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A mission trip to mountainous Kyrgyzstan

A mission trip is always a journey filled with uncertainty for everyone involved, anticipating what lies ahead. This report on the 2023 Kyrgyzstan trip tells of the excitement during the preparations, the joy of fellowship, and the shared service on the ground with devotion and love.

Shortly before his ascension, Jesus himself appealed to his disciples, and he appeals to us today as well, not to keep the Gospel to ourselves and conceal it, but to proclaim it throughout the world: “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation” (Mark 16:15). However, we are not alone in this, for the Holy Spirit came into the world after Jesus' ascension. He gives us strength so that we may be witnesses to the ends of the earth (cf. Acts 1:8).

In this report, we would like to take you, dear reader, on our journey to a land hidden between mighty mountain ranges and seemingly endless steppes – Kyrgyzstan. The local Kyrgyz people believe their name derives from the word kirkkyz ("forty") and that they are the descendants of 40 tribes who once lived as nomads in the land. Since these nomads were originally of Turkic origin, the country is predominantly Muslim (75%). The Russian Orthodox Church follows with 20% of the population. Evangelical Christians make up only about 4%, and the remaining denominations (Judaism, Shamanism, and Buddhism) comprise the remaining 1%.

Our brotherhood has approximately 500 members in Kyrgyzstan, divided among 8 communities. The traveling group aimed to support these communities with humanitarian aid and, above all, spiritual nourishment by providing families with essential food supplies and serving in worship services with songs and sermons.

Outward journey

Our trip took place from September 25th to October 5th, 2023. The group consisted of ten young people from various parishes (Bremen, Irslingen, Monzingen, Salzgitter, Speyer, and Zweibrücken) and our tour leader, Alexander Garanin. After a long journey, we finally arrived at the airport in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. Our first stop was the Kara-Balta parish, where we traveled along bumpy roads to our parish house. There, we were warmly welcomed with breakfast by Sister Sweta and her husband, Andrej.

Preparations

After the blessed meal, we immediately began preparing the gifts for the children. All the sweets we had brought from Germany were first spread out on the table and then individually wrapped in bags. Everyone happily set to work. Once the sweets were wrapped, we prepared a program of songs, poems, and sermons for the upcoming church services. During our stay, we also did some shopping, which we distributed to families in need and to a children's home. We were once again able to experience that giving brings joy and is more blessed than receiving (cf. Acts 20:35).

Community visits

On the first evening, we visited a church in Belovodsk. There, we were able to serve the small congregation with singing and sermons. We distributed the prepared sweets to the children, who thanked us with happy faces.

Every evening we visited a different church and praised the Lord with songs and the Word of God. We were amazed that some church members had to travel up to five hours to attend services because the churches were located in the mountains.

One day of our trip, we had a special experience. We traveled to Toktogul (220 km from Kara-Balta) to a predominantly Kyrgyz community and celebrated the harvest festival with them. We celebrated the service in their own way. We sat and knelt on the floor at beautifully set tables throughout the entire service, listening to the songs and sermons. Between the sermons, we were able to eat and enjoy fellowship at the tables. “Praise the Lord, all you nations! Exalt him, all you peoples!” (Psalm 117:1).

In the parish of Sokuluk (40km from Kara-Balta), we visited the pastor in the evening after the service. He has already suffered three heart attacks and therefore has difficulty standing. Nevertheless, he remains hopeful. May the Lord strengthen him!

In each church, we distributed the sweets we had prepared for the children. While we traveled from church to church and served, we were able to enjoy the natural beauty the Lord created. We were able to admire the mountains at an altitude of 2710 meters and spend some time at a lake located there.

Children's home

Our visit to the children's home in Tokmak (130km from Kara-Balta) will remain a vivid memory for a long time. We were warmly welcomed with beaming faces and joyful children's cheers and hugs. We had a lot of fun with them. Some of the children housed here come from families with alcoholic parents or who are uninterested in their children and therefore neglect them. Each child has their own personal story. It isn't easy for them to open up. Surprisingly, the children repeatedly asked profound questions to which we sometimes had no answer.

The tasks that the staff and volunteers at the children's home have to perform are not always easy. They are grateful for every prayer and every bit of support.

Family visits

One day we split into two groups: one group delivered material and spiritual nourishment to families in Kara-Balta, while the other group traveled towards Sokuluk to deliver supplies to a church. The families gratefully accepted our help. Praise be to the Lord!

Later, when we all visited the church in Sokoluk together, a sister asked us to pray for her two sons. They are going through a difficult time. She said that the more people she tells about them, the more people will pray for them, and that this will strengthen their faith so that they will repent and find their way back to God!

Return journey

After an indescribably beautiful, impressive and formative trip, we made our way home.

We felt very comfortable there, and our time in Kyrgyzstan was spiritually enriching. We finally arrived home with contented and happy hearts. Looking back, we as a group can say that God richly blessed us and granted us success on this journey. To Him alone belongs all the glory, praise, and thanks!

Greetings from the brothers and sisters of the group from the communities of Bremen, Irslingen, Monzingen, Salzgitter, Speyer and Zweibrücken.

 

Selin Buchmiller

Municipality of Irslingen/Neukirch

More information about the project and the opportunity to donate:

https://cdh-stephanus.org/kirgisistan/