CEE Story From The Mission Field
"When God Calls, You Can't Do Otherwise"
January 4, 2008
As Irina rushes to greet a friend she hasn’t seen in years, her smile is radiant and her step, energetic. Within minutes she launches into the story that is the source of her joy—she’s going on her first mission trip.
“Can you believe it? Now I am becoming a missionary myself,” she said.
Though her friend has no trouble believing it, Irina is still reeling from seeing God work up close and personal in her own life. He is sending her to Austria to reach Russian-speaking refugees from the former Soviet states of Chechnya and Krgystan.
Irina began working with IMB missionaries in Moscow, Russia as a logistics coordinator. Being a native Russian, her language and knowledge of the culture was indispensable for missionaries whose ministries are rooted in the megacity. As she became the lifeline for many new arrivals on the field, her job became a lifeline to her--leading to God’s true call on her life. Much of the realization came from the people she worked alongside, like IMB missionary Kevin Rutland.
“God used Kevin to teach me—he has a servant attitude toward everyone,” she said. “Seeing that attitude, you can’t do it another way yourself. I have learned to serve and meet the needs of people around me.”
Irina began serving by introducing her sister-in-law to a church soon after her salvation. Irina began attending with her and participating in a ministry to orphanages. When the church began weekly home groups, she soon took a leadership role.
“It’s a big step for me because I didn’t do anything at church before,” she said. “It’s great because it makes me more disciplined. Sometimes I just don’t want to do anything, but I tell myself, ‘No, God gave it to me, go and do it.’”
Revealing her IMB training, Irina refers to herself as the strategy coordinator (SC) for the group. She currently coordinates 4 house groups, but soon will expand to 7.
“God put me in right environment and I know I can serve people and use my gifts,” she said. “He is broadening my territory of ministry.”
As Irina has been faithful with her God-given tasks, she now has an opportunity to do something a little bigger. Through church members who work with international teams, Irina heard that a translator was needed for refugees from Chechnya and Krgystan. After much prayer, she strongly felt that this was something God really wanted her to do. That feeling was strengthened when she was successful in getting her visa—a near-impossibility for a young, single woman.
“I was frustrated, wondering why God gave me this calling when it was clearly impossible,” she said. “I am young and unmarried, with no official invitation—I had to keep saying,‘God please, help me believe.’”
When she received her visa she discovered that it not only covers an extended period of time, but was free.
“That’s God. It is a miracle for me. God did that,” she said. “During the process He showed me He is faithful. He showed me his care for his children. I don’t have words to express it, I just feel Him with me.”
Although many of Irina’s friends and people in her church do not understand her desire to go to Austria when so much work remains to be done in Russia, the IMB missionaries she works with can relate and offer their help, support and prayers.
“Missionaries understand,” she said. “When you feel God is calling you to a particular place, you can’t do otherwise.”
Irena’s obedience may lead to many Muslim refugees in Austria hearing about the Gospel in their own language. Please pray for her as she undertakes this new challenge.
“I don’t know much about Muslims, so I’ve been reading books and talking to people who can share their experiences with me,” she said. “Please pray for me to meet those who are ready to hear about Christ.”