Pastor Orval Wirkkala spent three weeks as a missionary in Russia this November. “I went to preach the Christian faith and teach that it’s a personal relationship with the Lord,” he said. There are a few Christian pastors in the mostly Russian Orthodox country, and Wirkkala went to show support and encouragement to them. Wirkkala, his wife and his brother-in-law went to four cities while they were in Russia: Schokina, about 100 miles south of Moscow; Kingiseep, about 50 miles south of St. Petersberg; Rzhev, about 100 miles west of Moscow and Yekaterinberg, on the European/Asain border. They visited with pastors, and went to Russian schools, orphanages and prisons to talk about God. “They say it’s easy to come from America and talk about blessings,” he said. Many are poor and don’t feel blessed, but God’s word applies in any economy, Wirkkala said. “[We teach that] faith gives us stability in our lives and promises of God are there even in the worst of situations,” he said. He went to a women’s prison with 2,700 people. He visited the area where the women have babies while they’re in prison. The babies are raised in the prison daycare until they are 3. Then, if the mother is still in prison, they are sent to an orphanage. “They [the mothers] have a tough life and they’re real interested in the word of God,” he said. Administrators of the prisons and schools appreciate pastors preaching there, too. For instance, when visiting a children’s prison the administrator was glad they were there because, “When people leave it’s hard to withstand temptation unless there’s been a change of heart,” Wirkkala said. One of the most challenging things was relating God’s word to people of different backgrounds. “There are many broken homes where the father is gone,” Wirkkala said. “We relate to our Heavenly Father like our actual father and their’s hasn’t been a good role model. It’s challenging.” One thing that makes it easier to preach is that many Christian groups give donations to the Russians. “It’s important to go there with physical needs,” he said, “something tangible that shows we want to help them.” Christians have donated money to build churches and help orphanages and schools. If he could change anything, Wirkkala would like to see more courtesy between people. “It’s hard to see it, but everybody’s a product of what they’ve grown up with,” he said. “Because of what’s gone on in the past, it’s hard for them to trust each other. Over time, that trust can be brought back.” The trip was Wirkkala’s fourth time going to Russia as a missionary. About five years ago he had a friend who kept asking if he wanted to go, but it was never the right time. “I was feeling a call from the Lord, unrest,” he said. “Every time he asked me I kept saying no.” So, finally he just decided to go. Then, God gave him an intense desire to learn to speak Russian and he spends a few hours practicing each day. “It’s like a switch turned on inside of me,” he said. “God gave me a great love for the people and the language.” While traveling in Russia Wirkkala also enjoyed seeing the beautiful cities, arts and music. He plans to take more mission trips to Russia. Being a missionary makes a difference, he said, with the efforts of all missionaries. “Through the collective effort it can change the situation,” he said.
