Kids Do It!

The next Sabbath when the pastor asked for reports on the missionary literature program, Alexei jumped to his feet, eager to tell how God sent a man to help him be a missionary.

Hands flew up throughout the congregation. “I’ll take 100!” one man says. “I want 50,” says another. “May I have 25, please?” a woman asks. “Please, Pastor, I want some too,” a young boy says. The pastor smiles broadly and gives Alexei a pile of newspapers. “I want to share these with my teacher and classmates,” Alexei says happily.

Church members in parts of Russia give literature out each week. Sometimes it is a small tract to encourage people to trust in God. But once a month church members give away a newspaper that tells about church programs and invites people to take part. Alexei and his friends like to be part of this ministry. Some children give away newspapers and tracts in their apartment building, and others stand near a store or bank to give them away. People gladly take a newspaper or tract from a child that they may not take from an adult. 

Where to Share?

Alexei filled his backpack with newspapers for his teachers and classmates. He gave some to his friends. But he still had a lot left. His family had given newspapers to the people in his apartment building. Who can I give these to? Alexei wondered. Then he had an idea. I’ll put them into the mailboxes in the apartment house next door! 

Alexei grabbed the remaining newspapers and hurried down the stairs, out the door, and into the next apartment house. He entered the hall where people pick up their mail and began inserting newspapers into each letter box.* He worked his way across the bottom row, then he started on the next row. 

As he was finishing the second row, Alexei heard footsteps approaching. He looked up and saw a stern-faced man standing in the doorway. “What are you doing?” the man asked. 

Alexei swallowed his fear and said, “I’m putting these newspapers into the letter boxes. They’re free, and they talk about Jesus!” Alexei held out a newspaper for the man to see. The man looked at it for several minutes, then he looked at Alexei. Is he going to report me to the apartment managers? he wondered.  

May I Help?

“May I help you?” the man asked. It took Alexei a moment to realize what the man meant. Then the man said, “These top boxes are too high for you to reach. I can put your newspapers into them if you wish.” 

Alexei smiled and gave the man a pile of newspapers. Soon they had given out all the newspapers. Alexei thanked the man for helping him tell the people in the apartment building about Jesus. Then he hurried home.

The next Sabbath when the pastor asked for reports on the missionary literature program, Alexei jumped to his feet, eager to tell how God sent a man to help him be a missionary.

 

* In some areas it is not legal to put papers into mail boxes. Check with the local postal service if you wish to do something such as this.