I made friends in Tajikistan. You must have been praying for me.

All told, God allowed me to make friends and interact with awesome people from all over the world. This happened on my most recent Extreme Mission Campaign in Tajikistan.

Three Friends, Three Thousand Miracles

1. My friend Bibi, who worked at the Mayor’s Office

This endeavor was nothing short of miraculous. When planning our Extreme Mission Campaign to Tajikistan, we wanted to enter this Muslim country with openness and respect. We decided not to try to hide the fact that we were Christian. On my visa application it said that I was a Baptist Pastor.

I also wanted them to know I had a reason for being there. As I searched for public events that I might be able to attend while in Tajikistan I found out that on April 21, 2018, the capital city, Dushanbe was to have a celebration. Part of the celebration included an internationally sanctioned half marathon. Perfect! I proceeded to register for the event.

Opportunity of a lifetime

Unfortunately, it was impossible to register for the race online. So, I did a little digging and found the contact for the marathon at the Mayor’s Office. Her name was Bibi, and she was amazingly accommodating. In our emails, I did my best to communicate to her in the native Tajik language, and she even said my Tajik was excellent. That in itself is miraculous.

Bibi allowed me to register via email, and pay the entrance fee when I arrived in Dushanbe. Little did I know that I would be invited to travel, lodge and dine with the elite athletes from all over the world. Unbelievable.

I was invited to travel to each meal throughout the city with these elite runners. We had a police escort as we crisscrossed the city on our way to each venue. We also traveled the marathon route together, as well as special city sites of interest. The city was incredibly gracious to me. It was a miraculous open door. Some of these athletes and I are communicating now via email, Instagram and Facebook. Amazing opportunity, amen?

 

2. My friend Anvar, who was my host, guide in Tajikistan

This is even more extreme. I searched online for a host family that I might be able to stay with. In the process, God gave me an amazing friend.

Anvar was my host, guide, travel companion and friend. His family was kind and gracious beyond description.

Anvar enjoyed intelligent conversation. He especially liked to talk about spiritual things, and listened respectfully as we conversed about Christ. Themes of sin, salvation, eternal life and the Bible were all discussed and considered thoroughly. The greatest mutual respect was given as we talked about such potentially volatile subjects.

Through this miraculous friendship, we were able to have similar conversations with others we encountered along the way. It was incredible.

  

3. My friends at remote Haft-Kul

We had traveled away from the capital city of Dushanbe. I had told Anvar where I wanted to go, into the isolated Fann Mountains to a place called Haft-Kul, which translates as Seven Lakes. It is a rugged land, far from any cities. People there live much as they have for generations.

We went as far as the vehicle would take us and had been walking the deserted trail for a bout an hour. Night began to fall and we had yet to find a place to sleep. Anvar assured me the people were hospitable and that “God would provide us with a place to stay.”

Down the trail, we saw a single light bulb. As we approached, an old man appeared with a long white beard and in the traditional dress of an imam. We told him we sought lodging for the night, and he graciously offered us his cottage. He said that he promised God that he would provide his cottage to any needy traveler without cost. And that he did.

 

Two young boys started a fire in the small cookstove, and began to prepare a pot of tea.

Soon, two men knocked on the door with bread, soup and warm rice pudding. After finishing the tea, the six of us discussed many things. Soon the discussion turned to spiritual things. The Muslim men were very curious about my job as a pastor of a church. I had the opportunity to explain our beliefs regarding salvation. There was discussion on the Bible verse 2 Corinthians 5:6, “absent from the body, present with the Lord.”

This was an incredible open door to speak of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

After some more questions, the men left to say their Muslim prayers. The prayer room was right next to our dining room (which was also our sleeping quarters.)

That night, my Muslim friend Anvar and I discussed many topics, including the Bible story of Abraham offering Isaac on Mount Moriah, sin, salvation, and Jesus as the Lamb of God that takes away the sins of the world.

Please pray for these men and boys who have been exposed to the light of the Christ.

I lived a lifetime in Tajikistan

My goal was to make friends in the Muslim country of Tajikistan and be a witness for Christ. God was able to do much more than I ever imagined possible.

“Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,” —Ephesians 3:20

Thank you for your support, prayers and encouragement.