Kazakhstan, Chimkent, Shingis

Greetings to all!

 

Lately our life has a lot of change. We will be moving to Chimkent to serve. We want as a family during this period of life to serve the Kingdom of God and to see changes in the lives of people of the Southern region RK. It was difficult to make such decision, fraught with temptation, but thank God the Lord has openly guided us that we should go there where He has called us!

 

One more change in my life - that is, that I have begun to testify more often of God.  People that I give free rides to, I share teh Gospel, give spiritual DVDs. In personal ministry, I met with two brothers and we held a seminar. When we discussed the theme of promptness and compassion, I gave the task to apply it in real life. Everyone should share the Gospel, including me, most amazingly all of us evangelized and searched for people of peace. When the leader himself does it, his followers do not have difficultly!!!

 

May God bless your ministry!!!

Konstantin, Karakol, Kyrgyzstan

Greetings to everyone.

 

I am now preparing for an extension education session at camp. Three full days for extension education students from Bishkek and Karakol will study, share together the fruitfulness of their ministry and our new purposes. I have settled upon a place, have employed the cook, have informed students. Now it is necessary to buy products and to line up transportation. Please pray for us.

 

Recently I went in one village and shared the Gospel with one Kirghiz family. Thank God the head of the family has accepted Jesus in his heart. And he is 80 years old and is Kyrgyz.  It is encouraging! Thank God! I intend to visit this family.

 

Please pray for strengthening my relationship with my wife, the completion of construction for our church building and fruitfulness in ministry for our Karakol extension education students.

 

Konstantin K.

 

Tajikistan, Volodja

News
After some time of a prayer, the Lord has put on heart 3 regions:  namely capital of Tajikistan, Dushanbe; the city of Nurek; and the city of Kolzozabad. Now we have started to pray weekly for guidance by the Holy Spirit and for indicators from Scripture.  In the near future, we wish to hold seminars where we have already planned, namely in Dusti and in Dzhilikule.  We ask you to pray for unity of the Spirit, for healthy partner relationships with churches and mentors in each of these places.
We ask to pray for:
- For vision (that it became a part of our life);
- For mentors and team unity;
- For compassion for people;
- That we will reach out to people, instead of waiting for them to come to us;
- For new partners and evangelists

Kazakhstan, Oskemen, Anya

This week we conducted a Young Life camp on Buhtarme (water basin) where we had 40 unbelieving teenagers and youth from Oskemen, Zyrjanovska and Sogry along with 30 believing children and leaders. Children only left today (aged from 15 years and up). Please pray for continued development of relationsship with these children, for friendships, and for continued "sowing".

 

It is a special pleasure to share news about ministry among teenagers of the middle classes (12-15 years). After children's camp, which was successfully conducted in June, we have maintained consistent dialogue with new children (nearby 12 people). Some of these have already believed, and we see real changes. There was an initiative team of youth (the leader Yana F.) which with great joy serve these teenagers through personal relationships. The group has already grown to 25 people. I see that God has created something new!

 

Last week in my home group there was a new person, Dima, the husband of one of my girls. He has not believed yet, but is open.

 

A few weeks ago we held a seminar for leaders of children's and teenage ministries. It was a special time of mutual encouragement, a prayful evaluation of ministry, a time updating vision and strategy. I glorify God that in these people really have motivation from the Lord!

 

Still I ask you to pray - on Thursday I meet several school girlfriends of whom I have not seen for 6-10 years. They found me a couple of days ago! I do not want this to end with only one meeting. I wish to be accessible, and I pray that I will be used by the Lord.

KKP, ZM

This time I am writing about myself. This week a remarkable thing happened. My wife was accepted for advanced study.  It was surprising that God oversaw a safe trip to Bishkek. At the last moment there was a friend who was also going, moreover he helped her get accepted for her studies.

Kyrgyzstan, Bishkek, Dima

Olesya and I already moved to Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, two weeks ago.  In this time together we have done prayer walks in "fishing" places (to markets, parks and microdistricts).  During this time I became acquainted with two Kyrgyz sportsmen.  Chingiz, a future student, and Ruslan, a schoolboy.  Both are open-hearted children.  I have told them my personal testimony, though for the present I have not presented the Gospel. I ask you to pray for them. Olesya also has invited a deaf couple, Michael and Natasha, unbelievers who are very open.  They heard Olesya's personal testimony and there is spiritual interest, but as of yet they have not accepted the gospel.  We ask you to pray for them.
Many thanks for your spiritual support.

 

Yours faithfully Dima and Olesya.

