The Russian Connection

Olney’s Russia connection began with a friendship between Richard Lunsford, a member of the Abilene Christian University board of directors, and Igor Troyanovsky, director of the Moscow Bible Center and chairman of the Department of Religion for the Russian news agency, TASS. Mr. Troyanovsky was involved with helping Russian students enroll at ACU. Their friendship continued, with thoughts of pursuing a deeper relationship with Russia after the fall of the Iron Curtain.

Richard, his wife, Dema, and other interested individuals considered how best to have closer ties, and the idea of a “Sister City” - a small country town like Olney – was brought to mind.

Igor thought this was a great idea. He searched for a city and researched its needs and the best way to move forward.

After much research, the small farming community of Detchino was considered. Detchino is located about 50 miles south of Moscow. A school of agriculture was located there with some 900 students. The school controlled some 17,300 acres and produced six tons of milk daily. The leader of the school also was the contact person for this project.

He was one of the most influential people in town and was very enthusiastic and receptive when he was told about Olney’s Sister Cityidea - of a group visiting Detchino including a cheese expert who would bring starter and teach how to make cheese out of excess milk. There is no place in Russian capable of producing hard cheese. He could see that with the proper formula and teaching process, it could be a good source of needed revenue for the town.

Some of you may recall the CubanMissile Crisis of 1962. Russian First Secretary Nikita Krushchev had moved missiles into Cuba in easy striking distance of the United States. President John F. Kennedy demanded their immediate removal or else! Igor was the interpreter between the two as the nations heldtheir breath.

Next week: Finding a Cheese Expert