May 9 - The Communist party leads a parade on Victory Day in Russia, a national holiday which remembers the defeat of Nazi Germany in World War II and honors 20 million Soviets who died in the war.

The orthodox church is very powerful in Russia.

What looks like an art museum is actually one
of the beautiful palace-like metros in Moscow.

Chereen Da Silva (a missionary stationed in Moscow)
“Russia has been a real blessing to me. God uses every opportunity to draw every person to Him. What an honor it is when God can use us to play a part in spreading the gospel. Russia has been a real eye opener to the fact that Satan is actively going around destroying lives. We need to be always connected to God. I've learned to constantly depend on Him. It's been great sharing God with my new Russian friends.”

Luke Hamilton (a missionary who was stationed in Moscow) “Serving in Russia has been an incredible experience. The culture has humbled my heart and has given me a very different view on life. I have seen God's spirit move on these people, and put a thirst in their souls. I'm sure I'll see some of my students in Heaven. Praise God.”

The former USSR is a much-misunderstood country. Due to the formidable iron curtain for many years no one had any idea of what was happening there. Then with a resounding crash the curtain fell, and although the Russian people dreamt of peace and tranquility, they were soon disillusioned. The country is still trying to come to terms with the fact that the fall of Communism did little to change living conditions for the man in the streets. In fact, many of the old people yearn for the return of Communism when they were all assured a pension, no matter how small. Now many of them are without any kind of security, and it is not uncommon to see octogenarians begging at the metros at eleven p.m. and even later. In fact, on public holidays senior citizens will often gather together to rally for Communism. You will see them shouting through a megaphone and displaying Communist slogans, sporting red clothing and flags where the hammer and sickle are prominently displayed. Unfortunately, it will take a while before the Russian Federation reaches it's full potential.

The Iron Curtain created other disadvantages for those of us who are trying to promote our language schools, dotted throughout the Russian Federation. Although little was known about the USSR previously, many stories were circulated, about a heartless KGB, a lack of basic foodstuff, and a corrupt government. Many people have a very bleak picture of Russia. I am often asked if food is plentiful. My sister, on a visit from South Africa, brought me a big bag of oatmeal, a commodity that is freely available here. People, especially prospective missionaries' parents, often wonder if the country is safe. Once on a recruiting trip outside Russia, I was invited to dinner by the parents of one of my missionary teachers. Throughout the meal I heard these words, "I KNOW Russia is hard to live in." I knew nothing I could say would change the lady's mind. So I patiently listened to this refrain throughout the evening.

Naturally there are adjustments to be made in every new country you visit. One has to get used to a new culture, a new language, a different way of life, and for the less daring folks who only enjoy mama's cooking, different food. However, the advantages far outweigh the disadvantages. It is true that many people are struggling to earn a living, and for some, their desperation has led them to drink. But while many have succumbed to alcohol, we never fail to be amazed at our wonderful erudite students. We have found that the Russians are a highly educated people. In fact the man who cleans our church has a degree in medical science! It is stimulating and interesting to both teach and talk with these people. The music in this country is of the highest quality. It is absolutely thrilling to attend an orchestral concert. In fact, as you wend your way through a metro station you will hear the most beautiful music being played by a group of violinists. Once while going through an underpass, I approached a man playing what I thought was a harmonica and was surprised that he was able to play such clear music on such a very small instrument. But when I reached him imagine my surprise at discovering that he didn't have an instrument at all, and was using only his hands to produce the lovely music. We love the spectacular buildings, the golden domed cathedrals, the many art galleries, and in Moscow the beautiful palace-like metro stations.

A problem we sometimes encounter when trying to recruit students is that we can't offer the high stipends that are offered elsewhere, but the advantage is that the missionary teachers who do come, come because they are truly mission minded. They turn down

places where they can earn more to come and serve here. We have had really special people answer the call to the Russian Federation. It does my heart good to watch them at work, filled with love for those they teach, to sit in their Bible classes and hear these young people explain to an atheist why they believe in Jesus. They are the pioneers. Many missionaries write and tell me that they plan to return to this exciting and mysterious country. There is so much to be done, work that can only be finished by an army of young people. We have made a start and we do have six schools in a country where 100 schools would not be too many. However we can echo King David's words "With your help I can advance against a troop, with my God I can scale a wall" (Psalms 18:29). We are praying that many young people will join us in scaling the walls of atheism and prejudice by answering God's call to Russia.

By: Marlene DeCoito, Volunteer Coordinator for the Euro-Asia Division.

A group of young musicians hold an impromptu concert in an underpass in Moscow.

Ladies outside the green bazaar selling raspberries.

Winter Palace in St Petersburg, the residence of the Russian tsars that was built to the design of Francesco Bartolomeo Rastrelli in 1754-62.

Put together throughout two centuries and a half, the Palace houses the Hermitage collections of art (over 3,000,000 items) which present the development of the world culture and art from the Stone Age to the 20th century.