Kazakhstan, Almaty, Almaz

For the last two weeks I have been contemplating the vision of our organization and I agree completely, and see how already this vision has become part of our church. Now on our church does active evangelism, and many Russian-speaking Kazakhs are coming and wish to remain with us, whereas earlier we would send them to other churches.  Even one Korean wants to come with his friends. Isa. 56:7. We want to build a multi-national church. We wish upon you all blessings of God, Almaz
As I have come to this vision
1. A course of Missiology in CALTC
- Heart and love for God, salvation – to all people
2. Church definition - called
3. The analysis of growing churches
- Multi-nationality
4. The analysis of Bible texts
- Jer 1:5,10 - prophets
- Ps 2:8 - Christ
- Col 3:11 - church
- Rev – in heaven
5. Internalizing the agreement and preparation
- Kurultai
6. Alpha and Omegy vision
- One Lord for all people

Kazakhstan, Almaty, Oleg

Yesterday I returned from Uralsk, where I went together with Sergey Li "house hunting".

About one month ago the thought came to move to Western Kazakhstan, to further ministry there. I prayed, asked God if this was His thoughts or not. As a result, through His Word, God has answered positively. (Following my reading plan, I read Numbers, where in chapter 13 Israel was told is was not bad to reconnoiter, to determine what conditions were there; and after some days in chapter 32 - the leaders of Reuben and Gad ask their inheritance of Moses on the east side of the Jordan because it was good for them. Moses gave his OK, when he heard that they were ready to continue with God's plan to the end - to go together with all the tribes and to win the land).
In Uralsk I met with pastors of churches, have communicated to my relatives. As in many places, these churches require "a new wave".
We are praying now for the future house churches in Uralsk, and in all the Western region. Pray with us for safety in moving and quick adaptation to our new setting.

Uzbekistan, Tashkent, Murat

Hello.This is Murat from Tashkent.
Here three Saturdays in a row we walked and shared the Gospel with 5 people - two prayed to receive Christ, two were strengthened in their faith. As we are new people in church it is necessary to join a community.  My wife has started to help with the children's service. I will soon conduct one of the groups, but it will be later.

Pray I would gain the confidence of the groups. I pray about the Fergana valley, how to advance there. I have already agreed to meet with some key people.

Kazakhstan, UstKamenogorsk, Alexander

Hi, I'm Alexander Staroverov. I serve as the pastor of Rodnik church in the city of Ridder. July 8 - 12th we did a missionary project in Zyrjanovsk together with a team from Rodnik church of Ust Kamenogorsk. During our service in this city 38 people heard the testimony of the church, 30 people heard the Gospel and 10 accepted Christ as their personal Lord and Savior! Thank God!!!
July 28 - 30th we will have a missionary project in another city. And for this we request prayer for carrying out this project, a street tournament, so that there will not be opposition from the authorities and that we could keep the "harvest" from this project.
There is one more important prayer request: We have problems with the fire department. On July 28th in the Ust Kamenogorsk we will go to court regarding the question of interdiction against the use of our building before elimination of all violations. To eliminate these issues we need a great sum of money, approximately 2,000,000 tenge, which we do not have. Pray that we will not be forbidden to use our building and that God would provide the necessary sum to make all the corrections or has at least give us the chance to get another building. We average about 100 and without the building we may lose many of these people.
A huge thanks for your prayers and the possibility to share with you our needs!!!
May the Lord bless your ministry!!!
Yours faithfully Alexander.

News from Tadjikistan

It is my pleasure to share what occurs in our Great country. I will begin with a brief story about the evangelism of Salafi (Salafija - a radical current in Islam, from the Arabian verb "salafa" — "primary" - the same, as a vahhabism). Once again after my quiet time I went to the market and while I waited near the car I was seen by one of supporters Salafi. He thought that I was Tadjik and started to tell me that the true Moslem does not wear shorts above the knee, and that began our conversation ... Interesting how God gave humility and compassion for this man during our conversation ... The Lord has allowed me to tell about His love, it is a pity that he did not believe.

3 lessons from this:
1. God's way is not a confession; it is not important to Him who you are, it is important what heart you have.
2. Salafati are people like everyone else, they too need salvation.
3. Salafia gives many things in common for us tell about God.
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Kazakhstan: Almaty, Oleg

The end of June we conducted training for Dostar in practical ministry. Thank God, many have seen the possibility of an exit from "a hibernation" condition. In my experience it seems that when you hold on to God, you strive for unity with Him, you seek Him messages, and only afterwards you can undertake actions (the main thing is to begin). God starts to show possibilities for ministry. A testimonty of Iegov, who wanted to to know if we could meet; he is an old acquaintance (together were involved in judo), who was interested in spiritual things; I meet believers who require encouragement - one from Atyrau, one from Ust-kamenogorsk - both wish to grow, but they cannot "join" a traditional church.

Kyrgyzstan: Karakol, Kostya

It is me, Kostya. I an the pastor of church "Lightof Love" in Karakol (Kyrgyzstan) and the director of Extension Education in Karakol. Thanks for your letter and attention.

On July 2nd my second son was born. We named him David. My wife is Zhenya, and our elder son Bogdan.

Extension Education is a big blessing for our city. Students attend with great thirst. Their lives and ministry are transformed.

