Escape from the Soviet Union At the airport Joseph was stopped by the Soviet authorities and his bags were searched; the bibles were discovered and brought out into the open; the custom officers quickly seized the opportunity to amuse themselves. As they openly mocked the beliefs and the sheer audacity of Joseph's faith and courage, something within the bible smuggler was about to burst.

The Lion of Judah was about to roar. The crowds swelled, a perfect opportunity to preach the Gospel.

Joseph's father was born in Russia (today's Belarus) and the language was also taught in schools, so being quite fluent in Russian the preacher grabbed one of the confiscated Bibles, opened it and fearlessly started to preach. No one dared to interrupt him, people stood still as if commanded by some high-ranking general. Their faces turned red, perhaps from too much vodka or from fear; and their faces dripped sweat. Obviously they did not know how to handle this bold youngster.

No one rushed to pass through the checkpoints; all eyes were turned towards something they have never witnessed before. There were several hundreds gathered around that particular spot being in no hurry to pass through. The announcer repeatedly informed the people that other checkpoints are free, but no one moved, they all stood around the preacher who held up high the 'forbidden book' commanding the attention of them all.

In Matthew 24:14 Jesus said, “this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached throughout the whole world for a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come”. Someone has to bring witness before the end of time. The young preacher was saying within himself; “whatever happens to me at least I’ll fulfill the scripture and be alright with the Righteous Judge.”

Joseph ended his discourse with these words: "you are taking the bread of life out of the hungry mouths, remember that at the last day you will be judged for it." After he finished his speech he asked the audience if they would promise to read the book he was preaching from; affirmatively almost all nodded their heads.

Things started to move again and people proceeded to the checkpoints.

One of the custom officers, a short man, approached Joseph and whispered to him saying, ‘my mother believes like you do.’ Then Joseph asked him if he is also a believer; he nervously looked around and grinned, ‘yes.’ Joseph then asked him again if he knew what to do with this precious literature? The officer winked and assured Joseph that the bibles were under his supervision. On the black market In those days a bible fetched about 500 Russian Rubles, (same equivalent in US Dollars), or more. Before Joseph was taken away he said to all the officers that the bibles are a gift to them. They laughed. 

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