Another Promise

I am familiar with a mission organisation in England called Slav Lands Gospel Fellowship, administered by Roger Weil. They aid in the care and training of pastors and church plants and saints in Siberia. About once a quarter I get a newsletter from Roger. He travels to Siberia about twice a year to check on how things are going and to bring gifts from England and bring back news. I'm always hugely encouraged by the accounts of the saints and pastors there. These people are not shy to tell about the trials and struggles they are going through, but they are also completely unabashed about telling of the Lord's activity on their behalf. Life is not easy in a land where one has to light a fire under trucks to bring them to life on the frozen tundra. Alcoholism is rife, and it seems to me that most of the believers there are women whose husbands have either left them or died from the bottle. Many have children, and no one to provide for them. Believers in England and the United States, among other places, send care packages to some of them, which in many cases is crucial to health and survival.

I read the testimony of one such woman living within the Arctic Circle, a babushka or grandmother, whose husband is gone and whose daughter is struggling to raise a young child after her own husband left her. Recently the child became ill, and there was no money for a doctor, much less good food to feed her. But Irina prayed, and the Lord sent a care package and some money from some British and Americans. They were then able to get care for the little one, and eat something besides macaroni. Who but the Lord? Irina had read Isaiah 40:29-31:
He gives strength to the weary
and increases the power of the weak.
Even youths grow tired and weary,
and young men stumble and fall;
but those who hope in the LORD
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.

She wrote, "So He gives strength to everyone who puts their trust in Him-- this is true indeed!" Irina Turzhanskaya, may you always so believe the Lord!