...!"

I was so often challenged by the Godly, disciplined lives of the other young men and women with whom I was serving. It built in my life a deeper understanding of the need among Christians for fellowship and accountability.

During the last part of the trip, my roommate was a newly enrolled student in the Moscow college of A.T.I.A. His name was Munhsuh, and he was Mongolian. His father was a Mongolian diplomat, and they had lived in Moscow for several years.

Unfortunately, sixteen year old Munhsuh had become involved with the criminal underworld in Moscow, and lived a dangerous and violent life. One of the English teachers, Tim, taught at his school and had the chance to befriend him. Soon, Munhsuh attended one of the Saturday evening meetings, and there gave His life to Christ!

Although His parents were nominal Buddhists, they were excited about the change in their son, and gave him permission to attend the college. As roommates, we became close friends, and I had the privilege of discipling him in His new walk with the Lord. I even spent one weekend at his home, and as I shared more with him about God's ways, I was deeply impressed with his spiritual hunger! Later in the summer, he came to America and we were able to spend more time together.

As the trip finally came to a close, I faced the prospect of going back to life in America with mixed emotions, but a new, steadfast confidence in God's awesome power. Sitting on the airplane, I wrote as we traveled back: "...although we only have a limited vision of some of the opportunities and fruit which the Lord allowed, we never may know how God is working in hearts, and the eternal fruit that the Lord will bring for His glory from our work in the schools, homes, streets, orphanages, and meetings...

He's begun to teach me to simply trust Him for the future (long term and immediate) because His plans are often very different than ours...

Also, the reality of spiritual warfare, and our victory in Christ! The glorious truth of abiding in Him constantly! The value of time which God has entrusted to us...!

He's helped me more than ever to realize my need and love for my family, and, as well, the importance of loving work and service for God's glory more than fun and entertainment to satisfy my own temporal pleasures.

He has made me aware of His great, great faithfulness, and He has walked with me and led me as I know He'll continue to do! Praise His glorious name!"

The Fourth Trip (January - March '97)

As our airplane sat on the snowy runway, January 15, 1997, preparing to lift off toward it's destination of Moscow, Russia, I thought about the past three years which I had spent in America since my last trip.

God had blessed me in so many ways, and had opened up a myriad of exciting doors of ministry for me!

When I had returned home from the last trip, I had been given several significant opportunities to speak about my time overseas to various groups: homeschool gatherings, churches, Bible study groups, and even two public schools!

Upon my return home, I had become involved in the church which our family had been recently attending, and the pastor there began to take me on visitation with him, and even to give me speaking opportunities when he was absent.

In the autumn of '94, I began working part-time on a dairy farm, a job which would be a blessing for many years to come. It provided me with income, and yet the freedom to be involved in the areas of ministry and service which God was opening up for me.

In February of '95, my sister, Carlee, and I began traveling approximately one week out of each month with the Children's Institute, a division of the Institute in Basic Life Principles. The Children's Institute was held in conjunction with the Basic Seminar in Life Principles, and focused on character teaching for young people whose parents were attending the seminar.

We traveled with a team of workers, and held seminars in various U.S. cities including Fairbanks, Tampa, Baltimore, Philadelphia, Memphis, Dayton, New York, and others. During that year, our team not only learned many valuable lessons together, but also grew to be close friends.

The following year, my work on the farm and with the church continued, and I also began to lead the Children's Church program in our church, and teach Sunday School. I also began a course in chalk artistry, which involved several weeks of training in Indianapolis. As the Lord provided the invitations, I used my newly learned ministry tool of chalk art in churches, nursing homes, and other groups.

In the autumn of '96, I received training in Fort Wayne, Indiana, and Bemidji, Minnesota, to work as an overhead projector operator for the seminar in Basic Life Principles. Through the next year, I would periodically travel to cities such as Phoenix, Winnipeg, and Baltimore to help conduct seminars. The purpose of the seminar in Basic Life Principles was to strengthen families by teaching non-optional principles from God's Word applied to relationships, finances, and other areas of life. It was a joy to witness God's Spirit working in the hearts of individuals and families during those seminars!

In the meantime, I had been doing my best to keep abreast the developments with A.T.I.A in Moscow. I had learned that they had been given a facility (a former orphanage) by the D.O.E. to use as headquarters for the various branches of the ministry which were ever expanding.

Not only had the Moscow College of A.T.I.A. become well established, and the English teaching ministry continued, but the state had also entrusted many young orphans to the care of A.T.I.A., and an orphanage had been established under the direction of several American families who were training the orphans in a "homeschool" atmosphere. The results were dynamic! Several other ministries were being established, as well, including a medical training center, and a homeless shelter.

I also learned that A.T.I.A. was interested in students who would be free to come for several weeks in January of '97, to spearhead a ministry of character teaching in the schools once again. With the acquisition of the training center, much of the character teaching in the Moscow schools had been temporarily suspended.

I understood that, due to responsibilities at home, it would be impossible for me to commit a long period of time to another Russia ministry trip. However, my sister, Carlee, and I began praying and pursuing the possibility of going for this two month trip.

