This article is from Issue 8, Called to be Witnesses
And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb
and by the word of their testimony,
and they loved not their lives unto the death.
(Revelation 12: 1)
The year is unknown, but the following letters give a window into the joy, devotion, and willingly paid price of a young Russian woman who turned from atheism to Christ through the love and prayers of a believer.
FROM MARIA TO THE SAINTS
Letter 1
I am beloved by a member of the Communist Youth Organisation. She told me, “I cannot understand what a being you are. Many insult and hurt you and yet you love all.” I answered that God has taught us to love all, not only friends, but also enemies. Before, this girl did me much harm, but I prayed for her with special concern. When she asked if I could love her too, I embraced her and we both began to weep, and now we pray together.
Please pray for her, her name is Varia. When you listen to those who loudly deny God, it seems that they really mean it. But many of them, although they curse God with their lips, in their hearts they have a great longing. You hear the groaning of the heart…..they seek something and wish to cover their inner emptiness with their godlessness.
Your sister in Christ, Maria
LETTER 2
In my former letter I wrote to you about the atheist girl, Varia. Now I hurry to tell you, my beloved ones, about our great joy: Varia has received Christ as her Saviour and is witnessing openly to everyone about this. When she believed in Christ and knew the gladness of salvation, at the same time she felt very unhappy, because before this she had propagated that there is no God.
We went together to the assembly of the godless, and although I warned her to be reserved, it was useless. Varia went, and I went with her to see what would happen. After the singing of the Communist hymn (which we did not participate), Varia came forward before the whole assembly. Courageously and with much feeling, she witnessed to those gathered, about Christ as her Saviour, and asked her former comrades for forgiveness that she had had her spiritual eyes closed until then and had not seen that she was going to perdition and was leading others to it.
She implored all to give up the way of sin and to come to Christ. All became silent and no one interrupted her. When she finished speaking, she sang with her splendid voice the whole of the Christian hymn, “I am not ashamed to proclaim the Christ.” Afterwards, they took away our Varia. We know nothing, but God is powerful to save! Pray!
Your Maria
LETTER 3
Yesterday, I had a talk in prison with our beloved Varia. My heart bleeds when I think about her for she is still a child, nineteens years of age. As a believer in the Lord, she is also a spiritual babe but she loves the Lord with all her heart and went at once on the difficult way. The poor girl is so hungry. When we knew that she was in prison, we began to send her parcels but she received little of what was sent.
When I saw her yesterday she was thin and pale, beaten, only the eyes shone with the peace of God and an unearthly joy. Yes my dear ones, those who have not experienced the wonderful peace of Christ cannot understand it, but how happy are those who have this peace….for us who are in Christ no sufferings or frustrations should stop us.
I asked Varia through the iron bars, “Don’t you regret what you did?” “No” she answered. “And if they would free me, I would go again and would tell them about the great love of Christ. Don’t think that I suffer. I am glad that the Lord loves me so much and gives me the joy to endure for His name.” I beg you that you pray for her. She will probably be sent to Siberia, may God keep her!
Your Maria
FROM VARIA IN PRISON TO MARIA
LETTER 1
Dear Maria, at last I am able to write to you. Sister X and I have arrived at our new location, I cannot describe our life, you know it.
My heart praises and thanks God that through you He showed me the way to salvation. Now my life has purpose and I know for Whom I suffer. I feel the desire to tell everybody about the great joy of salvation that I have in my heart. Who can separate us from the love of Christ? Nobody, nothing, neither prison or suffering, these only strengthen our faith in Him.
My heart is full that the grace of God overflows. At work they curse and punish me, giving me extra work, because I cannot be silent. I must tell everyone what the Lord has done for me, He has made me a new being. Can I be silent after this? No, never! As long as my lips can speak I will witness to everyone about His great love.
The first evening when we arrived here, we were taken to the underground barracks. We greeted those present with the words “Peace with you,” and to our great joy from all corners we heard the reply “We receive you with peace.” From the first evening we felt that we are in a family. More than half the prisoners here are believers, and I have learned some beautiful hymns, and every day God gives me more of His Word. Some of our brethren were able to go to the river nearby and they broke the ice to prepare a place. During the night seven brethren and I were baptised, how happy I am!
God puts every one of us in His place and we must stand firm where God has put us. Give greetings to the whole family of God’s children, and God richly bless your work as He has blessed me. Read Hebrew 12: 1-3
Your Varia
LETTER 2
Dear Maria, I can tell you my dear one that by the grace of God Sister X and I are healthy and well. I thank you for your motherly care for me, We received all you have prepared for us. I thank you for the most valuable thing of all, the Bible.
I am glad that the Lord gave me, from the first days of my faith, the great happiness to suffer for Him. Pray for me that I remain faithful to the Lord to the end. May the Lord keep you all and strengthen you for the holy battle! Don’t worry about us, we are glad and joyful because our reward in Heaven is great (Matthew 5: 11, 12)
Your Varia
Varia was never heard from again.
Taken from Life on the Altar Publication
Issue 8 Spring 2023
LIFE ON THE ALTAR 