My Kazakh friend invited me recently to visit our town's newest congregation, a gathering of several people at another friend's home. I went, my heart full of anticipation. I arrived on time, but the meeting could not yet begin; hardly anyone else had arrived. Soon older and younger Kazakhs arrived one by one. There were many friendly faces, some serious. They were mostly women; all spoke Kazakh, a Turkic language.

We were sitting in the living room, mostly on the floor. I was surprised that so many had come, perhaps 30 people. Orinbek says a short prayer and then plays his guitar, which needs tuning, but this does not disturb the singing of one song after another. Orinbek explains that there has been a spiritual breakthrough recently; eight people have found "the Way". After everyone is introduced, we read a passage from the Holy Book. The sermon is like a conversation. Orinbek and Gulnara do not seem to be specially gifted teachers or leaders. They are more like spiritual parents who take care of their "new-born children" and love them with all their heart. It was a pleasure to watch them.

People Changed

Afterwards, several people shared recent experiences with the Lord. An old Kazakh woman shouted, "Do you remember how I was a month ago? I was so nervous and agitated. Have you noticed the change in me?" Others confirmed that there had been a great change in her during the last month and praised God for this. This group doesn't seem to need a "proper church building". A lesson in tuning guitars would do nothing to improve the fellowship they have. It is my prayer that there would be such a church on every street of our town. It is a real "house of God".

Church Growth

Kazakhstan is the size of most of Western Europe, with 16 million inhabitants. Of those, 9 million traditionally share the religion of folk Islam. Whereas there were hardly any Kazak believers in 1990, they are estimated to number over 10,000 today! The church of God is continually growing.

Flag of Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan Map

Prayer guide for Kazakhstan:

* Differences in culture and language are a great challenge for the emerging Kazakh churches. Pray for unity.

* The Gospel has not yet reached most of the villages and rural areas. Pray that the Kazakh churches have the courage and the wisdom to meet this challenge.

* Pray for healthy families and courage to be a witness for Jesus.

* Corruption, prostitution and crime are everywhere present. Pray for the country and the president (1 Tim. 2:1-4).

* The New Testament and half of the Old Testament have been translated into the Kazakh language. Pray for the work of the Bible translators that the Kazakhs would soon have the whole Bible in their native language.

Background on Kazakhstan (World Factbook)

Native Kazakhs, a mix of Turkic and Mongol nomadic tribes who migrated into the region in the 13th century, were rarely united as a single nation. The area was conquered by Russia in the 18th century, and Kazakhstan became a Soviet Republic in 1936. During the 1950s and 1960s agricultural "Virgin Lands" program, Soviet citizens were encouraged to help cultivate Kazakhstan's northern pastures. This influx of immigrants (mostly Russians, but also some other deported nationalities) skewed the ethnic mixture and enabled non-Kazakhs to outnumber natives. Independence in 1991 caused many of these newcomers to emigrate. Current issues include: developing a cohesive national identity; expanding the development of the country's vast energy resources and exporting them to world markets; achieving a sustainable economic growth outside the oil, gas, and mining sectors; and strengthening relations with neighboring states and other foreign powers.

Economy of Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan possesses enormous fossil fuel reserves and plentiful supplies of other minerals and metals. The opening of the Caspian Consortium pipeline in 2001, from western Kazakhstan's Tengiz oilfield to the Black Sea, substantially helped the economy. Kazakhstan also has begun work on an ambitious cooperative construction effort with China to build an oil pipeline that will extend from the country's Caspian coast eastward to the Chinese border. Kazakhstan has embarked on an ambitious diversification program, aimed at developing targeted sectors like transport, pharmaceuticals, telecommunications, petrochemicals and food processing.

About Kazakhstan

Population: 15,522,373 (July 2011 est.) World rank #64

Life Expectancy at Birth: 68.51 years. World rank #152

Ethnic groups: Kazakh (Qazaq) 63.1%, Russian 23.7%, Uzbek 2.8%, Ukrainian 2.1%, Uighur 1.4%, Tatar 1.3%, German 1.1%, other 4.5%

Religions: Muslim 47%, Russian Orthodox 44%, Protestant 2%, other 7%

Languages: Kazakh (Qazaq, state language) 64.4%, Russian (official, used in everyday business, designated the "language of interethnic communication") 95%

Literacy: 99.5% -- Male: 99.8%, Female: 99.3%

School life expectancy: 15 years

Kazakhstan - Video

Fotos from flying to Astana by Air Astana. And Fotos from Astana the Capital of Kazakhstan

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Parnership for Peace

Since independence in 1991, Tajikistan has had three changes of government. The country has suffered from ongoing civil conflict with political, regional and clan-based aggression. Peace was brokered in 1997 and since then things have been steadily improving. Now Dushanbe (the capital) is even more active than Tashkent, happily, with new stores, restauraunts, and factories opening right and left. Tajikistan is in the early stages of seeking World Trade Organization membership and has joined NATO's Partnership for Peace. Still, 60% of the population continue to live in abject poverty.

