Whilst here in Russia, Cynthia relates herself most closely to Jonah from the Bible. She felt God had been calling her to Russia for three times in the last few years yet she ignored the call because she thought she was not ready. After the third prompting, she realized that she is getting older and eventually she must take that step in obedience.
Russia is not a place she thought she could get used to and when I first talked to Cynthia, she was still very skeptical about Russia. She found it much too challenging to live here but in the last month before leaving Russia, her views changed completely. Though living conditions are still the same she realised that living here with the team and with Jesus was like being in heaven on earth.
Cynthia was only in Russia for 3 months but she made a huge impact on the Russians, the team and myself. She may be much older than most of us in the team but through her, God showed me that neither race, culture nor age matters in His kingdom. He uses all that belongs to Him and all that would respond to His call.
Genesis 12:1-4
The Lord had said to Abram, “Leave your native country, your relatives, and your father’s family, and go to the land that I will show you. I will make you into a great nation. I will bless you and make you famous, and you will be a blessing to others. I will bless those who bless you and curse those who treat you with contempt. All the families on earth will be blessed through you.”So Abram departed as the Lord had instructed, and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he left Haran.
- Andre Azis