'Id' and Valentines Day 2006

We send warm greetings from a cool and calm Almaty. Amidst the global hubbub over religious cartoons, we have had no hostilities. Given the very secular outlook of most local Muslims, we are not surprised, but we are thankful. The subject of religion is an interesting one here.

One snowy day in January Kazakhstan recognized the Muslim holiday of Id al-Adha -‘The Sacrifice of Abraham.’ Of course in this predominantly Muslim country they believe Abe’s almost-victim was his son Ishmael – as the Koran says. But this is a country where Islam is a thin veneer over deeper attitudes of superstition, atheism, and materialism which animate most hearts. So a holiday is viewed as an opportunity to open the ever present bottle of Vodka (it sells for less than Coca-Cola). Even if ‘good Muslims’ are not supposed to drink alcohol, many toasted Abraham and his son.

We looked out our window that morning onto the snow filled open courtyard between our collection of five-story apartment buildings. Here kids play soccer, even in the snow. Lovers kiss. And the garbage which should be in the dumpsters spreads across the territory – thank God for white blankets of snow! Well on this day a group of Kazakh men gathered to remember Abraham’s deed by killing a sheep. Driving their car onto the field they hoisted the unsuspecting fleece covered victim out of the trunk. Prayers were said, with their palms uplifted and their heads bowed. And a cross was etched upon the forehead of the sheep by the finger of the eldest man. (Ask a Kazakh why a cross is drawn on the head of an about to be sacrificed sheep and very few will know why. They’ve ‘always done it.’ Kazakh Christians will remind them that Christians crossed the Central Asian steppe centuries before the Muslims and this just might be a reminder of the Jesus who died on the cross as the Lamb of God.) Prayers being said and cross being etched, the knife was bared and soon the now headless sheep had fallen to its side. This spurred the gathered men to great activity. Skin is removed, entrails opened, meat is divided. Another couple of men put the sheep’s dripping head on a rock and burned it black with a gas-powered blow torch. (Oh, if Abraham could see how technology has accelerated!) It was not long before all that remained was a wet sheep skin hanging from the clothes line and a puddle of blood. No doubt there were more toasts to Abraham over a hearty meal of mutton that night.

Today – on the Love Day, as they say here – we got a warm letter from a new member of our International Christian Fellowship who is coming to know a new and wonderful love. We share it, unedited, asking you to remember this young woman, and the many millions who do not yet know why they etch a cross on sheep they sacrifice.

Dear Mark and Dayna!Today, February, 14th, 2006, is a holiday - the Day of Holy Valentine - the Love Day - in my country. I congratulate you with this Day! I wish you both and your family a strong health, happiness, success, love and prosperity to ICF Family! Let all the Christians and all people in all over the world be happy and have a strong health. Let it be a Peace and No War! Thank you for your organization and existence of ICF Church in Almaty, in Kazakhstan. It is a very wonderfull and nice place. I am glad that I've found and stay in ICF Family! It is interesting and useful for me to learn about the Christian religion, to learn the Bible. The Bible is a very valuable Book. Before this I didn't touch it and didn't open it. It is written a lot of Values in the Bible. The Bible learns to live. I want to share my thoughts and my life experience with you. I know it will be interesting for you as a Leader of the Church. You are a nice Leader. God gave you this quality. In spite of that fact that my family - Muslims, I accepted the belief in Jesus Christ in October 2005. God led me to you, to ICF Church through events and people. I should say that since October I start pray in the name of Jesus Christ from my true heart and visit the Church. And some amazing and incredible stories occurred with me when I started to believe in Him. I SHOCKED! It makes me to believe in Him, He exists REALLY! I should say that God listen to me through Jesus Christ, He replies at my requests. I made a discovery for me. In October I accepted Jesus Christ in spite of that fact that my family is Muslims. Nobody knows that I go to the Church, believe me it is not easier for me to be between two religions. Two religions came across: Muslim and Christian. My parents go to Mosk and pray for our family during a whole life. But I didn't get a reply from the Heavens before I started to believe in Jesus Christ and pray in the name of Jesus Christ. I don't know - why - only God knows. THE SOVIET SCHOOL STUDIED US TO BE ATHEISM! THE SOVIET TEACHERS STUDIED US THAT GOD DOESN'T EXIST. BUT NOWADAYS THE PEOPLE UNDERSTAND THAT IT IS WRONG. WE CAN'T LIVE WITHOUT GOD! THANK YOU FOR ICF AND YOUR SERMONS. GIVE THE GOD TO YOU AND YOUR FAMILY A HEALTH AND HAPPINESS AND LONGEVITY!

And we wish the same to you!! We are very thankful for your prayers and support as we have the privilege of serving the True and Living God here in Central Asia. We have a Sovereign Savior, if He could handle the cross, bring on the cartoons!!

For His honor,
Mark and Dayna Blair