Shaken, Not Stirred

The Tajiks are descendants from the Persians and are closely linked with the neighbouring Uzbeks. Tajikistan is a landlocked, mountainous country with more than half of the land area above 3,000 metres with frequent strong earthquakes. The country is a landlocked, mountainous region dominated The Trans-Alay mountain Range in the north and the Pamirs in the southeast are the dominant mountains with the highest point being Qullai Ismoili Somoni (formerly Communism Peak) - the tallest mountain in the former USSR.

Daily life in Tajikistan

Tajikistan has the lowest per capita GDP among the 15 former Soviet republics. Only 5% to 6% of the land area is arable. Cotton is the most important crop. Mineral resources, varied but limited in amount, include silver, gold, uranium, and tungsten. Industry consists only of a large aluminum plant, hydropower facilities, and small obsolete factories mostly in light industry and food processing. The civil war) severely damaged the already weak economic infrastructure and caused a sharp decline in industrial and agricultural production. Tajikistan's economic situation remains fragile due to uneven implementation of structural reforms, weak governance, widespread unemployment, and the external debt burden. A debt restructuring agreement was reached with Russia in December 2002, including an interest rate of 4%, a 3-year grace period, and a US $49.8 million credit to the Central Bank of Tajikistan.

Most Tajiks live in small villages known as "qishlaqs" surrounded by orchards and vineyards of apples, apricots, melons and mulberries. Qishlaqs consist of 200 to 700 one-family mud or stone houses built along the banks of a river or canal. The population is broken down into: Tajik 64.9%, Uzbek 25%, Russian 3.5% (declining because of emigration), other 6.6%.

The Drug Routes

Tajikistan is a major transit country for Afghan narcotics bound for Russian and, to a lesser extent, Western European markets; limited illicit cultivation of opium poppy for domestic consumption; Tajikistan seizes roughly 80 percent of all drugs captured in Central Asia and stands third world-wide in seizures of opiates (heroin and raw opium).

Most Tajiks are Sunni Muslims (85%) with small Shi'ite Muslim communities in the more remote regions (5%). Although there are a few orthodox churches in the main cities there is only a handful of Christians in the country. There are several Christian aid agencies involved in medical work.

Flag of Tajikistan

Map of Tajikistan

Pray for the Muslims in Tajikistan:

* Pray for the children of Tajikistan to hear the message of Good News.

* Pray for the President and his family. Pray that they would have an opportunity to hear and respond to the Gospel. Pray also for other leaders of Tajikistan.

* Pray open doors in the land for Christian to have opportunities to minister to the Tajiks.

* Pray for the people of Tajikistan to know God's love, comfort, peace and provision in the face of hash conditions.

Background on Tajikistan (World Factbook)

The Tajik people came under Russian rule in the 1860s and 1870s, but Russia's hold on Central Asia weakened following the Revolution of 1917. Bolshevik control of the area was fiercely contested and not fully reestablished until 1925. Tajikistan became independent in 1991 following the breakup of the Soviet Union, and it is now in the process of strengthening its democracy and transitioning to a free market economy after its civil war. There have been no major security incidents in recent years, although the country remains the poorest in the former Soviet sphere.

Attention by the international community in the wake of the war in Afghanistan has brought increased economic development assistance, which could create jobs and increase stability in the long term. Tajikistan is in the early stages of seeking World Trade Organization membership and has joined NATO's Partnership for Peace.

Economy of Tajikistan

Tajikistan has one of the lowest per capita GDPs among the 15 former Soviet republics. Because of a lack of employment opportunities in Tajikistan, as many as a million Tajik citizens work abroad, almost all of them in Russia, supporting families in Tajikistan through remittances. Less than 7% of the land area is arable. Cotton is the most important crop, and its production is closely monitored, and in many cases controlled, by the government.

About Tajikistan

Population: 7,627,200 (July 2011 est.) World rank #95

Life Expectancy at Birth: 66.03 years. World rank #165

Ethnic groups: Tajik 79.9%, Uzbek 15.3%, Russian 1.1%, Kyrgyz 1.1%, other 2.6% (2000 census)

Religions: Sunni Muslim 85%, Shi'a Muslim 5%, other 10% (2003 est.)

