Russia Report #4.

Mary came to us for help almost 15 years ago. She was a recent graduate of the Moscow State University School of Law and was in deep emotional pain. She wanted a baby as soon as possible. She and husband Michael had been married for two years but had been unable to conceive. She sought counseling about how to handle her fears and anger about the lack of a quick pregnancy.

Before long we discovered that Mary was a survivor of long-term sexual, emotional and physical abuse. She was a brilliant student and was having great success in a western law firm but her life was in a shambles. Since her situation was so overwhelming one of our therapists was asked to see her on a regular basis.

For the past five years Mary and Michael have been leading groups in their Baptist Church just south of Moscow. Many members of the community have been attending the groups and are showing signs of better lives at home, church and work. The groups are growing in number as the members invite their friends and family. Many people are experiencing mercy, grace and the ability to leave their addictions behind.

This is a composite of several persons whose lives have been touched through the Russian work. One man has recently been reconciled with his father who was divorced from his mother 30 years ago. Because of our class on Family Systems and Christianity Peter searched and found his long-lost father and got into contact with him. Both received great relief and forgiveness as a result.

Our ministry is about people; families; mothers, fathers, children, grandchildren and friends. All of them come to us in a great deal of pain but God's love is allowing them to leave the painful past behind and seek a more fruitful future. We do not hold big meetings for thousands but we meet with individuals and small groups of hurting persons and teach them how to grow in grace, mercy and the abundant life.