CEE Story From The Mission Field
"Lucy is truly a changed person!"
October 16, 2006
“Lucy is truly a changed person! So beautiful! I remember telling her BEFORE she accepted Jesus into her life, that He did NOT promise that her situation would change, but that He would change her and that she would not be alone! Well, Lucy is still in a tough situation, but she told me the other day, with a smile, that she is learning to wait on God! What joy.” Carol Ronning, IMB missionary working in Moscow, Russia, is thrilled to have been a part of Lucy’s introduction to Jesus. Now she disciples Lucy and watches with joyful amazement as God teaches her about Himself. “She is just like a brand new baby wanting to grow!” said Carol.
Lucy’s situation is like so many Muscovites. She struggles to survive financially while living in a crowded apartment with most of her extended family. Her Mother works at an outdoor market. Her Father found work for the first time in 6 years this past summer delivering ice cream, but it was only temporary for the season. Her brother wants to get married, which will mean adding another person to the six already living in their small apartment. Her daughter, Susie, was finally accepted into school after clearing up complications and paying steep fines concerning her documents. Lucy’s husband has left her and she is hoping to find a 1-room apartment for her and Susie. But despite the harshness of life in Moscow, she is learning to lean on Jesus and trust Him to provide.
Carol has been especially touched by Lucy’s dedication to God’s Word. In order to help her grow in her understanding, Carol gave her a few books about Christian living. A few days after later, Carol asked if she had time to read them. Her response blew Carol away. “I thank you for buying the books, but I thought about it, and I feel that I should read the ENTIRE Bible through first, and THEN I will start reading these other books.”
“Mercy...ask me how I felt!” exclaimed Carol.
Lucy is also fast becoming a witness for Christ. She has shared Christ with her husband and has given her best friend a Bible. She was a bit disappointed when her husband didn’t respond with openness to the Gospel, but Carol encouraged her. “I told her not to be surprised because it takes a long time for a person that has NEVER heard the Gospel to just understand everything instantly!”
Changed lives like Lucy’s is what keeps missionaries on their knees in prayer and on the streets with the Good News. There are so many lost and hopeless in the mega cities of Russia. Moscow is the largest city in Europe and has just been named the most expensive as well. With 15 million people and only 24 Baptist churches, Lucy is part of the minority with her new faith in Christ. Carol hopes to take her to the States to visit all the people who have prayed for her as part of Carol’s prayer network. “I want to introduce her to her family,” said Carol. “Lucy thinks it is really exciting that she now has lots of brothers and sisters in Jesus!”
Please pray for Carol, Lucy and all of our missionaries serving and sharing Christ in CEE.