On the road for God – An interview with Waldemar Akulenko

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Since the founding of the Christian Diaconal Aid Organization Stephanus in Speyer, Brother Waldemar Akulenko has traveled to countless countries as a truck driver on behalf of the missionary aid organization. Through many highs and lows, he has been able to make a significant contribution to God's work. In this interview, we will gain some insights into his many years of service in the mission.

Waldemar, you worked for a long time as a truck driver for the mission. What motivated you to do this service?

After my arrival in Germany, I told Brother Alexander Konradi that I would be going to Miesau with my brothers to live there. However, he already had other plans. Therefore, he suggested that I move with him to Speyer to establish a mission, where I would work as a truck driver. I followed his advice, and thus my missionary work as a truck driver began.

Did you agree immediately?

Yes, immediately, because I had already traveled extensively with Brother Alexander in Russia to help people, and we continued doing so in Germany. We were already friends. He was like a second father to me.

What motivated you to do this work?

Firstly, I loved driving trucks and had the desire to drive a German truck. When we really started working and I saw how we could help people, it filled me with great joy and motivated me even more for this service.

You encountered many difficulties in your work. What were your biggest challenges?

There were always difficulties at the borders, but God was always with us and guided us. Occasionally, we were also attacked by bandits. In such situations, I made it clear to them that prayers had been offered for this truck and that they should fear God because it was His work and He Himself was behind it. I made it clear to them what the consequences of their actions would be, and thankfully, they always left us in peace after that.

The mission recently changed its truck. Did you have good trucks initially, or were there problems and major breakdowns?

Yes, we've always had good trucks, actually. Only at the very beginning were there a few breakdowns. For example, on one trip to Kazakhstan, we even had to completely disassemble the engine and replace the piston and cylinder liners. Another time, our brakes seized up a bit. However, we hadn't noticed that a rear wheel was locked. This caused the tire to overheat and even catch fire. As soon as we realized this, we immediately pulled over and quickly tried to extinguish the fire. While we were doing that, we also called the fire department. Thankfully, the fire department arrived very quickly, and the damage wasn't too extensive. God's blessing was with us, so we didn't have any other major problems with the trucks.

During a trip to Armenia, you lost your two friends and companions in an accident. What was this experience like for you, and how did you cope with it?

The loss was a huge blow for me, and I decided to stop working. But when we got home, Brother Alexander Konradi told me that it was the devil who wanted us to give up and for the work to stop, but that we would continue. It was very difficult for me, but I realized that the work had to go on. So I overcame my fears and continued my service as a truck driver. This experience profoundly shaped me and my subsequent ministry.

Through your challenging ministry, you often relied on God's help. Can you tell us about a miracle you experienced during your ministry, or an event where you particularly saw God's hand at work?

Yes, I could tell you many stories. I've experienced many miracles and witnessed God's helping hand countless times. For example, once when we were in Armenia, we couldn't drive our truck up a mountain one morning because of snow and ice. So we had to stop at the bottom and even spend the following night there.

That night we were robbed. Our tarpaulin was cut open and the cardboard boxes were taken out. Early the next morning, one of us went for a walk outside. Brother Eduard Buchmüller couldn't sleep and went for a stroll. When he returned, he noticed that the snow was piled up in a strange way in one spot. It turned out that the robbers had been afraid to carry the boxes anywhere and had simply buried them in the snow. So, the next day, we dug out the boxes and reloaded our truck.

We wanted to continue our journey, but we still couldn't drive up the mountain. I realized it was almost 8:00 a.m. My wife, Irina, gathered all the children every morning at that time before work, and they prayed together. So I told my companions to wait a bit, as prayers would soon be offered at my house. Then we would definitely be able to get up the mountain, since my Christina would be praying for us. She was my youngest child at the time. After we had waited until 8:00 a.m., I told my companions that we could now drive – and indeed, God worked a miracle, and we made it up the mountain without any problems.

Praise the Lord! That was truly a miracle from God! And speaking of which, here's a question: Your family also had to support your ministry to some extent. What impact did your ministry have on your family?

If Ira weren't my wife, I certainly couldn't carry out this ministry in the way I have, because she has never once prevented me from serving. No matter where the road led, whether by plane, truck, or motorcycle, she always blessed me. That's why it's so important that the wife is also a missionary. I was constantly on the go, and she wonderfully cared for my entire family, supporting and nurturing them.

Has this work also shaped you spiritually or strengthened your faith?

Yes, at first I wasn't close to God or to the church, but thanks to many prayers and my work in the mission, I am now part of the church and thank God that He has blessed everything and that my whole family is also in the church. I think that God has shown us grace because we worked for Him and tried to do something for Him.

I have one last question for you. What advice would you give to young people who are going into service and taking over the reins?

My wish for them is that they work together warmly and collaboratively. That their team sticks together as warmly and unitedly as we do. Above all, it's important that people are not just colleagues at work, but also friends, because then work is much easier.

Waldemar, you have worked hard for the mission and for the Lord's work. We want to thank you most sincerely for all your effort and sacrifice! And for all the work you have done, the glory belongs to the Lord.

An interview with Waldemar Akulenko

Municipality of Speyer