Languages: Tajik (official), Russian widely used in government and business

Literacy: 99.5% -- Male: 99.7%, Female: 99.2%

School life expectancy: 11 years

Sights and Sounds of Tajikistan: Video

The Youth of Tajikistan from Weltenwanderer on Vimeo.

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Daily Life is Hard in Azerbaijan

Azerbaijan is a land of high mountain ranges and low river valleys, bordering Russia in the north and Iran in the south. The traditional religion of the Azeris is Shiite Islam, which has experienced a revival in recent years. Known to be lovers of poetry and music, the Azerbaijanis have plenty to write about, but their history carries much sorrow. Calling themselves "sword Muslims," Azerbaijanis tell that their ancient ancestors had embraced Christianity, but knelt involuntarily to Islam when invaded by Arabs.

For centuries Azerbaijan has been swallowed by conquering empires, including the Persians, Ottomans, and Russians. In recent years, one million refugees, displaced by the Nagorno Karabakh conflict, coupled with the ever-present sore of foreign occupation on Azerbaijani soil has created a humanitarian crisis that affects the stability of the entire Caucasus. Internally, rampant corruption pollutes the land, making bribes a common affair to accomplish even small tasks. Daily life is hard.

The Church in Azerbaijan

Yet, in such soil Christ's church is growing, though it's still centered mainly in Baku. However, a deadly root from the past - a deep mistrust of others (common to both Communistic and Islamic societies) - threatens widespread growth. Such fear presents a formidable obstacle to many new believers in budding home fellowships as they try to build Christian communities of acceptance and trust.

Flag of Azerbaijan

Map of Azerbaijan

The church saw a surge of growth in the mid-90's, from less than a 100 Azerbaijani believers to perhaps as many as 10,000 making professions of faith in Christ. Yet today, the number of baptized disciples is much smaller. Today the percentage of Azerbaijani believers is less than 0.1% of the population.

Pray for the Muslims in Azerbaijan:

* Pray for Azerbaijani evangelists to take the gospel to all parts of the land. (Romans 10:13) Labourers coming from other nations are exploring new ways of cooperation and unity. Pray that this continues and deepens.

* Pray for the leadership of Azerbaijan (Psalm 29:1).

* Christians working among the Azerbaijani have set up a 24-hour prayer watch that has been gaining momentum in the last few years. Pray for these faithful workers.

Background on Azerbaijan (World Factbook)

Azerbaijan - a nation with a Turkic and majority-Muslim population - was briefly independent from 1918 to 1920; it regained its independence after the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991. Despite a 1994 cease-fire, Azerbaijan has yet to resolve its conflict with Armenia over the Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh enclave (largely Armenian populated). Azerbaijan has lost 16% of its territory and must support some 528,000 internally displaced persons as a result of the conflict. Corruption is ubiquitous, and the promise of widespread wealth from Azerbaijan's undeveloped petroleum resources remains largely unfulfilled.

About Azerbaijan

Population: 8,372,373 (July 2011 est.) World rank #91

Life Expectancy at Birth: 67.36 years. World rank #157

Ethnic groups: Azeri 90.6%, Dagestani 2.2%, Russian 1.8%, Armenian 1.5%, other 3.9% (1999 census)

Fact of Interest: Almost all Armenians live in the separatist Nagorno-Karabakh region

Religions: Muslim 93.4%, Russian Orthodox 2.5%, Armenian Orthodox 2.3%, other 1.8%
note: religious affiliation is still nominal in Azerbaijan; percentages for actual practicing adherents are much lower

Languages: Azerbaijani (Azeri) 90.3%, Lezgi 2.2%, Russian 1.8%, Armenian 1.5%, other 3.3%, unspecified 1%

Literacy: 98.8% -- Male: 99.5%, Female: 98.2%

School life expectancy: 12 years

Oil wealth 'kept from Azerbaijan's poor' - Video

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The Balkars are a Turkic people, living in the central Caucasus region of southern Russia. Over time the Balkars have become culturally very similar to their Caucasian neighbors but have faithfully retained their Turkic language. In the 13th century Genghis Khan's Mongols overran the Balkars, who fought at the side of the Georgian king, the kingdom to which they belonged. They later joined the Turko-Mongolian hordes of Genghis Khan. The Mongols, however, played the Balkars off against the other peoples and brought their land into bloody civil war.

Centuries later the Balkar homeland was finally annexed to Russia. The Russians used the name of "Mountain Tartars" or "Mountain Turks" for all of the Turko-Tatar people groups of the Caucasus. In 1942/43 numerous Balkars joined the German Army and were combined with other Turkish people groups in the so-called volunteer "Turkestan" division. Some were also assigned to the Waffen-SS as their "Turkish" armed unit. This act encouraged the Russians to displace the entire people group to Central Asia in 1943. In 1957 the Balkars were allowed to return to their homeland.

