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  Tatarstan:Tatarstan (Part 1) Republik of Tatarstan - is mainly a Muslim country. It is a part of Russia. Oil and Muslims are almost inseparable terms. There are many oil deposits in Tatarstan. Though the Russian Tsar Ivan the Terrible after conquering Kazan tried to introduce Christianity among Tatars, this mission had no expected results. Tatars contributed very greatly with curse words. When a Tatar gets mad he does not choose polite words. They enjoy cursing and use such words as "baptism", "church" and other Christian terms as curse words. Now Muslim religion is getting stronger in Tatarstan. They work at summer camps, have Friday schools for children, work with drug addicted, receive donations from the government. This makes a strong opposition to Christianity. The Muslim movement is a serious source of separatism. Legal extreme developments are not very popular in Tatarstan but there are underground Muslim schools which train terrorists. Even local authorities are concerned because of these developments. People are tired of terrorism. Moslim attacks were the main reason for our prayers and mission. We set different goals:
From the very beginning God was blessing this project in Tatarstan. We started to pray and we did not have anything but a great desire to serve. What else did we actually need? God took care. I have an impression that He was the Organizer. We just had to listen, to obey and to receive His blessings. God moved people to offer donations for this project. One day a friend of mine called me at the office. He wanted to see me. I was very busy and did not have any time for an appointment with him. But I put everything aside and made an appointment with Sasha. We he came he said he knew about our mission trip to Tatarstan. He offered his support and gave me a 100-dollars bill. I was speechless. Later on our project was also blessed through Belarussians. Not wealthy people. Sasha is a minister and often is in need. But he represented dozens of Belarussians which wanted to invest their money in our mission trip. We praise the Lord that our Belarussian churches and people covered 60% of expenses of the mission. We received donations even during the project, so I had to go to Tatarstan to bring support for the group. The list of the group:
Reports of the group: КАZAN It took us 24 hours to get to Kazan. We arrived at night. Note: Kazan - capital of Republic Tatarstan. Population - 2.000.000. человек. Purpose - preaching the Gospel in Kazan using The Four Spiritual Laws, speaking at the Kazan Muslim University, work at the children's social center, baptism at an evangelical church in Kazan Brothers with a picture of a fish met us at the station. It was very touching. Next day we met the local pastor of the evangelical church Pavel Vassilyevich. June 2. We went to the police office to get registered. We had to wait long but we were patient. We gave to the people also waiting along with us at the police office brochures "You and God" and talked bout Jesus. Then we took a guitar and sang Christian songs. Some of the people were listening very carefully. Maybe the officials liked our songs because they said we did not need any registration. June 3. After lunch we went to a bus stop with a Christian street library. This is a good way of spreading the Gospel. People can borrow books and tapes for one, two weeks without any charge. We also sang and distributed the brochure "You and God" We even met a Christian from Ethiopia there. 5.30 p.m. - Islam University Kazan. In one of the rooms we had a nice fellowship with students. We asked many questions a professor of the university about Islam. We had many impressions. June 4. After lunch we were inviting people to a Christian film about faithfulness in the Christian center "Nazareth". People responded in various ways to our invitation. Many refused, some told they were too busy, others told that they were Muslims and did not want to watch a Christian movie. Some appreciated the invitation. In the afternoon were preparing for the youth meeting. Now the church "Nazareth" has no youth leader and the youth ministry is almost not being developed. "Devotion" was the topic of the service. The fellowship was very good. We prayed and sang much, in the end we had tea and played. The teenagers liked the fellowship. June 5 июня (Sunday). In the morning we were at the service in the church. Sergey Litvinko preached. Alik told his testimony. We all together praised the Lord with songs. At 3 p.m. we had a service in Tatar language. It was a joy to watch a Tatar community. Alik was a part of this service. At 5 p.m. the film "Promise of faithfulness" started. Before we sang some songs. After the film we talked with the people. We gave Christian bracelets to children and explained them the meaning of each part. Bugulma June 6-9. 