The Impact Of The Word

by HJS

Genya Gvozdenko lived in the Russian village of Chuguyevka where he taught school and spent his spare time working in his garden. Shortly after Perestroika began to change the face of Communism, Genya went to market one day to find a salesman with Bibles. Although he had heard about the bible, he had never seen or held one. Curiously he picked up the book and leafed through it.

Seeing that he was interested in it, the unknown missionary who had set up a display agreed to let the schoolteacher take it home and return it the next day. Genya showed the book to his wife, then sat down and started reading. He read all night, and by the time daylight pierced the eastern sky, the light of God's love had penetrated his heart. He decided then that he wanted to know more about God.

Returning the book, Genya asked where he could learn more about this book and the God who says He loves us. The missionary told him about a fledgling new Christian school in Donetsk, Ukraine, some thirty kilometers west of the Russian border.

Making the decision to go to the school, Genya gave up his job, sold his cow, and bought train tickets for the long journey that took eight days and nights. Finally, arriving in Donetsk, he made his way to the school that had not expected the schoolteacher and his family. Three years later, Genya and Lena have returned to the village from whence they came and have planted an evangelical church.

For the Word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.   HEBREWS 4:12