VANYA

Book Review: Vanya
Author: Myrna Grant

The stories of those who suffer for their faith and triumph in the name of their Lord are indeed some of the most shining stories of heroism we have.  Most believers are familiar with the tales of horror told about those who endured unspeakable tortures because of their unwillingness to disown their Master Yeshua.  The story of Ivan Vasilievich Moiseyev, however, is not about torture.  It is about the wonderful relationship a young Believer had with his Maker, and how he saw miracle after miracle performed on his behalf because he was not ashamed of the gospel of Messiah.  Vanya’s faith was such that he could say of his Lord, “Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him.”

Ivan Vasilievich (Vanya) was a young Moldavian enlisted in the Russian army in 1970. As a soldier, everything he did was done to the utmost.  He strove for excellence.  His only impediment in the eyes of his superior officers was that he shared the Gospel with any who would listen.  To Communist atheists this was unacceptable.  For this, Ivan suffered incredibly, yet he never disobeyed the law of his conscience: that truth must be proclaimed to every man. Often he was called in for interrogation fifteen or twenty times a day – all while being expected to keep abreast of his military training demands.  Mercifully, the scenes of torture are not detailed. 

The book is almost too remarkable to believe, were it not for actual documentation contained within it. Vanya stood alone, and was tested to the utmost.  It is difficult to imagine anyone who would not be moved to tears and deeper faith by reading Vanya’s incredible story.  He was truly one of those “of whom this world was not worthy.” 

Myrna Grant gives the reader a rare opportunity to gaze into the innermost workings of one man’s heart – a heart that was completely surrendered to his Maker, a heart who clung to God even though he knew well the cost of true discipleship. 

Ashley Palladino
November 2011