February 2001
Aloha from Hawaii
Switching from snowboards to surfboards, we are on home
assignment for a few months. We spent
one month in California Hawaii California Hawaii
It’s All in the Name
One cold December evening we were invited to dinner at the
home of some Kazakh friends. Upon our arrival we saw frozen pieces of carcass
in buckets on their back porch. (During the winter the porch serves as a big
refrigerator. In fact, everyplace is a big freezer!) As our host warmly greeted
us he pointed to the buckets saying, “Yesterday we cut horse!” We then knew we
were in for a culinary treat! Joining us for the meal was our host’s father,
Mels. After our horse feast we had an interesting conversation over tea. I asked Mels about his name. He said, “It’s a
common name, many people have it.” I then asked it’s meaning. It is an acronym
for Marx, Engles, Lenin, and Stalin! Then he shared more interesting names from
their Soviet past. Some of the more popular women’s names were, and still are,
Revo and Socia. That’s just the short version, the full names are Revo-lution
and Socia-lism! I could easily understand, my new President is named after our
first President – George W.
Kazakhstan Ministries Report
God’s work in Kazakhstan Tien Shan School
Systematic Theology for the Man on the Bus
Last Fall I had the privilege of teaching a course on
“Systematic Theology” to our seminary students. As we began to study God, I
asked the Kazakh students what they would say to “the man on the bus.” What if
this “man” has learned that they’re a seminary student who studies God all day.
“Oh, good!” he replies, “I have always wanted someone to tell me about God.”
Now for “privatized” Americans this might seem quite contrived. We would never
share our faith on a “public” bus. Religion in America
Soon the first student shot his hand into the air. “Kazakh’s
need to know that God is Holy!” he confidently asserted. Several “Amen’s”
affirmed his opinion. “O.K. - what exactly do you want to say about this Holy
God?” I asked. Around the room Bibles began to open and pages were quickly
turned. One person quoted Isaiah who saw God “high and lifted up” with angels
declaring that He is “Holy, Holy, Holy.” A young lady cited John’s Revelation
seeing His throne room and hearing He is “Holy, Holy, Holy - the Lord God
Almighty.” We saw from Scripture that “holiness” is “separation” - a dimension
of God’s transcendence and majesty. We realized that, like Isaiah, we are far
from holy. Our lips and our neighbors are unclean. We rejoiced that Jesus died
to make us holy and that His Spirit continues the cleansing process. We
resolved to seek His power to “be holy in all we do.”
This was a wonderful day, like so many we have had in our
teaching ministry in Kazakhstan Kazakhstan
In Case You Were Wondering
Since we have come on furlough, we have often hear the
following questions:
“Where have you folks been, I haven’t seen you for a long
time?”
As much as it may burst our bubble, we realize not everyone
knows that our family has been working in Kazakhstan Africa ,
where we had the privilege of working in the 80’s.) Dayna has been teaching at Tien Shan School Central Asia . Also, we are
all involved in the International Christian Fellowship where Mark serves as the
co-pastor.
“Where is this Ka…, Kaaaa…., what is it again?”
“Oh! I thought you were in a small village!?”
No, we live and work in the largest city in Kazakhstan
“Do you like it over there?”
We are enjoying our life there. We have all made a number of
good friends. The boys have a good school to attend. Best of all, we are
privileged to play a small part in the growth of the newly forming Christian
Church in Central Asia .
“What’s the weather like?”
The winter is cold – lots of snow and ice. The summer is hot
– and far from any ocean! The Spring and Fall are very pleasant but too
short. If we were looking for great
weather, we’d stay in Hawaii
“How about the food?”
Not exactly a reason to move over there either! The best of
the Russian influence is lots of fresh breads. They also make some good soups
and stews. We’re still wondering what is best about Kazakh food. They love
meat, especially sheep and horse. Horse is not really that bad….tastes
like….chicken!? There are lots of restaurants in Almaty, with foods from around
the world, some of them are not too bad. We’re all thankful that Dayna is a
great cook, so we usually graze in our own pastures.
