Bria's Blogie

A Letter from a Stranger

My Bible study hosts wrote an introduction to the Bible type book around 10 years ago. They serve as missionaries in the summers in Russia and so had the book translated into Russian years ago and still get letters from people in Russia who have read their book. This one they received about 2 weeks ago. It is a bit long, but if you are patient and read through the end you will be rewarded. Oh, and the English in this is not very good so I will try to interpret what the study group felt he was trying to say.

"From: Sergey of the Siberian Tribe, Hakas, A Son of God

November 22, 2006

Dear Brother and Sister,

Greetings in the name of Jesus from Russia. I read your book and want to thank you for it. I've read many books and many words but the truth in the words is scarce. Your book is short but full of truth.

I am nothing. I was born in obscure little village is Siberia in which life is much the same as it was in the stone age. When I was a small boy, a Communist teacher threw me out of school because they said I was stupid, so please excuse my grammar; no one taught me English. [His English is absolutely amazing if he really and truly was never formally taught!]

I am a born again Christian. Many people say that they are born again Christians, but really aren't. I don't like that. Back when the Communist ruled Russia, I was drowning in a river in the forest and called out, "Lord, if you're real, save me!" God saved me and I started speaking tongues. I was alone in the forest; no pastor, no Bible, no church meeting, but I understood this to be my own miracle. I understood that I must not live, but must die because of my sins. I also understood that somebody--Jesus-- paid for my sins so I wouldn't have to die. After that I became spiritually hungry. I started to read a Communist magazine which had an atheistic message, but I knew that was wrong. The magazine said Jesus was a lier; I knew better.

After Perestojka [I'm not sure what this is, but I know it is a significant historical occurrence in Russia] some Germans sent some New Testaments and I read and read. Lately, many missionaries have come here but the majority are liers in my opinion because they separate the body of Christ. I asked them, "Why do you not love each other? All who believe in Christ are brothers and sisters." You [my study hosts] are very when you said, "Church isn't a [country] club." If you really believe this, then you and I agree. The majority attend church like a club. That isn't real faith.

I know that since I died with the Lord, I will rise again. I know my flesh isn't good, but if I am in Jesus I am under protection. But if I am in Christ then I don't have my own life because I am a dead man; is that right? I must fulfill the commandment of God: to love one another. Many churches say that I should attend their church, but God told me that I shouldn't join because they are servants of the devil so he can separate Christians and hell awaits them. A holy life in Jesus should make us come together; this in not my opinion, this is right. (See 2 Timothy [1:7, I think is what he is referring to].

[I am not sure what he means by this paragraph really.] Later [2 Timothy 1:15] Paul says, "All in Asia have turned away from the truth" looking for their own life and after that seven churches of Asia perish. Revelation warned them. Look how many people will not be saved! Horrible! For example, when I was in Beslan the following happened. A few pastors were speaking. One said, "From my church no one will die." Another said, "Only 2 children from my church will." Why are they not afraid for those that will die? Why not gather together and pray for their salvation?

A few days ago, a pastor's children blamed me for stealing the pastor's wallet and so the pastor filed a complaint; the kids lied. After he found out they lied, the pastor took back the official complaint but didn't tell me he was sorry. He is rich; I am homeless. I came to him to ask to stay in the church building out of the cold, but he wouldn't let me because he is still suspicous of me after what his kids said.

I am very poor. I have no home or food. I travel like a nomad, but I am happy because I am only traveling through this world; it is not my home. One day about a year ago, I thought I was going to die outside in the winter from the cold and hunger on the road and so I prepared myself to die. But God wouldn't let me die, so He sent a car which took me to an airport to warm up and get some food.

I am 48. I've never had a family--no wife, no children; therefore, no one would miss me if I did die. Everyday of my life on earth is suffering for me. I look Mongolian so all Russians persecute me and won't give me work. [I looked up the tribe Sergey says he's from and they are of Mongolian decent.] I don't have any teeth, so I can't chew hard food. All the suffering is the way of the Lord. I don't have any warm clothes, but I have the garment of righteousness from Jesus.

You don't understand me because your life is not like mine. I would guess that you are happy in this life. Please write back to me. Why are some people like me and some like you? You have a family. You have many things: house, cars, etc. But do you have love? Do you have a passion for the body of Christ? Have you done something to further Christian unity, not only spiritually, but physically too? Do you hate yourself? Do you hate your family? Do you hate me?

I already know that you will never respond to me because you prefer to ignore failures like me who try to teach you something. But I like you and that's why I wrote this letter. Writing this letter cost me two days of hunger.

Goodbye and God bless you!

Sergey, a stranger."

This spoke directly to me and I hope it does you too.