7 men went to Bugulma to invite to the Bible school. NOTE: Population of Bugulma is 120 000. Our task was to distribute 30.000 invitations to the Bible school "Faith". We spent 4 days in the town. Stayed in the local church. Covered expenses with our own money. We split into 4 tams took maps of the town and each team worked on its territory. It was difficult to work especially in the section with private houses. There were many dogs there. We distributed brochures in Russian and Tatar languages, they were very attractive. Both Tatars and Russians took the brochures gladly. We did even more than planned - 32 000 brochures have been distributed. The results were amazing. Hundreds of letters arrived 3 days later. People showed their interest in the Gospel. Different people - young and old, Russians and Tatars. This fact encouraged us and we did the same work in the nearby village. June 10. At 10 o'clock in the morning we came to the Christian center to discuss our plans. We were going to visit a social children's center for children from problematic families. A big happy crowd of children met us when we entered the center. But they only seemed to be happy. Deep inside they were unhappy because they had parents which abandoned them. For 3 hours were telling them about the Christian family with God as its head. We tried to explain to the children that the Heavenly father never abandons His children. Later on we played and had much fun with the children. They smiled and laughed much. Sincere laugh is seldom at such a center. IN the end we gavee cookies, candies, fruits to the children. They did not want to let us go. June 11. At 11 a.m. we went to the place where baptism had to take place. We prepared the place, cleaned it. After work we had fellowship with teenagers. June 12. In the morning we had baptism. 12 people received Christ and were baptized. After the baptism we had an open air service. It was on a forest meadow. This is the first such experience in the local church. There were 120 people present. Sergey Litvinko preached. We sang songs and told our testimonies. After baptism we had a rest because at night we planned to have a prayer meeting before ministering to Muslims on the next day. June 13. In the center of Kazan we had a poll. We asked questions different people. The attitude was different. Some people were friendly, some showed aggression accusing us: "Our society has problems because of your churches. We must restore our national culture to solve problems." We remember a couple. They had not seen one another and wanted to be together but were very open with us. Svetlana and Raffael talked with us long and even wanted a picture with us and them. June 14. Physical ministry. At the church we were piling up bricks in the morning. After lunch we continued a poll in the streets. A talk with men who were in contact with the satan is remarkable. You can read the story below. In bondage Diana and Luda came up to two men which were sitting on a bench in the park. They asked the men to answer their questions. One of them seemed to be interested. The other's face spoke: "Leave me alone!" though he asked: - What kind of questions? - Special questions for men. We are doing a poll in the city. We would like to know your opinion on some subjects. - Well, ask. Luda went with the other man aside and Diana stayed with the rude man. He did not show any willingness to answer the questions. But he did answer. During the talk he did not look up into my eyes. The atmosphere was unfriendly. Diana wished to finish asking questions as soon as possible. She did not feel comfortable. Finally the man asked: - What church do you come from? Which number of the church? - asked he angrily. He obviously wanted to hurt the girls. - What does it mean "Which number?"- replied Diana. - This is a Christian church. - The man kept silence then said: - I do not believe in God. ...Well. Several years ago my friend and I were hanging around in the city. We did not have any money for a drink. We felt bad. Only vodka could help. I prayed to the satan and he helped. When we came home a friend of mine called and invited us to the party. They had girls and plenty of vodka. The man continued to tell how wonderful it is to pray to the satan. The situation was unusual, the girls were talking with a person which had contact with the satan - God's enemy. He practically sold his soul to him. He was in a trap. The man was very unhappy. He did not have any joy. There was no life in his eyes. Then the man turned to Diana and asked: - Who do you think helped me - God or satan? Diana was very sorry for the man and replied: - You know the answer. Consider whom you are with. If you believe in the satan you must admit that there is God. The men did not answer anything. The girls had to leave the men because they did not want to talk longer. This was an unusual experience for the girls. Hey met people who knew about God but rejected Jesus as their Savior, but those men asked the satan to help. In the evening all were praying for those people whom they met during the day. June 15. Sergey Garassyuk and Alik left for the regional center Rybnaya Sloboda to invite to the Bible school. All others were busy with bricks. The two sons of the pastor joined us after lunch and we continued the poll. We want to present some talks with people during