Alex, Sasha Prichodko and Inna - together in Christ
Under Communism, it was not unusual for Ukrainian believers to baptize new converts under the cover of darkness; even in the winter going to such extremes as cutting a hole in the ice. To this day, few, if any churches have an indoor baptistry. The tradition is for baptism to be in the local river or lake where now it is a very public testimony and opportunity for preaching the gospel. That said, it is still unusual today for new believers to choose mid-December, when ice has formed at the water’s edge and a Northeasterly Siberian wind is blowing and the temperature is registering -7 C. However, this is what happened recently, when Alex and Inna were baptized in the River Dnipro. The engaged couple, who are getting married this April, became Christians at an extreme camp, the like of which Hope Now will hold this summer under the leadership of Alexander (Sasha) Malamuzh, who now takes up the story.
Many people came to see the baptism. There were Alex’s friends, Inna’s relatives and a serviceman named Sasha Prichodko who was Alex’s commander when he served in the Ukrainian Army. Alex is a Christian, so he often met soldiers and talked about Jesus Christ, the Gospel, and salvation. Sasha had argued with him and said “I will never believe in God.” However, Alex had special confidence in Sasha’s salvation.
Three years later, Alex called his former commander to tell him about his faith in Jesus Christ, and Sasha was very happy to come to be a witness of Alex’s baptism. This baptism can indeed be called “an ice baptism”, for the rocks on the bank of the river were covered in ice. Some tried to persuade the engaged couple not to do it; some said “You will catch a cold”, but Alex and Inna had been waiting and were ready to do it in spite of the weather.
Alexander Malamuzh baptizes Alex in
the freezing River Dnipro
After the baptism, we fellowshipped around the table. We had a wonderful tea time with a real Russian samovar. We had conversation, sang songs and were very happy. The next day, Sasha Prichodko accepted Jesus Christ into his heart. He had been thinking about his life and his need of Jesus for a long time, but this extreme baptism of his old friend Alex motivated him to repent. Praise the Lord!
Alexander Malamuzh
If you’d like to participate in Hope Now’s Extreme Camp August 16-20th and you are between 18-35 years old, please contact vic.jackopson@mac.com. We are especially interested in hearing from kite-surfing and wind-surfing instructors. The camp is designed to test to the limit under expert tutelage and within acceptable margins of safety, but it is not for the faint of heart! Come at your own risk!
The authorities in Prison 62 have turned to Hope Now for help. Nine
years ago when Hope Now built a church inside the prison it included,
to the rear of the building, an education wing.
Following my release from prison in 1993, I rested in a quiet conviction that the Lord wanted me to rest in Him for 2 years before I would be taken to the next stage...
