A Book called, "Jesus Freaks--Stories of Those
Who Stood for Jesus"
Ivan Moiseyev, 18 years old from USSR in 1970.
"Strengthened by Angels"
Ivan was a soldier in the Red Army and a Christian who put his faith in God. The Communists had called him so many times to the headquarters tried to talk him out of his faith in God. The Communists were not successful. He was called in to meet the Major Gidenko's office, who was the head of the Political Directive Committee. Gidenko was sure that he could solve the problem by threatening him to back away from his faith. After a long talk and questionings with Ivan, Major Gidenko finally gave an order for him to stand in the street near the barracks, with the temperature of 13 degrees below zero. Ivan went out after 10 p.m., wearing only summer uniform and it was snowy, icy blast of wind.
Ivan prayed a long time, but soon prayer did not come easily. Ivan was worried how long he could stand all night, wondering if he could freeze to death. Soon after, he remembered the angel who had visited him that morning, and said, "Do not be afraid, I am with you!" Ivan knew the angel was with him even though he did not see the angel. So he began to pray fervently.
At 12:30 a.m., three officers were bundled by their overcoats, hats and boots, came to Ivan, and asked him if he had changed his mind to come in and get warm. Ivan replied, "No, comrade officers. As much as I want to come in and go to bed, I cannot. I will never agree to remain silent about God." Ivan noticed three officers were already shaking from the cold. They were stamping their feet, and slapping their hands, impatient to return to their heated barracks. Ivan checked his hands--they were cold, but not too cold. He still could move his toes easily. It was a miracle!
One senior officer mumbled to Ivan, "You'll feel differently in another hour," and he quickly left. Ivan continued to pray until he was dozing while standing on his feet. It was 3:00 in the morning, the senior officer woke him up to return to barracks. For the next 12 nights, Ivan continued to stand in the street outside his barracks. Miraculously, he did not freeze; he did not beg for mercy.
To be continued next "page 2".
