Corr.: Could you tell us about your own "way home?"
G.A.: For each of us conversion was a special experience. In 1991, after we recorded our first album, we experienced disappointment for the first time. Many musicians have had such a time in their lives: people compliment your music, but nobody needs you as a musician, you have no money, everything is bad, and you feel depressed. In this situation our friends advised us to pray to God who might help. Two of us took it very seriously; Nickolay Skuchenkov who used to be our singer ended up seeing Jesus in his dreams. It seemed to be a turning point - after that our group stopped playing for four years because all of us had different attitudes to faith and life.
In 1994, "Druzhki" recorded a second album, "Stupeni," as a Christian group. By that time all of us had received Christ as our personal Savior.
S.A.: I couldn't find answers to the most important questions in life. I worked with an orchestra, played oboe, was married. Everything seemed to be all right, but only God knew what was happening inside my heart. Nothing made me happy and the question "Why?" stumped me all the time. I rebelled against not only the world, but also against God (or rather against the God that people told me about)... But when he came to me, he revealed himself not as the Almighty One, though he is Almighty. First of all I got to know God the Comforter who deeply understands and loves me.
A.Zh.: I considered myself a believer, and when I heard about a Christian band looking for a drummer I realized that it was my chance not to get lost as a musician. I was always looking for real and live fellowship with people who believe in God with sincerity of heart. I don't regret that I made this decision.
This is a broken dance of your strong knees,
This is a joyful cry because the captivity is over,
These are broken walls of your mighty ideas,
These are veins healed after empty days.
This is a road West, a road South,
This is the light at the end of the tunnel when you are scared to death,
This a gulp of air after you've been under the wave,
But I want to be with you.
Oh... The way home.
The sky burst into flames of light,
ringing with joyful thunder,
After storms and wandering my soul came back
From separation to salvation, from loss and back home,
I will be only with you.
I found the way out of this vicious circle,
And when I was walking along the road
Somebody went to meet me
As if he has been waiting for my step,
And then my tired and hardened heart
Was embraced with a tender and gentle spirit,
And I felt something unearthly,
But at the same time so familiar,
Something that I missed so much.
