Hands and Feet

A couple of weeks ago, Lydia, Sergei, Alla and I went to the juvenile prison to do the Bible study and to spend time with the guys. Since "our" colony will be one of the four that remain open, more and more guys are coming. At the study this last time, about half of the twenty guys who came were new.

After the study, we ended up going outside into the "zone" where the kids stay and we saw a bunch of new faces. I love when we go up to the guys and start speaking with them. After some initial hesitation, they start to talk and will even ask questions. We always invite them to come to the study and many take us up on the offer.

As we were getting ready to leave, Sasha, one of the regulars, was hanging out with me and we were making fun of each other (ya, I can be cocky even in Russian. It's a gift). When it came time for us to leave, he grabbed my hand shook it, and and then gave me a big hug. At first he made light of it like it was a joke, but he didn't let go. He had done the same thing last time. He then went and gave hugs to Lyidia and Sergei and then we went out. As we were walking, he kept pace with us on the other side of the fence, prolonging our visit for as long as he could.

It hit me once again that these guys have few to hug them, to put a hand on their shoulder or to listen to them. What a blessing it is to be used by God as His hands and feet, even for just a few hugs. "And they were bringing children to Him so that he might touch them:..." Mark 10:13.