Republic of Kabardino-Balkaria Declared

In 1991 the autonomous Republic of Kabardino-Balkaria was declared, and in 1992 a federation treaty with Russia was signed. Today there are about 85,000 Balkars and 170,000 Karachay, who also have Turkic origins. The Kabardino-Balkaria Republic has significant Islamic roots and is among the poorest regions of the Russian Federation. Widespread unemployment and religious fanaticism are a potentially explosive mixture in the republic, but compared to the neighboring republics, Kabardino-Balkaria has been considered relatively stable until now.

Covering 12,000 sq km, the republic is about double the size of the English county of Devon. A gently sloping and undulating plateau is found in the northern areas, and the great Caucasus Mountain chain dominates its southern frontiers. Covered with glaciers above 3,000 m, Mount Elbruz is the highest at 5,633 m. Much of the republic is a largely unsettled, road less, mountain wilderness. Much of its industry is related to agriculture, lumbering, and mining.

Conflicts and Terror

For generations the area has experienced conflicts between the Karachay, who are in the majority, and the minority Balkars. Often young men from Kabardino-Balkaria have been involved in terrorist incidents in recent years. The extremist organization "Jaruk" in the Balkars homeland is considered the inner core of recent terrorist conflict. The Chechen gang leader Ruslan Gelajev, who was later killed, supposedly founded this clandestine group in 2002. These terrorist fighters want to introduce the Islamic sharia law in the Northern Caucasus.

Kabardino Balkaria map

Prayer guide for Kabardino-Balkaria:

* Pray for peace for the whole region.

* May God's protection and blessing rest on the small numbers of Christians among the Balkars.

* Pray for reconciliation between Russians and Caucacus peoples.

* May God's hope and light shine for the Balkars and Karachay.

Background on Kabardino-Balkaria (Wikipedia)

Kabardino-Balkaria consists of two ethnic territories, one predominantly of Kabardin (speakers of a North-West Caucasian language) and the other predominantly Balkar (speakers of a Turkic language). There is also a significant Russian population. While Nalchik is the capital of the republic, Tyrnyauz serves as an administrative center for Balkaria.

The Economy of Kabardino-Balkaria

The economy of Kabardino-Balkaria is primarily agricultural, with lumber production and mining. Most of the industry centers on agricultural processing. The fall of the Soviet Union and the outbreak of the various conflicts in the Caucasus have hit the republic hard, causing a collapse in tourism in the region and producing an unemployment level estimated to be as high as 90%. Poverty is reported to be an endemic problem in the republic.

About Kabardino-Balkaria

Population: 901,494 (est.)

Ethnic groups: Balkars 8%, Karachay 43%, Russians 33%

Languages: Russian, Kabardian, Balkar

Kabardino - Balkaria, Russia - Video

Selected from 18-day hiking in Caucasus/Russia

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The Tatars

The Tatar language is Turkic in origin. There are about 7 million Tartars living throughout the Russian federation and several surrounding countries (Tatarstan, Siberia, the Caucasus and Central Asia). About 900,000 live in the Moscow area. Because of their extensive movements and intermarriage with other peoples, the Tatars have varied physical features from Mongoloid to Caucasian, blond hair to black. The majority of Tatars are Sunni Muslims. Several Tatar tribes (e.g. the Nagajbaken and the Krjaschenen) were Christianized into Russian Orthodoxy between the 16th and 18th centuries, but truly devoted believers number far less than one percent of all Tartars.

Tatarstan:

This Republic of the Russian Federation is somewhat smaller than Scotland (67,836 km sq) and is situated about 900 km east of Moscow. It has a population of about four million people, made up of Tatars (52.9%), Russians (39.5%) Chuvashes (about 3%) and other ethnic groups (5%).

In the last 15 years there has been a significant surge of Islam in Tatarstan, though the majority of the Tatar population remains nominally or culturally Muslim. In 1990 there were about 100 mosques in the entire Republic, and by 2004 there were over 1000. There are only 176 Russian Orthodox churches in Tatarstan and small numbers of Catholic, Evangelical, Pentecostal, or Charismatic churches. While the evangelicals among Tatar background believers are starting to number in the hundreds and possibly thousands, there are still millions of Tatars with no profound or saving knowledge of the gospel.

