“From the Tropics to the Tundra”
An Update from the Blair family in Kazakhstan
June
2002
Mailing address: Mission
c/o KECS Pioneers
P.O. Box 244 10123
William Carey Drive
Almaty 480000 Orlando , Florida 32827-6020 USA
Phone (7-3272) 550128
Our Church:
International Christian Fellowship, Almaty
www.icf.nursat.kz (check this
out!)
Aloha from Almaty,
We traded the fur
lining for flip flops, summer is here. And season by season we are rejoicing in
the God of all grace. We are so thankful for your gracious support and faithful
prayers. We continue to be mightily blessed by Him in all our life and work. The
media may no longer tell you about Afghanistan Central Asia . We hear great reports of
Gospel progress in formerly closed lands. These are times of historic
opportunity for all the “stans” (lands of the peoples), but not without
hardship and even bloodshed. Fervently pray.
One Flies out of the
Nest
We will soon bid a
bittersweet Ahui Hou! to our eldest son Nathan. He graduates from high school
this month and heads home to University
of Hawaii Hilo
It is indeed a pleasure to write this letter of
recommendation for Nathan. I have known Nathan for four years. He is an
exceptional young man and it has been a privilege to serve as his principal
during his High School years. Nathan is a leader among his peers. I have
enjoyed seeing him grow and mature as a strong young man and in his leadership
roles. This year he was elected as
Chairman of the Student Council and demonstrates a natural ability to lead. He is greatly respected by all the staff and
students and has a natural warmth and ability to relate to a wide variety of
ages.
I have observed excellent character qualities in
Nathan. When faced with a challenge he perseveres to reach the goals set,
achieving sound academic results in his studies. He shows particular talent in
expressive writing and I have always thoroughly enjoyed reading his
writings. He is to be commended for his
persistence and diligence; even in subjects he finds more challenging. Nathan
responds respectfully to correction or input. He makes wise choices and is
willing to make a stand on personal convictions and beliefs. Living in Kazakhstan
I would describe him as an excellent all-rounder. I
have watched Nathan throw himself into everything he does from snowboarding to
taking part in school drama productions.
He is also a singer in our school’s music group. Living in a foreign
country has enabled Nathan to have an opportunity to relate to many different
cultures. He has also tackled the learning of the Russian language and his
achievement has been commendable allowing him to relate easily to the local
community.
Gillian sent this letter
from her home in New Zealand Tien
Shan School
Church is Fun
Perhaps that sounds
strange, but International Christian Fellowship here in Almaty has been just that for our family. We are privileged to
be part of a team of leaders who enjoy serving God and one another. We are
stimulated by people and cultures from around the world. Mark preaches (every
other week usually) to a congregation whose Bibles are open and eyes are
attentive. We moved to a new site, a large hotel meeting room in November.
After several weeks of using just half the ball room, the dividing wall is now
open. Every Sunday we’re about 250 people, 50 are kids under 10 years old who
attend Sunday school. Dayna leads a bunch of parents/teachers who willingly
take their turns without cajoling! One recently asked to take all the kids for
a whole month and organize a Children’s Musical. We are blessed each Sunday by
different worship teams whose music and praise leads us into the throne room of
God. We give away more than 70% of our offerings to ministries here. We’re a
bunch of people from different countries and denominations, busy in lots of
different ministries, wanting to raise a banner for the Lord Jesus Christ. Nobody
wastes time with petty Churchianity, it really is fun. Easter was especially
fun. About 350 people came. We baptized nine people, seven of them were new
converts – an Englishman, a Kazakh, five Russians - two were MK’s, including
our son Nathan. Pray that as we focus on
Him we will continue to major on the majors - Jesus, His Word, His
mission. Our venue is a good platform to
reach out to many in the largely untouched business community. We are thinking
about launching a Russian language service, with their own pastor and leaders,
to reach even more professionals. Pray for wisdom and fruitful labors.
The Net of Complicity
“Three of our seminary
students raped a school girl in the next village some months ago.” My colleague’s face winced in pain as she whispered
this tragic news. Shock, anger, disappointment, hurt, betrayal, punishment, all
raced around in my mind. How could such students have found their way into a
seminary? I honestly did not know what
step to take. But my class was waiting for me, so I went to teach “Preaching.”
