Teaching Those who Teach More!

“In the Tropics heading for the Tundra”

An Update from the Blair’s in Kazakhstan

October   2005

E-mail:   blairstan@hotmail.com

Kazakhstan Mailing address:                                      

Blair’s                                                                       

Almaty 43                                                                 

P.O. Box 101                                                            

480043 Kazakhstan                                                    

Home Phone (7-3272) 550128

 Pioneers

10123 William Carey Drive

Orlando, Florida 32832-6020 USA

www.pioneers.org

Our Church: International Christian Fellowship, Almaty  www.icf.nursat.kz

Tien Shan School  tienshan@pactec.kz

Dear Faithful Friend,

Your interest and support of our work in Kazakhstan has extended for seven years – thanks for being so faithful! When we left the Tropics of Hilo, Hawaii in 1998 for the Tundra of Kazakhstan we did not know all that He had for us to do here. We have enjoyed these years of Kingdom service and praise Him for very many blessings.

It has been some time since we sent a surface letter. We regularly send email letters – now with pictures! If you wish to receive these, please write blairstan@hotmail.com  We realize not everyone has email and we apologize for the long silence by surface mail.

In 2 Timothy 2.2 the Apostle Paul sets forth a pattern for Gospel advancement. He desires God’s life-giving Word to be passed on – from Paul, to Timothy, to reliable men, and to those whom they will reach. The photo below shows how the Lord has allowed us to see this Kingdom extension here in Central Asia. Bahyt (bottom row center) was a student in our early days here. Then Mark invited him to teach Evangelism at Kazakhstan Evangelical Christian Seminary. Bahyt has proved a faithful teacher and example to many. The six young leaders in the polo shirts on the edges of the group were some of his students. These six, with Bahyt as their overseer/encourager, then taught the twenty-nine people who proudly display their certificates in Evangelism training.

Only God knows the Kingdom fruit He will bring through these thirty-six enthusiastic evangelists. The course pictured above took place in the far north of Kazakhstan, near the Russian border, hundreds of miles from Almaty. And of course, it was taught in Russian language. These leaders, whom we have a small part in teaching, can best announce the Eternal Word of God in the changing cultures and languages of Central Asia. Your support of us here has been an essential part of this great work.

Your support has also been part of a similar advancement through Tien Shan School. This school for children of missionaries continues to grow in size and significance. They started with fifteen children in 1995. This Fall more than 180 kids from 12 nations are enrolled from K through 12 grade. God is using, and will use, these ‘Third Culture Kids’ in significant ways for His Glory. They have gained an understanding of the world few children receive. Below you can see the students and staff of Tien Shan School.

Dayna has begun her eighth year of teaching Tien Shan School. This year she is teaching in the Jr. High Department and coaching the Volleyball team.

Mark and Dayna are both teaching church leaders in local Bible schools. This Fall Dayna is teaching Christian Education and Mark teaches New Testament Survey and a Systematic Theology class.

This Fall two more books which Mark has written will be published. His book on ‘Preaching’ is now in Kazakh language. (It was published in Russian last year.) This is the first book on Homiletics in the Kazakh language! Thank God for a great translator and pray that He will use it to encourage Kazakh preachers. A book of sermon outlines on the ‘Life of Abraham’ (Genesis 12-25) has been translated into Russian. (Last year sermon outlines on Ephesians was printed in Russian language.) We are thankful for the opportunity to share through publications and pray that they will be used by God here.  

We also thank God for the ministry of International Christian Fellowship here in Almaty which Mark serves as pastor. We have a great team of leaders and members to share in the ministry. This Fall Mark began a preaching series through the Gospel of John. We want to explore new avenues of outreach among Almaty’s growing ex-patriat community. Pray for God to make this a great year of Kingdom advance here.

The boys we brought here seven years ago have grown up, two have gone back to the USA. Our oldest and youngest sons are in a house in Eugene, Oregon. We are thankful they are together. The Lord has blessed them with jobs and they’re growing in wisdom and maturity.

