Our Adventure Upon Returning to Russia

I have been asked to put down in writing our little adventure. We learned so much during this time. I hope that it will encourage many of you and that you will not feel sorry for us but that you will praise God for how He works in our little lives in every situation.
On Thursday, Aug. 26, we, as a family, began our trip back to Russia. Our first flight from Huntsville to Washington is about 2 hours and then we usually leave Washington around 10 at night. That flight is about 8 hours, but there is a little relief in that we stay in Frankfurt in a day room and we usually sleep very soundly for at least 6 hours. The last leg of the trip is only about 4 hours, but we arrive in Samara at about 4 in the morning.
Upon landing, I glanced over at the Samara sign on the airport and let a tear form in my eye because I wasn’t quite ready to be back. The next few hours would change my heart drastically. Everything seemed to be going very smoothly and I almost voiced that to Jonathan when our border patrol lady started taking longer than usual. She mentioned that my Visa didn’t match my Passport. I had renewed it during the Summer because it would expire during the winter. Jonathan remembered that he had brought the old one, and he pulled it out. I was amazed that he had actually brought it. We thought everything would be fine, but she kept asking her authorities questions. They had us sit in a room off to the side, so that they could let every one else through. They brought a translator in so they could tell us plainly what was happening.
All this time, our friends Jon and Natalie Rehurek who had also been on the plane with us were waiting for us to come through. We were able to motion to them that we were having problems. When the translator came she explained that because I had gotten a new Passport, even though my Visa was still valid, my old Passport had been invalidated with the issuance of my new Passport. Thus, I could not come into Russia, since the Visa and Passport didn’t match up. She said that I would be on the next plane out at 9 AM. There was nothing we could do.
I couldn’t tell the children, so I had Jonathan do it. We both still believed that we could work this out before I got on the next plane out. We even told the children that I would at least be back by the next morning. After this, though we were able to talk with the Rehureks and they mentioned that I would not be able to clear this up quickly. It started to sink in that I wouldn’t be going home with my family, so I pulled out a change of clothes that I had in my bag. I then had to hand Miriam off to Natalie and kiss all the boys goodbye.
The police came escorted me back to the waiting gate for the plane. We had to go through a large crowd who were waiting for the next plane and I almost felt like a criminal. All I didn’t have on were my handcuffs! The police told me to wait in the room and they left with all my documents. For 3 hours I simply waited, but when the man who had taken my Passport didn’t come back, I asked someone about what was happening. The word that kept being mentioned was “deported”. The Russian word sounds almost the same as the English.
This whole time I had tried to call Jonathan, but my cell phone wasn’t working so I had no idea if he was able to get anything done so that I didn’t have to get on the plane. Finally, someone came and gave me back my documents and asked if I wanted to go to Frankfurt or on to Washington. I told them Washington and so when the plane boarded, I was on it. This would at least give Jonathan some time to work with the University, so that I might not have to go all the way back to the States, but it also gave me the option of going all the way back to the States, in case I needed to do that. There were so many questions going through my head, but all I could do was pray and trust God that He already had it worked out. Getting back on that plane was one of the hardest things I have ever had to do. I am not very fond of planes and to be away from the rest of my family at the same time, was heart-wrenching. I really couldn’t stop crying, but this verse kept going through my mind: “God orders my steps.” (Proverbs 20:24) I couldn’t believe this was happening! For a moment I was with my family and then the next, I was traveling thousands of miles away from them and it was completely out of my control. But no matter how “up in the air” my plans, or lack thereof felt, I still kept coming back to the fact that God was in control of everything that was happening and not only that, but that He had also planned it. One of the greatest comforts to me during this time was that God is sovereign. He is not only completely sovereign of the big things, but even the little situations we find ourselves in. So, since God is sovereign, He knows what is happening and will happen and since He is in control of everything and I am not, then I needed to be praying for wisdom and comfort as well. I began to pray that God would give me wisdom in every situation and every decision I would have to make. Once I began to pray, I stopped worrying about what was happening or what might happen.
When I got to the airport, I tried to call Jonathan, but of course, I had to buy a calling card first. I called him and he gave me the number of the Russian embassy there in Frankfurt for me to call. I did call, but no one answered. After all, it was Saturday afternoon. I talked with a border patrol for the States and he encouraged me to go on to Washington and take care of things. I realized if I stayed in Frankfurt, I might still have to go all the way back to the States, and I wouldn’t want to have to buy another ticket then. So, crying, I got on the plane to the States. All of the above took place during about 30 minutes. All of these decisions were very difficult to make, but since I had prayed for God’s wisdom, I did not worry or even doubt. I knew that God was helping make the best choice and I simply prayed, made the decision and then went on in confidence that I was in God’s will. When I did get on the plane, I sunk into my seat, determined to trust God and just rest. I enjoyed talking with the lady sitting next to me, not only about my situation, but also about the Gospel. I watched a few movies, rested, cried a little, and prayed.
