Writing the story about Olga made me check my journal from that year. I discovered a page where I’d written 14 answers to prayer that made that whole trip possible:
- A couple in our church had us over, because they wanted to give us a check for $5000! God had put it on their hearts to pay our way to Ukraine! I accepted that check with tears in my eyes, and will never forget that wonderful couple.
- Other brothers and sisters donated the rest of the money we needed, so I could study Russian and be a witness in Russian-speaking countries.
- When we arrived in Kiev, Ukraine, we stayed near a YWAM base. Those Ywammers found us an apartment, welcomed us, and helped us in innumerable ways, so our stay was comfortable and a success. So much kindness and practical help was given to us by those young people!
- Our daughter Allison went to a celebration of the country’s independence, and got separated from her guides. She was 17, knew no Russian, didn’t know our address. But God had her memorize our phone number that afternoon, and some Ukrainian young people saw her and took her under their wing. With them, she was able to call us at midnite and I went to get her. I have never been more thankful in my life! God surely saved our daughter’s life!
- I was able to travel and see St. Petersburg and Moscow, and places in between.
- I was robbed, yet God recovered everything for me!
- A woman from Moscow and her son got me from the train station to the airport, when our train was delayed.
- An ex-Soviet army officer and his son spent the day with me and took me all around Red Square, even paying for my food and the ticket to enter there.
- When I had a change in plans going to Volgograd, I was able to send an email, but I couldn’t call. I didn’t know if anyone would get the news and be able to pick me up, but a young man did, so I wasn’t alone in the airport.
- At the big church in Volgograd, an English pastor visiting that day came over to me and gave me a very powerful prophecy that greatly encouraged me. He didn’t know anything about me, but God did!
- When I arrived at the train station in Astrakhan, pastor Sasha was there to pick me up and take me to his office.
- Olga found me there, and no one could have been kinder or taken better care of me.
- We had a flat tire at midnight as we arrived in Volgograd, but two drunk men “happened” to be right where we stopped, and helped me change the tire.
- God got me out of Russia after all my visa problems, and I was able to get to Kazakhstan to my next teaching/preaching assignment.
I know it’s old news, but I still thought I should share it. God has been so good to us!