Pray that the Gospel would be preached to the following cities in Tatarstan. The Tatar inhabitants in these cities need to discover the Gospel through films, recordings, websites, the Bible, and Christian literature. Pray for new, healthy, strong, and multiplying churches throughout Tatarstan:

Kazan or (Qazan in Tartar):

Kazan is the capital of Tatarstan with a population of about 1,150,000. Slightly over half of the city is of Russian origin, and about 43% are from a Tartar background. Kazan was formerly the capital of the powerful Khanate of Kazan until Ivan the Terrible conquered it in 1552. The largest port on the Volga River, it is a major industrial and commercial center and the most important center of Tatar culture. The city celebrated its 1000- year history in 2005. The ceremonies included the dedication of the Kul Sharif mosque, one of the largest and most beautiful in Europe.

Flag of Tatarstan

Map of Tatarstan

Naberezhnye Chelny:

With a predominately Muslim population of 600,000 people, Naberezhnye Chelny is the second largest city in Tatarstan. It is located on the Kama River, approximately 1,100 kilometers east of Moscow. The local economy is heavily dependent upon oil and gas exploration and production. The area also has very significant water, timber, and agricultural resources, but the standard of living is low.

Prayer guide for the Tatar peoples and Tatarstan:

Pray for the following cities in Tatarstan that the Gospel would be fully preached to all. The Tatar inhabitants in these cities need to discover the Gospel through films, recordings, websites, Bible and Christian literature. Pray for much needed new healthy, strong and multiplying churches throughout Tatarstan.

Other Cities include:

• Nizhnekamsk 225,399
• Almetyevsk 140,000
• Yelabuga 67,500
• Leninogorsk 65,600
• Zelenodolsk 100,000

Background on Tatarstan (Wikipedia)

As of 2004, there were 1,208 buildings used for religious purposes in Tatarstan; 1,014 of which were Islamic, and 176 Russian Orthodox. The Republic of Tatarstan is a constituent republic of the Russian Federation. Most of the Russian federal subjects are tied with the Russian federal government by the uniform Federal Treaty, but relations between the government of Tatarstan and the Russian federal government are more complex, and are precisely defined in the Tatarstan Constitution of 2000.

The Economy of Tatarstan

Tatarstan is one of the most economically developed federal subjects of Russia; it is also the second most industrialized federal subject after Samara Oblast. Industrial production constitutes 45% of the Republic's gross regional domestic product. The most developed branches are chemical and oil processing, machine building, and wood processing industries.

About Tatarstan

Population: 3,779,265 (2002 est.)

Ethnic groups: Tatars (52.9%), Russians (39.5%), Chuvashes (about 3%)

Religions: Sunni Muslim, Russian Orthodox

Languages: Tatar and Russian

Video: Kazan, Tatarstan, Russia - Privolzhsky Market

Part of a market in Kazan - Privolzhsky that has large covered market area, lines of small shopkeepers, and tents of private sellers

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Churches Illegal

Because it is illegal for ethnically Uzbek churches to meet, the Uzbek believers have been forced to meet in existing registered Russian or Korean church buildings or in homes. Uzbek home fellowships tend to be full of life with lots of worship, intercession, sharing struggles and joys, praying for each other, and giving people opportunities to quickly grow in leadership skills. In Uzbekistan anyone found guilty of holding a religious meeting in their home can be sent to prison for up to 17 years, in addition to having their home confiscated. Although rarely, if ever, carried out, this threat has not stopped believers from opening their homes.

The Darkness in Uzbekistan

Uzbekistan Flag

Map of Uzbekistan

Uzbekistan has been under the grip of darkness for centuries. Folk Islam, drug use, alcoholism and a growing problem with HIV/Aids pervade society. The economy is struggling, with a very high rate of unemployment. The majority of the rural population is under tremendous economic pressures. Countless men have been forced to seek work in other countries, particularly Russia, which has sometimes led to the break up of families. Some women in cities have turned to prostitution to make ends meet. There are many horrible human rights abuses and violations. People are hungry and desperate for relief and answers. Almost everyone turns to folk Islam for help, not realizing the depths of its deceptive and dangerous practices.

Prayer for Uzbekistan:

* Pray for the Uzbek believers that they would develop culturally appropriate worship, teaching, and fellowship, which pleases the Lord and meets deep and pressing needs.

* May God give strength and courage to Uzbek believers who are being persecuted by the government, family members, and religious leaders.

* Pray for the authorities under President Karimov's administration. May God bring hope and change. True servant leadership is needed - not oppressive abuse of power. May God raise up Josephs and Daniels at all local and national levels!

* President Karimov's second and last term ends in 2007 and no clear peaceful transition of power is in sight. Pray for God's protection during this season and his provision of wise, godly leadership, which will foster the growth of his kingdom.

