Within a few days of Romania's newly opened borders, VOM workers bring semi-trailers filled with aid to the people of Romania and other liberated countries. For the first time since Pastor Wurmbrand's arrest, the ministry is able to freely transport help and Christian material without the threat of imprisonment. It is also during these initial trips that the ministry representatives witness the harsh realities of the tragedies endured by their brothers and sisters throughout decades of oppression.

Richard and Sabina return to their homeland of Romania after 25 years of exile. They are greeted upon their arrival by hundreds of friends and former prisoners. Before leaving the airport, the Christians, overcome with love, sing joyfully to the Lord.

Richard is widely received by many churches and even preaches on public television. He regrets the execution of the Ceausescus and preaches a message of love and forgiveness. A Christian printing facility and bookstore are opened in Bucharest. The officials of the city offer storage below the palace of Ceausescu, the very site where Richard was held in solitary confinement.

1991

A VOM office is officially opened in Cherkassy Ukraine, where The Voice of the Martyrs' newsletter becomes one of the most widely distributed Christian publications in the country. Ten tons of literature and aid are rushed to Siberia.

On December 25, Mikhail Gorbachev resigns as President of the USSR. The following day, the Soviet Union officially breaks up.

The hammer and sickle are replaced with the flag of Russia, bringing an end to one-party Communist rule for the first time since 1917.

The ministry increases its work in Saudi Arabia, Cuba, Tibet, and Vietnam.

1992

Albania's Communist government collapses ending "the first atheist state." On September 15, The Voice of the Martyrs opens a Christian bookstore in Moscow.

With the newly opened borders of Eastern Europe, The Voice of the Martyrs is able to distribute over one million illustrated New Testaments to children in Bulgaria, Albania, Romania, Moldavia, Russia and Ukraine.

Thousands of used Bibles and Christian books, provided by Christians around the world are sent to northern Nigeria where hundreds of churches were destroyed by radical Muslims.

Richard Wurmbrand leads an emotional time of prayer in Enver Hoxha's palace in former Communist Albania. A coffee shop and Christian bookstore "Stephanus Center" are officially dedicated to the Lord in the capital city of Tirana.

Two Vietnamese pastors are released from prison after a worldwide prayer and publicity campaign.

In a continued effort to penetrate North Korea, 80,000 Scripture balloons are floated across the borders, sharing our love and prayers for those oppressed by the Kim Il Sung regime and revealing the saving power of Jesus Christ.

New opportunities arise to assist families victimized by "Shining Path" terrorists in the mountainous areas of Peru. Imprisoned terrorists are also ministered to and many come to Christ.

1994 - 1995

Richard and Sabina return to Romania to officiate at the opening of the Agape Children"s Home, a place for Romanian orphans and street children to receive love, care and the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. The home stands as a reminder of the suffering of those who have gone before them.

Richard states during the opening ceremonies that the Agape Children's Home was built with the "tears of the martyrs."

Bible distributions into China are increased after members of the Public Security Bureau continues its crackdown on unregistered house churches and confiscates all Scripture, even Bibles officially printed by the government-sponsored Amity Press.

Tribal villagers in Vietnam receive Bibles in their own language for the first time. Pakistani Christians begin receiving help.

Richard celebrates 87 years of this life; Sabina celebrates 85 years; and together they celebrate 60 years of marriage!

The worldwide ministry that they began presses on and develops new ministry outreaches into the Communist stronghold of Laos and Islamic-ruled Sudan.

Additional opportunities allow VOM co-workers to broadcast gospel programs into the Middle East.

1997

The Voice of the Martyrs initiates the Mission Sudan project, raising funds to provide LifePaks (mosquito nets, a Bible, a hoe, plates, cups, pots, and other daily necessities) for thousands of persecuted Sudanese Christians.

A VOM team is attacked in the Nuba Mountains while delivering aid.

1998

Reflecting the changing face of communications in the late 20th century, The Voice of the Martyrs in Canada launches The Persecution and Prayer Alert, an email alert service that rapidly grows to become one of the world's largest prayer services specifically geared towards the Persecuted Church. A few months later, www.persecution.net is launched on the Internet.