|
September 4th, 2006
Worthy is The Lamb Who was slain to receive power, riches, wisdom,
might, honor, glory, and blessing! (Revelation 5:12, NASB)
It's so wonderful to be back here in Bsln, Russia, serving The Lord! Thanks be to Him for this privilege of serving Him here, and thanks to all of you who so faithfully share in this service. I hope the following journal excerpts will bring great joy to your hearts as you see your share in the reward of what's being done here!
Monday, 8/28/06 – Flew to Boston from Pittsburgh... looked like the plane was gonna' land in the water as we got closer to the Logan Intl. Airport! Was kind of a hustle to make sure I got to the right place to catch the plane to Munich, but God was with me and gave me favor to do so.
Tuesday, 8/29/06 – On the flight to Moscow, i sat across the aisle from a young Armenian Christian, Ernest, who's about 27. We were an encouragement to one another, and The Lord blessed me to give him one of the new 'truth proclamation' CDs. Had a nice time visiting with Pastor Kevin Macken (thanks again!) and his family, and also with our Christian sister, Raya – glory to Yah!
Wednesday, 8/30/06 – Flew to Vladikavkaz/Bsln – Pastor Jambul met me at the airport, and had a nice time fellowshipping with him. Jambul and i went to the building and talked and ate... I'll be staying here, as the grandma i was supposed to saty with is still in the midst of remodeling.
Thursday, 8/31/06 – Went and visited Madina Tsabolova and family (she lost her ten year old brother, Marat, in the school massacre). The Lord blessed me to bring them some candy from the US, two 'I love Pittsburgh' bears, some pencils, postcards, two little maze games, and the CD – for all of which they were very thankful. Showed them photos of me and my family, and also colored with little Alana some. The whole family listened to parts of the CD, and heard the 'faith, hope, love' part in “have mercy, and comfort.” They also listened to at least the first verse and chorus of “truth.” Praise Yah! (It says, in both Ossetian and Russian, “The Lord didn't forget you; Jesus didn't forget you. He love you – Jesus loves you.”) Madina told me, 'The graveyard was really crowded this morning' – tomorrow marks the 2-year anniversary of the beginning of the hostage tragedy.
Went and visited the Mother's of Bsln – glory to God, it was a great time of visiting and they were extremely happy to see me; several hugs went around, and i praise God for the immense favor He's given me with them. Was able to give a 'Pittsburgh' creamer-mug, some postcards, candy, and my disc to them. Taisa (who lost a daughter in the attack) told me that her kids won't be starting school 'till maybe the 10th, and she'd go with them. (School's due to start the 1st throughout Russia, but I heard that here in Ossetia school'll be starting on the 5th as a sign of mourning.) There was Zalina Dzaparova who lost her closest and dearest brother in the attack. There was Zalina Guburova who was working in Israel at the time of the massacre, and lost her only child as well as her mother in the school; we exchanged greetings in Hebrew, and she said how all were asking about me. There was Madina's mom again, Zalina. There was Zina Tsarakhova, who lost her only son in the attack; she told me her young daughter (Vika) who survived the massacre is now studying in Moscow. There was Rita who lost her only daughter/child in the school. There was Teya's mom, who lost her little girl in the tragedy. I ate with them (after seriously trying to refuse several times on account of knowing i'd have to eat again soon!) and some of the journalists who were there. Afterwards, i went and visited with Mira, Byell, Babushka, Valya, Zalina, and Kristina (three families who have helped me so much in the past). Gave Babushka and family a CD, some candy, and other things.
