good & pure
The odd tang of the smoky, hand rolled, mediocre cigarettes clinging to dank cement walls has a Soviet Era aura that is always present in these many stairwells without elevators. Narrow, with mustard or army green paint dulling the effect of low wattage bulbs completes the effect. Non functional door bells, warped doors, cramped kitchens that blow fuses are predictable interior expectations of each apartment. But these flavors fade away when we get to the fourth floor and exchange street shoes for slippers. Natalya lifts the couch and gets out the dishes from the storage compartment underneath. Maria puts on water for the ever present noodles. I put a flame under the borsht we made ahead and brought with us. Dimitri puts away his guitar. As new folks arrive they call on their cell phones to be let in, as the doorbell is off duty. Soon we're pulled in around the assortment of dishes everyone brought for our evening meal after church.
Thankfully, the two men who followed the girls to church didn't join us. They excused themselves punctually to run home to break their Ramadan fast. Since church is an informal gathering in the hallway of an old monastery, these guys didn't quite get the fact that we had a leader, and were gathered to hear the Word of God. Every few sentences they interrupted to inform us that it was good that what we were saying lined up with the Koran. They were glad to be able to gather with people who were as good as they were. When various ones shared their testimonies of salvation, they congratulated them with a welcome to the fellowship of those who are good. "You see, our parents raised us to be good. We are good. It is so wonderful that you are good too now." When we went around the circle praying for each other's needs, people were vulnerable and honest. These men prayed that the world would soon be filled with people as good as they are. Such a picture of tax collector in the temple!
But what they didn't say with their mouths was obvious in their conduct. Yes, they have submitted the front lobes of their brains to Allah. But the animal instincts can and never should be tamed. So they need sex. Thus they followed the girls to church. This is quite natural in their minds. Islam is the religion of the natural man. It gives provision for his natural release with rules that allow him to pay a bride price for a girl, and then go on his merry way, having satisfied his lusts. Since the local papers regularly explain that churches have orgies and offer prostitution, these men came in ignorance. They were waiting for that part in the service when they could have what they came for. They put money in the offering, but the time for prostitution never came.
Although we were all gentle and patient with them, meeting them where they were and seeking to show them kindness, we also made it clear that we were there to worship God, and that our salvation comes from Christ alone. We can only trust that the prayers lifted for them will penetrate their veneer and bring redemption from the disgustingly filthy rags they live in.
Over supper we were able to talk with the girls. They are new to this country, and have had a very hard week. Every day, no matter where they go, they get a constant barrage of men and boys coming up to them, asking them how much they cost. When the girls turn down their approaches, the men let loose a string of foulness. These young women are finding it hard to hold up under a steady stream of such contempt and cursing. Another tactic these men try is to reach to shake their hands and then turn the palm up and start to read their fortune. Of course the fortune includes these men, and it is hard to pull your hand away from a strong grip. Or the men simply stoop to immediate fawning. Our girls are constantly fleeing and on guard, but so weary of this animal behavior.
These young women are university students; they are here as short term missionaries from a church in Ukraine. This was a part of their education they could have done without. But reality has to be faced. Although this nation preports to have a secular state, every week there are more women clothed head to foot in the Muslim garb. It is evident that by doing so, they are giving such men a clear message: I am not available to you on the street. But by doing so they are also make more vulnerable those women who choose to maintain their non-Muslim status by not covering. The men have been educated to view the female as a commodity. You take what you want, pay for it, use it, and dispose of it. Once you have enough money, you get a wife, but she is for having children. Then you get more money and have a mistress. She is your toy. She needs to be blond and sexy - not only for yourself, but also to show off to other men. She is your status symbol. And both women need to be submissive and beaten regularly to keep them in line.
After supper we gathered around our girls. Some are on short term teams, some live here full time. All are heavy laden and weary. We annointed them with oil and clothed them in the armor of God. In prayer we protected them, cleansed them, and refreshed them. It was beautful to see His refreshing come. Thus they went out into the night in the power and might of the Lord.
Our battle is not against flesh and blood, but against the principalities which rule the minds of these people. As we went home, the mosques were strung with lit up phrases like "I praise thee, oh Islam, religion of the pure." It is evident that we mean two different things when we say "pure", "good", or "holy". But the awesome Truth is that as we battle against the principality that holds these lost souls captive, many are seeing Jesus in dreams and visions and coming to realize that in seeking Truth, they find Him. Such men come to church hungry and know they are far from good; such men can be cleansed, and become pillars in the local church who know that no goodness abides in them, but that our Saviour's blood cleanses them and makes them whole. Such men and women ARE coming forward, halleluya. Maybe the two men who came today will have dreams of our Lord tonight.