Testimony

A young man came from a remote region of the Karakalpakistan on the border of Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan and met some Christians. He wrote a prayer: "Lord, My Father, this is the fist time I call you my father, I never thought of you in terms of being my father. But here I understood and sensed that you are my father and I am your child. I sensed how much you love mankind. I used to think of you as a punishing God. But your love exists and it is alive in Christ. Thank you for such a privilege that I could come here. Now I know that I have value in you."

Background on Uzbekistan (World Factbook)

Russia conquered Uzbekistan in the late 19th century. Stiff resistance to the Red Army after World War I was eventually suppressed and a socialist republic set up in 1924. During the Soviet era, intensive production of "white gold" (cotton) and grain led to overuse of agrochemicals and the depletion of water supplies, which have left the land poisoned and the Aral Sea and certain rivers half dry. Independent since 1991, the country seeks to gradually lessen its dependence on agriculture while developing its mineral and petroleum reserves. Current concerns include terrorism by Islamic militants, economic stagnation, and the curtailment of human rights and democratization.

The Economy of Uzbekistan

Uzbekistan is a dry, landlocked country of which 11% consists of intensely cultivated, irrigated river valleys. More than 60% of its population lives in densely populated rural communities. Uzbekistan is now the world's second-largest cotton exporter and fifth largest producer; it relies heavily on cotton production as the major source of export earnings. A sharp increase in the inequality of income distribution has hurt the lower ranks of society since independence. In December 2005, the Russians opened a "Trade House" to support and develop Russian-Uzbek business and economic ties. It left again in 2008.

About Uzbekistan

Population: 28,128,600 (July 2011 est.) World rank #44

Life Expectancy at Birth: 72.51 years. World rank #125

Ethnic groups: Uzbek 80%, Russian 5.5%, Tajik 5%, Kazakh 3%, Karakalpak 2.5%, Tatar 1.5%, other 2.5%

Religions: Muslim 88% (mostly Sunnis), Eastern Orthodox 9%, other 3%

Languages: Uzbek 74.3%, Russian 14.2%, Tajik 4.4%, other 7.1%

Literacy: 99.3% -- Male: 99.6%, Female: 99%

School life expectancy: 11 years

Sights and Sounds of Uzbekistan - Video

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Grapes, citrus fruits, and hazelnuts are plentiful and exported, but Georgia’s reliance on importing natural gas hampers further political and economic development. Absorbed into the Russian empire in the 19th century, Georgia proclaimed independence in 1991. Eduard Shevardnadze, who helped Russia draft new freedoms, presided Georgia for five years.

Q & A:

Q. The Republic of Georgia was one of the first countries to become Christian. How did it get to be 10% Muslim?

A. Georgia has been conquered by Muslim empires several times. Tbilisi (the capital) was conquered by Arabs in the 8th century and a Muslim community remained. From the 16th century, Ottoman Turks and Iranian Safavids (Persians) controlled much of Georgia. Migrants, later known as Tatars, also decided to make the region their home.

Q. What are the main Muslim ethnic groups in Republic Georgia?

A. There are three main Muslim populations: Ethnic Azeris (in rural areas and Tbilisi), ethnic Georgian Muslims of Ajara (in the southwest), and ethnic Chechen Kists in north-eastern Georgia. Each of these main peoples has quite a distinct history of their own.

Q. Didn’t the Soviet era abolish Islam?

A. No, For example, Islamic law (Shari’a) and administration were abolished in 1926 but by 1930 a compromise was reached allowing Muslims certain freedoms. During the Second World War the Soviets set up Muslim Religious Boards to manage Muslims throughout the region. Some Muslims were deported (depending on ethnicity) and the deportation actually continued into late in the 20th century. It is still a political issue.

Q. And what about Islam today in Georgia?

A. Islam is very much an influence in the region. Here is an example. There are several madrassahs (Muslim religious schools) in Georgia. Some are Shi’ite, financed by Iranian religious groups while others are Sunni financed by Turkish groups. Georgians are concerned Islamist ideology coupled with outside influences could cause internal violence. The Muslim Chechen Kists have also been a source of political tension between Georgia and Russia.

Georgia Flag

Map of Georgia

Q. How can we pray for the Republic of Georgia?

A. There are several things we Christians need to pray for today. These can include:

* Prayer for the Azeri: Ask the Lord to send native Azeri speaking Christian workers to them. The Bible and the Jesus film are available in the Azeri language but the Good News needs to be shared in culturally effective ways with an emphasis on discipleship.

*Prayer for the Kists and the Muslims of the Ajaria area : Pray for God to give wisdom, favour, and opportunities to Christians that are reaching out to them (1 Corithians 16:9).

* Prayer for Christians: Relations between the Georgian Orthodox Church and Protestant congregations have not always been positive. Love, mutual respect and greater comprehension are needed. May Christians be strengthened in their faith, work and witness (John 17:17-21).

