RUSSIAN MINISTRY NEWS LETTER: JANUARY 2000
Dear Friends!
Our brother Igor, a missionary to Uzbekistan, has recently arrived to
Moscow. He came to spend some time with us and report of what the Lord has
done during his mission in that Muslim nation.
The Evangelical church in Uzbekistan is persecuted and acts underground.
Regular church services are prohibited. That is why the only possible form
of meetings is home cell group services. Igor was in charge for a small
city where he led several groups and was able to start three new groups and
train several leaders.
During that time he was also taking care for a group of homeless children.
Igor, jointly with two other Christian teachers decided to teach them some
basics in Russian, math, etc. Of course along with that they taught
children the Bible which is prohibited in Uzbekistan.
Police tracked him down and finally arrested him. He was put into jail with
criminals where police mistreated and abused him. Couple of his front teeth
were knocked out. Then they put him to the special jail for religious
extremists where he spent ten more days. Finally, after intercession of
several courageous Christians he was deported from the country.
Igor is very committed to Christ and to his mission. His deep desire is to
return back to Uzbekistan in about a month if the Lord will help him to
raise enough finances. Would you please join us in prayers for him?
I also have an urgent prayer need of my own: my father is in reanimation.
He was unexpectedly operated several days ago. Doctors found tumour in the
intestines and spleen as well as spread peritonitis. They took away all his
spleen together with some of the intestines and said that only a miracle
can prolong his life. Praise the Lord, in spite of that he is living and
even getting a little better.
He has prayed the salvation prayer but unfortunately isn't a committed
Christian. We are fasting and praying first of all for the preparation of
his soul and secondly for prolonging his life as much as possible. Doctors
say that they are afraid of his heart condition and upcoming pneumonia.
Of course relatives, friends and coworkers (he is the head of the
scientific laboratory) need comfort and help from the Lord.
He is the excellent father and I love him very much...
Would you please join me in prayers for him.
Thank you very much.
You are very welcome to email us and visit our Web site:
http://geocities.datacellar.net/fakel_union/main.html
God bless you!
With love in Christ,
Andrew Blinkov, pastor