April 6, 2000
It was a joyful return for the Mormon missionary who survived a stabbing attack while serving in Russia.
His companion died, but Elder Brad Borden survived.
News Specialist Nadine Wimmer has the story.
Brad Borden is happy to be home. At one time, he was happy just to be alive.
But now he dwells on the blessings of his experience.
Brad Borden has returned home to Mesa, Arizona, after two years in Russia remembering the positive.
Brad Borden/Returned Missionary: "WELL, THERE'S THE DARK CLOUD OF COURSE, BUT OTHER THAN THAT IT WAS REALLY GOOD, I HAD A LOT OF FUN."
The first 18 months of his mission went as expected.
Then, one night he and his roomate, Jose McIntosh of Nevada, left a Russian Family's home.
"AND AS WE WERE LEAVING THE BUILDING A DRUNK GUY CAME UP TO US AND CONFRONTED US AND JUST REALLY BELIGERANT, AND HE STARTED ASKING QUESTIONS AND PULLED OUT A KNIFE ON US."
They ran and thought they'd escaped.
"WE DIDN'T REALIZE HE'D COME UP BEHIND US AND I TURNED AROUND AND HE STABBED ME."
Brad was sent to a German hospital to recover.
But Elder McIntosh, who'd been standing 5 feet from Brad, didn't make it home alive.
After his recovery, Brad decided to serve out his mission in Russia. In spite of the experience, he had a message he wanted to share with the people.
"THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE THERE WHO REALLY WANT TO CHANGE THEIR LIVES, THEY JUST HAVE NO HOPE IN THEIR LIVES."
He brought mementos from the country to share with his family. And he, too, shared from a learning experience in Russia, he'll never forget..
"DEFINITELY TAKE LIFE A LOT MORE SERIOUSLY NOW, DEFINITELY DON'T HAVE THE IDEA, NOT GOING TO DIE."
Brad testified in court against the man who stabbed him. The man was sentenced to 20 years of hard labor.
This weekend, Brad plans to meet his former companion's parents for the first time.
