A reminder

We see things here all the time that remind us that we're not at home in the comforts of our own country. Sometimes we come across something that tugs at our heartstrings. This little guy almost brought tears to my eyes. We don't live in a third world culture here in Russia but when I met this boy I felt like I was in a village in Guatemala. We met him and his mother near the market where they were begging for money.

His mother wouldn't let me take her picture but I can say this: I've never seen so much sadness in one person's eyes. I can't even explain it really. It was like I could see her life through her eyes. It was sad and it was rough.

They were not Russian. They were immigrants...from where I'm not sure. They didn't speak Russian or English. She spoke to me briefly and I thought she said something like Kadjik. I'm not sure if that is where they are from or the language they spoke. It might have been the boy's name.

I wanted to sit with them and try to communicate to them but they were so distant. If they were Russian I could have gotten by a little and had a broken conversation with them. I've never felt so helpless to speak the Gospel in my life. I came home and said a prayer for them that God would bring someone to them that could share His love to them in their own language.

Subcultures exist here. There are gypsies and other people groups that are the "vagrants" of society in the eyes of the government...but they still have needs. I think that we have found a comfortable place even here in our home away from home...today I was pulled back out of that comfort zone and reminded that there is a great need for the Father's love in this country. Our heart was tugged on today by a little homeless boy who said nothing. Lord love on them in a way that only You can!!