The Danish European Mission's partner in Kazakhstan is very pleased to bring us the good news of the acquittal. In the Danish European Mission magazine and on www.forfulgtekristne.dk you can read about Pastor Yerzhan Ushanov, leader of a church in Taraz, who in September 2011 was found guilty of using hypnosis. Pastor Yerzhan appealed the case and according to Danish European Mission sources, the pastor said that these charges were absurd, unsubstantiated and baseless as he opposes the use of hypnosis.
Pastor Yerzhan, here with his family, has now been acquitted
In order to find evidence against the pastor, according to the news service Forum 18, five intelligence service employees broke into Ushanov's home and fabricated evidence against him. At one point during the search, they asked Pastor Yerzhen if he would go outside and tell people from the church not to disturb him. When he came back, he saw the book Modern hypnosis that didn't belong to him at all.
He was sentenced to pay a fine and legal costs equivalent to approximately DKK 7,500.
The pastor appealed the verdict and the Supreme Court found that there was "nothing criminal in his actions," according to Barnabas Fund.
Danish European Mission's work in Kazakhstan
The Danish European Mission's donors have ensured that a self-help project for Christians in the country is currently being implemented. The aid consists of purchasing livestock, such as sheep, chickens and cows, for a rehabilitation center for drug addicts, alcoholics and homeless people in a part of the country that is characterized by great social need.
Firstly, the project ensures that the residents have meaningful employment through the daily work of caring for and feeding the animals.
In the background are some of the newly purchased sheep for the former addicts and homeless people to care for.
Secondly, the center gains a source of income by being able to breed and sell animals, allowing the operation to be more self-sustaining.
Thirdly, it strengthens the church in the country as the work is a testimony to the surrounding society and authorities of how the Gospel of Jesus Christ transforms the lives of people living at the bottom of society. Thus, the authorities can see that God's Word has a positive impact on society, and pray that they will be inspired by the words of the Bible - instead of persecuting the Church.
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