FOCUS
In the early 1980’s, we began to focus on Eastern Europe and Russia. Since Russia was closed to traditional missionaries in the 1980’s, we went to Oregon where thousands of Russians had emigrated. We met recent emigrants as well as those who had been in America for 25 years and still spoke only Russian.
Drinking tea was a key ministry for Jon at that time. By sharing the Word and hearing their stories, language skills and cultural understanding increased. We also helped out in a new church plant in the city of Salem which increased our understanding of pastoring and church planting.
Moving to Europe in 1986, we spent the next four years living in the Netherlands and Austria, ministering in and out of Russia, Czechoslovakia, Yugoslavia, and Poland. We did underground evangelism, taught seminars, and brought Christian literature to believers. We also organized and facilitated many ministry teams at that time.
To minister in Russia at that time meant we needed to master some new skills. We learned to memorize names, addresses, and maps and then destroy the information. We hid our cars in barns during secret retreats. We wrote and talked in code. Mission Impossible stuff!
We also discovered how to conceal Bibles and Christian literature to give to believers. On one trip I had gospel portions taped to my body. At the Customs in Moscow, the tape broke. I had an instant “pot-belly” full of literature! We are grateful that the official only noticed a somewhat heavier foreigner.
RUSSIA OPENS!
Suddenly, Eastern Europe and Russia went from being closed countries to wide open! It happened so fast, we were like those who were dreaming. We were living in Austria when this change in the “Iron Curtain” was taking place. When we were able, we packed our van, shipped the rest of our things to Russia, and moved to Moscow.
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