The truck plodded down the road, obviously in need of repair. Some of the sailors grumbled at this long and tiresome assignment. But not Pyotr. He considered it a gift from God each time he was chosen to drive into Leningrad from his naval base far north of the city. Whenever Pyotr drove a truck or bus in for repairs, he had a chance to go to a gospel service.
Expectancy surged within him as he thought of the service tonight. His family would be there... his special Christian family.
As usual, the room was packed. The service, though typically long, was far too short for Pyotr. Tomorrow he would head back for his base—a Christian, alone.
Pyotr, a young Christian sailor, was originally stationed in the Ukraine where there were plenty of places to go to a service. And every time he went he got “charged up,” as he called it, to glorify God. With his vibrant voice, his poetry, and his bold witness, Pyotr loved to sing and give out the gospel to anyone who would listen.
“What are we going to do with this Christian fanatic?” his naval superiors asked each other. “We’ll cut him off from his services and those Christian friends of his,” they reasoned. “Maybe that will kill his enthusiasm for those silly religious beliefs.” So they transferred Pyotr to a lonely base in northern U.S.S.R.
At the naval base, Pyotr prayed with all his heart that God would give him two things: fellowship with other Christians and a complete Bible. All he had was a Gospel of John.
Pyotr’s prayer for fellowship was answered each time he came rattling into Leningrad with a truck or bus.
And his second prayer was answered on this special day.
After the service a young man about Pyotr’s age greeted him warmly. He was a brother in Christ visiting from the West. To Pyotr’s surprise, the young man said, “I can bring you a Bible. Maybe tomorrow?”
“A Bible!” exclaimed Pyotr. “I’ve been praying for a Bible. I don’t want to wait until tomorrow. I’m going with you to your hotel right now. I want that Bible today!”
Soon Pyotr was holding a commentary on the Gospel of John, a book of poems and short meditations, and a new Bible. He nearly burst with thankfulness.
“But what can I give you?” he asked.
“Please Pyotr, nothing,” said the young man. “These books are gifts.”
But Pyotr wanted so badly to show his gratitude. He looked down at his navy T-shirt. No, he couldn’t give that away. The offers would ask about it back at the base. But then, what did that really matter? Pyotr pulled off his shirt and gave it to his new Christian brother from the West.
A navy T-shirt for a Bible... an equal exchange? It was the best Pyotr could give to express his thanks for the miracle of God’s Word-a Friend to comfort him on the base.
ML-10/14/1979