From an external point of view, Siberia is cold, gray, and lifeless. Blank stares often divulge the hopelessness many people have in their hearts. With so little to envision in their lives, both young and old resort to substance abuse in an effort to numb the senses.

During our recent trip to Siberia to visit World Challenge-supported substance abuse ministries, we met a man named Misha who not only had been delivered from alcohol abuse; but also had been delivered from the pain of prison and the accompanying paranoia that came with following the rules inside of it. You’d never guess, from his face, that his prison sentence was so hard. You’d also never guess that leaving prison would be worse…as he would reveal.

In areas outside of the City of Novokuznetsk, Siberia appears desolate, but God is delivering addicts there at rates even the government has to recognize.
(More images)

Inside of Soviet communist prisons, a hierarchy of thieves ran the show. They would inform newcomers of unwritten rules that had to be followed if one was to survive. The rules were not perfect, though, as double-standards (committed by leaders) reigned in the prisons. And, if you tried to leave the system, you would be “humiliated” (severely beaten, killed, etc…). For years, once Misha (a friend inside the hierarchy) got out of prison, he constantly looked over his shoulder for people out to get him. He was a slave to paranoia. The outcome for the thieves who impose prison laws is vividly described in 2 Peter 2:19…who ”promise them freedom while they themselves are slaves of corruption; for by what a man is overcome, by this he is enslaved.”

After several stints in Christ-centered rehab programs, however, he was delivered from both fear and addiction. He found out that “The law of the Lord is perfect, restoring the soul…” (Psalm 19:7) In fact, he is now a director of one of the rehab programs; and daily ministers to and intercedes for the men he oversees.

Siberia is a hard place to inhabit with winter temperatures dipping to -40 degrees Celsius. Coal mining factories spew smoke which blankets nearby towns. Its easy to call this place forsaken, but God sees otherwise. How do I know? Countless men and women in Siberia came to me to thank World Challenge for its continued support of the rehabilitation programs. They also extend their gratitude to you, the donors, for answering the call the Lord has placed upon your hearts.