Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.1 6/24/83; site mgweed.UUCP Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!burl!mgnetp!mgweed!scc From: scc@mgweed.UUCP (Steve Collins) Newsgroups: net.religion Subject: Re: A M.P. Courier's Dramatic Story of Soviet Arrest Message-ID: <9191@mgweed.UUCP> Date: Fri, 18-May-84 12:45:13 EDT Article-I.D.: mgweed.9191 Posted: Fri May 18 12:45:13 1984 Date-Received: Sat, 19-May-84 00:37:38 EDT References: <9050@mgweed.UUCP> <1074@ihuxr.UUCP> Organization: AT&T Consumer Products - Montgomery Illinois Lines: 79 PART 4 OF 4 PARTS PHYSICALLY FREE, BUT SPIRITUALLY UNRELEASED The next morning, right after breakfast, we were informed we were to be immediately taken to the train station! I was happy - but not too surprised. At the moment, my thoughts were not as occupied with thought of going home as they were with all the people there on the border who had been confronted with the Gospel within the last few days. My heart felt as though it was being torn apart as I recalled the young border guards in the garage hungrily scanning the contents of the New Testaments. I had desperately and silently prayed to God that He would burn those few words into those soldiers' hearts before they were forced to put down the book. I thought of my interpreter, Misha, and wondered if I would see him in the Kingdom. My heart ached for this huge, infathomable Russia that I would never see again... My friends looked at me curiously and asked if I was alright. I nodded, and we rose from the table to get our things. We put all our luggage into the waiting van and were whisked to the train station. We were sent directly to a special waiting room and told to wait while they bought train tickets to the west for us (at our inflated expense, of course)! In my last discussion with Misha, I found a Soviet magazine with a huge picture of Lenin on the front. I explained to him the difference between his god, who was dead and lying in a glass case in Moscow, and my God and Savior, whose tomb in Jerusalem is empty! He admitted he had a great interest in this Jesus - something I had known all along. I told Misha I was going to miss him. He was stunned! He asked, "Whatever for? All I did here was my job and duty, nothing more!" I told him I liked him and in no way considered him my "enemy." His face was red, and he was at a loss for words. Just then, we were told to proceed out the door to the waiting train. As we went out the door, there were numerous Soviet reporters taking dozens of pictures and filming. Not one of them asked us a question. The "interview" would probably be prepared later. I did smile for the cameras and made motions with my hands that God answers prayer. The top customs officer, in his parade uniform, ceremoniously read a statement that we had deserved punishment for our crime, but since the Soviet Union is so "merciful" and "humanitarian", we were to be released. He gave us our passports and before the crowd broke up, I said in Russian, "I wish you all the Love of God!" Amazingly, Misha repeated the statement to the group! He walked with me as far as our train car. I murmured a farewell and got on the train. The train had been kept waiting all this time for us, and nobody had been allowed on or off in the meantime. Now everyone was staring out the windows and wondering what was going on. As we got on the train, a few people asked if we were movie stars or something! I thought they were going to ask for autographs! Our train rolled on and as we passed the last watchtower on the edge of the river, marking the Soviet border, there was a huge billboard with star, hammer, and sickle, announcing - "WE ARE BUILDING COMMUNISM!" I commented to myself, "...and WE ARE BUILDING THE KINGDOM OF GOD!!"!!" MY FRIEND: This is one trip out of hundreds which have been made possible through your giving and praying. Please don't stop!...it's working...despite tremendous obstacles...more effectively than ever before - over 150,000 copies of Scripture, books, etc., this year alone. Gratefully yours, W. Ralph Mann Executive Director