The Sobie Family - Ministry in Ukraine
Because our ministry in Ukraine is near the town where Oksana grew up, we often have the opportunity to see her old classmates, teachers, and neighbors as we are out shopping or doing business in town. On many occasions, Oksana has been able to share with these old acquaintances the difference that Jesus Christ has made in her life. Many of the older ones are broken people, having invested so much hope in the glorious future that communism was supposed to offer. Now, those hopes have crumbled. Oksana is always overjoyed at the opportunity to share the love of Christ or even a Bible with these poor, disillusioned individuals.
A story that I recently read reminded me of these encounters. This story is also from Ukraine, and is taken from the book by Harvey Yoder, “They Would Not Be Silent,” a book of inspirational stories of Christians under communism. Many of the stories in this book take place in communist Ukraine.
Alexandria Voronkov, a Ukrainian school principal, sat in her office facing Tonya, a graduating senior. It was the early eighties and the future still looked bright for the U.S.S.R. Alexandria was desperately trying to convince Tonya that she was throwing her life away by following her parents' religion.
She tried flattery, promising Tonya that, with her beautiful voice, she could get her into music education. She tried pity, describing to Tonya how boring and dull her life was compared to those who pursued the communist party ideals. The even tried threats, warning the girl that she would face only failure, poverty, and shame if she continued to adhere to archaic superstitions. She even threatened to send Tonya to a psychiatrist.
In the end, it was all to no avail. The seventeen year old was dismissed from the principal's office, and Alexandria was left frustrated, yet inwardly moved by the girl's inner conviction.
Twenty years passed.
Alexandria watched as her marriage crumbled and failed. Her children bitterly disappointed her as they left her or turned to drugs. Communism collapsed and she lost her position of power and prestige in the party. She was surrounded by a depressing society that was a shell of what the socialists had promised it would be. She was a broken old lady. Several times, she had come close to committing suicide.
Alexandria's friend, Tamara, was a Christian and attending a local evangelical church. To her own amazement, Alexandria accepted her invitation and visited a service.
The pastor's message struck her heart with deep conviction. She understood completely the emptiness and sin that he described and was touched by the message that Christ could offer forgiveness and a new life.
But what shocked her most of all was the familiar face that she observed in the choir, singing with a radiant face! Could it be Tonya? After all these years? She asked her friend, Tamara, and found out that it was, indeed, Tonya. She was now happily married with children and active in her church.
When the invitation to repent was given, it was Tonya's beautiful voice that sang, “Softly and tenderly Jesus is calling...”
Alexandria was deeply convicted. “What if Tonya had listened to her and taken the route of success? Where would she be now? Would Tonya be like her, broken and disillusioned with life? Look at her now. Singing the invitation, pleading for the people to repent and come to Jesus! Just seeing her was enough for Alexandria. She could tell Tonya believed what she sang.”
With shoulders heaving in sobs, she made her way to the front of the church and crumpled on her knees, confessing her sin to God and pleading for His forgiveness.
Later, with the joy of forgiveness and a new heart, she stood and looked into the eyes of Tonya. Both ladies cried as they hugged and rejoiced in the grace of God that could turn emptiness and brokenness into fullness and wholeness!
Sunday, July 1, 2007
The Hollow Woman
