Pastoral Questions

I guess we all put people into “boxes” – I know I do. When you think of an Englishman, born in London, in the middle years of life – what do you picture? According to my stereo-type, I do not picture a guy ready to make a radical change of ultimate life commitment. Instead I think of staid, conservative, predictable, dressed in tweed. Andrew defies my categories. By nature he is loud, fun loving, and rowdy, dare I say it – like an American!

When we met a few months ago in our International Church Fellowship, I could tell he did not feel very comfortable “in church.” But as I preached that day his eyes conveyed an intense interest. He did not join the many around him I had put to sleep! The next Sunday my colleague Andy preached and closed with a stirring challenge to think about your relationship with God. As I opened my eyes from the closing prayer I found Andrew standing in front of me – with tears in his eyes - saying, “I want to get baptized.”

“Baptized, well we are planning a baptism for Easter Sunday, let’s meet and talk.” Dayna came along for the talk, Andrew brought his significant other named Marina. At this point we were not sure just how significant. We sat down over coffee and discussed all kinds of things – from soccer (Andrew’s passion) to spirituality. In fact he was pleased to know that there is no contradiction, soccer can be spiritual, an exuberant act of God-given fun – worship on wheels. But when played from a dark heart, God can be ignored and mocked. Andrew wanted to talk about many topics, movies, music, work, even politics. In all of these areas his prime interest was in the “Christian viewpoint.” I tried to be biblical and balanced. More than an hour passed. Both he and Marina showed a keen interest and understanding in the faith. Then came the question we hesitated to raise, Dayna asked, “What about you two, are you married?’ 

They looked at each other and answered almost as one, “Not yet.” I sighed. From all that I had learned about Andrew thus far, he seemed a ready candidate for Christian baptism. What now? We learned that Marina was already baptized. Indeed she was a Bible school graduate whose testimony had sparked Andrew’s faith journey. She was so happy to have found ICF, because Andrew could not understand her Russian language church. Now things got more muddy. This Christian young lady was involved in a less than Christian living arrangement with Andrew. The light at end of the tunnel was the word “yet.” “When will you get married?” “Soon, we have started the paper work already.” It’s a rather complicated procedure for a British citizen to marry a Kazakhstani. But they were working on it. They had the blessing of one another’s parents. In fact, they asked whether I would perform their wedding ceremony. Then Andrew told me he had invited several people from his work place to witness his baptism. Easter was four days away. Andrew is a financial officer in a large oil company operating in this country. By his account, and confirmed by one of his colleagues who is an Elder in ICF, Andrew was the last guy anyone would expect to be baptized. So the disbelieving work mates were coming to watch.

It was hard to believe that two hours has passed. All four of us enjoyed this time of sharing. God was a very present fifth person in our circle. I came home very confused. Was I losing my convictions? Previously, I would have never considered baptizing someone who is “shacking up.” They needed to clean their mess, not bless it. I called the members of our ICF Leader Board, a wise and godly group. Their unanimous advice confirmed my “gut feeling.” To not baptize is to withhold the very grace that he had begun to experience. Jesus came to call “sinners” – like us – and here was one who had begun his life long pilgrimage of faith. He was actively making things right as an expression of newly emerging faith, seeking baptism, preparing for marriage, witnessing in his workplace, implementing the Lordship of Christ from the soccer field to the ledger books.

Thrilling Pipe Tornado

Cool nights, warm days, gorgeous colors – autumn greetings from Almaty! About a month ago we began the new academic year and things have been rushing along since.

Tien Shan looks more and more like a first class school. Summer renovations have improved the facilities greatly; new linoleum/ tile floors, rest rooms, science lab, fire escapes, enlarged classroom, increased security, paved walkways, playground equipment, painted exterior, and a lush carpet of grass across the soccer field. We’re thankful for the Lord’s continued blessings. The best news is the full slate of teachers, competent professionals from around the world. There are about 120 students from 10 countries. Josiah is the top student in the Senior class, and the bottom – the only Senior! Fortunately, most courses run on a two year cycle so he has 11^th grade classmates. Aaron has ten classmates in the 9^th and  10^th grade. Dayna is teaching Jr. High and Sr.High Bible, Study Skills, Health, and 5^th and 6^th grade Art this semester. Last Friday there was an “Open House” shared supper. Kids of all ages, parents, and even a few grandparents stretched across a field of blankets and mats enjoying the foods of the world. We’re blessed to be here.

Last Friday was also a big day for Kazakhstan Evangelical Christian Seminary. We finished our month long Discipleship Course and selected twenty students for the coming academic year. We had the privilege of interviewing each of them and rejoiced to hear their testimonies of faith. Our numbers are smaller. We continue to increase the standard for admission as the Church in Central Asia matures. We are seeing some second and third generation students, coming from churches that have been planted by our graduates and even from new church starts from those churches. It was a joy to hear their goals for future ministries. They all have a burden to reach the unreached with His gracious news in lands near and far; Mozambique, China, Israel, Turkey, Uzbekistan, and Kazakhstan. This week we begin the first semester with a full slate of excellent courses. Pray that these nine months of study will equip these men and women for greater Kingdom service. Dayna will teach Christian Education and Mark teaches Old Testament Introduction and Survey, in addition to his administrative duties.

Worship at our International Christian Fellowship continues to be a blessing. We have about 250 people of all ages gather each Sunday. The Sunday School which Dayna organizes has about 70 kids under the age of 10. Mark is preaching almost every week through the book of “Romans.” It has been a challenge and a privilege to prepare and present the messages. We continue to reach new people, many nationals seeking to improve their English. As we have grown in size we now have increased our organization and recruited more volunteers for various ministries. We are blessed to give away more than 50% of our offerings and rejoice in the ways we can help encourage His Kingdom work here. Our seminary gratefully received a gift enabling us to buy a much needed electric generator. Our current project is to help a church in a remote part of this country with the purchase of a building for worship. The members have raised about 20% of the cost already, at great sacrifice. 

 News from Hilo is good. Nathan started University of Hawaii in late August. He enjoys his courses and the friendships he is making. He is blessed to live just a short skateboard ride away from the campus with Dayna’s mom and brother. The rest of the family there is also helping him in many ways, including teaching him to drive. He has a part time position helping the Jr. High youth at a nearby church and is enjoying that challenge. He would be glad to hear from you at nafante_boards@hotmail.com

This summer a new Water Park opened in Almaty. We realize you may not be able to come and enjoy it, but you can enjoy the description of the place from our English (sort of) language paper here. Hope it gets the adrenaline pumping!!

 “A Thrilling Pipe Tornado Attracts Adrenaline Lovers”  By Olesya Ivanova

“One curious story is connected with the tornado pipe. Foreigners turned out to be great fanciers of active rest in the aqua park. They feel quite at ease while expressing their emotions during the rolling down the pipe tornado. One man with his lady tried to slide down together with his lady. But in the Aqua Park there are strict rules for everybody to obey, otherwise, people are excluded from the possibility to relax at the Aqua Park. So, observer-operators warned them and offered to slide down one by one. The foreign man gave way to his lady to be the first. And when she was sliding down a loud shout was heard from the pipe. Observer-operators scared at first for the well being of the lady, but her gentleman calmed them down saying that it is quite habitual abroad to feel free while sliding down and people shout as strong as they can, in order produced the process of sliding adrenalin bring use and satisfaction to them. Everyone is free to choose his or her way of getting satisfaction and relax. Thanks to such parks we may choose according to our pocket and tastes.”

We are grateful for your support and prayers.

Blessings, Mark, Dayna, Josiah, and Aaron Blair