November 15, 2001

Moving, Moving, Moving


Warm greetings from Kazakhstan! A few days ago we did not feel as cheery. The temperatures have dipped into the cool digits – outside and in. But we finally had the heat turned on in our apartment building, now we can take off the arctic wear inside. We are doubly warm and thankful. We got hot water last week after a month of chilly dip and pour bathing! The first snow came the beginning of October. The snow-capped mountains are beautiful. We had some nice autumn days - awesome yellows, oranges, and reds – when we could peel down to just two layers. Forecast: cold and colder. But our snowboards are ready!

We look with fondness at the photos of our home leave. It was great to see family and friends in Hawaii and California. We had the privilege of sharing about our ministry more than forty times. We are encouraged by the strong interest in what God is doing in Central Asia. We’re extremely grateful for the generous support and faithful prayer our family receives as we labor here

September 11, 2001

That solemn date evokes a flood of emotions for us all. Actually the impact hit our family the following day. Unlike thousands of people in Almaty, we did not stay up all night watching the shocking images on television. (Morning in New York is evening here.)  We slept in ignorant bliss. On our routine e-mail check the morning of the 12th, a letter had come from a Christian brother from India had written with the heading - “Sorry.” In the text he sent condolences for the “tragedy in America.” Clicking on the Internet news, we went numb. Going to work, we found people gathered at both our schools in fervent prayer - many with tears. We joined them.  The local people soon made the grounds around the American embassy a sea of flowers – for most a costly and extravagant kindness.  The President of Kazakhstan was among the many visitors who signed the book of condolences. He still continues to affirm his support for the war against terrorism. Now several weeks into the bombing of Afghanistan, a Muslim taxi driver recently spoke to us about the WTC tragedy with tears. We feel safe and privileged to be serving here at this time.

The world is focused on the military and political developments in this part of the world. The “Islamic curtain” is being lifted enough to reveal the intellectual darkness, stifling oppression, and dire poverty that grip many in these lands. One of the best ways to understand a religion is to look at a country that is controlled by it. Unfortunately, most media is silent about God’s Kingdom purpose for Central Asia. Of course, on this side of eternity we do not know the half of it. But Scripture clearly states, “God our Savior wants all men to be saved and come to a knowledge of the truth.”

The openness in Kazakhstan – a nominally Muslim nation - is amazing. It is harvest time here. People hear the Gospel with eagerness. When we invite them to church they come, many even ask the price of admission. (We’re getting rich! – not really.) We believe the Central Asian Church, which God is growing, is the ultimate answer to the war our homeland is now fighting. Jesus is the Prince of Peace and the Savior of the World. Central Asian men and women who know Him – especially those trained to share His life-transforming message with their people - are key. People follow bin Ladans and Talibans because they're hopeless and ignorant of any other way. We have the great privilege of teaching them a better way. Thank you for helping us send out Central Asian ambassadors of God's love. This is not a time to limit our mission. It is a time to give like we have never done before. The military battle pales in significance compared to the spiritual battle for the eternal souls of Central Asians.

Moved, Moved, Moved, and Moving

The last two months have been filled with moves, three down and one to go. When we returned in August we were thrilled to see the beautiful new facility for Kazakhstan Evangelical Christian Seminary. After a year and half of reconstruction, students now live and study in this like-new building. In September we held our Discipleship Course.  Out of 40 student-candidates, 30 were invited for this academic year - 11 in Russian language, the rest in Kazakh. Interestingly, only 1 young man is a Russian, the other 29 students are Kazakh. This reflects both the growth of the Kazakh church and the exodus of many Russians from this country. One Kazakh young lady is from Mongolia, our first from that nation. Pray for these students to be trained to lead God’s Church here in Central Asia. We are making a packet containing names and photos of each individual student, we hope to send these out to churches for prayer – let us know if you would like to receive one.

Tien Shan School also moved. In July they purchased a two-story school building in the city. Total costs for the building and need improvements are about $450,000. They are still over $100,000 short of that goal. There were many who worked hard to get the building into shape to begin the school year, including our three sons who worked daily for a couple weeks. Their 110 students, and full compliment of teachers (!), are now in this facility. This is the second building that TSS has purchased. There is a court case in process to determine whether TSS will receive their $60,000 paid toward building one. Though that building was bought in a Department of Justice auction, injustice prevented their acquisition. Pray for true justice and restitution. Because of this fine school, dozens of families - like ours - are able to do many tasks here, such as Bible translations, medical work, agricultural training, church planting, and seminary teaching. This year Dayna is teaching a full four days a week with Jr. & Sr. High kids. Mark also teaches Bible to six 11th and 12th graders – including Nathan and Josiah. It is wonderful to see their deep devotion and spiritual maturity. Pray for them and their families who serve here. Pray that He will send the needed teachers in the coming years – know anyone? Write - tienshan@pactec.kz

Our family moved the first week of September. Thanks to a loan from a friend in Colorado, we were able to purchase a four-bedroom apartment for $30,000. We were able to register the apartment in the name of our seminary as an asset to enhance its ministry. Our apartment is located about ten minutes from TSS and twenty minutes from the seminary by car. Ask God that this new home will be a place of refuge for us and a blessing for many who come and enjoy.

