Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
Month 7
Mid June to mid July
Our ministry for three consecutive weeks was with an English language center. This English center was for college students in the capital city. Several universities and colleges are in Bishkek; students from all over Kyrgyzstan [and students from Russia] come to the city for their university years.
Our host was American, but had been living and investing in Kyrgyzstan for 20+ years.
He invited us in like a father.
He introduced us to brothers and sisters, moms and dads.
He invited Papa to display extravagant wondrous love.
He shared the vision.
Relationship. Friendship. Share stories. Share what Papa has done. Share who Papa is to us.
With the students coming for the English classes we would be teaching and leading, and relationship with the staff already there investing.
I knew the structure of the month would be a place I would thrive, but I had no idea I would be getting acquainted with my long lost [more like unbeknownst to me] brothers and sisters.
One night our team had the privilege of hearing one of our brother’s testimony; the story of his salvation, his family. His story. **John is an amazing man of God. His salvation was not unnoticed or useless. Not at all. This man was able to share with his siblings, and in the span of one week, they all came to know God as their Father and started on the road of discovery their sonship!
John’s story was vulnerable, it was real. He shared the joy, the struggle, the pain.
He shed tears while sharing. We shed tears with him.
We prayed for him and his family after.
John comes from a Muslim community and family.
// Something about Kyrgyzstan that I learned and that you need to know is this- the Kyrgyz people [in general, not all but most] identify themselves as Muslim. It’s ingrained as part of their identity, regardless of how dedicated and religious they are.
Something else you need to know is when someone calls himself a Muslim, as Westerners and Americans, we can already have stereotypes in mind or ideas about who they are because of what has been presented through media & society as “Muslim”.
Let me take you back a few months…
Month 1: Indonesia
Indonesia is the country with the highest percentage of Muslims. Indonesia is also number 4 in most populous country in the world. [ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indonesia ]
A request from our hosts in Indonesia was concerning how Americans viewed & thought of Indonesia. They wanted to know, “what do Americans think of Muslims and Indonesia?” Generally speaking Muslims are not given a positive image in the States. Would you agree? You’ve seen the news headlines, you’ve watched the movies, there is a very narrow view.
Our hosts asked us, please share your positive experiences.
I have experienced this time and time again- Muslims are the friendliest and most hospitable people. Incredibly inviting and welcoming. They give you their best, no matter how much they possess.
In Indonesia, we were given food, food and more food. We were welcomed into homes, offered food & coffee. We were hugged, we were kissed and held tight. We were embraced & greeted with precious smiles. One of our first days in the country we were invited to a wedding and into the wedding party of complete strangers. We were given ornate dresses to change into, we were fed until we could eat no more.
But Andrea, don’t be ignorant of the extremists out there! Don’t be ignorant of the tragic news! Didn’t you read of the terrible tragedy in Turkey? Didn’t you see the attack in Kabul last month?
Yes, I have read these things. I’m not being ignorant.
But I am telling you, as I have traveled, I have met the friendliest people. I have met the sweetest hearts. I have experienced generosity I want to influence how I live from here out.
I have been greeted with smiles and hugs.
I have been invited into homes of strangers.
Back to Kyrgyzstan.
Let me introduce you to a couple of my sisters.
**Sylvia. I quickly felt loved by Sylvia the first day we arrive. She’s sweet and easy to talk to. Sylvia loves to create with her hands. Us girls see the backpack she has and are drooling over it’s handcrafted beauty. We ask where she got it. “I made it.”
Throughout the weeks I feel extremely loved by her and wanted to know more of her story. I ask if we can get coffee or lunch together. Yes! She’s so excited and I am even more blessed than I was previously. I share some of my story, I hear some of her story.
She too comes from a Muslim background; her story brought tears to my eyes. The power of Papa’s love drew her in & it’s been flowing out of her since. Sylvia has such a heart for her family. She’s been supporting her sister [also a believer] and one of her biggest prayers is to see her family come into the Kingdom. She’s a discipler. She pours in. She doesn’t hold back.
Sylvia is a gem. My sister taught me how to make plov [Kyrgyz rice dish], and made us friendship bracelets. I stay in contact with her and am thankful for her friendship.
**Brooke. When I first met Brooke, she was very quiet and reserved. I was unsure of what to talk about because I was nervous and I assume she was too. I came to discover Brooke and I are very much alike. Slowly she started opening up and sharing. I shared tidbits with her, and she did the same with me. She’s one of the quieter & more shy ones, I can totally relate to this and since that has been me, I desire to befriend those ones.
I believe the moment we bonded was when we both shared hearing the Father loves us and says we’re beautiful. We were talking about the moment we felt the love of Papa for the first time.
Brooke is a world changer. It’s crazy how I can see so much of myself in her. Younger me and even me now. Brooke loves dance and sports and is talented in both. She is bold and courageous. She’s got an incredible ride ahead of her.
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Papa, I am floored that you brought me halfway around the world to introduce me to my family members!
Thank you for these gems, the moments I had with these world changers. Our lives have crossed and I will never be the same. Thank you for loving me in this way. In bringing friendship and stories of Your life changing love.
How you can I pray for our brothers & sisters in Kyrgyzstan?
> Boldness and courage in young adults and youth to live our their sonship & daughtership as Papa reveals himself.
> Papa reveals himself to those who don’t know him
> Strength of the staff working at the English center,
> Holy Spirit do what you do in the family members of staff at the English center that don’t know Papa yet
> Endurance to keep running and reaching the lost, discipling the found
> Revelation that it’s by grace we do Kingdom work
> Continually blow us away by your love Papa
> Influence in the universities & families
> Excellent rapport of the English center
**The names of hosts & individuals have been hidden or changed in order to protect their identities for this blog**
