Elena's grandfather Bendar was German . His ancestors during Catherine the Great came to Russia Volga region to develop the farming etc. They were privileged class back then.

But during Stalin's times they became "enemies of the people" just because they had German roots .

At that time Elena's grandfather worked as head engineer at the soviet factory!

And one day a person from his work told him that this very night he will be arrested a nd he will be sent to prison! Her grandfather Bander knew what that meant - his whole family will also be exiled. At home he shared this sad news with is wife . She was so distressed and in fear for her children future ( c ommunists would take away children from the "enemy of the people" and place them in orphanages raising them communists ).

And this is what happened - Elena grandfather waited when everybody in his family will fall asleep , and then hanged himself. So when KGB officers came early in the morning to arrest him - he was already dead . So they did not touch Bendar's family . T hey survived.

Elena cried when she told this story for she knows that she is her grandfather's seed . He sacrificed his life to save his family. She knows and understands the depth of God;s love when He in Christ Jesus went to the cross to save His family!!!!!