the poll. A true killer. Sergey Kruchkov and I were talking with people in the streets of Kazan. I want to share the story of a man by the name Peter. His son was involved in different religions. Through internet he found a group of people who worshipped the satan. They called him their god. He became a pert of the group. They met secretly, this seemed attractive to the young man, mysterious atmosphere and "contacts" with another world were exciting. Peter found different specific pictures and symbols in the room of his son, he became aggressive and did not show any interest in life. - One evening my son was found dead. It was horrible. My son, my hope and love was on the rail way. I saw parts of his body - head, arms, legs. Later on the investigator explained to me that my son's death could be satanic offering. Now I attend the church and each day I drink a big glass of vodka to comfort myself. We told Peter that Jesus and His love could make him free and able to continue life. We told him about the church "Nasareth", explained him where the church was located. He agreed that we would pray for him. We invited him to a conference for men. Pray for that man. After the tragedy with his son faith and unbelief go together in his life. Sergey Litvinko - the leader of the group Loneliness doubles suffering, Jesus comforts (Sergey Litvinko - leader of the group) This was in Kazan after a working day, at rush hour. There were many tired people in the streets. People were hurrying home, to their families and did not want to stop and talk. One man who was not hurrying and very sad attracted our attention. We came up to him and asked to answer some questions. After listening to some questions he told us his story. We felt he needed help and compassion. His name was Yury. His son-in-law was injured very seriously in a car accident. His life was in danger. Doctors do not hope that he would survive. But if he would not die in a couple of days he would live. How could we comfort the man? We told him about Jesus, promised to pray for his son-in-law each day. Yury looked up at us with hope, he thanked us very heartedly. How many lonely people are there among people? How many people need warm comforting and prayers? Who helps them? A person who listens to Jesus and is able to listen to people. June 17, 18 we spent in Naberezhnye Chelny. For two day we have been taught how to work among Muslims. We were going to minister to Muslims in the town of Bavly and needed that special training. June 19. While Alik and Sergey were busy with our housing in Bavly (Alik knew the town best of all of us because he was born raised there) we went to a mosque which was located near to the Christian center. A woman received us very friendly, she showed us around. We did not expect such an attitude. We expected unfriendly people, aggressive and angry. The woman explained us the meaning of different signs and words in the mosque, how important it is to read Koran. "When I feel uneasy I read Koran and Allah gives me peace, and what about you?" - she asked. "To have peace we must have faith but not deeds," - we replied. Islam teaches: do to be, Christianity: be to do. June 20. In Bavly we had to split into two groups. One group had to stay in tents in the forest, another - in Alik's house. We were so tired but we had to put stamps with Ali's phone number on 5000 invitations. We wanted to attract the population in Bavly with video film "Jesus". People were able to borrow the tapes free of charge. NOTE: Population in the town of Bavly - 28 000, 70% - Tatars, 17% - Russians and other nationalities. Goal of the mission - distributing video tapes. For 3 day we have advertised the film "Jesus" distributing brochures with the phone number, people could dial and borrow the tapes. We all were surprised doing this ministry. The local people were very friendly and open. Many (Tatars and Russians) called and wanted the film "Jesus" and Christian literature. We were thrilled. We did not expect such respond. Totally 60 people borrowed the tapes. 40 of them were Tatars. People listened to the Gospel with great joy. Some of them offered even material support and invited to their homes to have tea and talk. Can I help? (Luda Bogdevich) Two women (55-65) and an old man asked us what we were giving to people. I answered that we were advertising free hire of video tapes with the film "Jesus". I gave booklets to the women. The man did not take. He was not friendly. - They should not allow sectarians to disturb people. I told that we were not sectarians and explained him who we were. They started asking different questions: what do we think of divorce, immorality etc. We answered. - If so, we are with you. I continued. If all people had God in their hearts we would not need any locks and steel doors. People would be better, but people are in bondage to sin. They agreed and sighed deeply. They asked where we came from and how much money we receive for our work. They seemed to be surprised when we said that we did the ministry without any payment and continued asking us: - Who gave you money for the trip? - People