Last month I had the privilege of ministering in Irkutsk, one of the largest cities in Siberia, Russia. There were some surprises in this short term missionary trip, the first of which was the absence of harsh weather. The locals told me that it was an unusually mild winter. While I was there the weather was reminiscent of a cold blustery day in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. I told the congregations I spoke to that no one in America would believe the weather in Siberia would be so mild at this time of the year. With a smile I offered to pray for the cold weather to return -- after I left.
The second nice surprise was how much freedom of religion can be found. The Christians are not without their challenges from the Orthodox priests, but there is an openness of worship that was not present under Communist rule. One of the great principles of the book of Revelation remains valid and vindicated. Any government, reflected in the Beast of Revelation found in chapter 13, and any religious institution that moves against the church will eventually be destroyed. God will hear the cries of His people and avenge them. Revelation 6:10 And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth? In 1917 the Communist party came to power in Russia. They closed most of the churches making public latrines out of some, offices out of others and storage facilities of many. The saints were persecuted and so they cried out, "How long, O Lord." The historical answer is seventy two years. In 1989 God avenged His own, Communism collapsed and the gospel was triumphant. How good it was to preach the gospel in Siberia.
After the preaching assignments had been accomplished the people wanted me to see Lake Baikal known as the "Blue Eye of Siberia". It is said to contain more water than all the North American Great Lakes combined. At 1,637 meters (5,371 ft), Lake Baikal is the deepest lake in the world, and the largest freshwater lake in the world by volume, holding approximately twenty percent of the world's total fresh water. Baikal is home to more than 1,700 species of plants and animals, two thirds of which can be found nowhere else in the world. I was glad the people wanted me to see this beautiful lake they enjoy so much.
Daily life in Russia is harsh. The people work hard and in difficult conditions. But their faith is strong and they are good people. Many questions were asked about America and my own family. One question that reoccurred was whether or not my children were Christians and serving the Lord. The Christians in Russia are concerned for their own children because they want the Christian faith to continue as it has since AD 1000.
I did find one comment by the pastor of Hope Baptist Church amusing. He asked me if I had traveled to Russia in a group or by myself. I told him I had come alone. He looked at me with amazement and said, "Then you are a very brave man." I guess the people of Russia have many of the same apprehensions about the West as people here in America have about them.
As always when I go on these trips to minister to the people and take them the gospel and free literature my heart was sad to leave. There is a deep affection that develops in the hearts of Christians in other countries for those who come to minister to them. They are appreciative of the time and effort and sacrifice that is made to get to them and they let that appreciation be known. It is deeply satisfying.
