This is a double layered story - one that involves me and one that involves Sveta, an interpreter that joined our team on our journey to Pavlovsk, Russia.  Let me first say that I have been continually amazed at how God selects or pairs our interpreters with their American partners.  One would think that I would settle in and trust that His choices are always perfect.
I first saw Sveta on Sunday morning in the room where introductions were going to take place.  Our eyes caught and I saw a beautiful flirtatious Russian girl and dismissed her as a poor choice for me.  God had different plans and she was assigned to our team.  Two years later, I can only say that God chose well and His consequential blessings still abound.
Sveta had spent her junior year in West Virginia. She came to America as a Russian Orthodox girl not wishing to be involved in any "sect", especially the Baptists.  At her first youth meeting she picked up a church hymnal and found to her horror that it was a Baptist hymnal.  One weekend, a while later, Evangelism Explosion came to the church, and prior to their presentation they needed a place to practice.  You guessed it, they came to the home where she was staying.  That evening she accepted God's gift of salvation.  At the end of the year she returned home.  That fall a group of Americans came to Voronezh on a missions trip and they needed interpreters. It was then that we became acquainted.  Unknown to our team, until we returned to America (after a week in Pavlovsk, Russia and 2 days in Korablino, Russia) was that prior to our coming, Sveta was having trouble.  It was not evident in her face, but it was in her heart.  She related to us in an email that

"I am so glad to hear from you! I'm doing fine? i really enjoyed working with you. Do you know that before the week we started to work? i was really messed up and i didn't know what to do and how to live , i was asking God to help me and guide me,  and He heard me so working with you meant for me SO much at that time."

It was precisely in this condition that she was assigned to our team.  She was a delight to us and her time in America served her well in refining her language skills.  It was a precious time of growth for all of us.  During our daily devotions our interpreters (there were three) listened and took part, but when we prayed, they all were silent.  At the end of the week however David Lee and myself asked Sveta if she would like to continue on with us to Korablino to be our "voice " for us there also.  She said she would, but needed to be back in time for work on Monday morning. Back in Voronezh we asked Demna (the pastor of the church we were going to) if there was a way for her to return home.  He said that he would make a few calls as there were no trains that made that trip.  Asking Sveta again if she was sure  she wanted to come and again receiving an affirmative answer, we suggested that we pray about the ride for her return. After David Lee and I prayed, we were thrilled and amazed that she too joined in the petition to our Father.  When we said amen, Demna came up and said that he had a return ride for her.  It was an instant answer for her first prayer with us.  It was truly a wonderful week for all of us.
Two years later, on my way back to Pavlosk, I learned that once again Sveta was to be on our team.  This time, I did not hesitate to request her talents.  Once again we were blessed beyond belief.  About mid week, Kazbek (the pastor) asked Sveta if she would like to be baptized with several other church believers.  After some hesitating and encouragement and also approval from her pastor, she agreed.  Once again I felt blessed to be there for such a celebration.
Does it get any better that this?  Of course it does!  The day after the baptism, Sveta tells us that she has been praying for two months that somehow she could get some information on creationism and apologetics.  Once again God came through.  One of our team members had brought books and DVDs dealing with these topics. It is such a thrill so see a young believer walking by faith and trusting God to meet her needs and to be there when He does.  WOW!  As a follow up, one of our other interpreters accepted Christ during the week (funny how those things sometimes happen).  She and Sveta go to the same school, so Sveta has agreed to take her under her wing to disciple. God is in the relationship business and is passionately in love with us.