Wednesday, May 27, 2009

it's a small world...after all

I just have a wee story to tell today...that is just too uncanny to keep to myself.

A friend showed up at the door last night...he had some news to share. He had just returned from a trip to Israel, Turkey and Kyrgyzstan (part of the former Soviet Union)...where he was a part of a delegation of business men who work with different levels of government officials of various countries to open doors for Christian organizations to work there. His group had twenty-four different meetings scheduled...but in the country of Kyrgyzstan they travelled high into the mountains and met with some missionaries who are doing a wonderful work in that country. One of the Kyrgyz men happened to know five languages...and was acting as a translator for their group. He questioned our friend as to what part of Canada he might be from...and when he heard the name of our city, he said he had a cousin that lived there. It wasn't long before they connected all the dots...and my hubby was the 'cousin' he was referring to. Now this is one cousin we have never met...and that he would even know of us is amazing!

In 1924 my father-in-law left Russia together with his parents and siblings...they escaped with little besides the clothes on their back in hope of a better life in Canada. My father-in-law's oldest sister was newly married...and chose to stay behind in Russia with her new husband. He was a leader in the church...and lost his life under the communist regime. All contact with the sister was lost...and for decades they all wondered what had become of her. It turns out...she raised a family of four children on her own....and did a fine job of it. She has gone on to her reward...and all four of her children left the 'former Soviet Union' to make their home in Germany in the early nineties. One of their children chose to stay on...and do mission work in Kyrgyzstan. He has been involved in translating the Bible into the language of the people. This is the man who met our friend on the mountain trails near Mongolia last week. How amazing is that?

There are things in this life that are just totally unexplainable. But to the One who knows how many hair there are on my head...

...and who can make sense of the tangled webs of our lives...there are no mysteries!



Have a wonderful day...

20 comments:

  1. Wow, thanks for sharing! I am so amazed by the Lord's hand in our paths of life.

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  2. Wow, That is amazing and gave me shivers. Are you going to be able to have contact with him now? We both have cousins that we have first met in recent years, but that was because of various circumstances including distance, not that they were 'lost'. This must be so exciting for your hubby.
    Dairymary

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  3. What an amazing story Judy! You are right..it is unexplainable!

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  4. This knocks my socks off...that is incredible! It must've been a great blessing for Elmer to learn "the rest of the story." God is so good.

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  5. How wonderful to hear about the "missing" family member. It seems to me that these connections are happening more and more everywhere we go, too. Maybe just a taste of heaven...

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  6. Now, I just have to believe that was a meeting "meant to be". I am so glad you shared this wonderful story with us.

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  7. What an encouraging story of God's infinite power to make the connections we could never hope to make. It is just wonderful to have these moments that spur us on to deeper faith. . .what a wonderful visit.

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  8. That is a beautiful story. It is truly amazing how God has the whole thing under control!

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  9. Wow, what an amazing story. Have you read the book "Three Cups of Tea." by Greg Mortenson. True story takes place in the "K" place, sorry can't remember how to spell without looking back. I love this story.
    QMM

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  10. Oh Judy, I almost got goosebumps reading your story because it so reminds me of similar stories like that in my family. I find these kind of "coincidental" meetings and revelations so wonderful - and just a taste of what heaven will be like!

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  11. What a wonderful story to share. I am always amazed at these connections - what a gift to your husband and to his family!

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  12. Judy, that is very exciting. One never knows what each day will bring.

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  13. That is a really amazing story!! Wouldn't it be a blessing if you could have a family get-together someday?

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  14. This my friend has to be right up there on my very best read blog list!! What a story! What a God we serve!! Thanks so much for sharing that with us. You must have been so excited!

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  15. My eyes are seeping moisture...that is truly an amazing story. And the grace and goodness of God to reveal it to you and your family.

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  16. What a wonderful meeting! It surly has to be the Lord letting both cousins know they are doing His work on two continents.

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  17. It is like a story in a book...incredible! I am always amazed at how 'small' this world is....but of course it is not. It is just....that paths cross when they are predestined to....What might the future now hold for these two cousins I wonder? Will your hubby be able to get in touch somehow?

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  18. What an amazing story of God's faithfulness...thank you for sharing!

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  19. That totally gives me the shivers. No coincedence there. Wow.

    Heidi

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'The ornament of a house is the friends who frequent it.'
~ Ralph Waldo Emerson