Nathan turned 21 in July. He has completed three years of University, 2 in Hawaii and 1 in Oregon. He is not studying this year in order to gain Oregon residency. He has a good full time job as a waiter in a restaurant. He continues on the staff of a newly forming magazine which you can find on the web – www.minutemorning.com He has also joined the ministry team for College students in his church in Eugene.

Josiah was working in the Oregon for the summer but he is now back in Almaty with his wife, Masha, and their daughter,  Maylee.. Masha still has another year in University here. Thanks for keeping this young family in your prayers.

Our ‘baby’ – Aaron - is now 18 and looking down on his ‘little brothers.’ He has begun his studies at Lane Community College in Eugene. Thanks for praying for our sons in all these matters - Masha and Maylee too!

We so appreciate your faithful prayers and generous support.

Yours in Him whose Promises are True!

Mark and Dayna Blair

Sons in Oregon, USA

260 High Street - Eugene, Oregon 97401 - USA

Nathan Blair - Mobile: (541) 206 7635 - nathanklblair@gmail.com

Aaron Blair - thesnowisyellow@hotmail.com

Also in Almaty - Josiah, Masha, and Maylee Blair - josiah_masha_blair@yahoo.com

Population of Kazakhs – in Kazakhstan – almost 10 Million - in China - over 1 million Believers in Jesus – in Almaty (largest city in Kazakhstan) – 10 out of every 1000 - in the rest of Kazakhstan - 1 out of every 1000 - in China - 1 out of every 10,000

Teacher of the Year

Aaron's Tien Shan Graduation

The Passion of the Christ in Almaty May 2005

God has given a historic opportunity to our city; to view a vivid portrayal of what His Son did to save us from sin. “The Passion of the Christ” – in Russian - is now playing in two theaters, Alatau . At this point the film is scheduled to be shown for just two weeks. If there is a good response, it may play longer at these theaters and also be shown in other theaters around the city.

There are different opinions about this very graphic film. But as this film has been shown around the world, entire communities have focused their attention on the most ultimate questions, ‘who is Jesus?’ and ‘what did Jesus do?’ There should at least be a Christian consensus to pray that many people who have not yet found the life changing answers to these questions may do so. God only knows whether we will again see this kind of high profile Christian impact on society in our lifetime.

May I suggest that you “jump on this wave” of opportunity?

· See the film, decide its worth for yourself.
· If you feel it is valuable, take others to see it – family members, friends, colleagues from work – especially those who do not know Him.
· Seize this opportunity to talk about Jesus, people you know in the neighborhood, at work, in school, are going to see this film. Tell them more about this Jesus.
· Provide resources for people to learn more - books, Bibles, the “Jesus” film – a number of these are on the ICF Book table. If you need more materials, let me know.
· Consider going to the theaters and handing out Scripture portions and the ‘Jesus’ film to those who having seen the film want to know more. (Last night one valiant ICF member was all alone at the Arman theater – I trust he will soon be getting the word out about how we can help.)
· Pray, pray, pray!!!

I believe in the God of Jonah, who at the simple word of repentance brought the entire city of Nineveh to salvation. I believe God loves Almaty and is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

Almost one hundred years ago, Harry Ironside, then a preacher with the Salvation Army, was challenged by an Atheist to a debate. He agreed on one condition:

"First, you must promise to bring with you a man who was for years what we commonly call a 'down and outer'...a man who for years was under the power of evil habits from which he could not deliver himself, but on some occasion entered your meetings and heard this glorification of agnosticism and your denunciations of the Bible and Christianity, and whose heart and mind as he listened to such addresses was so deeply stirred that he went away from the meeting saying, 'From today, I too am an atheist!' and as a result of imbibing that particular philosophy found that a new power had come into his life. The sins he once loved he now hates, and righteousness and goodness are now the ideals of his life. He is now an entirely new man, a credit to himself and an asset to society - all because he is an agnostic.