“Do you have a house?”
We do not have a house, or even a car! We live in an
apartment like the vast majority of the citizens. We had three bedrooms which
is larger than most. We can travel across the city on buses and taxis very
reasonably.
“What do you do for fun?”
Like any big city, Almaty has lots of things going on. The
boys have played Little League baseball in the summers. Our church has indoor
soccer games weekly. We especially enjoy the Symphony Orchestra. They give
world class performances, at just $1 for front row seats! Once in a while the
theatre plays English language movies. We especially enjoy the magnificent Tien Shan mountains, the peaks are over 17,000 feet and
just 30 minutes away. They offer lots of great hikes in the summer and
snowboarding in the winter.
“Are you going back again?”
Yes. We plan to be in Hawaii California Kazakhstan
“How is the new building for the seminary?”
The construction is finished. There are still some rooms to
be painted and fixtures to be hung, but the heat is on and everything looks
great. Of the approximately $ 300,000 USD needed for the project, more than $
250,000 has been raised by God’s grace. We are thankful for those who are
giving now to help us close the gap.
Another urgent prayer concern is for final permission from
the government to use the new facility for ministry. This entire project was
prompted by a government inspection one year ago which found us guilty of
several safety and fire code violations. We apologized and promised we would
fix everything. At each point along the way we sought and received permission
to continue the work. Now we trust they will give the final green light. Yet,
the underlying force prompting the inspection a year ago was pressure from
Islamic leaders in the village where the seminary building is located. Frankly,
the Muslims are now more unhappy because we have such an excellent facility to
train Christian leaders! Pray that Government officials will acknowledge the
standard of our work and ignore the slander of our critics.
What now remains is the making of needed furniture for the
building – beds, desks, wardrobes, dining tables and chairs, study desks,
library shelves, and computer work stations.
We are in urgent need of $ 30,370
to finish the new building for Kazakhstan Evangelical Christian Seminary. We
praise the Lord for all He has done thus far. Can you consider helping us with
these interior furnishings?
I received this list just yesterday
from our team in Almaty. They wrote, "The end is very close. You will see
this beautiful building. We need to pray for good students and pastors in Kazakhstan
Building Materials: Total - $ 16,050
Linoleum (1st and 2nd floors) $ 6430
Glue for linoleum
250
Floor boards to hold linoleum 560
Ceiling (1st floor) 1300
Wood for window shelves 650
Sinks 500
Taps for sinks 400
Light fixtures 1500
Heating Oil (5000 liters) 1300
Water Pump 600
Fire Alarm System (50% paid) 2000
Labor / Installation: Total - $ 7000
Painters 1200
Carpenters 1000
Tile 400
Electricians
3500
Linoleum 900
Furniture Total
- $ 7320
Classroom desks (60) 1520
Kitchen counters, shelves,
cupboards 1300
Dining Room (15 tables, 60
chairs) 3000
Work Stations (12 computer
tables) 1200
Funds for this project may be sent
to our seminary's founding organization:
In Christ International
You will receive a tax-deductible
receipt. Please help us finish this strategic ministry center.
This is our present itinerary for
our home ministry. We are looking forward to seeing many of you.
December 17 - Grace Covenant
Church Vista , CA
December 24 - Montrose Community
Church Montrose , CA
December 31 - El Segundo First
Baptist Church El Segundo , CA
January 7 - La Canada Canada
January 14 - Biola Congregational
Church, Biola , CA
January 28 - Kalahikiola
Congregational Church, Kohala ,
HI
February 4 - Puna Congregational
Christian Church, Keaau , HI
February 11 - Hilo Missionary
Church Hilo , HI
February 18 - Spring of Life Church Pahoa , HI
February 25 - Waioli Huia
Congregational Church, Hanalei ,
HI
March 4 - Central
Kona Union Church, Kealakekua ,
HI
March 11- Living Waters Assembly of
God, Hilo , HI
March 18 - open
March 25 - Windward Missionary
Church, Kaneohe , HI
April 1 - Hawaii Church of Christ , Hawaii Kai , HI
April 8 - Holualoa Chapel, Holualoa , HI
April 15 - open
April 22 - Waimea Assembly of God, Waimea , HI
April 29 - Wailuku Union
Church, Wailuku , HI
May 6 - Hale Halawai O Holoaloa - Kailua-Kona , HI
May 13 – Hilo Missionary
Church Hilo , HI
May 20 - open
May 27 - open
June 3 - open
June 10 - open
June 17 - In California
June 24 - In California
July 1 - In California
July 8 - In California
July 10 - Leaving Los Angeles Kazakhstan
We still hope to schedule meetings
in the open dates.
