Calvary Chapel Mission: Central Asia
Gourley News

Infopages

October 18, 2006

Updates

Support

Contact

Archives

--> 09/04/06
--> 04/28/06

 

This update is also in Adobe Acrobat's .pdf format with pictures. Click to view it.
Click here if you would like to download the FREE viewer.

Revolution, Revolution, Déjà vu

Recently I was told by someone working alongside the US Government that a major demonstration in Bishkek is being planned for early November. The word "coup" was used, which sounds more like a revolution than a rally. Since that time I have begun hearing more from people on the streets as well as reading about it in the news. Why is this happening and what will it entail?

Many people seem dissatisfied with the leadership and direction of the country. The average income hovers at a miserly $50 USD per month. Corruption abounds. Justice is for sale. Issues of abuse and the kidnapping of women continue. Drugs are prevalent. Lawmakers are murdered. The current President, Kurmanbek Bakiyev, was installed after the "tulip revolution" turned bloody in the spring of 2005. The former President, Askar Akayev, fled to Moscow where he currently resides. Since that time, little has visibly changed and many people are calling for another regime change.

Kyrgyzstan does not have a history of peaceful demonstrations. The last major "revolution" ended up as a time of massive looting, burning, and death. We pray that this demonstration will not turn violent. Please join with us in prayer for this country and the uncertain times which lie ahead. May the Lord grant stability here and leaders who will make righteous decisions, serving the people and not themselves.

Group from Bible College

On Friday the 20th, a group of students from the Calvary Chapel Bible College in Hungary is coming to Bishkek. This will be the first team that we have hosted since our arrival here in late July. During their eight day outreach we hope to form many relationships with students in this city. The English language is one way that we believe this can happen. Since English is so highly desired here, we plan to show English movies with discussions following. We also will have conversational English classes every night of the week. During the day, we are expecting to visit various universities and share with the students in the classrooms.

When we first began the church in Kiev, I remember going into the local schools and universities and teaching English using the Bible. We saw much fruit as dozens of young people received the Lord and became the "living stones" of the church there. Some later admitted that the only reason they came to church was to practice their English. Yet, once the love of God flooded their hearts, they then came for different reasons. To this day, many of the people who attend the Kiev church

were from those initial days of evangelism via the English language. Please pray for this team and the outreaches that will be taking place here. Pray for: relationships to be formed that will last for eternity, "divine appointments" to share the Gospel with people, the safety and health of the entire team

English Lessons in the Hospital
For the past few weeks Renee has been teaching English to a group of doctors at one of the local hospitals. Her lessons are taken from a special curriculum based upon the Gospel of Mark. We have been blessed with opportunities to share our faith even though we do not yet have official permission to do so. Please pray that these doctors would be challenged by the love they see and the words they are hearing.

Baptisms
As people are committing their hearts to the Lord here, they are obeying the Lord in baptism. Please pray for the new believers here. Some are attending services in secret for fear of being rejected by their families.

School of Ministry
Since late September we have been having School of Ministry classes two nights a week. I am teaching a class on apologetics; i.e., where we got our Bible, is it reliable, etc. Please pray that I would teach those things that are most needed.

By His Grace, Jed & Renee, Anna, Lizzy, &

Please pray for:
- The work of the Holy Spirit in Kyrgyzstan
- The Bible College outreaches
- An established and united body of believers in Bishkek.
- The English classes and School of Ministry
- The continued health and safety of our family

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
SUPPORT ADDRESS IN USA:
Jed & Renee Gourley - Ukraine Base
c/o Shepherd's Staff
P.O. Box 27220
Albuquerque, NM 87125-7220
tel: 760-839-9214 fax: 760-839-9286 email: ssmfi@shepsstaff.org

MAILING ADDRESS IN KYRGYZSTAN:
P.O. Box 1980
Bishkek -- 720000
Kyrgyzstan
tel: +996-543-97-87-21 fax: 1-801-315-5711 email: GGour@aol.com
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Back to Top