Car tires have cut two deep ruts through the snow on this narrow street where we walk in Volchansk, Russia. Twin streams of water rush down the ruts toward the roadside drains that are still clogged with snow.
The smell of burning coal hangs sharply in the air, and here and there in the yards we see piles of chunky coal waiting for somebody’s sledgehammer. Some of it has spilled out onto the narrow street.
The coal mine in town is to close soon, and this will put most of the people out of work. Already the pensioners have taken up all the part-time work since none can afford to live on just a pension. And soon the train service will be cut to this northern town, and the four schools will be combined into two in order to cut costs. Problems, pressures — sounds like a lot of other places we’re reading about where I live in Canada.
We are staying in a nice apartment in a tired and beaten-up old apartment building. The tomato plants on the windowsill are soaking up the Siberian April sun, warmer every day. They will soon be transplanted into the garden that sits a mile outside of town.
Here everybody talks about his or her gardens: “Got to get out there soon, if this snow ever melts.” Of course, the gardens are a vital necessity. Today the retired doctor tells us over a lovely supper, “All these things are from my garden, except for the chicken,” which explains why so little meat is eaten here.
We read the Bible with the believers this week and try to encourage their tired souls. God’s grace, mercy and His peace all come without a price tag, we remind them. Money can’t buy the forgiveness He brings, and what a soft pillow it is to the conscience.
They nod their heads. They understand. In this cold and rigorous Siberian northland, they are joyful and happy though wrapped up in relentless difficulties. Their source of joy is not in self or “things.” They have found the words of Jesus to be true: “Whosoever [drinks] of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life” (John 4:1414But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life. (John 4:14)).
Thank God for the peace that there is in our Lord Jesus. In Him we have hope, we have meaning, and we have direction. Have you ever thirsted for these things?
John 4 is a very interesting chapter. It tells the story of a woman who was tired of plodding the dusty and winding roads of a dissatisfied life. You would enjoy reading the rest of it — if you’re thirsty. I hope you are.