During the last world war, he ended up in an orphanage in Poland because his Jewish parents were displaced by the war and the oppression against Jews. His parents were never seen again and Alexander tells of living in the orphanage, hearing bombs, raids, and having a childhood of fear.
At the end of the war, the orphans were to be released from the orphanage--many of them with nowhere to go. A Russian gentleman visited the orphanage asking to meet with abandoned Russian children who were interested in learning music--specifically, the violin. Alexander wanted to learn music, so he found the courage to speak up and ask if he could meet with the man.
The man met with a few children and made the decision to adopt Alexander. Instead of wandering the post-war streets of Poland, he was adopted! The man took him to his nice home in Russia, raised him as his son and taught him how to play the violin. This man was the master violinist of all of Russia in his time. After some time, the man learned about Alexander's family history.
As The Divine Plan would have it, Alexander's new father had previously tutored Alexander's natural father in music and the art of the violin! Alexander's father had been a brilliant violinist and now Alexander was parented again by another father -- one who knew his natural father and could teach him much more than the violin. Alexander was able to receive a storied upbringing by someone who knew his father!
The brokenness and beauty of Alexander's story can be heard in his music. His music has stirred hearts all over Russia. He was so gifted and accomplished, that he was in great demand and traveled to give performances before audiences he never dreamed would be interested in him. His gift brought him before kings, nobility and people who honored him.
Alexander's wife came to our church in Siberia and invited us to their home for dinner. We listened to his story in awe--and we could not believe we were hearing this amazing story from this beautiful man. Then, to the surprise of our interpreter, Dennis, and my friends, Alexander played his violin for us!
My friend, George, shared with him about the Master. He shared how a beautifully made violin only truly knows its value when it is in the hands of one who understands the instrument. Alexander gave his heart to Jesus, his Heavenly Father, the Skilled Maker of our hearts.
Again, Alexander's gift brought him before a King.
How Divine!
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| Marcie, Dennis (interpreter) and Alexander |
26 For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth.
27 But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong;
28 God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are,
29 so that no human being might boast in the presence of God.
He is Wonderful.
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