The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
William Wood Writes Home On Mission
Trip In Russia
Dear Saints,
When arriving back to Russia in January 2003, for some reason Russia was only giving out 3 month visas. I had to renew mine.
I decided to go to Daugavpils Latvia, its located very close to the Russian border and as you know you must leave Russia (RU) to do this. I went there by bus to keep the cost down.
I was there one time with Sergey to see his grandmother, a very pleasant RU Lady. However, this was a long time ago and this time I'm alone. Before, we were there a short time, a 2 day stay.
When the bus stopped , I had no idea where the RU Embassy was but I had plenty of time as it was 6 AM and Thank God because my very poor Russian was getting me nowhere, but after 2 hours God lead me to it.
By 12:00 I had everything done. Now a 3 day wait for them to approve and to make the new VISA. The cost was more than I had thought. I had $40.00 left. I checked for Hotel, but all price range was $30 per night and up. Although I have been praying this whole time, prayers were more tense, and I needed to buy my return bus ticket , so I did this first.
The best I could, I asked this Lady who sold the bus ticket if she knew a very cheep place to stay. She was so kind ( Thank You Lord) she called 3 places, but they were full. She said wait, and called a friend. She was given a # and called. She they had a room but it was in a town some distance away.
Oh well, I have 3 days. She wrote the address in RU so I could give it to a taxi driver. I thanked her and God and off to find a taxi. At first he did not know this place and asked another driver and he told him. We agreed on the price and left the city and now was driving on a road along a forest and no other cars. I thought, Lord is this my end, does he think I have money and is planning something? Well after living here you do try to learn to trust God.
Well we had come to some village, for the most part, old one story wooden homes made up of whatever. You could see several dug wells and stacks of firewood, then still like in a small forest we ran out of road and the driver is going around trees trying to make his own and then we had come to a fence and there was a 3 story Hotel.
WOW ! Was my first thought, I walked in and was met by a tall blond RU Lady. She was very kind , the price was good $27. for 3 days and praise the Lord they even had hot water to shower with.
Because of its location and very little activity, the night was so quiet. It was a very peaceful good night's sleep.
The next morning as I was coming down the steps I met this Lady again and with a pleasant smile. We both said good morning. I brought only a couple of Bibles and had already gave them out, but I had 3 Gospel Bracelets with the RU explanation that Josh McDowell had given Dr.Bill and he in return gave me a few. So I gave her one. I then went for a long walk and had a good prayer time.
Later this night, I came down and was going to order a light evening meal. This Lady came to me with a glow and was telling me she read the booklet and then she held her hands in a prayer and was telling me she had prayed the sinners Prayer. She kept thanking me and I'm pointing up to the One we truly need to thank.
God is something, here. I'm in a village or very small town, don't even know the name, I don't even know this Lady's name and without a translator, and yet God uses a bracelet with a short Gospel explanation to win this soul. Isn't God GREAT !!!!!
The time came when I turned in a key to the room and there stood an elderly woman who twice cooked a lovely meal for me.
I also gave her a bracelet with explanation and she reached to give me a hug as I could see tears. I gave a small kiss on her cheek, (elderly Lady). She was so grateful to get this. I truly think the other Lady told her about the one I gave her. I'm soooooooooooo Thankful to God he used me even without a voice.
Well I just returned to Moscow today and wanted to share Gods Power ( H. P. ) in action. And to share how some of your prayers are being answered.
Love and Prayers
William Wood
(hometown Gladstone)
Suspension of "Treasures For Troops" - Thanks!!
The Western Illinois Chapter of the American Red Cross, in service to Knox, Warren and Henderson Counties, would like to congratulate and thank the Western Illinois community for the overwhelming response to the "Treasure for Troops" quality of life program, which collected many hundreds of pounds of home-comfort items to be shipped to American military stationed overseas.
Word has been received from the national American Red Cross that over four months' worth of comfort items are already on the way to the troops and we have been asked to suspend our appeal for more items for the time being.
Events which have already been planned may continue and items already collected will be sent, but for this point on, we are requesting the area residents who wish to give needed assistance to American military abroad to channel their energy into other needed areas:
Our ability to help is based upon the blood being available.
Shipments will come from blood already in our inventory.
In brief - "Treasures for Troops" is suspended. Everything already collected will be sent.
Please don't plan new collections. Help fund local assistance to military members and their families through the American Red Cross service programs.
Support your local community outreach with volunteer work and money. GIVE BLOOD. Everything you can do is appreciated.