The following summary is written by Ignite Founder Judy Fox after her 3rd visit to Beslan, Russia in April, 2008.
"I believe You're my healer. I believe You are all I need, Jesus. I believe You're my portion, I believe You're more than enough for me. Jesus, You're all I need..."
Planet Shakers, "Healer"
Earlier this month, we sang these words as part of our morning worship. I prayed for Beslan, as each phrase settled into my spirit. ”You hold my every moment…” I thought about the three September days in 2004 when their lives changed forever. “You calm my raging sea…” Images of the terrorist videos flashed through my mind, and I could feel a mix of emotions rising in me – love for the people and anger at the evil that ambushed them on a day of traditional celebration. “You walk with me through fire…” I envisioned hundreds of people left helplessly to die as the roof crashed in on them and flames engulphed the gym that had been their room of horror for nearly 72 hours. With my mind’s eye, I could see the charred remains of both the structure of School #1 and many who were trapped in its inferno. “You heal all my disease…” Terrorism. Pain. Anguish. Disease is not limited to a physical condition, many live with internal sickness that torments the heart and debilitates the soul. “I trust in You…..I trust in You…and I believe You’re my healer…” In spite of what I perceive to have been the cruelest and most horrific circumstance of our generation, I trust that my God will work even this for some kind of good. I want them to know HIM, and with the focus of a championship athlete, I returned to Beslan.
The flights had been scheduled such that the travel should have been a rather leisurely experience. However, FAA inspections in Dallas led to a nearly 4 hour delay in departure and made it likely that I could miss my connection to Moscow. A handful of people prayed specifically for my connection and luggage. Arriving in London and after virtually no sleep on the 9-hour flight, I pretty much ran through Heathrow airport, found the bus to the next terminal, cleared the security area and got to my next gate with 5-10 minutes to spare before boarding the flight to Moscow. One bag made the connection, the other did not. The good news was that there was another British Airways flight coming in early the next morning, and the BA agents assured me that my luggage could be retrieved before departure to Beslan (and it was). THANK-YOU to those of you who knew this situation and prayed specifically for the luggage and connection, as well as those who were praying without knowing what for. God answered both! The next day American Airlines began canceling hundreds of flights for the next several days, but I was safely in my destination and totally unaffected!
As you glance at some of the highlights and read about some of the people, I would ask you to pray for each school, each person, and for this town in general. They endured a most brutal and senseless attack from the enemy who comes to steal, kill and destroy. In my previous two visits, there was a very heavy atmosphere of oppression from fear and the pain of open emotional wounds. I encouraged them that “the sun will come up tomorrow” and to live one day at a time. They are doing exactly that. LIFE is returning to Beslan! I saw more smiles in the past week than in either of my two previous visits, and there has been a complete change in the atmosphere. God is winning, and will win, this battle! I want them to know Him!
Highlights - April 9 - 14
- Challenges: Most of Thursday was spent at working through denials of permission to go to the schools. Knowing it was the middle of night in the USA, I prayed, “God – wake someone up and make them pray for me right now…..” and I assured my translator and those meeting with the authorities that God WILL open the door. Friday morning, they said NO again. But a little while later after a very “coincidental” conversation, they said yes!
- School #5 After waiting all day Thursday, the staff and students at School #5 were ecstatic when we arrived Friday. I taught a couple of volleyball drills to PE classes and then applied a lesson to parallel our lives to the ball. It must have specific direction in order to be successful. It requires proper technique and instruction. And the Master Coach has the ultimate purpose in mind and can train us to get to His determined purpose. The kids listened, interrupting often to practice their best (and limited) English. The girls’ basketball team came at the end, and after signing hundreds of autographs, we played a pick-up game in the gym for about 30 minutes. Then the Director and PE Coaching staff entertained us with a lunch of Osetian Pies and Schlashlik. The Director thanked me for returning to their school. He expressed his gratitude for our friendship, as well as that of Sherry Ifft and her organization, and he said that we are welcome in their school any time because they know that our friendship for their kids and staff is real. I want them to know Him!
- School #3 We drove across the small town to School #3 and arrived as school was finishing. The Assistant Director said the students would be willing to stay. But I assured her that we could come back the next day (Saturday) when we would have more time. My good friend and former professional soccer player, Doc Lawson, had given me a set of uniforms for this school. When we walked upstairs to present them to the Assistant, I was led down a hall and stopped in front of a bulletin board that holds photos from my first visit to this school THREE YEARS AGO!! It was on their playground in 2005 that I felt compelled to speak the words of my college coach on how to deal with loss – “The sun will come up tomorrow”. In 2006, the students repeated those words back to me verbatim. And Saturday morning, the entire school was outside waiting for me. The soccer team was already on the field training in their new uniforms, and many students came up to me inquiring if I remembered them. They were smiling, they were laughing, there was a freedom in that place that I had not felt there before. As we concluded our program of basketball drills and games, I expressed to the students that many Americans continue to pray for them, and I am very proud of them. They presented me with a gift – a hand-carved statue of the head of an Osetian man and a book that had been written by the North Osetian President. Our relationship with School #3 is special and growing – the kids and teachers are listening to the message about “my coach” who gives me guidance, who loves me, who wrote a “manual for success”, and who wants to have a relationship with me. I want them to know Him!
- School #2 This was a new school for me and I was excited, as I had seen the girls’ basketball team compete in a game the day before. So after congratulating the girls, I had their attention. We did activities that challenged them to work together to step toward their desired destination. After each one, I shared a “life lesson” that will help them to continue to move forward after the events that rocked their town less than four years ago. I could see in their eyes that the message was being planted in their hearts. As we left, I was content that we had made a significant impact there, and that this would be a school to which we will return in the future. The girls on their basketball team found their way into a special place in my heart, and I believe that God touched them in a unique way even in such a short time together. I want them to know Him!
- A Coach and Her Daughter - We first met in 2005, and she told me that her daughter lost 30 of her closest friends in the attack. I promised to pray for them, and I have. In 2006 I was told that the coach was at one of the new schools and I did not see her. Instead, I left a photo with a friend to give her so that she would know I had kept my promise. As we waited Thursday for FSB, we saw the coach, and it was great to be reunited. I assured her that I pray for her and her daughter. She thanked me, saying that she believes I keep that promise. Later, we called her and I offered to conduct a clinic for her team Sunday morning. The pastor told me, “There won’t be anyone there at 10.” And yet when we arrived at the court at 10:20, the coach and her high school boys’ basketball team, the girls from School #2 and several other students were already at the park. After a 45 minute clinic, we played girls versus guys for another hour. With each drill, I spoke truth into their lives that they might not hear another way. At the conclusion of our game, I shared with all who were still there about the two things I believe. There is a God who loves me, and He really does have a plan for good in my life. I could see in their expression that they were listening with open hearts. And again I promised to continue to pray for them and their town. As we left the park, the coach gave me a hug and in her limited English said, “I like you.” The tone of her expression went beyond the English language and I could tell that she was saying, “I trust you.” I want them to know Him! I want them to know Him!