and churches offered money, -I replied. After these words the old man who called us sectarians started to search in his pockets He reached 100 Russian rubles to me with tears in his eyes. I also wanted to cry and said: - I can not take the money because we tell people about God freely. - But you took money from other people, why do not you want to accept money from me? - asked the old man. - I appreciate your sacrificial heart, but I can not take money because God has already provided. We have enough money. He told us his name and I said: - I see you believe in God and will pray for you. Always remember God loves you very much. I gave them the John Gospel and they took it with joy, promised to read the book and added: - It is so good to see pure and spiritual youth. We thought there are no more such young people but they are. - We are such people because we know God and He has changed us, our lives and our thoughts. Praise the Lord that He gave us His Word. It heals people's hearts. Some minutes before those people were suspicious towards us but later on their hearts melted thanks to our Allmighty and Loving God and Hid living Word. Many Tatars took not only the "Jesus" film but some other Christian movies. This was a good sign for Muslims. We saw people were spiritually hungry. One man started attending the Sunday services. Alik started the Bible study for 3 families. 3 people repented. Threats (Аlik Аmanulin). One day somebody called. Alik's mother picked up the receiver. We all expected something pleasant but the mother heard threats. Active Muslims threatened with physical beatings or even murder. "We will shoot you if you do not stop your activities. We prayed to our heavenly Father to protect us and called our friends in Belarus to pray for us. Doing the ministry in Tatarstan we knew our brothers and sisters in Christ were praying for us. God answered our prayers. One day a car stopped at Alik's house. The chief of the local criminal police came. We told about the purpose of our stay in Tatarstan and our activities. He gave us his phone number and asked to call if we have problems. It was very encouraging for us. Later on we have been threatened three times. Among people who threatened there were Orthodox believers, one obviously sick man and a woman complained that we left our brochures in her mail box. June 21. On this day a Muslim friend of Alik joined us. He helped Alik to spread the Gospel though he was a Muslim. At night it was cold and the group which stayed in the forest in tents was freezing because they did not have any warm cloth. We did not expect cold nights in summer. June 22. We went to a nearby village to give the Christian literature to the people. In another village we visited people in their homes and preached the Gospel. June 23. We showed the "Jesus" film in the village of Vaskino. 30 people came to watch the film. June 24. We were doing the same work in other villages. June 25. On this day we were collecting the tapes. We went to the homes of the people which borrowed the "Jesus" film and picked the tapes. It was a good opportunity to speak of Jesus again. Many people asked for more tapes and books. Everybody was so tired! June 26. Sunday service in the building of the local school for music. Christian Tatars rent facilities and have their services there on Sundays. We were sharing our stories, told about what has been done, were rejoicing about God's blessings. A new man Igor came to the fellowship and we all bathed him in our attention. At 5 p.m. we left Bavly for Kazan. Alik stayed to continue the ministry in his home town. We pray for him, because he stayed alone and he has a lot of work. June 27. Day of rest. June 28. We had a long talk and fellowship with the family of pastor Pavel Vassilyevich. June 29. Day of departure. Pastor Pavel Vassilyevich took us to the train. God kept us safe on the train. On the 1st of June we arrived in Minsk. Sergey Lukyanov met us and took to the place where we stayed over night. Praise the Lord for everything! Statistics In Tatarstan the students have accomplished the following:
The group worked in:
The students told the Gospel face to face to 500 people. 3 people prayed the prayer of repentance. We appreciate your prayer and support. Hundreds of people in Tatarstan heard the Gospel of Salvation. We knew that you were backing us with your prayers. We entered the open doors in Tatarstan and preached the Gospel. If people did not open their door for us we prayed for them. We hope as time goes by they open their doors and hearts. We praise our Allmighty God for the Holy Spirit Who was leading us in the mission trip. Mission group of the Bible college Part 2 Stories What gives joy? (Sergey Kruchkov) In Kazan we were doing a poll among middle aged men. We tried to be prepared to meet such people, how to behave with them, what to say, etc. We were polite and positive aggressive at the same time. We knew that such men did not like too polite people. That is why we did not hesitate asking questions. Men received us surprisingly well. Many asked us a question: "What did God give you?" The question