We move from Bishkek and planted our church 6 years ago. We are growing gradually. We are building a building for our church. Pray, please, for our building because construction has been stopped due to financial difficulties.

In April and May along with the Extension Education students we conducted two humanitarian evangelism projects, in a kindergarten and a large apartment building. We did repairs together with unbelievers. No one accepted Jesus Christ. But 12 people heard the Gospel, we were able to build great friendship and have new contacts for further work with people.

Thank God for all!

May God bless you!

KKP, June, MZ

I apologise for not writing sooner. We have just movedto Tashkent. We are getting settled. And at once we begun Extension Education , meeting with Ivan. At present I am in Samarkand with Ivan. On Saturday we shared the gospel and one person believed. Now I considering and aiming for bridges with local leaders to offer them this course. Courses will be in autumn since it is not convenient in the summer. For now that is all. I can not frequent check mail now as the Internet very much poor. When I have high-speed I will every day. God bless.

Kazakhstan: Almaty, Almaz

Hello.

The last 2 weeks for me have been good in the area of evangelism, as we have presented Bibles to friends with whom we have been on friendly terms for the past 3 years. On the way to Oskemen, we shared with 2 women on the train, they were very interested, one even began to open up. Six people were baptized. We have provide the training on СРМ in the church, 12 people participated, all went well and we plan to pass in this model on in October. We have carried out this training with 2 Turkmen pastors who will carry on the training further, and in August we are going to meet in Bukhara.
Pray needs: transition in СРМ, purchase of a home for us, Rahim's continued training, diploma delivery in Bukhara.

Kazakhstan, June, Sergey

Good afternoon all!

For the last month it has turned out I have been able to share the Gospel about 20 times. For me it is a considerable break, sometimes weeks passed without having anyone with whom I could share. My focus right now is where I work out, already there are 2-3 people who are very open and every week someone new appears. I pray that the Lord guides me.

Here the basic lessons:
1) I feel that it is necessary to continue to think and operate in the light of urgency commanded by the Great Commission of our Lord,
2) time is necessary for people to grow after sowing - and consistently I do not have the patience to deal with them,
3) for last month I have come to see and become interested in people, rather than simply my performance of plans,
4) I pray I can find parttime work to be in touch with more people?
Sergey

Kazakhstan, Oskemen 15-19 June, Yeldos

Trip purpose:  Training for church planting movement at missionary school. 
 

The situation, interesting story or testimony of what you learned from the Lord:

    This week in Ust Kamenogorsk it was especially cold. By nature it should be summer with heat, already the middle of June, and in the courtyard the temperature just reached freezing. Not only on the street but also inside it was necessary to sit in jackets and to dress in a warm sweater. Some townspeople living in private houses managed to heat furnaces again.

      However at school, it was a "hot time" for the students. Every day they worked in groups, visited city markets, did homework and every morning one question "What have you learned of God in the last 24 hours?"  In total, 24 people were trained. They are students from seven Kazakh speaking fellowships, trained in the school for missionary preparation.

 

Phrases students shared in the end of the course:

About the prayer walk in the market:

    "I realized that spiritual warfare is real. During my prayer walk I passed by a lady, she seemed to be waiting for a word but I paid no attention to her because when I passed by my attention was drawn to her very bright and brilliant dress."

 

    "It came home to me that I have absolutely no pity for people who live near me. I can come a hundred times into the same shop and not only do I not know the name of the seller at all, neither do I look at his face.  Now I understand that I can know this seller and he can be my person of peace." 

 

About evangelism and discipleship:

    "Before this course I thought that my problem was simply to evangelize the person or to bring him to church. The rest was the work for my pastor or other leaders. Now I understand that it is not enough to seek only for repentance, but it is my responsibility that this person grows as a true disciple of Jesus Christ."

 

About the course in general:

    "These themes were not new to me.  But what has hooked me is the sequence of the fields. I come into one field and I see all the cycle, yet I will not transfer it to another."

 

Though the initial purpose of this training is the transfer of skills, there is also the role occupied with character development. I am pleased that the system for this school of missionaries is centered on constant formation of Christian character, beginning with general prayer at 7:00 a.m. for six days a week, class until lunch, work at a factory until evening and a night service in one of the cell groups. 

     One student has shared that he was not able to take any application from the course or from Bible study in the mornings. On the weekend, as a class we met in groups to share communion. When there was the appeal for each to check his heart condition, this student rose and approached another in the audience, began to cry and ask for forgiveness from him. Evidently for a long time they had an offense against each other and unforgiveness towards each other. The Lord was concerned for their hearts and has shown the importance of the application of His precepts, first of all to each other. - Eldos

Central Asia: Applying the Word

While leading a class last week I met with one man who was struggling. He said that he read the Bible every day but just did not find things to apply. He knew there was application everywhere, but just could not see it. And he was having conflict with one other person. Challenged him to read Matthew chapter 5.

Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that
your brother has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the
altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer
your gift. –Matt.5:23-24

In the Old Testament we learn about sacrifices – about the need for blood to cover our sin. The one offering the sacrifice was to come in repentance, and would leave in peace with a resolved heart. Our sacrifices today aren’t blood – it is our ministry, our prayer, our possessions, our life. So if you want to serve, examine ‘is there anyone who has something against me?’ then make that right. Only then serve.

The last day of our study we saw this man in tears and helped him pray with the one who had been offended, helped them to forgive each other. I believe they will be able to serve more now.

Then on the train back home heard this: One woman, who served God, had an issue in her heart with a number of people. She began to be ill. When she asked someone for help, he said she had two hours to live unless she met with those around her to forgive and seek forgiveness. In two hours, when he returned, she had gathered all who she needed to forgive and from whom to seek forgiveness. And she had a heart of joy and peace. After that she was able to serve God even more.

If you take on and do one small application, God will give you so much more.

Here is a word from Eldos

I am in Texas for a training session. This Sunday we were visiting on church and twice I shared my testimoney with them - in English! Then Sergey spoke of our ministry. Though this is not all that large a church, the people are so open for ministry. So encouraging.

God does certainly work miraculously through all kindsof circumstances. Last week we were in Dallas for training. On the second day we had an assignment to find someone and share the gospel. I thought, "Where can I go? I don't know English well, and am not comfortable in this culture. I will just go along and pray." I went along with Matt and Sergey to work out. And interestingly, God had me meet a young man named Sergey. Three years ago he was adopted by a family in the states. Every week he goes to church, but only goes because of his parents. He considers himself more Orthodox. I was able to share the Gospel with him, going into detail, and told him how very important it was to have a relationship with God. I was able to get his e-mail address, and have begun sharing topics to search in the Bible. Amazing.

In a couple of days we went to another place. There I met Rustem. He and his family moved from Turkmenistan. They live a region for refugees. Though he considers himself a Muslim and goes to the mosque every week, nonetheless he listened patiently to the Gospel. We were able to communicate in Kazakh and Turkmen (similar Turkic languages).

Praise God that He can use even me in my weakness and helplessness, showing His strength.

Kazakhstan: Ongoing evangelist

Evangelists Noyan and Gulhan keep sharing their faith and guiding others to do so. Just this week 6 folks came to Christ in one meeting, and another 2 just yesterday. All have immediately begun discipleship. Please pray continued effectiveness in evangelism, and pray for serious commitment in discipleship.

One man who recently came to faith was born in another persecuted country, and many of his relatives are still there. He has asked Noyan to travel with him to visit all the relatives and share his new faith. Please pray for the ability to get visas, and for safe travel so that these relatives also have the opportunity to hear the gospel. Pray for this new believer to be rooted and grounded in truth.

Almas shares about Intercession

In the past, when I read the Bible, I really read it thinking I had an understanding of what was there. But now, I read seeking what I have not known before, what I need to learn anew, what God is teaching me now.

One of the things that I read in Exodus had new impotus. Exodus 28: 9-12

Take two onyx stones and engrave on them the names of the sons of Israel in the order of their birth—six names on one stone and the remaining six on the other. Engrave the names of the sons of Israel on the two stones the way a gem cutter engraves a seal. Then mount the stones in gold filigree settings and fasten them on the shoulder pieces of the ephod as memorial stones for the sons of Israel. Aaron is to bear the names on his shoulders as a memorial before the LORD.

This got me to thinking about Aaron’s responsibilities of representing the people before God and leading them to God. Aaron was to bear the names as a memorial before the Lord – to represent the people before God and lead the people to God. I am a pastor, and as such I have similar responsibilites with my small flock. Of course, they can all access God directly – I’m know that I don’t replace Christ in that role. But as their pastor I do represent them, as their leader, before God. And of course am responsible for pointing them to God.

As I meditated on this, I started writing down the names of all the leaders in my church, then everyone. I laid this list before God and began praying for them. And I carry this list with me, that whenever I stand before God (whether in personal prayer or in corporate worship) I can carry their names as a memorial before God. God sees each person, whether I carry my list or not. The issue is with me. As I carry their names with me I am reminded of my responsibilities, the burden of leadership. This has really helped me keep me from arrogance about my grand title of “pastor.” And I pray for them, either individually or as a group, each time I pray.

Just recently I was reading in Numbers. Numbers 14: 19-20

[Moses asked] “In accordance with your great love, forgive the sin of these people, just as you have pardoned them from the time they left Egypt until now.” The LORD replied, “I have forgiven them, as you asked.

God said he would no longer go with Israel. Moses appealed to God to forgive the Israelites even though He had decided to wipe them out, and God forgave them. This hit me. Changed me. This helped me in huge ways to intercede for others. Moses stood up to God when He was steaming mad. Moses saved Israel in a manner of speaking. He interceded. He carried the names of Israel before God, as Aaron’s priestly garments suggest the high priest did. Intercession is so key.