Friday, 9/01/06 – The 2nd anniversary of the beginning of the terrorist attack here in Bsln. Went to School No. 1 early this morning... I saw Elza Plieva and her daughter Zalina and little son Artur. (Elza's older daughter, Alana, was killed in the massacre; Elza and Zalina were also in the gym, but were able to survive somehow – Zalina especially was at death's door, and it's a miracle that she survived.) We greeted each other, and she invited me to come with them into the gym. As we approached the side of the gym showing Alana's photo, Elza started crying; she lit a small candle, and placed it under Alana's picture. We stayed in the gym for around 10 or 15 minutes, and at one point in particular, she was really weeping heavily. I put my hands on her shoulders and just stood next to her... what else can one do? After we left the gym, Elza told me to drop by and visit sometime, and i said i would. I saw German and his daughter Leira, and we talked a little. (German's wife Fatima was in the tragedy with Leira and their son, Sasha; the children survived, but Fatima didn't.) i asked how Sasha was and German said he was okay and something like, 'He doesn't have to come here' or 'he mustn't come here.' i saw Victor as well (he lost his son Elbrus in the massacre). Several of the Totievs came, though Sergei didn't enter the gym. (The Totievs are the two Baptist pastors' families who lost a total of six children in the terror attack.) i went over to him to extend my sympathies, and i told him that many believers are praying for them, for which he thankd me. After the rest of the family left the gym, i greeted Byella (Sergei's wife) and Raya (Taimuraz's wife) as well. The Tsabolov family came, and I went over to greet them... Zalina was already crying; Alan asked me something like, 'How are you America?' or 'How are you my American friend?' I later saw the babushka, and told her we were mourning with them. I saw Madina (Dzaparova) and Nadyezhda (Badoyeva), both of whom survived the school massacre, and i talked with them a little; their uncle, Akhtemir, was killed by the terrorists. Inside the gym, there were many screams and wails of anguish... accompanied by a multitude of tears, and outside the gym as well. Rita (Rubayeva) was crying uncontrollably as she left the gym where her 14-year-old son Khasan was killed. I wanted to greet her and Zaur, but felt the time was not right to do so. Also saw Mrs. Gumetsova, and talked briefly with her.
Later went to visit at my old apartment building. On the way, i saw Kazik and Karina – chatted with them for a few minutes, and gave both of them copies of my CD. (One of Kazik's younger brothers was killed in the massacre.) Saw Alina sitting in the apartment's courtyard with her friend Byella – talked some with them (both survived the terrorist attack). Went with Alina and visited with her and her babushka. Gave them a CD and things. I was surprised... Alina seems like sort of a 'hardened' kid, but she had messaged me on my cell when she found out i was here, and she also called me when i was in Pittsburgh about a month ago. Thank You, LORD, for the favor that You've granted! While visiting with them, i heard several kids yelling 'Jason' outside. Alina decided to appease them and let them in... Artur and Mairbek (who lost his mom in the school and survived himself) were very happy to see me – praise God! Visited Mairbek and his family and gave them the CD (though i told Kristina i'd have to bring another for her specifically) as well as some gifts and the Italy-featured World Cup magazine for Mairbek. The LORD blessed us to have a really nice visit; praise be to Yah, Who would enable us to visit a little boy who this time two years ago was sitting in a packed gym along with his mom, facing almost certain death.
Saturday, 9/02/06 – Had a nice breakfast with Jambul's mom. The Lord blessed us to have a good talk, and it's evident how much she (and especially her husband) still carry the pain of a son of theirs being killed 5 years ago. Lord, show them your mercies and please comfort their hearts moment by moment. After, i went to School No.1 to walk through the gym (today was the second day of the hostage crisis, when two years ago to the day more than a thousand people were held captive there). On the way, i saw Alibek (who survived the attack, but lost his father there) and greeted him. While we were talking, Alan (Tsabolov, Madina's dad, who lost his son in the tragedy), was driving by and pulled into the apartment's driveway. He got out of the car, and came over and greeted me. I went to School No.
Sunday, 9/03/06 – Went to School No. 1 again this morning... this was the last day of the hostage nightmare just two years ago. When i was on the school grounds, i walked through the gym again. Some of the Bsln Moms from the Committee were sitting on a bench inside, and when i was close to them, i prayed and asked God for His help and wisdom – that He would cause them to see Jesus in me, and show me how to greet them. I mean, here i was, about to see ladies i knew – women who've lost precious loved ones in that terrible massacre just two years ago... and here they were, sitting in the very place where so many loved ones had been slaughtered. I prayed and waited a bit before going over to them, 'cos i felt so inadequate. But The Lord truly heard and answered, and it was very special. They were very happy to see me, and two stood up and we hugged – Zalina (Guburova), who lost her only child there as well as her mother – and Zalina (Dzaparova), who lost her brother in the attack. They invited me to sit with them, so i did. I also greeted Nadia (Badoyeva) and her mom. While i was sitting, Elza and Zalina Plieva came into the gym, and walked straight over to little Alana's photo... Alana, a pretty young girl girl who lost her life so tragically in the tragedy. Elza wept and cried aloud, spending quite some time there in front of her deceased daughter's picture. A bit later, while she was still there, The Lord blessed me to go over to her and put my hand on her shoulder, and we greeted each other. There were two drawings done by Aza (Gumetsova) that had recently been hung on the gym's wall close to her picture; Aza was a young girl who was killed in the school massacre. One drawing was of a girl missing an arm and a leg, with no face, and seemed to be labeled, 'Shmell' – what i believe was the name of the flamethrower that the Russian soldiers used. Below it, there was a drawing of a girl-angel, also having no face – it was drawn in the summer of 2004, the last summer she would see here in this life.
