Russian Vladimir Lebedev and David Hendrick, roommates in Khabarovsk, (in far southeast Russia, near China and Sea of Japan) Russia, who together “planted” a church there when David was on a two-year IMB Mission trip when David was a student in SWBT Seminary. The church is still very much alive and active today.
Vladimir is currently a doctoral student in Trinity Theological Seminary in northern Illinois.
We payed tribute to Vladimir’s father who died just a few weeks before this time of brief recorded radio. In his active life the senior Lebedev was fired from jobs — even though a diligent worker – as a result of KGB pressure to his employers to do so because he was an active and committed follower of Jesus Christ! But in that persecution, he never wavered from his commitment and devotion to Jesus. In this recording, you will hear Vladimir and David discuss and honor their pleasant and warm memories of the senior Mr. Lebedev, who went to Heaven in late 2018. David had been a guest in the senior Lebedev’s home.
In an off-air conversation, David and Vladimir laugh when they remember that, each Tuesday evening when they were roommates, Vladimir told David that he needed to attend an “special meeting,” without much explanation as to what the meeting was. David discovered the purpose of those “important meetings” when Vladimir returned to their apartment one evening, announcing that he was now engaged to be married to Tanya! They are now married with their terrific three children as Vladimir completes his doctoral studies at Trinity.
When David arrived in in that Siberian region of Russia, there were conditions that had much spiritual and physical “inertia” in advancing the gospel. The weather was harsh. He was once robbed and threatened with his life over less than $20. And in humor he once told us: “I have some good news and some bad news. Good news that I didn’t have to stand in line for toilet paper. The bad news is, there was no toilet paper.”
Other Southwestern seminarians who signed up for that mission trip committed to but one year. David had committed for two. He had some difficult “down” times when his fellow students were about to return after their year, wishing that he could return to the United States when they did. Special workers there, Brad and Jeannine Horne, another roommate, David Roller, as well as Vladimir, were used of God to help David through this rough, “down” time.
But he “got the victory” and stayed for his full two-year commitment. Early in that second year he learned that other young missionaries through “Co-Mission” were to arrive at the airport.
He saw a young beauty in the airport arrivals Miss Cortland Brooks, sponsored in her mission commitment by the Navigators Ministry. He apparently reacted with something lile … “Hummmmmmm!” Upon his return from Russia he went to see her parents in Sterling, Virginia (near Dulles Airport) to ask them for her “hand” (and probably all the rest of her) in marriage! It all went very well! They are the parents of five of our 14 terrific grandchildren!
About being obedient to God by staying in Russia that second year, I have heard David say: “Every time I look at my wife, I am reminded at the blessings of obedience!”
Be inspired by this brief radio recording of Vladimir Lebedev and David Hendrick.
Related earlier radio links to Vladimir Lebedev & Cortland, and David Hendrick
To hear … “Son David Hendrick welcomes Khabarovsk, Russian roommate, Pastor/teacher Vladimir Lebedev to USA” … click on … http://haroldhendrick.com/2012/03/09/son-david-hendrick-welcomes-khabarovsk-russian-roommate-pastorteacher-vladimir-lebedev-to-usa/;
To hear … “With IMB in Russia, son David Hendrick discovered IMB colleagues Dr. & Mrs. Yi murdered, martyred!” … click on … http://haroldhendrick.com/2017/02/04/with-imb-in-russia-son-david-hendrick-discovered-imb-colleagues-dr-mrs-yi-murdered-martyred/;
To hear … “Son David Hendrick impacted by number of friends who have given their lives for their faith in Jesus” … click on … http://haroldhendrick.com/2017/02/12/son-david-hendrick-impacted-by-number-of-friends-who-have-given-their-lives-for-their-faith-in-jesus/; (Especially note the warm and powerful note to Missionary “Aunt Karen” … in the event of her death in serving Jesus: I include it now:
“Dear Pastor, You should only be opening this letter in the event of my death. When God calls there are no regrets. I tried to share my heart with you as much as possible, my heart for the nations.
“I wasn’t called to a place; I was called to Him. To obey was my objective, to suffer was expected, His glory my reward, …
“The missionary heart:
“Cares more than some think is wise. Risks more than some think is safe. Dreams more than some think is practical. Expects more than some think is possible. I was called not to comfort or to success, but to obedience … There is no joy outside of knowing Jesus and serving Him. I love you and my church family.”
In His care, Salaam, Karen”
(Karen Watson was often in the Amman, Jordan, apartment of our daughter-in-law. She was “Aunt Karen” to grandchildren Moriah and Mckayla Hendrick. She died a martyrs death, shot dead with three other International Mission Board missionaries (one survived), as they were looking for a location to drill a fresh-water well for the people of Mosul, Iraq.)
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To hear … “’Atheist in the family?’ Daughter-in-law Cortland Hendrick tells her dramatic, compelling story” click on … http://haroldhendrick.com/2016/08/05/atheist-in-the-family-daughter-in-law-cortland-hendrick-tells-her-dramatic-compelling-story/ ; Cortland was “way out in the world” in her lifestyle before coming to life-style changing faith in Christ.
To hear … “Son David Hendrick welcomes Khabarovsk, Russian roommate, Pastor/teacher Vladimir Lebedev to USA” … click on … http://haroldhendrick.com/2012/03/09/son-david-hendrick-welcomes-khabarovsk-russian-roommate-pastorteacher-vladimir-lebedev-to-usa/
To hear … “Dr. Mark Grossmann/David Hendrick; specialist Mark defines strategic importance of Biblical orality” … click on … http://haroldhendrick.com/2017/01/22/dr-mark-grossmanndavid-hendrick-specialist-mark-defines-strategic-importance-of-biblical-orality/