Secondly, I would like you to bring with you a woman...once a poor, wrecked, characterless outcast, the slave of evil passions, and the victim of man's corrupt living but who also entered a hall where you were loudly proclaiming your agnosticism and as you spoke, hope was born in her heart and she said, 'this is just what I need to deliver me from the slavery of sin!' She followed the teaching and became an intelligent agnostic or infidel. As a result her whole life revolted against the degradation of the life she was living. She fled from the den of iniquity where she was held captive for so long; and today, rehabilitated, she has won her way back to an honored position in society and is living a clean, virtuous, happy life, all because she is an agnostic"

“If you find those two people and I will find 100 people who have been so changed by Christ.” The two people were never found, and the debate was never held.

“I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes.” Romans 1.16

Praying with you for our city,
Pastor Mark Blair

Tajikstan Report – Easter 2005

We send warm Easter greetings on this snowy day in Almaty, Kazakhstan. Our warm Springtime was abruptly covered by a cold white blanket! But it did not chill our hearts – or reduce the attendance – at our International Christian Fellowship. We had a wonderful morning exalting our Risen Lord. We pray that you also were giving Him praise – what a joyous hope we have in Him! Following our service we had an Easter feast at the hotel where we hold our services.

This year we’ve been blessed with many ministry opportunities. In January Dayna and I spent ten days in Dushanbe, the capital city of Tajikistan. Mark taught a one week course on the ‘Trinity’ to young ministry leaders from five different churches there. Understanding the ‘Triples’ – as one of them innocently said in his limited English – is not easy, in any language. But the Lord graciously opened His Word to us. We also met with local pastors, preached in two prisons (Jesus brings joy and hope to the darkest places), and a home for the Elderly. On our Sunday there we shared in the Baptist church and the International Church. Dayna must have reached a new spiritual plateau that Sunday as she heard five sermons, two of them by her husband. It was actually a ‘slow’ day for the Dushanbe Baptists with only four sermons, they sometimes have eight. But as we sat in their very cold sanctuary from 9 to 1, four was quite enough, thanks! Mark and Tajik students:

‘Tajik’ is a Persian language, so there are strong linguistic and cultural ties to their Persian neighbor nations of Afghanistan and Iran. It was great to witness the passion of Tajik believers to share their Savior with ‘cousins’ in those lands. Several of our students are ‘in training’ to go in Gospel-service there. A group of Iranian Christians sang their Farsi language praise to Him who set them free during the Sunday afternoon service at the International Church.

In February Mark taught a week-long modular course on ‘Preaching’ at the newly formed ‘Reformed Theological Academy of Kazakhstan.’ At this point their name is longer than their enrollment. But the ten pastors who gather four times a year to study are bright and zealous. After seven years of teaching Central Asian church leaders, it is encouraging to see their depth of insight and understanding grow significantly. This particular ‘class’ was more like a ‘laboratory’ with each pastor preaching once during the week and their colleagues offering very helpful constructive critique.

In March Mark taught a seminar on ‘Spiritual Gifts’ at the Central Asian Business Conference. Over 100 men and women gathered from throughout the region to – in their words – learn to serve on their jobs like missionaries. Wow! What a great vision and hope. These believers want their faith to bust out of their church walls and transform their society. It was quite stimulating to interact with them. The main speaker is a Christian businessman from the Philippines! We’re quite privileged to see Him reaching into every land from this corner of His harvest field, as Isaiah foresaw the ‘nations stream to the mountain of the Lord.’