We had our church service today, and had a nice time of fellowshipping after as we sat and ate. I then left and was planning on visiting the Cattsayev family, but as i was on my way, i passed the Alikova house. (The grandma '38, mom – Alina '74, and the three young girls – Amina '94, Madina '98, and Elizabeta '00 were all in the school. Everyone but Alina, the mom, made it out alive.) Alan, the dad, was sitting outside with some friends, and when he saw me he invited me in to visit. I did, and wound up sitting at their table for Alina's memorial-offering meal; by God's grace, i didn't eat or drink anything (these meals are offered to the dead before the living partake). I sat there for a bit, and then went inside. Amina saw me and we greeted each other, and i gave a copy of my CD as well as a Pittsburgh postcard, some pencils, some maze games, and some puzzles. Later, i went back out and sat at the table for quite awhile. After some time, The LORD blessed me to be able to say something along these lines: 'i'm from America, and i just want to say that we didn't forget what happened here. We love you, and we mourn with you. And i know for sure that The Lord didn't forget you. Jesus loves you, & the Ossetian people are very precious in God's eyes...' Among others, Alan, his mom (babushka) and dad, and his brother Vadim were there. They thanked me, and one of the people said (if memory serves me correctly) something like they hoped i/the world never again see anything like what happened there. The man sitting next to me, Zhurik Alikova, also added something about what happened to them being worse than anything the US or other countries have felt, because of how small Bsln is and the nature of the attack. We all sat at the table for quite a good while, and a verbal argument began (by this time, the men in particular had been drinking quite much). Alan, who lost his wife (and almost his mom as well as three young daughters) in the school massacre said very clearly, 'I hate Muslims. I hate them.' Some were trying to say it was people who committed the evil, not Islam. Alan very passionately defended his hatred, saying, 'Tell me of one terrorist attack in the world that was not committed by Muslims. If anyone can tell me of one, I'll apologize.' Things went back and forth between some of them, and after awhile, Alan angrily got up from the table and walked away. In time, we all got up, and some of us went to the outer yard to talk. Zhurik talked with me, and The LORD opened a great opportunity to share with him. He pulled out the crucifix that he wears under his shirt, and then pulled his handgun out from behind his suit coat – he said, basically, 'I don't know what I really am - a believer, or a bandit.' He shared some of how he drank for three months straight after the massacre, having lost close loved ones. I told him that Jesus can give him hope, and he said, 'I don't have hope.' i assured him that Jesus loved him and has the power to change his life if he comes to Him; Zhurik honestly said, 'I can't come to Him... I don't really believe.' i replied that the most important thing in God's eyes is honesty. Zhurik should be honest with God about his doubts, praying, 'I want to come to You, but I don't believe in You.' Zhurik seemed shocked, but that answer must have really hit home with him. I shared some of my testimony, how i hated other races (and even many of my own) before i believed in Jesus, but that God has changed my heart – and that Jesus has given me true love for the Ossetian people. I told him how i changed when i started to read The Bible for myself. Zhurik said, 'I've read The Bible, but I don't believe It.' i again reiterated that God wants our honesty, and Zhurik shared something amazing with me. Here sat a 44-year-old, broken man who's seen so much pain in his life, and he said, 'If you really have the truth – the truth – I'll be with you constantly. But it must be the truth.' He wanted my cell phone number, and also gave me his as well as his home number (in Vladikavkaz). He is some sort of boss in a taxi drivers' guild, and is a driver himself. He told me that if I'm really doing the good I'm talking about, he'd drive me places for free. May The Lord continue working in Zhurik's heart! Please pray for him – that opportunity was one of the rarest ones I've ever had with anybody. Zhurik appears to be a man so hurt by everything that he is just desperate for the truth. (Would to God that we all were.) May The Lord Almighty show him that His Son is Truth indeed. Later, we all went back inside and talked. When several of the adults learned i was here teaching English for free, they were very interested in their kids coming – Amina and Madina also said they'd like to. it was all-in-all a time tremendously blessed by our Great and Faithful God. All praise and glory be to Him!
Look unto Jesus, and away from everything else,
jason
jalazone7@yahoo.com
|
|
|
