By Bonnie Sue Hearron
Missionary Wife in Krasnoyarsk, Russia in Siberia

I have often heard the phrase, “prayer changes the heart of the person,” but it wasn’t until I met the “Bulldog” that I truly understood the power behind the words.

Our apartment is located in a newer area of Krasnoyarsk. In our city most apartment courtyards include small playgrounds for children. When the need arises (that is when the kids are bouncing off of the apartment walls and need to expend some energy), I bundle our girls up and we trek one building over to the nearest playground.

As is common at most playgrounds, there are the usual sets of “Ancient Ones. “ These are the revered group of “Babushkas (grandmas)” that make their symbolic presence seen and heard on all playgrounds. Ours is blessed with an 80-year-old babushka referred to by the locals as “Baba Tanya.” I have privately christened her “The Bulldog.”

The Bulldog and I go back a long way. I guess it all began when our first daughter, Elizabeth, was old enough to go to the playground. The Bulldog was there with her continual glares and scoffs and unsolicited instructions on how to properly dress my daughter. As annoying as this was, it got worse. When she found out that I was pregnant with our second daughter, Abigail, I was promptly and sternly given instruction on the need to take birth control pills and to conceal this fact from my husband. Her opinions rule the day. Needless to say, I made sure that I kept a wide berth around her and chose a different direction when I saw her coming.

To be fair, I must admit that the Bulldog does have her strong points. True to the nickname I have given her, she has a keen eye for the safety of the children while they are on the playground. She is like a mother wolf protecting her young when older children try to bully the younger ones.

Then one day I told myself, “This is ridiculous! I am a grown woman running away from a babushka; something has got to change.” And then – the arrow struck. Piercing deep and to the point are the well-aimed arrows of the Holy Spirit; and my arrow revealed much to me. I was offended by her and allowed these offenses to cloud my need to pray for this lady. Humbled by this admission, I purposed in my heart to pray for the Bulldog, I mean Baba Tanya.

And so I did. Many weeks later, I noticed that I was beginning to enjoy Baba Tanya. Although her behavior had not changed, how I received it had. I was no longer offended or hurt. In fact, she has become a very close friend of mine that my three daughters and I look forward to meeting on the playground.

The truth is, she is one of those to whom our family has been called to preach the Gospel. More to the point, the Lord has given her to me personally as an opportunity for me to be a witness of the Good News of Jesus Christ. My family and I pray that one day Baba Tanya will come to know the Savior. Maybe then with the help of His love, her well-intentioned words and advice might be delivered with a softer and gentler touch. But until then, she is still my friend and playground buddy.

“Prayer does change the heart of the person.” It has mine.