One way that God used this time was by allowing me time and opportunity to witness. Since I was alone, I was able to talk with many different people and since many of them asked about me and what was going on in my life, I was able to share what was happening and then point directly to Christ and how I was trusting Him not only in this situation, but in every situation in life. I am thankful for this time of undivided attention, so that I could proclaim Christ in a way I hadn’t been able to do for so long.
Upon arriving in Washington, I realized that it would be best to stay for the weekend. It really was a blessing that I flew into Washington. On Monday I could go to the Russian embassy that was not too far away, and hopefully have everything worked out, and from there, fly back to Russia. I was able to get a decently priced hotel that had a shuttle not only to the airport, but also to a shopping center. I would be able to buy some much needed necessities, since I was not able to bring any of those back with me.
That night I made it to Target and I bought a phone, so that I could at least call my Mom and the shuttle and not have to find a Pay Phone. You never realize how important and helpful little things like a phone are, until you don’t have them (and also how scant Pay Phones are these days, but I won’t go into that).
The next day was Sunday, and since I had to wait til Monday to go to the Embassy, I planned on visiting Washington, D.C. for the day. I had never been to Washington, and so I had a wonderful day! At one point, I was walking through the Smithsonian Garden and thought about how, when we had flown through Washington on the way to Russia, I had mentioned to Jonathan that I would love to visit D.C., but realized it would have to be when the boys were bigger. I just paused and smiled to myself. I could almost hear God laughing with me. Here I was, right where I had wanted to be, though I would have never asked for these circumstances. Just the same, God had given me a gift and I really did enjoy that time.
Monday came and after some lengthy transit time, I was told by the Russian Embassy that I would have to go through the whole process again. Moments later, I called Jonathan in tears, but he said that he would start the process again with the University. I would have to receive a Letter of Invitation from the University and have it sent to the Embassy in Washington. There they would make me a new Visa. This was going to take a week, at least. I decided to go stay with my parents in Atlanta.
While in Atlanta, we realized that I was going to be there for a few weeks. I have to say that I had a wonderful time with my family. We joked with Mom about my being there and her prayer life. We kidded her that she had very effective prayers, since she prayed to God to let her spend a little more time with her children, and it happened. I enjoyed great time with my parents, my sisters and brothers and niece and even got to meet my sister in law in Savannah. My time in Savannah was another one of those thoughts I had had earlier in the summer. I had told Jonathan that I would love to able to travel to Savannah and meet my sister in law and spend some time there, since I grew up in that area. This also was yet another gift from God.
I really enjoyed being “home” again, but there was a tugging at my heart. I missed my family in Russia. I missed my family so much. I thought about the “what if’s,” like, “What if I never see them again or never have any influence over their lives again?” One blessing that we enjoyed was video chats on Skype. We were all able to see each other and talk every day. I missed them, but I also started missing Russia. I have struggled for two years to try and be content where God has placed me. I tried in vain to be content until this summer. It became obvious to me that wherever my family was, that was my home. This time away from my family and Russia changed everything for me. The other missionaries have told their stories about when Russia became their home and I would say to myself, “that will never happen to me.” But, now I have my own story. This adventure changed my heart. I started to miss Russia. I couldn’t wait to get back!
On Aug. 20th, I started my journey back and arrived at 4:30 in the morning on the 22nd. Jonathan was there waiting with a dozen roses and a huge smile. It felt so good to be back together again. I was definitely not made to be single. I am always the most myself when I am with Jonathan. We arrived at the apartment and it was so early the children were still sleeping. We couldn’t wait, so Jonathan woke them all up and I held them all again. We were together again. Almost every prayer since then has contained the phrase, “Thank You God that we are all together again” or “Thank You that Mommy is back.” Life is pretty normal again. We have school in the morning, and try to make it outside in the afternoon. Jonathan is gone during the week, but we spend the whole weekend together. I am very thankful that God has taught me how to be content with where He has placed us.
Let me not forget to mention that I have the most wonderful husband anyone could ever have. He took care of the children, even through jetlag, for almost a month while I was away. Jonathan never once complained. He told me at the beginning that he didn’t know how I did it, and that he had a better appreciation for me. I told him that what he was doing was much harder than what I ever did. He was doing everything that I did on top of everything that he was supposed to do. He started teaching his class the week after he arrived back in Samara. He did have some help and we are very thankful for all of those who helped us out so much. So, I am very thankful for a wonderfully, loving and gifted husband. And I am very thankful to be back together again ministering together where God has placed us both.