I am happy to know that people are praying for me (my director, our supporters, others) just as I am praying for others. I am pleased to know that they are there. And others can be encouraged because I / we are praying for them. Knowing that people are praying for us – I know that all will be OK. And when we pray for others – all will be OK.

Thank You for Praying for our Partners Conference!

According to the analysis conducted by the mission (Bill and Byron) there are a few special areas, where counting the statistics does not tell the whole story.

1. Above all Christian character of all our staff and partners. Indeed, praise God! People and their dedication to God is the greatest value in this world! Thank all of you for your continued abiding in the Lord.
2. The focus on regions and the development of ministry on location (the background on Central Asia in Almaty). Two years ago I was personally a little concerned about committing to the plan that we have now realized. The Lord has been good to us and we thank Him for the abundance of super brothers and sisters.
3. The focus on the development of training, indispensible for the development of small groups in churches. For this also we have been striving for about two years.
4. The focus on ministry in contrast to administrative work. As Kanat remarked, “It is difficult to bring people to the Lord while we’re sitting in offices.”
5. The evangelism department has shown great initiative in the number of people evangelized, the number of people who accepted Christ and the number of people in churches.

What else can we work on?

• Develop skills based on experience, to go with the theological training. Especially experience in planting churches in new regions.
• Keep our eyes open, be always on the lookout, searching for new "fish" to be caught. Praying as we walk, meeting our neighbors, actually asking them questions about their life. And having real, deep compassion for the lost. We need to become people overflowing with the love of Christ, who are always on mission with God to reach people He is drawing to himself.

I want to thank everyone who participated, and thank everyone who prayed for us during this conference.

-- Sergey

Central Asia: Statistics for 2008 (fiscal year)

220 new groups started
6,000 converted
100,000 heard the gospel

1 new UPG (Afghani)

Central Asia: Coordinators' conference

Our regional coordinators gathered together for reporting, prayer and encouragement. It was amazing to see how men from different countries and different cultures shared the same passion to enable a church planting movement throughout Central Asia. Each of these men have seen God working in their personal lives and are committed to following Him. Seeing how God was working in each region left everyone encouraged, enabled, empowered and feeling loved.

Kazakhstan: Multi-fellowship worship - more cool pictures

Kazakhstan: Multi-fellowship worship - cool pictures

Closed country: Growing church

We are praising God for the opportunity to work in this closed country. We have a new group that we have started, meeting 2 to 3 times a week. But we must be careful so that the government doesn't find out. Our members are more afraid of losing their jobs than of going to prison.
A few of us met with the local Imam and local police. We were examining ways of proceeding with our work without aggrevating the police. They insisted that we pursue registration, even though they know that registration will not be granted. But they told us as long as we are pursuing registration then they can offer some grace. The Imam did not want to bother with the legal issues, but we suggested they had a better case for registration and they should try. After a short time the Imam confided that since they are pursuing things legally things have been better for them. This was the first time that we have been able to speak with the Imam without getting into an argument. We have been pursuing registration for some time, and it has not helped us, nonetheless we are committed to approaching the government with an attitude of submission.

Nauriz at Nur Church in Aktobe, Kazakhstan

Some pictures from the Nauriz celebration. Sitting on the floor, eating Nauriz kozhei and plov, drinking lots of tea, and swapping stories about Nauriz, new beginnings, history and Jesus.

Ordination of Tolemurat

One of 4 ordinations in Western Kazakhstan this month.
Folks from several different churches met together to encourage Tolemurat and to offer praise to God.

Ivan Shares About Joy and Suffering

I wanted to be able to tell you so that you could understand. Disciples must follow Christ. Christ is the way, but he faced the cross and complete rejection. Jesus did say we would face troubles and persecution. But this same way is the way to joy and fulfillment.

My challenge to you – don’t look at the difficulties, but look at what God wants us to do.

Fined $400 for belief in Christ

One evening seven policemen came to my home searching for a “criminal” though they had no search warrant. I wasn’t at home, only my brother Timor*, my younger brother, and my nephew. The police did not find their criminal but did shoot video of my home. Our house was clean (that is, no Christian literature) but the police tossed out two Gideon New Testaments in Russian and one Good News in our local language. Video cassettes and disks which I had at home were not Christian but ordinary films which are for sale at the market.

When they searched our home, neighbors served as witnesses outside the door, while my boys were held in the other room. The police showed our neighbors the material they had “found” (though it was what they brought to my home). They drew up a report of the search that stated they found these books in my house. I was called home by a brother saying that the police wanted to talk with me. By the time I arrived the police were getting ready to leave. They had already compelled the two brothers to write testimony of what was happening, and also they took away my younger brother’s passport.

