Marvelous Are the Ways of the Lord

“On the morrow, as they went on their journey, and drew nigh unto the city, Peter went up upon the housetop to pray about the sixth hour.” Acts 10:9.

Wherever I am my thoughts are in the Lord’s work. My heart desires new experiences with my Saviour! I want to be an instrument in the hand of the Lord to lead souls that are seeking for truth to the narrow way which leads to our eternal home.

That morning, May 16, 2004 I was leaving on a mission trip to Sweden and Norway. On the ship, I went to sit down in the lounge and I was glad that there was an electric outlet to plug in my computer, because my plan was to continue my writing on the computer.

As the ship was leaving I started to write. The sea was calm and the ship moved slowly between the islands, heading towards the open sea. The beautiful sunshine made me glad, and reminded me again of the great mercy and love that God has towards us.

I would like to tell you, dear Brothers and Sisters, what I have experienced in my mission trips lately, and also what I will experience on this trip. My prayer is that the Lord may bless also this mission trip.

It was the 23rd of April as I went to Estonia. There we had a blessed conference. Sabbath evening I had an opportunity to talk with an interested soul. Next morning I had a chance to talk with another soul who then bought almost all of the Sister White books that we had in the mission house. He wants to read and study more to find the truth. In the evening of the same day we had a blessed meeting with a group who live far from Tallinn. Two days later, we went to the southern part of Estonia, where we had communion service with the members of the church.
Early Friday morning, I wanted to take a bus to continue my journey to Latvia, because the car belonging to the church had broken down, and we were not able to repair it.

I had been praying for my mission trip, which included also Lithuania after I had completed my work in Latvia.
I was surprised that the bus which I wanted to take did not stop at the bus stop, so I was stuck in Estonia. I was wondering why the Lord permitted this to happen since for several days I had been praying that this trip would be successful. But then I was also sure that the Lord must have some other plan for me. Then I decided to try to get a lift on one of the passing cars. On the way that leads from Vöru to Valga, were very few cars passing, and I prayed for God’s help that someone would give me a lift.

Soon one car stopped and gave me a lift, but only for 10 km. as I left I gave the driver a pamphlet on Events of the Future. Soon after another car gave me a lift for another 7 km and I gave him the pamphlet also. Then I found a bus stop but I was told that the next bus would not come until 3:30 p.m.

The time was passing quickly and I was wondering if I would be able to make it to my destination in time. The whole distance that I was traveling was about 500 km. I continued my journey on foot, because hardly any cars were passing by. I was hoping that in the next village or on some intersection a car would come and give me a ride. I walked many kilometers and I was thinking how Jesus walked long distances as He took the glad tidings of salvation to the people, who were lost in sins.

As I was coming closer to the next village a man riding a bicycle asked me where I was going, so we started a conversation. We came to the village and as I was planning to continue on foot, he told me not to continue walking, that he would find a car that would take me to the city of Valga, which was yet another 25 km away. That city was at the border of Latvia. I also gave him the pamphlet. Soon a car was found to take me to the city; it was a car belonging to the post office.

In the city I asked when the next bus would leave for Latvia, and I was told that it would leave the next day. It became clear to me that I had to continue my trip by getting lifts in private cars. As I was walking towards the border a car stopped and gave me a lift. He was a customs officer. After crossing the border I decided to look for a truck that might take me to the capital city from where I could continue by bus to Liepaja. That city is situated along the sea shore where we have church members.

I asked of one truck driver if he would take me, but he was not going that direction. Following his advice I asked of other drivers and I found one who was about to leave and he agreed to take me. As I told him that I really wanted to go to Liepaja he said that this was the place he was also going to, and that he was in a hurry to catch a boat to Denmark. I too was in a hurry to make it there before Sabbath beginning.

On the way we had an opportunity to speak much about religion and of many experiences with God. He said that he believes in God and told me many of his own experiences. I gave him my address and he gave me his telephone number. I offered him money for the trip but he did not take it. We arrived on time into the city, and I gave him the pamphlet also. We arrived almost three hours before the Sabbath beginning and I gave thanks to the heavenly Father for His help and providence.

In Liepaja, we had a blessed Sabbath service. In the afternoon we visited the neighbour, Vladimir, who was sad because his wife was very sick. We had a long discussion and Bible study with the pamphlet. He said that he did not understand the Bible, so I offered to him our Bible course and encouraged and comforted him with the Bible promises, and in the end I prayed for him and his wife that they would get new hope in their lives.

Apparently our discussion had touched his heart because the next day he came to look for me, after I had left. Our sister gave him a book to read, and I asked our mission house in Estonia to send him our Bible course and the book, Steps to Christ.

Early the next morning I left for Lithuania. First I had to travel to Klaipeda and from there to Kaunas. There, Sister Leokadia waited for me with another sister. We went to the home of Leokadia’s daughter, where we had a Bible study and afterwards we continued with questions and answers. There came to our study, three sisters from the Adventist church and five from Selkov’s group. Some of them were interested to know more of our Reform Church. Our discussion continued until half past ten at night.

Next morning we went to the capital city. There again we had discussions, and I told them some of my experiences with the Lord. We had a wonderful time together. One young couple were with us also and they wanted our Sabbath School lessons, to study them. Their minister had passed away and they were as sheep without a shepherd, and even their leadership does not recognize them as members any more. They are seeking the true church of God to join. Let us pray for them.

By a miracle, Sister Leokadia found the address of our General Conference and wrote to them. They in turn sent the letter to me and so the connection was made. She is very willing to join with us and is rejoicing in the Lord’s leading that she found us. May the Lord continue to lead her all the way.

In the evening the young couple accompanied me to the bus station. At ten o’clock my bus left and the next morning I was in Tallinn again. The same day I continued my journey to Finland and in the afternoon I was home again.

After four days I left on my next mission trip to northern Finland and Sweden. On the way we visited members and interested souls. The Lord protected us on the way and gave us new experiences. On the way we were able to distribute many pamphlets and magazines.

Then on the 16th of May I left on my next mission trip to Sweden and Norway. In Oslo I met a young man, Jeremia, with whom we had spoken before, and he expressed his desire to be baptized. He was very glad that we could see each other again after many years. He was very zealous in faith and has a great desire to find new souls who would be interested in the Reform Church. He called on two of his friends but on that day it was not possible to meet with them.
The next day we left from Oslo to go to the conference in Sweden. On Friday, Jeremia made his covenant with the Lord. The weather and the water were cold but it did not prevent the sacred service. Our hearts were rejoicing that a new soul united with the heavenly family. During the conference, Brother Alexander held public meetings especially on the topic “How to stop smoking”. These meetings were announced in the newspapers and the editors of the newpaper came to talk with Brother Alexander and took photographs also.

On Sabbath it was solemn occasion to accept Brother Jeremia into the church. In the afternoon he told us of his experiences how the Lord by His miraculous way had led him into the decision to join the Reform Church. Our Heavenly Father blessed us richly during these conferences.

After these conferences, filled with joy and comfort we started our journey back home, with the desire that if it is the Lord’s will we will see each other again.

May the Lord bless His work and lead His own to the way of truth.
AMEN.

Your brother,
Vladimir Marinov, Finland