God confirmed His will in several ways, including a generous love offering from our church, and many individual gifts!

So it was, that on January 15, Carlee and I found ourselves on our way to Russia!

The Lord had worked in my life in many special ways over the past years, and I anticipated a time of further spiritual growth and deepening of my walk with Christ!

I was immediately struck with the change in the demeanor of Moscow since my last trip. The flavor of the billboards, stores, restaurants, and the city in general were noticeably more western.

It was an enormous change for me to experience the new Moscow training center. I was used to the Nikolai Bauman, our old ship! In the years that I had been gone, however, much work had been done, and much had been accomplished. At once, I saw that, despite the nostalgia of old times, the training center was a tremendous benefit!

Even as we walked through the doors, I began to see many of my comrades in ministry from past trips, and it was a joy and a blessing to see one another!

One of my friends, Dean Kershner, was to be the leader and trainer of the ministry team outreach of which Carlee and I had come to be part. He intercepted me during my first morning at the Moscow Training Center, and asked me if I would be able to visit school #1275, in which I had taught three years earlier, to ask about ministry teams coming to teach. I was eager to get out into Moscow and to see my school, so I jumped at the chance!

How moving it was for me to see the familiar sight of the big, old school building loom up into sight! As I walked through the doors and up the stairs, I nearly walked into Valya, the elderly coat room lady and janitor! What I joyful reunion it was!

I finally made my way up to room #49, and as I peeked in the door, a class full of Russian pupils (too young to have remembered me) looked up and their teacher, my good friend, Natalia, turned around. She looked startled, and then broke into a big smile and greeted me with a warm, Russian bear hug! She introduced me to the curious pupils, and then promptly dismissed the class. We sat down for several minutes and shared with one another some of the things which had transpired since we had last spoken, and then I began to explain why I was there.

I learned that she was now the head English teacher, and she was thrilled about the prospect of having a team of Americans come every other week to teach character lessons, and build friendships with the students! We went down to the teachers lounge, meeting many old friends along the way, and I was introduced to the new director of the school (About a year after I had left in 1994, the former director, Elena Danilovna, had passed away). We received from him approval to set up a schedule!

I stayed for several hours, visiting friends, visiting some of Natalia's classes, and enjoying the sights and sounds that had become so much a part of me. God had done so much in my life in this very place!

I returned back to the training center so encouraged in my spirit by the openness that I had sensed, and anticipating further ministry in my school!

Immediately, Carlee and I became involved with the various aspects of the Moscow ministry.

The Saturday evening outreach meetings were still an important part of each week.

The several American families who were working with young orphans were a tremendous blessing to the ministry, and not only was it an encouragement to have the "family atmosphere" which their presence created, but it was also enjoyable to become acquainted with the young orphans who quickly became like brothers and sisters to all of us!

With our own training center, much work was needed for maintenance, cooking, cleaning, and other work. We became involved in that aspect, too.

Many of the members of the Moscow College of A.T.I.A. stayed at the training center during the week. It was an additional means of discipling them and training them in the things of God, as we lived and interacted daily with them.

My roommate was a fourteen year old student in the college named Oleg. Over the next two months, Oleg and I would grow to be good friends and I would have many opportunities to challenge him spiritually as he walked in his relatively new life as a Christian.

I soon found that there were to be three ministry teams, and along with Zachary Murphy and Ryan Whitten, I was to be one of the three team leaders.

My team consisted of about ten A.T.I.A. students from various parts of the United States and one young man, Nigel, from New Zealand! Carlee was also on my team.

My assistant was Paul Tallent, a young man from Arizona, and one with whom I had served in Russia before. From the very first, we became close friends, and shared many good times of fellowship together.

We lost no time in preparing and sharing together as a team, for it was only one day after the teams were assigned that we were sent to our first outreach: orphanage #7 in Zelenograd!

In all, we had approximately seven schools (including the one orphanage and my school) in which we worked and taught character lessons. We made it a priority to establish a relationship with the directors and head English teachers, and the Lord opened many doors for us as we worked under their authority.

For example, one school we visited was school #1296. As we sat and spoke with the director and her assistant, they asked us question after question about our families, our education, our program, and finally, our relationship with the Lord. It was a beautiful opportunity to share the gospel and our purpose in life with the two educational leaders, who listened with eager openness.

In the orphanage in which we taught, the director was so grateful to us for coming, and when I asked if there were any specific ways in which we could serve her, she commented on the need for kindness and love among the young people in her charge. We were glad to honor her request to share a Biblical program on this topic with the pupils, complete with the message of the One Who showed the greatest love this world has ever known: the Lord Jesus Christ!

The leaders of the educational system in Moscow were very aware of the need for character in their schools. Alcoholism, pornography, and other wickedness were rampant in the once "state-censored" society, and the results of sin were becoming evident. Almost without exception, as we would visit schools, we were impressed by the openness and excitement with which our teaching would be received by student and teacher alike!