Then later police subpoenaed me to the city police department. I was interrogated by the major of the department of terrorism. He accused me of proselytizing. And he threatened that unless I renounce Christ he would imprison all my relatives simply because of our faith in Christ. They also subpoenaed brother Timor, who testified that he also believes in Jesus Christ, and threatened him with imprisonment unless he testified against me for compelling him to believe in Jesus Christ. When brother Timor said that by law everyone has the right to believe in any religion, the investigator said that this law did not have force in our region. In a few days I was summoned to the prosecutor’s office. I was told to sign a document from the public prosecutor warning me of criminal article ###-3, that is, if they find Christian books in my home again they will accuse me on point ###-3 to the full extent of the law and put me in prison. I refused to sign this paper because it was contrary to the law to make this charge prior to having received a prior charge. He summoned two witnesses documenting my refusal to sign the decision of the public prosecutor.

Three weeks later I was summoned to court by phone. In attendance was the public prosecutor’s aide, the secretary of the judge, and also the judge, who accused me of illegally keeping Christian literature, video cassettes, and also disks for distribution. I had statements from our neighbors who had been witnesses that they did not participate in the search of my house but stood outside my home and did not actually see where these things were found. When I asked the judge to summon and question those who participated in the search and the witnesses, she said there was no need to question them, all was clear. I was under surveillance by the police because I believe in a strange religion, that is, Christianity. And she said that I must return to Islam without delay. When I said that I will continue to believe in Christ the judge said that I would be fined $400 without even saying the article against which I was judged.

*Timor is not his real name.

Persecution and church growth in *closed country*

2008 for us was a year of mulitplication. Our primary objective was to share the gospel in the suburbs of our city and in other districts of our republic, and also to open home churches. We shared the gospel, and 20 of those who accepted Christ continue to grow stronger in their faith.

Because of persecution this year some believers recanted their faith, and others, though they continue to believe, do not meet with us. Not focusing on these difficulties, our believers continued to share the gospel and opened five active small groups.

Though our annual results failed to meet our goals, we saw that God nonetheless worked mightily in our church. Many believers became stronger in their faith and began in earnest to look at ministry. We declared 2009 the year of ministry, where ministry begins with our family. And our motto is “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” Because of our current persecution it is difficult to meet in small groups, even as small as three. So we decided to conduct services within each of our families. Only leaders will meet at night to prepare other leaders who will serve their families. We have services now within 21 families. Of these, 13 families are entire households that are saved. The other families have nonbelievers, but we trust our prayers will purchase their salvation.

Our focus for 2009 is to evangelize mainly among our relatives so as not too offend law enforcement authorities, because each time we are caught, they say that we should believe in Jesus at home rather than out in other places. Every family is focused on evangelism among their relatives, and each hopes to open a minimum of three small groups among their relatives.

We thank you for your prayers and support, and ask you to continue praying for our country.

In the Face of Inflation

For 2 to 3 years the Kazakh tenge had held its value against the dollar. Lately we are seeing a weakening of the tenge. For example:
As of 01-Jan-2009 ... as of 11-Feb-2009
120.3 KZT/US$ ... 148.5 KZT/US$
155.45 KZT/EUR ... 191.48 KZT/EUR
3.37 KZT/RUR ... 4.1 KZT/RUR
This means we get more tenge for each dollar we convert, which for people with dollars to exchange it seems a good deal. Or it takes more tenge to convert to dollars, which for many of our staff that are needing to pay rent or return loans in dollars makes things much worse.

With the exchange rate changing, it often affects the prices of things to buy. Most of the merchandise in stores is not manufactured or packaged in Kazakhstan, from milk products to cars. And with international transactions usually done in dollars or Euros, it means that the tenge price to the buyer is rising higher.

Christians Cannot Die

At least that is the political stance in this closed country. One of our brothers in this closed country sat down next to me and just poured out his heart.

“One of our sisters died. Of course, most of her family are not believers. And when the family went to bury her there were problems. The local Mullah refused her services. The local government officials refused her a burial plot. The family was denied a traditional funeral by their friends. It almost seemed like a cartoon gone awry, except that it wasn’t funny. Basically, it was a total disaster.

“We are struggling with how to bury our dead, how to minister to those grieving, how to reach through the tragedy of death to share the hope of a real future in heaven with those who have no hope. This is just the first one in our region, we know others have begun to wrestle with the issue, but it is a first for us. And as yet, is still totally unresolved. Hopefully no one else dies anytime soon so we have time to sort through this a bit.

“Pray with us. This just adds to the burden we bear. The government is always watching, arresting, searching our homes, threatening. Family members are afraid to associate with us. Friends disappear whenever there are difficulties. And even believers shrink away. And now we are becoming a stench to all because we cannot bury our dead.

“We do not grieve as those who have no hope. Jesus Christ will sustain us. We will go on. But sometimes the joy is just missing.”

Shingis, How are you adjusting to your new work schedule?

Well, this is new to me, and I am finding it difficult to find the balance between my personal ministry and my regional responsibilities. But I do think this will be good.

So far, this is what my weekly schedule looks like:

Monday – I’m in the office for our weekly team prayer, reporting and accountability. It’s a great time to touch base with everyone.

