I am listening to a melancholic call to prayer. It drowns out the traffic noise and is amplified as in a funnel between the houses in a big city. No one seems to respond to the call, life goes on as usual here.
And yet something is different under the surface here in Central Asia. I have just come from a prayer meeting in one of our partner churches. Here the Christians prayed fervently for the Christians in Denmark. They prayed for revival in our country. And I asked them for forgiveness for the fact that we in Denmark have not sufficiently preached the gospel to the Turks. Now they pray that we may see God's love for them.
Twelve female disciples
In a country in Central Asia, I met twelve women who eagerly shared their faith journey from being Muslim to being followers of Jesus. For many of them, this has meant resistance and physical punishment from their families. Some have had to leave home, been disinherited, while others have endured difficult relationships. But what characterizes these women in Central Asia is that they say in unison: "We have found Jesus, and just think, we don't have to speak to God in Arabic like in Islam. Jesus speaks our language!"
Danish European Mission donors faithfully support local Christians in Central Asia. In some churches, over 90% of the members are former Muslims. In several countries, the Danish European Mission helps local Christians plant new Christian churches in predominantly Muslim areas. In one area, a partner has started 100 house fellowships. All participants have a Muslim background.
In one area, one of the Danish European Mission's partners has started 100 house churches. All participants have a Muslim background.
Our partners in Central Asia say thank you to everyone who prays and gives. They tell us that Bags of Hope, which Danish European Mission donors have faithfully supported, has been an important tool in spreading the gospel in areas hard to reach and untouched by the gospel. It's as if Bags of Hope are keys that fit in the doors of poor people's hearts when they receive help in the form of food that they desperately need. Our partners tell us that they sometimes hear comments like: "You Christians, help us. We have asked the mosque for help, but they have just ignored us. Tell us about your God!"
Intercessory prayer and generosity have eternal significance for individuals coming to faith. Emergency aid breaks down prejudices against Christians and builds relationships, so the church is growing these years, says a church leader.
"Our Mother Teresa"
Elsewhere in Central Asia, the leader of the Bags of Hope project is affectionately known as "Our Mother Teresa." She took us to visit three extremely poor families who are completely dependent on the help they receive through Bags of Hope. The families' houses were leaky and not insulated at all to withstand the cold winter temperatures. It was heartbreaking to meet these families.
The local church truly brings hope when it does what it is called to do. Imagine that together we can see local churches in Central Asia succeed in bringing hope to those who had given up hope. The congregation sends a big thank you to the improvers and donors of the Danish European Mission. "You won't forget us now, will you? Tell the Christians in Denmark that we need each other."
Church planting and shelters in neighboring Afghanistan
In a neighboring country to Afghanistan, we saw once again how doors are unlocked to hearts when Christians love their neighbor in deed and sacrifice. The Church is committed to reaching out in love to meet the great needs of the people.
We visited several job training centers and a shelter for women who have experienced domestic violence, prostitution or trafficking. Danish European Mission's donors play a key role in financially supporting this work. Christian workers at the centers show God's love to the women, and some of the women become Christians.
In the border areas of Afghanistan, we met local Christians planting churches among Muslims. Some places are characterized by radical Islamism, yet the church is growing. Pray for these small churches and for the 15 workers who faithfully travel the borderlands.
The call to prayer is silenced from the mosque. Instead, a call to prayer resounds in our hearts for our Christian brothers and sisters in Central Asia. Stop for a moment and pray with us.