As a strange twist of fate, one of the accused was the student preacher for
this hour. I sat back in my chair with my arms tightly folded across my chest,
fists clenched. I seethed inwardly, certain that this creep would make a fool
of himself. He read his text, “Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the
devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and we will come near to
you. Wash your hands, you sinners…”
(James 4.7,8) “Wow!” I was shocked, “Does this hypocrite have no shame?”
Hypocrite or not, the guy preached a good sermon; correct understanding of the
text, insightful applications, and even a very transparent confession of his
struggle to submit to God. During the group critique after the message I asked,
“Why did you select that text?” Without hesitation he responded, “Because I
know I am not good at doing this, and I want to improve.” I did not know what
to think. He could talk the talk, but did he walk the walk? That night I
struggled to sleep. “Rape! Oh my God, that poor girl, those wicked boys, what a
scandal for our ministry, what shame on the name of Christ. How many people
know this, or will know it? How can we redeem our testimony? What am I doing as
a seminary director here in Kazakhstan
Riding to the seminary
the next day I wrestled with my plan of action. What would I do first? I should
go to the local school and meet the principal, apologize, and ask to meet this
girl. I should go to the police department and confess our students deed, and
invite officers to arrest them. I should do both, but in which order? When I arrived
I invited key members of staff for a meeting, including the member who first
brought this news. As seven of us gathered behind closed doors I prayed,
beseeching our God of Truth, Light, and Love.
The member of staff who dropped this bomb apprehensively explained she had
not really heard this news directly. It was relayed from her sister in law, who
had heard it from another student, who had heard it from another. As a matter
of fact she could not remember if this event happened two, three, or maybe four
months ago – but she was sure it was a Friday night. Someone suggested we
follow this rabbit trail from the sister in law, to one student, then to
another. Cooler heads said we should talk directly to the three culprits. But,
how? Some adamantly preferred individual interrogations to prevent corroboration.
I suggested we hold them innocent until proven guilty and invite them together
- as students whom we have known and trusted all year long. We did this.
Thanks be to God, they
were not wicked - but one was very stupid – yesterday’s preacher. About three months ago, in a moment of
perverse bravado, he bragged he and his mates had done a dastardly deed. It
was, he explained, “A joke!” What a joke it was. A joke that almost landed them
in prison, or at least beaten severely by the police. This joke terribly
damaged the reputation of our students, our seminary, and our Lord. The two
friends woven into this story were ready to attack their Joker. What should I
do? Nothing in the Student Handbook discussed such jokes. The two leaders we
met with suggested confession before the seminary community, I agreed. I added
that he should also confess before the village church – perhaps their members
could help douse the rumor fires. But surely the retraction never travels as
far and fast as the “Joke.” Then our seminary staff gathered to meet. I
reminded us of a Scripture I often cite, Matthew 18.15-18. We read Jesus’ very
simple formulation for dealing with such jokes and the storms which follow. Go
right to the person and try and sort out the problem, if there is no
reconciliation, take a few friends along; if even that does not work, tell
Blair the Big, Bad Director. (That’s kind of a paraphrase.) Tears were shed,
confessions were made, and absolution was granted. What am I doing here? As
this slice of life reveals, the work is tough, dirty, and wonderful. There are
many such stories to tell, good and bad. We see God transform Jokesters into
Jewels in His crown. We try to model the Grace we want them to preach. He uses
us sinful leaders to mold these midwives for newborn saints. Honestly, it is
not always fun, but often rewarding. On June 7, 2002 , twenty-three students (including one
Jokester), graduate from Kazakhstan Evangelical Christian Seminary. May you send them out with your prayers? Central Asia ’s multitudes wait.
Summer Travels
Before Nathan heads
off to University, we will take a family vacation. The boys want to go to their
homeland. So in July we’re heading down the hill – sort of – to Uganda
Yours in His service,
Mark, Dayna, Nathan, Josiah and Aaron Blair
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