Among the many in our Easter service was a young Kazakh lawyer who has been attending ICF regularly for a couple of years. After receiving his Bachelor’s degree here, he was one of 100 Kazahstanis sent for a Master’s degree in USA that year. He earned a Master’s in Law from a prestigious American University and successfully passed the Bar Exam there. (He is one of seven Kazakhstanis with American legal credentials.) He went to America as an avowed Atheist. His host family were sincere Christians, and invited him to their church, he went out of curiosity. On the campus where he studied law, he met people who claimed to ‘have it all together’ - he did not meet any who told him about God. But in this church he met newly released prisoners, people struggling economically, and others in need. He heard them cry out to God and he watched them change. He had never seen people change in this way before. Then his sister, on a similar academic program in London, became a believer in Jesus. This was a real shock to their family. He soon saw her change in similarly positive ways. Now he is teaching in the largest law University in Almaty – fulfilling his government required service for his study abroad. Last year he obtained a 300 seat hall for a weekly presentation of the ‘Alpha Course.’ (Unfortunately, the attendance was quite small as advertisement was not allowed.) But he has come a long way from Atheism to the Alpha Course! And he continues to seek God and His Truth. I just learned from him that now the Kazakhstan government sends 3000 students for Master’s degrees to the States every year. Maybe there is someone down the road from you, waiting for an invitation to your church. All of us have a part in His great Harvest.

This week the 4th quarter at Tien Shan school begins. Dayna teaches a full load of courses, Mark teaches Bible to High Schoolers, and Aaron will graduate in June. Nathan also begins his 4th quarter at University of Oregon. Last quarter he earned a 4.0. He is enjoying his life there very much. Aaron plans to begin Community College in Oregon this Fall, living with Nathan in Eugene. Josiah, Masha and Maylee are also doing well here.

We are very thankful for your support and prayers which enable us to serve here.

In His great love,
Mark, Dayna, and Aaron Blair

India Report January 2005

Namaste from Kazakhstan!

We are back from a life-changing trip to India. What an amazing country. There are so many people, all quite friendly, many poor. We saw sights – and smells - of desperate poverty and misery. And we saw exquisite beauty. Words and pictures cannot convey the incredible magnificence of the Taj Mahal. We learned much about their rich and varied history. Awesome forts and palaces of successive conquering rulers continue to speak of their ancient powers. We were impressed by their resolve to build a nation – shown in their refusal to accept outside aide for tsunami relief.

We were in the northern city of Delhi, far inland, when the tsunami struck on December 26. We watched the television pictures in shock like the rest of the world. There are twice as many people just in Delhi – not India’s largest city – than in the entire county of Kazakhstan. We spent about a week touring the northwestern area, the state of Rajasthan. Then we went to Agra, city of the Taj Mahal. From Agra we had a 30 hour train ride to the western coast of Goa – unaffected by the tsunami. There in Goa we enjoyed almost a week along the Arabian Sea – lounging on wide sandy beaches, enjoying fresh fruits and fish, and riding the waves, with very few people. Our time in India was restful, inexpensive, and interesting. It’s quite different to be back in our ‘small town’ of Almaty with just a million and a half people. We seemed to pass that many people just walking around some blocks in India.

I’m sure I’ll sound like a preacher, but I came away very grateful. I do not know why God allowed me to be a fat, rich American. We traveled very light – by our standards – with just a couple changes of our ‘oldest clothes’ but we looked well dressed. It was not unusual to see entire families living in the median strips of congested city highways, in tattered tents with a bunch of half naked children. I have seen the ‘ghettos’ of America, and it is a scandal that they exist, but they’re palatial by comparison. I ‘cruised’ through school – making more memories than grades – while students in India intensely compete with millions of others for the very few places available in Universities. When an ‘outsourced’ job is offered at one of the new communications centers, hundreds of thousands apply for the modest salaried positions. I suppose it won’t be long before I have an extra scoop of chocolate on my Jamoca Almond Fudge, but I hope what we saw continues to challenge my decisions.

We are packing again for a trip. The teaching I was supposed to do in Dushanbe, Tajikistan in early December has been rescheduled to next week. We were unable to get the Tajik visa at that time. Dayna and I will be leaving on Sunday, Aaron will be here with a friend. We will teach an intensive week-long course on “The Trinity” to about 30 ministry leaders.

God is good! Thanks for praying us all through this year. We are very grateful.

May this New Year be one of joy and blessing to you through Jesus Christ – Lord of the Nations, Hope of the World.

Love and prayers, Mark, Dayna, and Aaron Blair