The Russians experience

We were so amazed to see how faithful God is and to​ be eye-witnesses of His redeeming work in us and in those we serve.

Our time in Austria flew by too quickly. We were constantly busy helping at the Oasis as well as doing two kids' camps for Chechen refugee children. We were amazed at God's love toward the refugees as we saw how much He loves them and how He uses everything and everybody to bless and to show Himself.

Some of us felt like the small boy in the story of Jesus feeding the 5000 people.

There were so many people - 5000 men as well as women and children – so the need for something to eat was enormous and resources were very limited. There was a small boy with JUST 5 loaves of bread and 2 small fish. But Jesus came in and multiplied them, and EVERYONE was feed.

We felt the same - the pain, need and dem​and were so big. Our hearts were broken for the refugees we met at the Oasis and at the Pension. What do we have? What can we offer? How can we meet so many need​s?

So like the small boy, we simply used our "5 loaves of bread and 2 small fish":

• We had a kids’ program based on the movie and the book, "The Chronicles of Narnia," which was created by a Russian woman in Elga, Sochi (Russia), and Yanna and Irina led 9 lessons, where they were able to communicate Biblical truths in a way that wasn’t a threat to the kids and their parents who are Muslims. We then did a 4-day kids’ program, which included many games, discussions, skits and crafts. Our team, Yanna, Natasha, Anya, Ilyas and Egor, had many wonderful experiences as they worked with the refugee kids.
• We all speak Russian, so we could talk to Russian-speaking refugees and show them our respect and that we cared about them.
• Natasha could sing a bit and Ilyas could play guitar, so they were able to bless people during the Oasis Wednesday Evening Program.
• Yanna has a special calling and love for the Chechen people, so she had liberating words from God for the women whom she shared with at the Oasis Friday Women’s Program, where 95% of the women who came were from Chechnya. Natasha also shared several songs with the women during this evening for women.
• Ilyas can do Chechen folk dancing - Lezginka. This “little thing” he had to offer turned out encouraging a whole group of refugees at a picnic which people who work in Altenmarkt put on and invited us to.

So we had​ little to offer, but ​we ​were willing to give what we had​. We were so blessed to be a part of the faithful work of the Oasis. We learned a lot about people and their pain and were built up by the Oasis team and by God's love.

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A​ll of us ​are not the same ​as ​we were before we came!

Blessings and may God use​ the "little things" in your life to make Him great!

​The ​Russian Team,

August 1- 20, 2013