Yours in Him,
Mark and Dayna Blair
Please respond to us at
blairstan@hotmail.com
Aloha from Hawaii Kazakhstan Hawaii Hilo Haili Christian
School Christian
Liberty School
Until June 10 our telephone number
is 808-964-2201, cell phone 808-987-2968. Our mailing address is 190 Ululani Street , Hilo , Hawaii 96720
We are in urgent need of $ 30,370
to finish the new building for Kazakhstan Evangelical Christian Seminary. We
praise the Lord for all He has done thus far. Can you consider helping us with
these interior furnishings?
I received this list just yesterday
from our team in Almaty. They wrote, “The end is very close. You will see this
beautiful building. We need to pray for good students and pastors in Kazakhstan
Building Materials: Total - $ 16,050
Linoleum (1st and 2nd floors) $ 6430
Glue for linoleum
250
Floor boards to hold linoleum 560
Ceiling (1st floor)
1300
Wood for window shelves 650
Sinks 500
Taps for sinks 400
Light fixtures 1500
Heating Oil (5000 liters) 1300
Water Pump 600
Fire Alarm System (50% paid) 2000
Labor / Installation: Total
- $ 7000
Painters 1200
Carpenters 1000
Tile 400
Electricians
3500
Linoleum 900
Furniture Total
- $ 7320
Classroom desks (60) 1520
Kitchen counters, shelves, cupboards 1300
Dining Room (15 tables, 60 chairs) 3000
Work Stations (12 computer tables) 1200
Funds for this project may be sent to our seminary’s
founding organization:
In Christ International
You will receive a tax-deductible receipt. Please help us
finish this strategic ministry center.
This is our present itinerary for our home ministry. We are
looking forward to seeing many of you.
December 17 – Grace
Covenant Church Vista , CA
December 24 – Montrose
Community Church Montrose , CA
December 31 – El Segundo
First Baptist
Church El Segundo , CA
January 7 – La Canada Canada
January 14 – Biola Congregational Church, Biola , CA
January 28 – Kalahikiola Congregational Church, Kohala , HI
February 4 – Puna Congregational Christian Church, Keaau , HI
February 11 – Hilo
Missionary Church Hilo , HI
February 18 – Spring of Life Church Pahoa , HI
February 25 – Waioli Huia Congregational Church, Hanalei , HI
March 4 – Central Kona
Union Church, Kealakekua , HI
March 11- Living Waters Assembly of God, Hilo , HI
March 18 - open
March 25 – Windward Missionary Church, Kaneohe , HI
April 1 – Hawaii Church of Christ ,
Hawaii Kai , HI
April 8 – Holualoa Chapel, Holualoa , HI
April 15 - open
April 22 – Waimea Assembly of God, Waimea , HI
April 29 – Wailuku Union Church, Wailuku ,
HI
May 6 – Hale Halawai O Holoaloa – Kailua-Kona , HI
May 13 – Hilo
Missionary Church Hilo , HI
May 20 - Puna Congregational Christian Church, Keaau , HI
May 27 - open
June 3 - open
June 10 – open
June 17 - In California
June 24 - In California
July 1 - In California
July 8 - In California
July 10 – Leaving Los Angeles forKazakhstan
July 10 – Leaving Los Angeles for
We still hope to schedule meetings in the open dates.
Yours in Him,
Mark and Dayna Blair
Please respond to us at blairstan@hotmail.com