We came to understand the truth of Scripture's teaching that the law is a "schoolmaster" to bring us to Christ. The subject of "character" became a "vehicle" to point the young Russian pupils to Christ. As we would teach subject such as obedience, forgiveness, and other principles from God's Word, we saw these as opportunities to plant the "seeds" of salvation. It was a blessing to note the response of many of the students. It seemed that our ministry was a ministry of sharing the truth of the law which the Holy Spirit was then able to use to convict the young people in areas in which they had never before been challenged.

For example, after a program on the subject of forgiveness, one teenage girl expressed with tears to Angela, a young lady on our team, that she had been bitter toward her mother, and needed to forgive her.

Another boy, in a school in northern Moscow, shared with me that he felt "striped" with right and wrong. He wanted to have victory.

We shared with these students the Answer, and praised God for the power that His law has to bring conviction that leads to repentance!

In our two months of working in the schools, we saw several young people respond to the message of salvation, and in every place, seeds were sown that we prayed would bear fruit.

As we built relationships in the schools, we would occasionally visit homes or play sports with the students to whom we were ministering!

One day, a group of young fellows from the school in which I had formerly taught English came, and ate dinner with us at our training center. Afterward, before they went up to the gymnasium to play some basketball, I took them to my room, and they all sat quietly as I shared with them the plan of salvation. I left each of them with a tract, and when they left later in the evening, some of them expressed gratefulness for what I had shared with them.

Twice, Carlee and I were able to visit Natalia's home, the English teacher from my school. The Lord established a deeper relationship between us, and opened greater opportunities to share with her about our Savior!

We enjoyed an outstanding depth of fellowship as a team, and as we ministered together for Christ's sake, our spirits were united.

We used public transportation, which created numerous opportunities to pass out tracts, and witness to those around us!

Toward the end of our trip, we even took one entire day and traveled several miles outside Moscow by train, and went through villages giving out Bibles! We were received with a myriad of responses, but many Russians were so grateful for the gift, even asking for more for relatives and friends!

One lady took the New Testament which I gave her with a smile and a "thank-you," and asked if we had a complete Bible which she could buy from us. I happened to have one hardback, Russian Bible with me, and when I gave it to her and told her it was free, she burst into grateful tears!

There were relaxing times during our trip, too: Carlee and I took one day, and visited my good friend Andrey, the computer teacher with whom I had become good friends on my past trip. We enjoyed a day of cross-country skiing in a beautiful forest area outside Moscow, and then returned to Andrey's home for a delicious dinner!

We enjoyed (as I had in past trips) going to the market and buying distinctly Russian gifts for our family and friends, or going and seeing some of the famous sights in Moscow! One day, Carlee and I, along with two friends of ours, even went to a famous arena, and went horseback riding!

In the Saturday evening meetings, as team leader, I was occasionally responsible to organize a skit, or drama that would fit with the theme of that particular evening. I would then narrate as the skit was acted out.

We also had an A.T.I.A. student choir, special singing numbers, instrumental specials, a bell choir, and other parts of the meeting which would lead up to the message, given by the director of the Moscow Training Center, Dr. Murphy.

Every Monday was designated as work day. On that day, and some other days, we spent almost all of our time doing various projects contributing to the maintenance of the M.T.C. The ladies would do cleaning or cooking, and the men would be involved with more manual labor. Regardless, it was not only hard work, but also a good opportunity for the fellowship and unity that is built in accomplishing tasks together!

As Carlee and I saw our trip come to a close, and I once again turned my face toward home, and the ministry to which God was calling me in America with my church, I once again thanked the Lord for all the incredible experiences which had transpired on this fourth Russia trip!

I realized that one of the great reasons that I had come to love the land of Russia, was because it was the sight of so much growth in my own life. God had used the Russian people to draw me closer to Himself and to mold me more into His image. It was impossible to think of Russia without thinking of the ways that I had matured and deepened in my walk with Christ through my time of ministry there.

Much would change in my life in the coming months, but a solid foundation had been laid for my future by the things which I had experienced in that great land.

The thought had often come to me during my weeks and months in Russia, of how much turmoil, bloodshed, suffering, oppression, and heartache this nation had been through; of how many martyrs had possibly walked the very ground upon which I had walked.

I understood that the openness and hunger which I sensed in the Russian people was something that reached deep into a history of emptiness, sorrow, and disillusionment.

It was significant for me, as I interacted with this people of such a complex heritage, to realize with strong conviction that God's Word held the answers for their aimlessness and perplexity regarding the future.

I had been impacted mightily by the lives and the stories of those with whom I had spent time, worked, taught, befriended, and observed.

As I returned home to America, I would soon understand that though I had left Russia, Russia would never leave me.

Thank you for reading this account of my experiences! I might add that this is, by no means the end of the story!

Several months after my last trip to Moscow, I traveled to Ukraine, to preach and minister for several weeks in the towns and villages there. One of my interpreters was a beautiful young lady named Oksana. We were married almost exactly a year later! Praise God from Whom all blessings flow!

We are now serving in our church, and praying that God would, in His time, fulfill the vision He's given both of us of ministering in Ukraine.

Already, we can see some possible doors opening up, but, that's another story...!