Tuesday – I am in contact with all my regional coordinators and working on our regional plans and strategies. One of these coordinators will likely become our new regional director, as I work myself out of that role. Presently he is my accountability partner, as we help each other grow. There is one more coordinator that I am mentoring long distance.

Wednesday is preparation time for the lessons we will be working on in our small groups.

Thursday and Friday are days of our two small groups. One is a new group and the other is a more mature group we are looking to have start another new group this summer.

Saturday is our day for entertaining guests, and in true Kazak fashion we have a lot of guests.

Sunday – Our cell church worships together one Sunday a month, the other Sundays I have committed to doing prayer walks with my family and my disciples.

Of course, I spend a good bit of time with my three disciples. Mostly one-on-one, but sometimtes as a group.

Sergey: His new work schedule.

I have come to truly embrace the truth that people are the highest value - not work projects, statistics or in-depth Bible study. This has led me to evaluate how I spend each week - is it meaningful? am I meeting with people on spiritual issues, especially evangelism and discipleship? With our current refocus of the organization, we are no longer in the office 5-days a week, but rather are active in ministry for 40 hours a week, but more flexible to be available for lunch or evening meetings while giving time to our families during the day.

This has allowed me to now have 4 different standing meetings each week with 6 different disciples (some 1-on-1, some by 2). With these meetings happening every week we are able to talk about real life, about integrating Scripture into our lives. Besides this I still continue to lead one small group for our Dostar church, and participate in our leaders meetings and our elders meetings.

I continue to stay in touch with our Tajikistan partners by way of a Skype call every week.

And, of course, continue with our organization leaders regular meetings, weekly prayer and accountability with our organizational teams and leaders.

All I need now is a part-time job.

Sergey: 4 guys and a testimony

From: Sergey

It was amazing meeting with these 4 business leaders. They asked kind of harshly, "Well, what is best for your organization?" So I knew they were just OK guys. But as they looked around at all the people we have here and the situations that we work under, they asked me quite seriously, "Aren't you faced with sexual temptations? It just wouldn't be possible to work with women and not feel anything." So I had the great opportunity to share with them about the indwelling of the Holy Spirit - not using those words, of course. But they gave me their attention as I shared how free I was in Christ and how having his strength keeps me from these struggles. They were amazed by what God could do. What a charge for me to share with them.

Trip: Zharma village, Marat, 18-Dec-2008

From: Iman Zholy Church (Marat)

Trip Purpose:
Encourage and train believers

How does this trip fit our vision and purpose:
Build relationships with believers in remote areas and encourage spiritual growth.

Situation:
Our brother Erlan lives in the village Zharma. He has a wife and two little daughters. His wife so far disbelieves in Jesus, but is very open to discussion. Erlan pastures horses.
The nearest church is 90 km from his village, in Georgievka, and Erlan desparately needs fellowship with other believers. When we arrived, we stopped at his home and had a wonderful time. We shared the word of God, and encouraged him. And honestly we got the greater encouragement from him.
In spite of the fact that in this village Erlan is the only one who confesses Jesus as Lord and Savior, he has given away spiritual literature to all habitants of his village. Now the children are beginning to come to him. They ask all kinds of different questions and request books.

Personal testimony or story:
One night Erlan dreamed a strange dream. Motor cycle horse thieves arrived and began to threaten him with a knife, saying that they will put him to death. In the dream he gave them a length of fabric and they left him.
He woke from fear. It was three o'clock in the morning, and a frightful snow-storm raged. In the morning ten horses were not in their stall, and in the snow were motorcycle tracks. With help from the Lord Erlan found the horses between two mountains, where they were hidden by the thieves. All the horses were accounted for and unharmed.
This story affirmed the faith of Erlan and also encouraged our team.

Prayer requests:
o Gratitude to Lord who does not abandon us and in all situations is with us
o Please pray for his family. Erlan does not want to pasture horses and even thinks to move closer to the district center, to the church.
o For that his wife, Tolkyn, will also find faith.

Trip: Semey Rehabilitation, Marat, 19-Dec-2008

From: Iman Zholy Church (Marat)

Trip Purpose:
Conduct seminary “Meeting with God”
Encourage believers, who have gone through rehabilitation

How does this trip fit our vision and purpose:
Encourage believers through conducting seminars.
Development of relations for further partnership

Situation:
In Semey we traveled with a team of four persons. In general it was a difficult two days. We stayed at Sergey’s home. He is the director of the rehabilitation center there.
For his ward we conducted a seminar “Meeting with God.” 28 persons participated in all. Many of them former alcoholics, drug addicts and bums, which our society long ago “waved off”. But we saw their hearts open to God’s word and burning with an enormous desire to become a blessing for others.

Personal testimony or story:
A year ago our church solicited and sent two persons on treatment in Semey. It is wonderful to see the transformation of their lives.

