Mountains of problems

Every now and then I (E) play the saxophone in the church service of the Russian-speaking church in Poznan (see the link below). This Sunday’s first song took me back to one of my summer trips to Russia.

More than 20 years ago, we took an international team to a rehabilitation center in Saint Petersburg to encourage them and do some practical work.

Plastering, painting, whatever was needed.
And yes, that women can / would do that too, that was something new to them!

This lady in overalls liked to play the guitar and the women sang together. I had my guitar with me, so I joined them – copying chords because I didn’t speak a word of Russian at that time.

She taught me this song and wrote it out for me:

In Your holy presence, mountains melt away.
Mountains of problems, mountains of shame, mountains of sin and failure. In Your presence, they melt away.

I am happy in your house,
I’m doing well with you,
I am doing well, Lord, in Your house.

This song was sung every day, and it was very important to them.
They battled their addiction every day. And to cope with their problems, they turned to God every day. To Jesus who bore sin on the cross. On Jesus, where forgiveness can be found. In Jesus, where hope can be found. On the presence of God. To being in His house, where all mountains melt away and He is visible.

Wow, such a precious memory!
And then, more than 20 years later, I’m playing the saxophone to this same song in Poznan, Poland, in a Russian-speaking church. Listen and if you can – sing along with us: