October 10, 1999

Killing Horses in Kazakhstan


Winter Greetings from Almaty, Kazakhstan                                                  October 1999

            Three bright eyed Blair boys look out their 11th floor bedroom window at the magnificent Tien Shan mountains every morning to see how much more “awesome powder” God has sent for their snowboards to sail through. Their parents look out their window at the same spectacular sight and calculate how many layers of clothes to put on for the day. The summer clothes are packed away, the winter clothes are back out, and a new cold season has come. Year two has begun for the Blair family in Almaty.




            


















Mom and the guys are again busily involved in Tien Shan School. Dayna is High School co-ordinator, teacher of three subjects, School Board member, and everybody’s “Mom” - especially to two of her twenty students - Nathan (10th grade) and Josiah (9th grade). Aaron is now in  Jr. High,  the 7th grade. We are thankful for their great teachers who are academically and spiritually gifted to help them discover how “all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are hidden in Christ” (Colossians 2.3). The boys converse in Russian with increasing fluency to the various drivers who taxi them across the city to school every day. They and their dad are involved in a Boy Scout troop which has been lots of fun. Nathan has been elected to Student Government and has become quite disciplined to carry his heavy academic load - Physics, Algebra 2, Geometry, Literature, Biology, Russian 2, Bible, and Tae Kwon Do. His studies get him to bed most nights after his parents. Josiah is finding the adjustment to High School academics difficult. His aspiration is still to play in the NBA, but he now realizes he will need some “smarts” to manage his basketball millions. Aaron is still the life of the party. His studies, and most of what he does, comes rather easy for him. If he does not know the subject, he tries to “schmooze” the teacher! In last month’s Sports Day Aaron painted his face the color of his team - blue - and went on to win all the foot races in his division. His parent’s faces went red as he would throw his hands up in victory and smile at the crowd - even before crossing the finish line. We thank God for His many blessings on our family. We ask your continued prayers for wisdom for our guys as they encounter the challenges of the teen years, multiplied by the complexities in a strange land.

Only 6,000 out of 10,000,000 - that’s only .0006% so far!

            The recent  Kazakh Partnership meetings focused on how to reach Kazakh’s with the message of God’s saving love. Mission workers and church leaders gathered for a time of sharing, strategy, and seeking God in prayer. As they have done for the previous five years, this year they again tried to  calculate how many Kazakh’s are now committed  followers of Jesus (using active church involvement as a standard). This year’s number was six thousand, up about one thousand from last year. Yet it remains a very small part of the population.  There are about 8 million Kazakhs in this nation and about 2 in China. There are still many towns and village were there is not any known church - or believer.

            Our Kazakhstan Evangelical Christian Seminary had an important role in this Partnership. From the opening program where our students led in songs of worship, to the closing program where one of our Kazakh pastors led the communion service. During the final business meeting, Mark, two graduates, and our translator were all voted on to the Steering Committee. It is an honor to be a part of this school which is training Kazakhs and Russians to reach their people for Christ here in their homeland.

Summer Safari

This year Mark has become the on-sight leader of the Seminary as  Pastor Kong, our President, is on a much deserved year long sabbatical. Before his departure, he and Mark  traveled to the south part of this big country to see the work of several of our graduates in ministry. We traveled more than 1000 miles was on trains, vans, and taxis. At one train station we were told  the train tickets were “sold out,” then the clerk directed us the conductor who “privately” sold us tickets. This scam both supplements their meager salaries and reveals why the salaries remain so small!  Our trip through the desert in the heat of summer was in a winterized train car, with the double glassed windows sealed shut - a real “hell on wheels” experience. We joined the gasping multitude around one train window which did open.

It was worth the discomfort to finally arrive. We went first to a campground where 102 Kazakh children were attending the first ever Kazakh language Christian camp in that area. Several of our former students were camp leaders. It was a great joy to see their bright faces singing praises to “Kodai” and “Isa” (God and Jesus in Kazakh). There was a wonderful freshness in their singing, as most of them were new in faith, and all of the songs they sang were newly composed or translated into their heart language. Now they are back home with these sacred melodies forever in their hearts as they live for Jesus.



















We traveled further south to a city which is probably the strongest Islamic center in the nation. Hundreds of mosques reflect the strong presence of Islam throughout the southern part of the nation. Most of these centers were built in the last few years with funds from neighboring Islamic states. However, few worshippers faithfully attend these houses of prayer. Kazakhs are much more animist than Muslim. They are more concerned about the spirits of their ancestors than the teachings of Muhammed. While touring a very beautiful 12th Century shrine of an Islamic saint we saw dozens of worshippers straining to capture something of his spirit through their gestures, offerings, and prostration before his crypt. In all our travels I never saw one recognizable church, not one sign, cross, or outward marker to signify the meeting of believers in Jesus. God has used one of our graduates to lead 43 people from this city to faith in Christ  in the last few months. Ten have dared to be baptized in the city. Christian baptism has never happened before in this city, at least since the Nestorians who were there almost 1500 years ago. Another graduate now pastors a church in a nearby village. He has baptized 50 new believers this year alone.

Seven hot hours further down the road, we came to another village where God is at work. Here a Kazakh church is led by a pastor from Maldavia. He faithfully serves with his wife and five children, together they form their own musical ensemble. It was our joy to deliver a gift from believers in Korea and the States to buy a house and land for their church. With most of the members unemployed, this church land will give them a place to grow needed crops for their survival. The members are almost all unemployed due to the complete economic collapse which came with the downfall of the USSR.

It was a privilege to see our graduates, and those whom they have reached with the love of God. One morning we ate with 2 graduates reflected with appreciation  on their studies. They also spoke of being part of a “family” of other graduates all around the nation. In six years more than 175 have been sent out from KECS to reach their countrymen. Seeing some of the vast expanse of the territory, I realize these are just the beginning of the great need. Pray with us that He will continue “establish the work of His hands.”

Things are not always what they seem…

            And because they’re not, we had a completely new beginning to our Seminary year this Fall. In September we examined the character and personal life of all potential students in a Residential Discipleship Course (RDC). Kazakhstan church history was made! More than 80 men and women lived together, Kazakhs, Russians, Koreans, Uzbeks, and Tadjiks, from 32 different churches. Their ages ranged from 17 to 51, with most of them in their 20’s. This group of strangers survived cramped quarters and people problems for a month, their only common bond being faith in Jesus.

            God blessed us with a very cooperative,  hard working and teachable group of students. There were daily lectures about the basics of the faith. (Truths which “everyone” learned in Sunday school elsewhere, but new believers and churches here have not had the privilege of such a heritage.)  Students were formed into small groups where they prayed together, prepared meals, cleaned the facilities, and did other helpful tasks in the campus and community. In one month we learned more about one another than we could in  years of  sitting in the classroom. It was a great joy to witness the way God broke down barriers between denominations and nationalities and manifest His one Body in Christ.

            One student who proved not all he seemed was Ashur. We were especially happy to receive him as our first student from Tajikistan. His country has had much less exposure to the Gospel than even the minuscule amount in Kazakhstan. We were deeply moved by his dramatic testimony. He told us how his own dear wife had been martyred for her faith in Jesus and he was forced to flee his homeland. He asked to use this time in “exile” to train for ministry. Not long after the term began we were visited by three pastors from Uzbekistan who had just been released from prison (there is active persecution going on against church leaders there). They and Ashur were all quite surprised to see one another! Through them we discovered that our Tajik “hero of faith” was a fraud. He willing left his wife and 2 children in their peaceful Tajik village. He made the circuit across churches in Central Asia, moving people to tears with his well rehearsed lies.  Then when their eyes were filled with tears, he would steal from them (plus $ 100 from one of our pastors in Almaty). He also stole sexual favors from a number of women. In one Uzbek village where he was caught stealing, all the believers in Jesus were fined by the police to repay his theft. He admitted to these acts and was released him from our course. Pray for Ashur  as he makes his way across Central Asia, hopefully back home to his family, and His God. 

            A twenty year old Russian young man named Yura looked to be a good student, almost too good. Soon we wondered whether came to study or teach. He quickly made it obvious that he knew more than any other students, and most of the teachers. There wasn’t a Bible verse he could not exegete or a problem he could not analyze. The students tolerated him quite patiently.  I began his end of the course “exit interview” fully expecting to send him packing. I did not really expect an answer, when I asked, “Have you had any problems with people here this month?” To my surprise he quickly began to admit - and apologize for - his haughty attitude. Through his transparency I saw that he is teachable and growing. Now after a month as a regular student, he continues to demonstrate a willingness to grow in knowledge and maturity. Pray for Yura to keep growing into a good servant-leader for God’s Kingdom.

            -----, an attractive Uzbek young lady, was very quiet for most of the month long course. Her academics were above average, her work ethic was high, and her attitude and cooperation were fine. During her “exit interview” I learned the reason behind her quiet seriousness. If she did not get into the seminary course, she did not know where else to go. Her father is the Muslim “Mullah” (teacher/leader) of their village. Her decision to follow Jesus has become the scandal of the village. She has endured beatings, shunning, and complete rejection by the whole village - including her family. Central Asia, especially Uzbekistan, is a long way from “freedom of religion.” Pray that God would comfort and guide

            This month long experience was a chance for students to discover what seminary life and training are all about, and it is not for everyone! Out of the 80 plus candidates we choose  60. We sent the others home with our prayers for their continued growth in grace and hope we may seem them again after some more maturing.

            Sergei, passed through the RDC, and we were happy to invite him to study in our Russian language department. Considering the matriarchal Russian society, it is great to have a Russian man, especially a mature man in his early 50’s like Sergei, train for church ministry. But we sadly learned that the one month course was not “fool proof.” He managed to survive the month apart from his mistress and his bottle of booze, but the siren song proved to strong for him to keep away. Sergei became the fourth student I have had to release because of a drinking problem in my year here. Alcohol really is a terrible scourge across the face of this society. Pray for Sergei.

            In October we began the more typical seminary academic program.  Mark is teaching an Old Testament Introduction and Survey course, and Dayna teaches Christian Education. This year she will teach one day a week at the seminary, and four days with her High School students. We are thank God for His blessing on the RDC course. Yet we are very aware that at best we can only see the “outward,” God sees the heart.  Pray with us for His blessing on the rest of the year. Things are not always what they seem.




 MY SUMMER EXPERIENCE   by Aaron Blair

People often comment about the sights which our children get to see living in a foreign country, here’s one unique example: 

(WARNING - Not to be read by the queasy of stomach)
     One morning I traveled the local bus about 15 minutes from where I live to play with my friend at his place.  Upon arriving, it seemed like the tenants of the  whole building  were out to watch a big truck bring a black, male horse - about three years old  in human years - into the middle of the apartment house courtyard. As they unloaded this good looking horse, many  Kazak people embraced it  and said goodbye. I thought it was strange for them to do this. Then the last Kazak man came and sliced the horse across its jugular. The poor animal jumped up for awhile and fell down to the grassy (more like weeds to me) ground. Then six men with hatchets quickly cut  the horse’s legs from the knees down. They then began  to slice the skin off the dead horse as its head hung from its neck. This execution team pulled the whole fur off the body and held it up so it could dry.  Next they cut open the belly and took out the rib parts and hung them up as well. Kazak kids, holding branches they had pulled off the  nearby trees, tried to fan off the many flies which swarmed around. Soon the air was really smelling bad!

            All of the team  knew what they had to do. One Kazakh man grabbed the long intestines and blew in them, making a huge long tube of air. Yuk ! They use these to make sausage skins. Then the  Kazak women came and laid a large piece of plastic under the animal. With their bare hands, they cleaned out the guts and whatever meats they were going to cook. The children continued to beat the flies as the men removed the horse’s head. They even used a blow torch to burn its head until it was black as black. They then cooked the meat in huge pots of water right in the open as if  you were at a camp cookout.  Everyone was invited to the feast in memory of a deduchka (grandfather) who had lived in the building. This was the one year remembrance of his death, celebrated in traditional Kazakh style.  I didn’t stick around for eating of the horse, I lost my appetite watching the whole preparation!  

We are so grateful for your prayers and support, Mark, Dayna, Nathan, Josiah, and Aaron Blair

September 1, 1999

Residential Discipleship Course


Kazakhstan Evangelical Christian Seminary
Residential Discipleship Course - September 1999

DAILY TEACHING SCHEDULE - Monday through Friday

Every day there are 3 hours of teaching in the morning and 1 ½ in the afternoon.
              Mornings 9:30 to 11 a.m. and 11:15 to 12:45 / Afternoons 2:30 to 4

It is the choice of the teacher how to divide this time to best accomplish their goal, i.e. lectures, multi-media, discussion groups, etc. This is the schedule so far:

1 September - Wednesday

Morning - Mark Blair “Why are We Here?”
Afternoon  - Dave Stewart      Character of a Christian Leader
    
     Lesson 1
     Theme:  What is "Discipleship" and how is character related to Discipleship?

2 September - Thursday

Morning - Choon Kong
Afternoon - Dayna Blair - “Growing in Jesus”

 3 September - Friday

Morning - Jim Taylor - Course Intro.Overview, Lordship of Christ, Testimony
                Memory Verse:  1 Pet.3:15, 2 Cor.4:5
                Lesson Objective: Each student to be able to share his
                own testimony in a clear and concise way.

Afternoon - Dave Stewart       
Lesson 2    Theme: Your life and character are more important than what you know!

6 September - Monday

Morning - Andy Carter     The priority of your relationship with God.
                                    (Pervostepenoe znacheniye vashix vzaimootnosheniyesbogom)

" Developing your relationship with God.
(Razviteye VashixVzaimootnosheniye SBogom)

Afternoon - Dave Stewart       
Lesson 3    Theme: A leader must do what he asks others to do! Jesus is our model!

7 September - Tuesday

Morning - Andy Carter      Characteristics of a disciple of Jesus Christ
 (Karakterneye Cherti Ychenika Isysa Krista)

 " Living with eternal perspectives
(Zhizn c vechnoy perspektivoy)

Afternoon - Jan Bolton “How Does God Choose His Children vs. How Man Chooses”

8 September - Wednesday

Morning - Michael Hennon - “Ethics and Accountability”

Afternoon - Dave Stewart       
Lesson 4  Theme: People will forget what you tell them, but they won't forget YOU

9 September - Thursday

Morning - Michael Hennon - “Ethics and Accountability”
Afternoon - Constantine Volkov - “The Importance of Bible Reading”

10 September - Friday

Morning - Jim Taylor - Presenting the good news
                Memory Verses:  Luke 2:10, Rom.3:23, 6:23

Lesson Objective:  For each student to be able to communicate the essential elements of the good news and  be able to lead a person to a saving knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Afternoon - Dave Stewart       
Lesson 5 Theme:  From the heart flow the issues of life (God is concerned about the heart)
















13 September - Monday

Morning          Baxid                         

“How to Experience God's Love and Forgiveness”
(Kak ispitat boshiyo lyubov i prosheniye)

"The Attributes of God”      (svoistvo bozhye)

Afternoon - Dave Stewart       

Lesson 6 Theme:  Real change comes from the inside out.

14 September - Tuesday

Morning          Scott                            

“How to be filled with the Holy Spirit”
(Kak ispolnitza svyatim duxom)

" How to Walk in the Holy Spirit
(Kak zhit ispolnivshis duxom svyatim)

Afternoon - Jan Bolton “How Does God Choose His Children vs. How Man Chooses”

15 September - Wednesday

Morning          Stuart Savig                

“Biblical Stewardship”
(bibleyskii pacporyaditelstvo)

“How to Love by Faith”  (Kak Lyubit Veroi)

Afternoon - Dave Stewart       

Lesson 7 Theme:  Introduction of the Red Cross (4 quadrants)
A paradigm for the diagnosis and treatment of spiritual problems


















16 September - Thursday

Morning          Kathy                          

“The Grace of God”    (Blagodat Bozhe)

"Your Identity in Christ”
(Kto Mwe Takiye vo Kristye)

Afternoon - Konstantine Volkov - “Growing through Bible Reading”

17 September - Friday

Morning - Jim Taylor -  "The scale to the cross"  Review Memory Verses:  Rom.5:8, 10:9
               
Lesson Objective: Present the Engles scale to encourage students that evangelism is a process that takes time and consistency.  Review especially from week 2.

Afternoon - Dave Stewart       

Lesson 8 Theme:  The Red Cross (Quadrant 1) Right Thinking

20 September - Monday

Morning  Peyton Harris  "The Psalms and our Discipleship"

Afternoon - Dave Stewart      

Lesson 9 Theme:  The Red Cross (Quadrant 2) Spiritual Disciplines

21 September - Tuesday

Morning - Steve Gilbert  “Living in Right Relationships”
Afternoon - Jan Bolton “How Does God Choose His Children vs. How Man Chooses”

22 September - Wednesday

Morning       Peyton Harris  "The Psalms and our Discipleship"

Afternoon - Dave Stewart       

Lesson 10  Theme:  The Red Cross (Quadrant 3)
External Opposition and Spiritual Warfare

23 September - Thursday

Morning - Mark Blair - “Where Do We Go From Here?”
Afternoon - Dayna Blair - “Abiding in Jesus”

24 September - Friday

Morning - Jim Taylor - Handling the Most difficult questions Memory Verses: Acts 4:12, Mat.7:13-14
              
Lesson Objective: Work through the most difficult  objections raised by non-believers concerning the gospel with special emphasis placed on Islamic issues.

Afternoon - Dave Stewart       

Lesson 11 Theme:  The Red Cross (Quadrant 4) Relationships and reconciliation

















27 September - Monday

Morning - Randy Fields - “Prayer”
Afternoon - Dave Stewart       

Lesson 12 Theme: Review, Final exam, and Priorities of a Leader

28 September - Tuesday

Morning - Steve Gilbert  “Living in Right Relationships”
Afternoon - Jan Bolton “How Does God Choose His Children vs. How Man Chooses”

29 September -  Wednesday

Morning & Afternoon - Bruce and Nelli Litchfield - “The Healthy Family”

30 September - Thursday

Morning & Afternoon - Bruce and Nelli Litchfield - “The Healthy Family”



























Kazakhstan Evangelical Christian Seminary
Residential Discipleship Course - September 1999


DAILY SCHEDULE - Monday through Friday

7:00 Wake up - personal hygiene, individual morning prayer and Bible study

8:00 Breakfast - during this time daily announcements and prayer requests will be shared

9:00 Prayer Service - large group meeting  (during this time one “team” will clean-up from breakfast)

9:30 Teaching Session # 1

11:00 Break

11:15 Teaching Session # 2

12:45 Discussion / Review from Teaching Sessions

13:00 Lunch - groups may sit together to have discussions on important issues

14:00 Group Singing - learning and sharing   (during this time one “team” will clean-up from lunch)

14:30 Teaching Session # 3

16:00 Physical Activities - some days there will be games, other days manual labor projects

17:00 Free Time

18:00 Dinner - time for sharing of thanks and praises for the blessings of the day

19:00 Small Group Meetings

20:00 Special Events

21:30 Individual Study of Bible - completion of assignments

23:00 Lights Out


















SATURDAY DAILY SCHEDULE

8:00 Wake up - personal hygiene, individual morning prayer and Bible study

9:00 Breakfast - during this time daily announcements and prayer requests will be shared

10:00 Free Time - washing clothes, completing assignments, personal studies, group meetings, games

13:00 Lunch

13:30 “Being a Blessing” - work projects in the Primoy Put community

17:00 Free Time

18:00 Dinner - time for sharing of thanks and praises for the blessings of the day

19:00 Special Events

22:00 Lights Out


SUNDAY DAILY SCHEDULE

7:00 Wake up - personal hygiene, individual morning prayer and Bible study

8:00 Breakfast - during this time daily announcements and prayer requests will be shared

9:00 Departure for Churches where students are assigned to worship

Follow attendance of worship services, students are free to remain in the city, visit friends, family, and church members or serve others through their ministries.
(Those who remain on campus must organize and prepare their own lunches.)

18:00 Dinner - time for sharing of thanks and praises for the blessings of the day

19:30 Small Group Meetings

22:00 Individual Study of Bible - completion of assignments

23:00 Lights Out





Kazakhstan Evangelical Christian Seminary
Residential Discipleship Course
September 1999

Background - Since 1993  KECS has offered training in ministry for men and women. Our structure has been a traditional academic program taught by local and visiting professors – in both Russian and Kazakh languages.  We thank God for allowing us to teach more than 175 students,  several dozen are currently in vocational ministry, and almost all of them are serving the Lord in some capacity. Yet, as we have examined our work, we realize a missing component is Christian character development.

Plan - We are going to devote the month of September to a Residential Discipleship Course which  will be required of all men and women who desire to study at KECS during the academic year. Students will live together, preparing their food, hearing some formal lectures, spending time in personal and corporate Bible study, prayer, and worship, and seeking the Lord’s direction for their lives. Those whose lives are evidently mature enough to begin a course of academic theological study, will begin their classes in early October. Those who are not yet ready for such a calling, will receive a Certificate  of Completion for their efforts and be encouraged to continue their growth in Jesus. 

Goal - It is our prayer that KECS graduates will be men and women who are spiritually mature and academically competent to be servant-leaders in His Church.

Schedule - (attached)

Curriculum - Various pastors and teachers from several different churches and organizations will work together to lead our students. Their lectures will all explore the basics of the Christian life and the requirements for a Christian leader. The class room component of the course is important. But it will not be the only place where students “pass or fail,” it will also be in washing dishes and cleaning toilets. Specific courses which will be taught include “How to Read Your Bible” “Cross-Cultural Adjustments” “How to be Accountable to Another” “Marriage and Family” “Lifestyle Evangelism”  Manual labor projects to improve the seminary facilities and help our neighbors will be included. One resource will be  the workbook “Experiencing God” by Henry Blackaby which has been translated into Russian. Another is the “SEAN” new believer workbook which is translated into Russian and Kazakh.

Languages and Logistics -  All of the course will be held at our Primoy Put campus. Both Russian and Kazakh language students will live and study together. We believe  one of the long-term needs of the Church here is for believers of all ethnic groups to live in a community of His love. We pray that this setting will promote such a unity. We will have both Kazakh and Russian translators working the entire month to help facilitate the communication.

Children - We realize that some students will need to come with their children and we welcome them. We will provide a limited children’s program to supplement their care, but we emphasize that their parents are the responsible care givers for the children.

Mentors / Small Group Leaders - These people will be a big key to the success of the course!  They are mature believers, fluent in the local language(s), who are willing to devote a month of their lives to this ministry. Mentors are needed to model and encourage godliness and growth “down in the trenches.” The requirement to be a mentor is not their academic achievement, or church title, but their walk with God. We will offer free room and board for such mentors. (Those second year students who serve in this capacity will receive a stipend for this work.)

Costs / charges - Currently we are blessed to be able to offer our seminary training free of charge to the students. Students of the RDC will be housed and fed free of charge. One compensation we expect is their labor as they do work to improve the seminary.

Admission - We require that each student be a growing believer in Jesus, at least 18 years of age, a Secondary school graduate,  and have a letter of recommendation from their pastor. It is our preference that a person be a believer for at least one year before attending the RDC.

Contacts -

KECS, P.O. Box 244, Almaty 480000, Kazakhstan

telephone in Almaty - 404989

e-mail: kecs@pactec.org,  blairstan@hotmail.com, kongstan@hotmail.com


* * * * *


July 5, 1999

The Wind and the Wallpaper


“From the Tropics to the Tundra”
An Update from the Blair family in Kazakhstan, Central Asia

                                                            July  1999

E-mail:            blairstan@hotmail.com

Mailing address:         Send support money to:
Blair’s                         Pioneers
c/o KECS                    12343 Narcoossee Road
P.O. Box 244              Orlando, Florida 32827
Almaty 480000           [checks are to be made out to “Pioneers”
Kazakhstan                  - noted for Blair’s on a separate paper]

Phone (from USA) -  011-732-72-636790  [we’re 14 hrs ahead of Pacific Standard Time)

Aloha from Almaty

            We pray this letter finds you well as you trust in Jesus. Your prayers and support are so appreciated as we serve the Lord here. Now we are all out of school until the end of August. The last few months have been busy and enjoyable. Our weather has been very pleasant, but we anticipate that temperatures will soon climb over 100 degrees. Mark and Dayna are now preparing courses for the Fall. Dayna will teach “Christian Education” one day at the Seminary in addition to her teaching at the boy’s school the other four days. We look forward to having a couple weeks off for rest. We pray that this summer season will be a blessed one for you and your family.

Our boys are playing baseball in a league sponsored by the multi-national oil companies here - Mobil, Texaco, and Standard. Most of the players are Kazakh nationals -- a great culture and language learning experience. We’re so glad to see each of them communicating and making friends in Russian language. Nathan and Josiah are on the same team, the only foreigners on that team, coached by a Black American business man who speaks Russian. Aaron is on a team in a younger division with his good friend from school, whose dad (a missionary doctor) is the coach. Each team plays about 3 games a week, Mom and Dad enjoy watching them when they can. It is interesting to hear the coaches and umpires shouting instructions in Russian language; although each game opens with the English words, “PLAY BALL!”

It’s Spring and %$#%$%% is in the Air

            We were so happy to see the coming of Spring. No more morning ritual of putting on layers of long underwear, two pairs of socks, hats, gloves, and snow boots. The boys are again wearing shorts and T-shirts to school, and the parents wish they could too. Spring also meant that our guys were able to get back out into the school playground.

            You can imagine the placid scene. Billowy white clouds meandering across the clear blue skies, the sun’s warm rays shining upon a yard full of missionary kids. The little holy cherubs frolicking  together in the first days of Spring. If you take a closer look you will see Nathan and Josiah Blair on the dirt surfaced basketball court, in the middle of the Jr. & Sr. High game. Taking an even closer look it seems to be more than a game, it is more like the “Battle Royale.” On the court are a mob of Karl Malone wanna-be’s with flying elbows looking for tender opponents. Soon Nathan and a big senior start wrestling (didn’t Karl do some work in the WWF too?), younger brother Josiah tries to break it up. Josiah has learned that day never to approach a fight from the back. Because what he cannot remember is getting punched in the nose by the big senior – accidentally we have been assured! Josiah remembers waking up on his back, looking into the faces of the concerned circle of students who hovered over him.

            When Nathan saw his blood splattered brother out cold on the court he quit struggling; thinking he might be the next punching bag to hit the mat. So he let out a few verbal expletives which he did not learn in his morning devotions. Dayna had to wear “two hats” as Mother and teacher as she sorted things out. Ah! Spring time! We parents ask your prayers that through the punches and the tearful apologies of our boy’s lives we can be wise and consistent. This little episode is  not the norm for them, thank God. But even in this we see God working to grow them, and us, more like Him.

The Wind and the Wallpaper

            Ann, one of our Pioneer’s mission team mates, got an important phone call from a good friend. It happened that at the time she was running water over some frozen chicken in her kitchen sink. Well the phone call went a little longer than expected. No problem, she thought -- until she found that her kitchen had turned into a wading pool! The wind had blown a plastic bag into the drain and plugged it up. Soon Ann’s wading pool became a fountain into the downstair’s neighbors. These folk had just spent great effort and expense on new wallpaper. As you can imagine, it was not the best way to meet them  They were mad, and they let Ann and her roommate Claudia know it. The neighbor man would have to take a day off work to repair the damages.

            We think God decided which day was best for him to the home improvements. Because as this neighbor was about his wallpapering task, he heard frantic stomping and shouting from the upstair’s neighbors, Ann and Claudia.

            The young ladies had a knock on the door from a woman in distress. At least that is what  she convinced them as they communicated through the “peep-hole” in their front door. But as they opened up to help, the lady ran away, and three men wearing masks and carrying guns stormed in. Their intention was to rob them. But their immediate plan was to beat them so that they could not prevent the robbery. So they commenced to strike them about the head and face with their gun butts as they kicked them all over.

            Their treachery was so noisy that Mr. Wallpaper came upstairs to tell the ladies
 to keep quiet, unaware of what was happening. When he knocked on their door he was met by the men with pointed guns. Guess what! Mr. Wallpaper is a military man with a good heart -- and a gun of his own! He ran downstairs, called the police, and returned back upstairs with his own bigger gun! Thankfully, no shots were fired, but his intimidating presence distracted the evil intruders long enough for the ladies to safely barricade themselves in a room until the police arrived. Two of the men were caught still in the apartment. Anything they had planned to steal was recovered. Four other loony “master-minds” of the plot were also arrested. The police here have never heard about “Miranda.” If they get one criminal, they have effective means for finding the rest. I am not endorsing their methods, but it in this case they did  work.

            Ann needed lots of stitches on her head and face, even in her mouth! She and Claudia were badly bruised - physically and emotionally. Claudia had some vision problems from blows to her head, they have now healed. Neither young woman had any broken bones or internal injuries. Their Christian faith has shown through this injustice by their peaceful and prayerful witness to medical workers, police, concerned neighbors, even over Kazakh television nightly news. Continue to pray for them, because you know that the bruises and fears on the inside take longer to heal than the ones on the outside.

            The “lady in distress” who got them to open their door has at least 7 years in prison to think before she tries any more knocking and running. The men who planned and carried out the evil deed have 15 to 20 years of prison time. Join Ann and Claudia  in praying for them too. “The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot  tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit” (The Lord Jesus said this in John 3.8).

“Nothing!”

            Zarinna, a church worker graduated from our seminary,  recently invited me to attend a house meeting she leads. Her “invitation” came at 4 p.m., on a day that I began lecturing at 9 a.m. I learned a family had prepared a special meal for me that evening at 6 p.m. She went on to explain how they were very poor and such preparation was a great sacrifice, “They will be so disappointed if you do not come.” I was intrigued because I had never met these people, frustrated that my colleague was such a poor planner, and tired from a busy day. But I went.

            As we approached their gate, two smiling young girls came out to greet us. Their father, working hard on a building project in his yard, dropped his shovel and ran to meet us. Three young boys, covered with dirt from helping Dad, gave us hearty handshakes. They all escorted us into their small, sparsely furnished, house to meet “Mama” and their college age daughter. We all sat around their big table for the feast. Then a group of neighbors came in and took their places. A bare light bulb with a fly buzzing around it hung from the ceiling. Mama brought out the popular Central Asian dish “plaff” (similar to rice pilaf). Plaf is boiled rice fried with cooking oil, grated carrots, onions, and pieces of meat - either beef, lamb, or horse. One strong cultural value here is that the visitor can never eat enough! or drink enough tea! If you turn your head for one second they will quickly dish you out more food and drink. “If you love us, you will eat!”

            During our table conversation, I realized the purpose of my presence. Zarinna kept emphasizing that I was “THE DIRECTOR” of the seminary. This family, members of the hierarchical Russian Orthodox church, had questioned the authority of this “unaffiliated” woman who told them about Jesus. So she brought me from “headquarters” to assure them of her integrity. But I told them that God’s “authority,” revealed in the Scriptures for everyone in Christ, is what really matters. After dinner they asked me to share a message. My invitation to turn to the Gospel of Luke sent them on clueless search from one end of their borrowed Bibles to the other. Almost twenty years of membership in the Russian Orthodox Church has not done much for their Bible familiarity. After sharing about the “Rich Man and Lazarus” from chapter 16, Mama started asking questions. “What can I do to be a better Christian?” “NOTHING,” I firmly replied. Thinking that I was going to use this question as a chance to tell them to “do” this or that, Zarinna questioned if she heard me correctly. “Well then,” Mama continued, “what can I do to be a better mother?” Again I loudly stated my one word answer, “NOTHING!” Behind her sincere question I perceived the notion that is so popular in every religion -- we can do something to please God. Hasn’t she gained some religious merit by hosting this American cleric? Won’t her earnest labors of motherhood count for something as she works her way into heaven? Prayers, rituals, and religious traditions all build one’s case for eternal glory, don’t they?!!?  NOTHING, NOTHING, NOTHING. There is nothing we can do to save ourselves, to merit God’s mercy. In fact, as I told this surprised Mama, everything we try to do to please God only makes our spiritual condition worse. Because in “our doing” we add pride to the endless list of sins which stands to condemn us.

            But I quickly told them the Good News. “It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God – that is, our righteousness, holiness, and redemption. Therefore, as is it written, ‘Let him who boasts boast in the Lord’” (1 Corinthians 1.30,31). What can we “do” to better our hopeless spiritual condition? Fall in complete dependence into the gracious arms of the living God. We must admit our utter helplessness to receive His help. We must confess our thorough sinfulness to gain His salvation. We can do nothing to save ourselves, because He has already done everything. Praise Him! Of course once we are in Christ, there is much we are commanded to “do” in the power of His Spirit, for His glory! There are many thousands of homes in Kazakhstan filled with people waiting to hear this Great News.

21 Fountains of Joy

One Sunday in June Mark had the privilege of baptizing 19 new believers in Jesus. He joined with two other pastors for this great event. One of the pastors was the Provost of Asbury Seminary in Kentucky, here then teaching on the book of “Revelation;” and a Kazakh pastor recently graduated from our seminary. He and the other student leaders had introduced these people to Jesus. Among the 19 were an elderly couple who both loudly affirmed their desire for baptism as we gathered in the church hall for a worship service prior to the event. I shuddered for them - and for me - as I remembered the baptism I witnessed in the frozen mountain stream a few months ago. Once we got to a nearby lake, I was grateful that it was the beginning of summer - the water was tolerably cool. As the woman in her 70’s was lead into the water I began to question whether “sprinkling” might be more appropriate for her than “immersion.” But after lowering her into the water in the name of the “Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,” she sprang up like a water cannon. She then jumped and splashed and summer-salted for a couple of minutes to the cheers and joyful tears of those of us who watched. It was such a privilege to share the hope of these new believers. We rejoiced with the angels. Then after all the 19 were baptized, I was too! The Kazakh pastor, a former wrestler – proven by his gnarled ear, dunked me - and himself - into the lake. Then there were 21.