Marat was a former alcoholic and vagabond. Completing the course of treatment in this rehabilitation centre, he went for spiritual teaching in Almaty. Now he is Sergey’s assistant.

We became acquainted quite by chance with Gulmira. Last year she was drunk during our seminar in Tavriya. She cried and asked for help to change, because she was already tired of such a life. That very day we got her to the rehabilitation center. A year passed and once again, but already in another situation, she participated in our the seminar. Both days she was in tears, but now they were tears of gratitude for her changed life. Now Sergey recommends her to study in Almaty, with subsequent plans to minister to others with broken hearts.

Now in the center are five individuals which our church literally picked up off the streets of Ust'-kamenogorska.

Prayer requests:
o For the spiritual growth of Marat and Gulmira
o May God bless Sergey and his rehabilitation center.

Additional comment from Eldos: As an example, in Almaty there are a few rehabilitation centers, organized by churches and at a cost of treatment of 50.000 tenge a month (the price before our financial crisis). Thus treatment lasts no less one year. Compare that with what Sergey and his team do, is based on their complete personal enthusiasm.

Trip: Uhlan Bator, Mongolia, Marat, 19-Nov-2008

From: Iman Zholy Church (Marat, Asem, Clara)

Trip Purpose:

Visit believing Kazaks in the city of Uhlan Bator with the purpose of encouragement, evangelize and develop ministry to the elderly.

How does this trip fit our vision and purpose:

Kazakh ministry – know new groups and churches in unreached areas and further development of partnership with them. The purpose of this visit was to teach Kazakhs in Mongolia evangelism through a meeting of friends to help them in opening of groups.

Situation:
Because there is no direct flight from Oskemen to Mongolia and it is impossible to buy tickets in Kazakhstan, our route lay through the city of Novosibirsk. When we arrived at the station we had only three hours before our train departure remains, and the international cash desks were almost closed. It is a big two-story station and we had to run some times from one floor on another to find the necessary cash desk. All cash desks were packed, and cashiers shouted to turn back since they were taking nobody else. Thanks to the hand of the Lord, in the last 10 minutes we were able to buy the final two tickets to Uhlan Bator.

But that was only the beginning of our test. Because now we had to get our cargo across 7 railways to reach our desired Mongolian train. Praise God we were in time and safely began the three-day journey from Russia in Mogoliju.

Our God was very kind to us and our fellow travellers. In our car there were many Chinese. Of them we could get acquainted with some and have told them about Jesus. One of the Chinese works as a doctor in Irkutsk and has a business bringing in medicine. Another is engaged in transportation of building materials. A third works as a translator at a university. As we found out, all of them were heading home for the holiday.

In our car were alson some Russians and we could build a relationship with two Russian women and have shared with them about God’s love. In the end we exchanged addresses with everyone.

In Uhlan Bator we stayed with one sister named Saule. Her husband Shampan while yet a non-believer, is very open to dialogue. He works as a geologist, is very hospitable and a very kind soul. Our fed and clean bodies wished to sleep. But our spirit was invigorated and we visited until almost to two o'clock in the morning on spiritual themes.

All our time was spent in one church for Kazakhs. We saw firsthand their need to develop a system of ministry. Because they need training in even elementary things, as for example how to conduct a Sunday service. In this church there are many women over forty and widows. We taught the sisters how to minister with women. We helped conduct Sunday school for children. There are approximately 15 children and only one teacher with no assistance. There is a need to learn how to evangelize, to build groups.

There are also many physical difficulties. The house where they gather has only two rooms and it is very cold.

But despite these deprivations they do not focus on the problems but wish to serve others who as yet do not come. Sister Saule has told about their ministry at a Hospice where there are many Kazakhs without any hope of their healing.

Personal testimonty or story:
As we returned back to Kazakhstan there was with us another family in our compartment. Evidently the husband had once visited a church in the Mongolian language. He began to study the Koran because he had no Scripture in the Kazakh (local) language he left that church. Then he went to attend a medresse in Shymkent to become a religious man. After he completed his study he has obtained Kazakhstan citizenship and began working in one Turkish company.

We established an excellent relationship. He had many questions and was very opened. Upon arrival in Oskemen they have invited us and we could continue our relationship.

One of episodes of this of stories was that they could test on themselves wonderful healing of the Lord. When we had only gotten on train his wife fell very ill with the flu and we prayed for her. The next morning she awoke completely healthy and vigorous and was full of gratitude, testifying that we truly are children of God.

Prayer requests:

• Praise God for the family family which has completely footed the bill for our trip
  
• Please pray for churches in the Kazakh language. For their formation and ministry to Kazakhs which live in Mongolia
  
• Pray for the church where we were, and others like it, for needed ministers.
  
• Pray our church has the possibility to make periodic trips to this region for encouragement and to offer help.
  
• Sister Saule asks for prayer regarding the possibility to purchase a house for ministry to people from the Hospice
  
• May the Lord will bless you, Asem and Clara.