Background on the Republic of Georgia (World Factbook)

The region of present-day Georgia contained the ancient kingdoms of Colchis and Kartli-Iberia. The area came under Roman influence in the first centuries A.D. and Christianity became the state religion in the 330s. Domination by Persians, Arabs, and Turks was followed by a Georgian golden age (11th-13th centuries) that was cut short by the Mongol invasion of 1236. Subsequently, the Ottoman and Persian empires competed for influence in the region. Georgia was absorbed into the Russian Empire in the 19th century. Independent for three years (1918-1921) following the Russian revolution, it was forcibly incorporated into the USSR until the Soviet Union dissolved in 1991. An attempt by the incumbent Georgian government to manipulate national legislative elections in November 2003 touched off widespread protests that led to the resignation of Eduard SHEVARDNADZE, president since 1995. New elections in early 2004 swept Mikheil SAAKASHVILI into power along with his National Movement party.

Economy of Georgia

Georgia's main economic activities include the cultivation of agricultural products such as grapes, citrus fruits, and hazelnuts; mining of manganese and copper; and output of a small industrial sector producing alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages, metals, machinery, and chemicals. Georgia had suffered from a chronic failure to collect tax revenues and smuggling remains a drain on the economy. Georgia also suffers from energy shortages due to aging and badly maintained infrastructure, as well as poor management.The construction on the Baku-T'bilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline and the Baku-T'bilisi-Erzerum gas pipeline have brought much-needed investment and job opportunities.

Statistics on the Republic of Georgia

Population: 4,585,874 (July 2011 est.) World rank #121

Life Expectancy at Birth: 77.12 years. World rank #64

Ethnic Groups: Georgian 83.8%, Azeri 6.5%, Armenian 5.7%, Russian 1.5%, other 2.5%

Religions: Orthodox Christian 83.9%, Muslim 9.9%, Armenian-Gregorian 3.9%, Catholic 0.8%, other 0.8%, none 0.7%

Languages: Georgian 71% (official), Russian 9%, Armenian 7%, Azeri 6%, other 7%
note: Abkhaz is the official language in Abkhazia

Literacy: 100%

School life expectancy: 13 years

Hear the Gospel Message in Azeri | Chechen | Georgean

Video: Sights and Sounds of Tbilisi, Republic of Georgia

Georgia from George Barbakadze on Vimeo.

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The couple in the picture were featured in an advertising campaign urging people to marry by mutual consent.

Kidnapped

About 40% of the brides in Kyrgyzstan are simply kidnapped and married by force. This is a tribal custom from many generations ago, so for many it is "traditional," but it actually breaks one of the ten commandments "You shall not steal." During the Soviet era the practice was suppressed but not altogether eliminated, however, it has grown in scale in recent decades. Happily a small majority of marriages are arranged, negotiated and mutually agreed upon. Bride kidnapping is illegal but most violators are not prosecuted. Islam is also against forced marriages.

In most cases the young girls do not consent to the kidnapping and often the "marriage" is consummated by simple rape. Some give their consent to avoid difficulties, others genuinely decide to simply accept their "destiny," their families are invited and a marriage takes place. Many girls stay with their new husband but others seek to escape, a minority of young women commit suicide or are simply murdered if they do not cooperate. Above all, the psychological trauma is very important to remember.

Typical Dating Impossible

Typically a young man may make efforts to "date" girls although typical "Western dating" is practically impossible in Kyrgyzstan.* Kyrgyz society greatly limits the amount of time that young men and women may spend together. Perhaps a family will seek to negotiate a match. Sometimes this works, and a marriage is arranged. However, many young men find themselves in difficult circumstances where they are not able to get married for various financial, family, social or personal reasons. In those cases they will often kidnap with the active participation of their friends (80-90% of the cases) and their extended families (parents, siblings, aunts, uncles and cousins). The good and bad qualities of the perspective brides are debated and plans are devised.

This Is Our Way

Young women are abducted just about anywhere or anytime, it can happen at home, in public or even while working in the fields. The kidnapped bride is often brought to her future husband’s family and his women relatives are enrolled to seek to persuade the girl to accept her destiny and joyfully receive her new husband. Many will say "I too was kidnapped, we all were kidnapped. This is our way."

Kyrgyzstan Flag

Kyrgyzstan Map

Prayer Starters

• Many Kyrgyz Muslims are involved in seeking to change this situation by various means. Ask God to bring the Kyrgyz people to a real heart change in this area.
• Pray for healing for those who have suffered.
• Ask the Lord to bring further revelation to the Kyrgyz people about the true nature and meaning of marriage (Ephesians 5:21-33).

