Beginning Tomorrow Today - By Timothy Sherman

could see the pain and suffering of Christ in his gaze but not self pity. Nikolai was on the move constantly, except when shut away in prayer, which was daily, or in lockup as a result of the officials' dis pleasure. These eight great men were given the responsibility of my care and safety. I knew I was responsible for theirs in return. They as sumed my protection and care as though they were my angels. They were skilled strategists of God's ways of survival and hidden com munication. They were expert survivalists under the harshest mea sures and circumstances, constantly being led by God's Spirit. We were honored to lay down our lives for one another, pray ing and sharing the Word constantly in secret meetings with only a very few present. Pieces of the Bible written in their own hand were smuggled to one another. Many times these portions of Scripture were confiscated. Those caught with this forbidden fruit were beaten and punished to near death and sometimes never seen again. The inmates were used as slaves who built roads, cut timber for build ing projects, and did any hard labor projects the prison officials de manded. Often these workers would be transferred to a different place. All this actually worked out for the testimony o fJesus and the furtherance of the Gospel of the Kingdom of God, because many of these prisoners would share their testimony and preach the gospel wherever they were transferred. There were conflicts among us, but none that were not quick ly resolved. The leader o fthe core group was on top of every difficulty with strong authority and very quick wisdom and wit. He could be funny and serious at the same time. He was amazing and the men followed him because he revealed Jesus and took none of the glory. He continually sacrificed whatever he could get for the wellbeing of others. Even those who were not confessing believers gave him respect because he loved them and they felt it. He did however have enemies who hated him and his God. One of those who was close to the eight would prove to be a Judas. 51

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