A Word From God

This post is written by Brad Snyder

What, after all, is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only servants, through whom you came to believe – as the Lord has assigned to each his task. I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. The man who plants and the man who waters have one purpose, and each will be rewarded according to his own labor. For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, God’s building. I Corinthians 3:5-9

Every once in a while, when dealing with foreign languages, you are able to figure out what someone is saying before it is translated. It may be the tone, body language, or something else, but some how you just know what the speaker is trying to communicate. During our first full day at the orphanage, I had this experience with Pastor Andre from the local Baptist church in Lomonosov. Susan and I were thanking him and his church for visiting the children at Loupohinka every week because we have grown to love these kids and could only do so much. Andre responded that “some plant and some water, but God makes it grow,” and I was able to interpret before our translator did. Little did I realize that I would spend the rest of the week learning this lesson in a rather difficult way.

Last year I connected with many of the children, but one stands out most: Dasha. When the kids were going to work in the garden, they were supposed to pair up with one of us. The second morning we were going to do this, Dasha came up to me and grabbed my hand to let me know we were going to be partners. While we waited, she would not let go. When we walked to the garden, she would not let go. She looked up at me and said, “Seestra,” which I guessed at the time (and later confirmed) meant, “Sister.” When it was time for Dasha to get the tools we needed to work, she did not want to leave me as if I would not be there when she returned. I motioned as best I could that I would not move from that spot, and I kept my promise. We had many moments in the course of the next couple days until she left for camp that I remember vividly and treasure. They culminated in an exchange of drawings that would help us to remember each other.

As the team prepared for the trip back to Loupohinka, I could not help being excited about seeing Dasha again. I wanted to show this girl who was afraid I would not be there when she got back from the tool shed that I had not forgotten her. The problem was that when we got there I learned that she was on vacation with her family and would not return until the day after we got back to Houston. I was heartbroken and angry at God, but mature enough not to pray for her to show up miraculously (since that would mean that something went wrong with the family vacation). I had to come to terms that others would have to minister to this girl since I would not be able.

The next day, as we were returning from our visit to the church in Lomonsov many of the children were returning from camp. I saw the boys who were in my VBS group last year and was hugging and messing around with them. Then I heard Susan calling me over to a group and I immediately knew why. The group split and there was Dasha. We gave each other a huge hug and I told her how much I missed her. Great moment and everything was going to be as I thought it would. That night confirmed it as I saw Dasha hanging around the outside of the group during the Valentine’s Day party and I was able to draw her in a bit with the festivities. We traded cards and all was good.

However, from the next day on it was all different. Dasha would not have anything to do with me. If I would walk into a group, she would walk out. She would not come to my VBS group after the first day. During the carnival, all the kids came and try to hit me with the foam stars except Dasha. It broke my heart to see this girl pull away from me that she stopped participating in many of the events. As soon as I recognized this, I decided to give her all the space she needed.

I kept my distance (there are more than enough kids to love on) and prayed that some miracle would happen with Dasha. I was extremely happy when I saw her playing pick up sticks with Nana Margaret. I was extremely jealous when I saw her attaching to Steven. And I was joyful when I saw Dasha finally come out of her shell when Becca painted flower and whiskers on her face and arms.

As all this was going on, I kept hearing Pastor Andre say “some plant, some water, but God makes it grow.” Dasha is just one of the stories that illustrate this. I think what makes this trip so difficult for all the participants is that we connect with these beautiful children and we see a change in their spirits and life. As one child put it, “We do not have to worry when you visit.” The team members all know beyond a reasonable doubt that these kids’ lives would be better off if it were not for the Russian laws, distance, and language standing in the way. If you notice a glazed look in our eyes when we talk about Russia, this is why. We know we can make a difference, and yet we are helpless to do so.

Last year the word from God was that “My grace is sufficient for thee.” This year it is “some plant, some water, but God makes it grow.” Two different words, one message. This message is not about me becoming some kind of father figure to these kids, but rather God becoming their Father. It is not about me making some kind of difference in their lives, but about God drawing them to Him. I know for a fact that this is not the way I would have chosen to do things; it is a little too humbling and a little too painful. I also know for a fact that through this experience and the shared experience of all who have been part of this mission, that God is raising an army to draw His children to Him (whether it be orphans, care givers, missionaries, or Grand Parkway). I admit that it is probably a better plan than I had and I am truly grateful to be able to see God work.