letter from Kyrgyzstan
Exciting developments are taking place in relation to the Slavic Gospel Association’s (SGA) support of the production and distribution of the Scriptures in Kyrgyzstan, Central Asia. We have a day of opportunity to advance the cause of the gospel in this predominantly Muslim country through the provision of God’s word in the Kyrgyz language. A Kyrgyz Bible for Kyrgyz people!
Bible ‘sets’ have been prepared and distributed – a specially designed Bible story book along with a full copy of the Scriptures. The Bible story book will appeal to children and also to Kyrgyz parents who love storytelling – it is an ingrained feature of Central Asian culture. By God’s grace, it will also provide an introduction to the reading and study of the Scriptures themselves. We know that the entrance of God’s word brings spiritual light and life.
Three thousand of these Bible sets have been distributed to families across the country and our goal is to provide and distribute 30,000, with the prayer and sincere desire that the introduction of the Bible in this way will bring about a spiritual revolution in many hearts and homes.
Evangelical believers make up only a tiny percentage of the Kyrgyz population, but the numerically small churches are fervent and faithful in sharing the saving message of the gospel, and are excited and encouraged by the opportunities provided by this Bible project to witness for Christ to their neighbours and fellow countrymen.
This door of opportunity in a faith-restricted country may not always be open as it is presently, so the mission is urgent, and believers are motivated and burdened to redeem the time – to make the most of every opportunity to share Christ with others.
Already it is bearing fruit, for we have been thrilled by the story of Talentbek, a 41-year-old man from a troubled background, who began to read a Bible he found in a friend’s home and was converted. Today he and his wife lead a small church of believers in their own home, and reach out with the gospel to their needy community around. The entrance of God’s word brings light!