* One could seriously question whether or not typical “Western style dating” is actually a good solution to the problem of finding a mate!

Video: Witness - Kidnapped Brides (10:18)

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Believers Came

In the 1990s hundreds of believers made their way to Central Asia in order to live there and proclaim the Gospel in the region. Thousands of people came to the Lord in the former Soviet Republics at that time. However, in recent years most governments in the region have started to persecute believers. The majority of foreign believers who sought to proclaim Christ have been expelled from one country after another.

New Laws - New Restrictions

In 2008 Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan voted laws which significantly restrain religious liberty. Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan had already become very oppressive for individuals and whole communities of believers. The body of Christ in these countries will probably continue to suffer because proclaiming the Good News, changing religion, spiritual education for children, holding meetings and creating new communities have been made illegal or have been severely restricted. One believer who knows the region well says that “the young assemblies of believers which have developed in the last 20 years will suffer but they have deep roots. They will survive!” We still need to pray. Probably 90%+ of people in the region have never heard the Good News of the Kingdom.

| · Uzbekistan ~ 27.35 million
| · Turkmenistan ~ 5.2 million
| · Kyrgyzstan ~ 5.36 million
| · Tajikistan ~ 7.2 million
| · Kazakhstan ~ 15.35 million
| · Afghanistan ~ 32.75 million
| · Xinjiang Province, China ~ 19.6 million

Look up the following names of Central Asian cities on the web. You might be surprised by what you see: • Urumqi, • Tashkent, • Dushabe, • Bishkek, • Ashgabat, • Astana

Languages spoken in Central Asia:

Turkic languages:
Kazakh • Kyrgyz • Tatar • Turkmen • Uyghur • Uzbek
Iranian languages:
Baluchi • Bukhori • Dari • Kurdish • Pamiri • Pashto • Persian • Tajik
Other major languages:
Chinese • Mongolian • Russian • Tibetan

Prayer Points:

• Lord, you have said, “For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD, As the waters cover the sea.” (Habakkuk 2:14) Lord, may you be proclaimed to all in the region (Matthew 24:14).
• Lord, strengthen your people, especially those in Central Asia (2 Corinthians 12:9).
• Many are in prison or will be in prison for their faith in the coming years (Hebrews 13:3; Acts 16:23-25).
• You might pray for all the language groups and cities represented in the lists on this page. May God guide you.

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Almaty, Kazakhstan Centre for Business

Eleven years ago, one would have had to search hard to find Almaty's only mosque. Seventy years of communism had ensured that the bulk of Kazakhstan's Muslim background population identified themselves as Soviet citizens first. Today the old mud brick building has been replaced by a huge concrete structure, capped with blue domes, at least 5 times the size of the former mosque. New mosques are appearing on street corners in nearly every suburb. The majority of the city's Muslims are Kazakhs whose ancestors were nomadic herdsmen converting from shamanism to Islam in the 16th century. The Kazakhs live among other Muslim ethnic groups who are traditionally stricter adherents of their Muslim faith from surrounding nations.

The city of Almaty began in the 1800's as the Russian fort town of Verney. It was renamed Alma Ata around the turn of the century and was the capitol of the Soviet Republic of Kazakhstan. Since the late 1990's Astana in the north has been given the role of capital, but Almaty remains the centre of business, culture and social life.

Almaty, Kazakhstan Culture

The city born Muslim population is often educated in Russian language, atheistic and is more comfortable in European culture. This population has had to make room in the last 11 years for an influx of a wave of rural Kazakh and other Muslim ethnic groups coming to the city seeking jobs and a better life. These new immigrants are more likely to be poor, less educated, speak Kazakh rather than Russian, hold more firmly to Folk Islamic beliefs and find little in common with their city neighbours.

The newly emerging local church as well as protestant evangelical missionary activity has increased 100 fold since the doors to the city opened for evangelism in early 90's. The activity of some non-traditional religious groups is seen as a threat to the relative peace and stability of this secular city. New religious laws have led to the closing and outlawing of many mosques and churches as well as deportation of missionaries.

Flag of Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan Map

Pray for the Muslims in Kazakhstan:

* For the preservation of the relative religious freedom and in Almaty. The relative anonymity of city life provides opportunities for evangelism, discipleship and training of Muslim background believers (The close knit relationships of smaller towns often hinder church and missionary activities).

* That Almaty will grow to be a centre for the training and sending city of Muslim background missionaries into the surrounding Central Asian Muslim nations, other Muslim nations and China.

* That believers will serve the needs of the new wave of unemployed, displaced and poor people flooding the city looking for hope and a new beginning (Jeremiah 29:7).

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