October 27, Saturday "Twenty Seven"

October 27. There were twenty seven in all. Alexi asked me if I wanted to visit the “Windows Family.” They live in the town of Uganay. He said he didn’t know their last name, but they had around 20 children. Imagine visiting a house with 27 adults and children living there. Tonight we went to Alexander and Sveta’s four story house with their three biological daughters (Ella, Inna, and Olga), Ella and Inna’s husbands Victor and Sasha, a married couple named Kiara and Nikolai, and 18 children ranging in age from 6 to 23. Four of the children make up one family group; two others make a second. Steve had taught Inna in the Bible school in 2004. And Steve and I had become acquainted with Inna and Masha last Sunday night at a youth/young adult's time at the church.

The children were effusive, affectionate, mugging for pictures, etc. The house was full of energy, laughter and smiles. After introductions, “chai” and pancakes, we sat around and took a whole bunch of pictures. Then we got the tour of the bathrooms, bedrooms, class/music room, family room, and basement. Simply amazing to see and hear in person. The apostle James would call it “true religion.”

I asked Alexander when he and his wife had the vision to begin taking care of children. It was eleven years ago; Sveta was the driving force. Masha, now 23, was their first child. I am not sure how many children have come and gone, but it is so heartening to see how this selfless couple loves their children.

Steve and I prayed with the family before we left, asking for every child in the house to come to know the Lord Jesus Christ, to grow big and strong, to know the joy of marriage, to have children, to have meaningful work, to make a difference in Russia. What a joy to experience the Kingdom investment that Alexander and Sveta have made.

The good news? We got invited back next week. I didn't hesitate: “We accept!”