Nathan’s News

As the eldest of the boys in our family (He became 15 this month! - Dad), I have taken on the responsibility to tell you about our recent rafting trip here in Kazakhstan.

Last month Josiah and I, along with our classmates, spent 2 days on the Ili River, 2 ½  from Almaty by bus. Leaving early in the morning gave us more time on the river, we arrived at 10. The Ili river is in the bottom of a canyon,  like the Colorado river in the Grand Canyon, but not as deep. It took us 25 minutes to hike down to the boats. There were 4 three-person canoes and 2 six-person pontoon type boats. I was assigned to a canoe because I had some experience. The river was flowing fast that day, which helped in the paddling. We floated/ paddled down the river for about 2 hours before we stopped to view some ancient writings and drawings on a couple of the many  cliffs and boulders in that region. They were made in the 6th century by the Chinese. We ate lunch, sitting on the big rocks, taking in all the beauty surrounding  us. I then went to  the pontoon and Josiah went on a canoe. My friends and I enjoyed jumping off the  boat into the icy, cold water. We arrived at the camping site around 4:00. We played croquet, soccer, football, and rugby till 5:30. Then we hiked atop a small mountain nearby. When we returned we jumped into the river for another cold awakening. We set up our tents and finally ate. Some of us then  played some more croquet while others sang songs. Around 11:20 it became dark enough to play flashlight tag. It was fun because you couldn’t see anything but, the flashlight. I kept tripping over all these little bushes which got me out a lot of the time because I kept crying out in pain after continuously flying to the ground. We stopped around 12:30 because it was late and we were tired.  My friend and I  stayed up late talking, eating, and drinking Coke. The typical things to do when you’re on a sleep-over without your parents. I didn’t fall  asleep till 2 because of the loud croaking of about a million frogs outside of our tent. I was awakened at 4 because it had started raining and I had to put the  rain tarp on my tent, after taking it off because of the intense heat inside the tent. I then woke up at 6:45 because we were going to play some tricks on the other campers. We didn’t get very far because we were tired and the ground was soaked with rain. But we took some pictures of the other tired and grumpy campers with their early morning hairdos. After everyone had gotten out of their tents, we enjoyed a wonderfully spread meal consisting of cereal, toast, and fresh fruits such as strawberries, cherries, and oranges. We also  had water, Coke, tea, and lots of coffee to keep everyone awake and energized for our 2nd day of paddling down the river.

 After disassembling the tents, we started our 2nd  day on the river. All of the boys in our group decided to ride on the larger of the pontoons because  we were all sick of sitting in the canoes and getting blistered and soaked bottoms. This caused some disagreement because the other pontoon had all the girls. And they were angry at us because they didn’t have anyone to paddle for them other than the two Russian guides that went with each pontoon. I think that was the best thing that happened on the trip. We didn’t have to worry about privacy and we had all the good and junk food. It was sunny and hot that day so all of us went shirtless and got some great tans floating down the river. Some of us slept for a little at the same time too catching up on the sleep that we had missed.  Another fun thing was tying a rope around yourself and getting pulled down river by the current and the boat.  We also sang some hilarious songs that probably made everyone sick of our “great” musical abilities. The girls became really jealous at this point so they started to sing songs too. Their singing wasn’t that bad, it was the fact that they had composed little choruses ridiculing each member of our  crew. We were outraged and had to get them back. So we applauded them for their great composing abilities with freezing cold river water. We were then yelled at because our wonderful, tired, school principal was onboard trying to catch her Z’s. After this experience, we stopped with the rest of the group to go explore this small swampy area that merges with the river. We held the advantage because we had the superior manpower to push through the reeds and  the small shrubs on top of the water. So we made it all the way through. We had to turn around because the others were getting stuck in all the muck and sludge floating in the swamp. One of the canoes almost tipped when one of the girls stood up because she saw a spider in the bottom of the canoe. It was a rather comical sight because she would rather fall in the swamp than have a harmless spider in her canoe. After getting out of the swamp,  we stopped on the side of the river and dragged out the boats.  After cruising for the day, we then disassembled the boats and waited for the bus to pick us up. The bus took us back upriver to where we had camped for our late lunch around 2. We played and  swam till 4 when we left for Almaty. We talked, and snoozed on our ride home.

I hope to write more for the next newsletter because I think it will give me practice in my writing skills and an opportunity for you to read something from somebody else other than my dad who usually constructs our newsletter.
Thanks for your support to our family.

                                                Aloha from us all,
Mark, Dayna, Nathan, Josiah, and Aaron