IN the kind providence of God, Mr Alasdair MacRae and Mr Calum MacAskill have returned safely from Moldova. They delivered 2400 Russian Gospels of John, 80 Bibles, 80 New Testaments, and 7500 Scripture calendars in the Romanian language. Also included were Russian Shorter Catechisms, Mother’s Catechisms and leaflets exposing the heresy of Mormonism and the Jehovah’s Witnesses, as well as many other lots of literature. Medicines, clothing, food, and some small pieces of furniture were donated as well. The bulk of the load was safely delivered to an orphanage and to residential homes for the destitute in the city of Kishinev and was gratefully received. There were also some small deliveries of Bibles and calendars to churches in Hungary and Romania.
It was hoped that Mr MacRae and Mr MacAskill might have travelled on to the Ukraine as tourists and visited the small group of believers in Odessa. We were disappointed that this did not materialise, but it is hoped, God willing, that a visit will be made to Odessa in November.
The journey to Moldova proved to be one of the best so far with speedy entrance and exit at borders. Moldovian customs regulations are becoming more burdensome, although much easier than in neighbouring Ukraine.
It is with concern that we view the proposals for a new repressive law in Russia, where the Orthodox Church has called for restrictions on all religious groups apart from Orthodoxy, Judaism, Islam, Buddhism and some minority groups. Commenting on the probable implementation of such a law, the Evangelical Times of September said: “Overnight the law would render illegal thousands of congregations serving millions of believers, leaving them without rights to own property, hold a bank account, undertake business, publish books, establish schools or conduct services in public buildings. The category would include the thousands of religious groups established since the ending of communist rule in the country. It would also include foreign religious bodies and faiths not regarded as indigenous to Russia. . . . On 22 July the President refused to sign the bill, a victory for those who feared that Russia was about to tumble backwards into totalitarianism. However, he did not veto it completely, but sent it back to the State Duma, Russia’s lower house of Parliament, with requested amendments. He stated that Russia needs a law but that the current proposals violated international treaties and would restrict religious minorities.”
Enacting such laws in Russia could influence neighbouring countries to do likewise. We pray that there will not be another “iron curtain” barring the way in! Lest that should happen we should work all the more diligently in taking Bibles and Bible-based books into Eastern Europe. The urgent need to spread the Word is highlighted by the following letter, to our Church Bookroom in Glasgow, from Tatar Republic, Russia. It has been translated from Russian.
“Greetings! My name is Irina. I live in Kazan, and love my beautiful city very much. I do not have many friends, but there are some, and these are very good and kind.
“Sometimes things are very difficult and lonely for me in this world. And I don’t know why I am here and for what purpose I am alive. I believe in God, but sometimes my faith becomes weaker, and then I turn to God, so that He would strengthen my faith. I would very much like to receive a present of a Bible, so that it would help me to bear stoically the sufferings and trials that befall me. And so that it would also be with me in happy times. I would be very grateful for such a priceless gift. I believe that everything will work out for me, and that heavenly strength will support and strengthen me, and give strength to live in peace and harmony.
“We had a younger brother Sasha, but in October of last year he was taken from this world. He was only 19 years old; a kind, bright and innocent soul, whose life was taken from him, a cruel hand interrupting his path. And now he is no longer with us, and it is still difficult to believe and take in what has happened. And it’s so painful; still so painful.
“I would very much like to receive religious literature that would help to surmount and understand everything. What is life? Why do we live? How can we approach a knowledge of God? Why does He send trials, and especially to those whom He loves? Where do our souls go, and what will happen to us afterwards? What does eternal life mean? Will we live on this earth again? And will I recognise myself, that I am me? And why do I not remember the past if I have already lived? I would be very grateful to the Church, if it could help me understand this.
“With much love and blessing, Irina.”
In reading letters of this kind, we feel that our privileges as a Church are incalculably precious, and that it would ill become us to keep them to ourselves. We are required by Christ to make these privileges known to others. Sinners are entering the eternal world never having had an answer to such questions as those above because ruling powers arise which prevent answers reaching them, as for example the communism which held sway in Eastern Europe. While the doors are still open to Eastern Europe, it is essential to press on with the work of spreading the Word of God, which has all the answers. “The night cometh, when no man can work”. John 9:4.
Rev. D. A. Ross