God's Special Surprises

In Russia few people have money to spare. And in the village of Zaoksky, where the Adventist seminary is located, Adventist families help one another whenever they can.

Like most families in Zaoksky, Sasha and Svetlana [sveht-LAH-nah] and their parents must be careful how they spend their money.

Svetlana's Choir Uniform

Svetlana was 8 years old and loved to sing. One day the church choir director invited Svetlana to join the children's choir he was starting. Svetlana was thrilled! She did not mind going to choir practice three times a week as long as she could sing for Jesus.

The choir's first program was coming, and the director told the children to wear black skirts or pants and a white shirt or blouse. Svetlana did not have a black skirt and white blouse, so she wore her black dress for the concert.

Christmas was coming, and the children's choir was presenting a very important concert. Svetlana wanted to wear a black skirt and white blouse so she would look good and honor Jesus at the concert. She did not ask her mother to buy the skirt and blouse for her, but she did ask Mother to pray that God would send her a white blouse and black skirt. As the choir program drew nearer, Svetlana's prayers became more urgent.

One evening Svetlana and her mother went to visit their neighbors. As they were preparing to say goodbye, the neighbor told them to wait a minute, and she disappeared into a back room. A few minutes later the woman returned holding a bag. Inside was a black skirt, a white blouse, and a beautiful pair of girl's shoes. "Our daughter has outgrown her choir uniform, and I thought Svetlana would like to have it."

Svetlana began jumping for joy. Mother thanked her friend, and Svetlana and Mother hurried home to try on the new uniform. The skirt and blouse and shoes fit perfectly. Svetlana knelt down in her new clothes and thanked God for her choir uniform. She promised to sing for His glory.

Give, and It Shall Be Given

Svetlana wore her choir uniform for almost two years before it no longer fit. Her mother suggested that she give it to a new girl who had just joined the choir. Svetlana agreed, and that same week a friend of hers who does not attend the Adventist church or school gave Svetlana another black skirt and white blouse.

Svetlana praises God for showing her His loving care.

Sasha's Secret Gift

Sasha and Svetlana's father has a regular job, but it does not pay a lot. To earn a little extra money for special projects, such as a piece of furniture or a vacation, the family makes bookmarks and calendars and sells them. Sasha and Svetlana help make the bookmarks and calendars, and Mother gives them a portion of the money to buy something special for themselves.

Sasha also earned a little bit of money by helping people work in their gardens, fixing things around their homes, and doing whatever he could. He was very careful with his money, and he had managed to save almost $10. He planned to buy a pair of skis when he had enough money.

New Girl in School

One day a new girl came to Sasha's school. Sasha could tell by her clothes that she was even poorer than most people in the village. He wondered about her family. Later that day Sasha told his mother about Nina, the new girl, and asked if there was anything he could do to help her.

Earlier that afternoon Mother had overheard two teachers talking about Nina. She had no father, and her mother was an alcoholic and did not work. The family had no money for food or clothes. One of the teachers said she had wanted to take Nina into her own home so she could have decent food and help in her schoolwork.

The other teacher said that she had gone to the Community Services room to find a coat and some other warm clothes for Nina. "I found enough clothes to help Nina stay warm this winter," the teacher said. "But the Community Services room had no shoes that would fit her. She needs shoes, but I have no money to buy them."

When Sasha's mother heard this, she had an idea. She hurried home to talk to her family. "We set aside a second tithe for special needs in the church and in the school. Do you think we can use some of this money to buy this girl a pair of shoes?"

"Let Me Help"

Before Father could answer, Sasha said, "I have $10. Is that enough to buy her some shoes?" Mother was not sure that $10 would buy a sturdy pair, so the family added a few more rubles [ROO-buls] to it to buy the shoes.

Mother took the money to the teacher who was caring for Nina. She bought Nina a pair of winter boots and two pair of tights to protect her thin legs from the cold Russian winter.

Unexpected Letter

A few days after Sasha gave his money to Mother to buy Nina shoes, the family received a letter from a friend overseas. In the letter was $10. That evening Mother gave the money to Sasha and said, "You were willing to give up your skis so that Nina could have warm boots. The Lord has seen your cheerful gift and has honored it. Here is $10 toward your skis."

Sasha took the money, but he decided that it was more fun to use the money to help someone else.

When we bring our mission offering to Sabbath School, we are helping boys and girls all over the world. Let's never forget what Sasha learned: It is more fun to help others than to keep for ourselves.

This story originally appeared in the children's edition of Mission, 3rd quarter 2001, edited by Charlotte Ishkanian. Used by permission.