opened a door for us to speak about Jesus and His work. We also listened to them. One man told that he witnessed many miracles in his life. The fact that he was sitting in the center of Kazan and resting in the park was a miracle too, because his enemies were giving thousands of dollars for his head. He told that he had everything, but, on the other hand, nothing. He had no friends, no sense in life, no loved people. He asked me why I was so happy. Where did I receive joy from? "God gives me joy and purpose in life." - I said. "You also need God. God may become your Friend and Protector." The man replied that he prayed but this did not help. I saw it was difficult for the man to understand. I advised him to come to the church "Nazareth" where he could talk with the pastor and other people. I prayed many times for that man and believe God will continue His work in him. What is God able? (Sergey Kruchkov) We showed the "Jesus" film in different villages and I came to know a teenager Sasha. We almost made friends with him so he listened to me very carefully. I explained him that Jesus was God's Son and He died for my and his sins. Sasha asked if God answers all requests and give all you ask for. I answered that God not always gives everything you want. But he must ask God what he wants and let God decide what to give and what not to give. He took a book with the John Gospel and when I met him on the next day and asked if he read the book he told that he read and will continue to read. I pray for Sasha. He is at the age when people make decisions to believe or not. I think God will work in Sasha's life. Glory be to Him! In the heart of Tatars Islam (Sergey Litvinko - group leader) The building of Muslim university was in oriental style with green dominating in it. A Muslim missionary welcomed us and gave us an excursion with the help of some other people. In the beginning they showed us a room for prayer. It was a large unfurnished room covered with carpet. It was unusual for us that there was a room in the university for ritual washing, which occurred 5 times a day. Then they told us about a day schedule and study. Only men can become students. There are some women among administration. Students study Arabian in order to read Koran in original. The Muslim missionary introduced us to some of the students most of which had Slavonic appearance and nationality. They shared their testimonies, many of them were like: I had read New Testament and Bible but I found answers to my questions only in Koran. Students were dressed very simple. Most of them had beards. There is a library in the university. The books on the shelves formed a nice design. There were many books in Arabian. Having information that in three Tatar madrasahs (religious educational institution) special services had found guideline in assemblage and disassembly of Kalashnikov gun, wWe asked them what was their attitude to duomachy and ability to use the gun. Our guide and other people said that Koran encourages mastering sport and military skills. We asked them another question: - Considering that pontifex has asked Muslims forgiveness for crusades what would they ask Christians to forgive them for? - I won't answer this question, - responded one man. Another on added: - Only for the fact that means of mass media give wrong information about Muslims. All people agreed that religious and political peripetia caused by few people and religious groups planned and sponsored by special services. Our guide led us to the hall with texts from Koran in Russian and in Arabian on the walls. At that moment a dean of one faculty joined us. It was man of Slavonic nationality, who had spent several years in Arabia and was known as a Muslim apologist. We asked him several questions but he didn't answer eagerly and sincerely. There were brothers of Kasan Baptist churches in our group who worked with Muslims and knew about some contradictions in Koran. We felt some tension when questions concerning that aspect were asked. When we asked them a question why Allah in Koran speaks about himself in plural "We" they said that he had simply shown his prominence. In the end they gave us a newspaper and booklets about Muslim faith today. It was interesting to see the reaction of the Muslim missionary when we gave him a lift home having gone around because of that. He was surprised and touched by that attitude. Later one of the brothers sharing his impressions of this visit told us a joke. In the time of the Soviet Union a teacher taught children what a great country is this and how many nice things we had. One boy began to cry. A teacher asked what had happened. The boy said: "What a nice life they had in the Soviet Union!" The brother emphasized the idea that it seemed so nice to be in Islam when people described it so nice. And what do we see in reality? We often see intolerance and aggression to any kind of disagreement and critic. We are thankful to God for the opportunity to witness in the very heart of Tatars Islam. They say that a Muslim has to hear the gospel for 200 times in order to turn to Christ. We know that