This month our International Christian Fellowship will begin meeting in a new location. We are changing luxury hotels – from the Hyatt to the Regent. In two years at the Hyatt we have grown from about 60 to more than 200 each week. Ambassadors from two nations have recently joined our congregation.  The Regent offers a much bigger room, maximum of 750. But until we need that many seats, we will use just half the ballroom. We searched long and hard for a more “modest” meeting place in this city. There are laws against religious meetings in schools and other government owned buildings. Other halls are poorly maintained - no heat, broken seats, stinky toilets, no place for Sunday school classes, poor locations, no public bus access, on and on. Mark continues to serve as co-pastor and preaches often, Dayna helps teach and organize Sunday school, and Nathan is singing with a worship team. So pray with us that the prominently located Regent will become a “five-star” outpost for the Lord Jesus Christ.  

Adventures with Alexi

Apartment hunting gave us an interesting window into the way things work – or sometimes don’t – here in Almaty. One place we liked was $40,000; no make that 45, well maybe 40 – so Alexi waffled. Even though we did not buy his apartment, Alexi the owner gave us some lasting memories. He is an administrator in the National Bank. He was supposed to be at work in Moscow last April but could not sell his apartment and move. Needless to say, he was an eager beaver; especially when the Americans showed up.  When I said we’d need to get a loan. He said, “No problem.” In minutes he was on two phones with three different bankers. Soon he rushed us down the steps and into his car. We were going to the bank! The banker we met was not so confident. There was a list of about ten standard requirements, and two more for foreigners. We saw “Soviet bureaucracy” written all over. The workday ended, but Alexi was ready to pick us up at 9 a.m. tomorrow. Day 2 started in the huge, ornate, government building dominating the city square. Foreigners need a special pass to even step inside. We were escorted inside and walked past dozens of offices with doors open, lots of workers, couldn’t see much work! Our host sat us down in his office, adorned with a picture of him and the President. After he tried and failed about ten telephone calls, as we sat for two hours reading old Russian magazines, we were sent to another government building. This more modest building held no promise either, but they knew the building we needed to find! Racing across the city, I saw dollar signs reflected in Alexi’s glasses. We found the right building, but the wrong answer. I could not get a loan; in fact I could not even own an apartment in this country. (We had told him from the beginning that we wanted to register the place in the name of the seminary - but he knew best.) What did we loose? - the chance to make monthly payments on a 21% interest loan into a bank that is ethically questionable and administratively insane. In the end we got a much bigger apartment, newer, cleaner, and closer to our work, for only 30k – with a 5% loan and all funds remaining in the States. We said Dhasvadania to Alexi and wished him success.

Da Boys

Giants increasingly surround poor Dayna. As each boy grew taller than his mother, Mark did not think much about it.  But as they’re starting to look him in the eye it is an issue! Though there’s not much he can do as they say, “See ya later shorty!” Pray with us that they’ll also keep growing in maturity and grace. Someone defined maturity as being “big enough on the inside to control yourself on the outside.” Considering their stature, they’ll need a big portion. Both Nathan and Josiah have “teaching jobs” – after school tutoring for younger boys. Aaron has entered high school, 9th grade. So we have a 12th, 11th and 9th grader to keep their mother/teacher busy! In addition to a full school schedule, they also belong to boy scouts, youth group, and are board addicts. The addiction is in the transition phase now – when the snow patches are cleared off the sidewalks there’s still some time for skateboarding. But snowboarding here we come… It’s great to see them and the usual pack of 5 to 10 other boys from around the world enjoying life here. 

Good-bye Victor

One reason why this country sinks into difficulty is the exodus of talented people. Our seminary recently lost one of our best workers, and America gained a wonderful Russian family. In our years abroad we have met many foreigners trying to immigrate to USA – some were almost consumed by their efforts. But for the first time we have watched some repatriate by “surprise.”

Victor began his work for the Seminary as a Driver. He showed great initiative in learning English, on his own time at his own expense, to converse with the missionary staff. His integrity and trustworthiness prompted us to increase his responsibilities to Director of all facilities. What was especially unique is that he is a Russian who shows real love and concern for Kazakhs.  Victor had the excellent idea of consolidating our ministries through adding a third floor to our larger building. We gave Victor full responsibility for this rebuilding project. The total cost of this project was over $300,000. Nearly every dollar passed through his hands. Every penny was meticulously accounted for. His wise decisions along the way saved us many thousands of dollars. God used Victor to erect a tremendous facility for our seminary ministry. Just last month Victor got the last of about 15 permission documents for our building – hallelujah! Days later he heard from his family, most of whom live in USA, that all was “ready” for he, his wife, and two small children to immigrate. They had been working on Victor’s behalf for several years. When his neighbor unexpectedly came over and asked to buy Victor’s apartment, he took it as God’s clear leading. Now they’re getting settled in Portland, Oregon. We’re searching for Victor II!

We realize how dependent we are on the Lord in all we do. The Church belongs to Him, and we trust in Him as the Master Builder. May we be attentive to His leading and faithful to His calling. Again, many thanks for your vital partnership in prayer and support of our work here. May God use us all as His Ambassadors of hope and love in this troubled world.


Sincerely in Him, Mark, Dayna, Nathan, Josiah, and Aaron Blair








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