the students of that Muslim university are one step closer to Christ. "Where have you been before?" (Luda Bogdevich) We distributed booklets with information about free videocassette of Jesus film in the town of Bavly. We went to people's apartments offering them the booklets. The response of people was mostly positive. An old man of about seventy opened me the door of one apartment. He was very friendly. When I offered him a booklet he smiled and said: - I will certainly order the cassette. You do a very useful thing. Then he added: - Girl, where have you been before? I didn't expect that kind of question and was a little bit lost. It was joyful to meet people who believed in God and were hungry for His Word and had positive attitude to Jesus film. When I was about to leave a man invited me to have tea but I had to refuse since I still had a lot of booklets to distribute. Then he asked me: - Do you have any kind of spiritual literature? - Yes, - I said - You may call this number and make an order. - Thank you, girl, for the information. May God keep you! I want to express gratitude to God for this event, which shows ho He works in people's hearts and direct them to the way of truth. Conversation with Mars (Diana Zolotuhina) While one group of our team was in Bavly, working through Jesus film, our group visited villages. One of the villages was called Potapovo. We went form home to home and offered people the gospel of John. We had books both in Russian and Tatar. Some people didn't want to take them, but many took them with gratitude and great joy. As Sergey Litvinko remarked - it reminds me 1990-s in Belarus, when people eagerly accepted the Good News. I knocked to the gates of one house, but nobody answered. I waited and half opened the gate. I saw no one. I was about to leave when I heard the voice of a man: "Who is it? Come in." The man seemed to be annoyed. I came in and saw a man of 45 years old. I greeted him and explained the aim of my visit. He said: "I am Tatar and I don't read any Christian literature." Then I said: "I had a book in Tatar." The man took that book to look at it and offered me to sit. He continued our conversation. "I am Mars. I am Tatar and therefore I am a Muslim. Though I haven't been to mask for long and haven't prayed." "Do you believe in God?" "I do and I don't at the same time. I have health problems; the left side of my body is getting paralyzed. I God could heal me I would believe in Him!" "You shouldn't give conditions to God. Everything is under His authority. Have you heard of four spiritual laws?" "No, what are they?" It was easy to talk to that man. He was interested in what I was explaining to him, asked me questions. After he had heard the second law he said: "I am not a sinner, I never wished anything bad to anybody." "But a sinner is not only when you do something, but when you think something wrong." It made him think. When we read the prayer of repentance, he said: "I am not ready to make this kind of decision." "It's all right. A person shouldn't take this kind of decision easily. I recommend you to read the gospel of John in Tatar. You will find the depth of the Good News there. You can also come to the movie "Jesus" and will we talk more." He said he would definitely read the book, and then added: "I think God sent you to me!" I believe that our conversation will bring fruit. I continue to pray for this man every day.Conversation with Tatar (Diana Zolotuhina) Sergey Garasuk and I invited people to the movie "Jesus" in one of the districts in Bavly. Sergey gave the invitation to one man. The man took the invitation and then asked: - Do you believe in Jesus? - Yes - Sergey said - if we didn't believe in Him we wouldn't do it. - It doesn't look so… - Why? - Sergey asked. The man didn't respond. We went farther but we didn't have peace in our heart. What did the man want to say? We continued to do our ministry. But the story wasn't over. In the afternoon I went to one yard, in which a man was working. I offered him an invitation; he let me come in and then added: - We have already met, do you remember? Then I realized that it was the man we had met with Sergey. He introduced himself and we began to talk. His name was Anatoly. He appeared to be a very nice man. He explained that when we had given him the invitation he thought we had wanted to sell him something. We had a very interesting conversation. I told him where we had come from and what our goal was. I said that I studied at Bible College. He wondered why in the Orthodox Church the service is very calm and in the protestant churches they are livelier. I said that in the protestant churches people rejoice about their salvation. Anatoly said that he had been in one protestant church in Moscow and he enjoyed the service. I invited him to the church on Sunday. He promised to come if he could. Then he said: - You didn't come to me for the second time by chance. Thank you for the conversation. I see that you do a good thing. I was glad that he had changed his opinion of us and learned more about God. |
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