YWAM Amsterdam has adopted a small indigenous people in the south of Russia. We have been actively involved since the summer of 1995. We have already sent out some students who had finished the FIS (Foundations of Intercultural Studies). This is a little report of what is happening there:

Hi!
Warm greetings from our little team. We are doing cultural research, teaching English, learning the Russian and a Turkic native language, serving as medical professionals etc. We spend a lot of time with friends and acquaintances, encouraging them or helping them in practical ways, e.g. in the household, babysitting, shopping, gardening. Offering hospitality is almost a daily pleasure. It gives the possibility to bless, to listen, and to share about the Source of Life.

We currently expand our horizon and brainstorm how to reach "our" precious people. They live in the mountainous forest, close to Kazakhstan and Mongolia. This people is one of the many Turkic peoples throughout the former Soviet Union, they are a minority among Russians, but have kept a unique treasure: music, songs, dances, handcraft and their language. God gave us a deep love for these people, and we see results of His grace and power: He is changing lives.


DAILY LIFE

Living conditions are quite difficult in general, as you may know from the news. Unemployment, unpaid salaries, and poverty are rising. In the city, beggars sit around, children in dirty clothes asking for money or bread. In the villages, there is barely money for clothes and higher education or even for basic food like flour and sugar. Alcoholism is widespread and with it the side effects: violence, misery, distress, adultery, and hopelessness.

THE CHALLENGE

Pioneering is a challenge and exciting. The gospel is presently entering a territory where people have lived under the yoke of spirits for centuries. Animism/shamanism is silent but strongly rooted. Since Orthodoxy has entered several villages (100 years ago and recently with new zeal), many people have combined old beliefs with the good news. The believers experience pressure from different sides. The gospel is seen as something foreign, and indigenous believers are seen as traitors of their people and culture.There is a lot of fear and control. In this place, there has developed a pool of all kinds of religions and philosophies over the last few centuries trying to catch the people: Burkhanism (Buddhism), Islam, Yoga, the old worship of the local god and spirits, Jehovah's Witnesses, and mystical cults. Thick layers of lies darken the minds and deceive the disillusioned people. But anyway, the good pastor brings all his sheep into the sheep pen. His Spirit is moving; he is empowering and commissioning the local believers to take the land for the real Owner. There are about a dozen committed indigenous disciples and around 20 Russians – and a lot of children. And there are still another 200'000 people left! They live in the capital (50'000) and several villages.

GENERAL OBJECTIVES OF OUR MINISTRY

The overall objective is to win this people for Christ and to disciple them as a whole nation. We have the vision of a church-planting movement in this region of Siberia, and spreading over the border to other Turkic people groups. We desire to see a people set free from hopelessness and destructive powers and that has found its redemption and its identity in Christ Jesus. The Gospel has to be introduced in a cultural appropriate way, by words and deeds and it should affect society and culture in a positive way, bringing peace and prosperity to a people that has been neglected and abused over centuries. We want to come as learners, appreciate the treasures of the indigenous people, but include also other nationalities like Russians and Kazakhs. We mobilise people to come to Siberia for training and ministry and release workers into other Turkic peoples.

OUR GOALS

1. To win key people for Christ and disciple them to be messengers for their own people, and even for other Turkic peoples. 2. To win the whole area of culture back for Christ, pursue redemption and restoration of the culture 3. To assist this Siberian region and bring restoration e.g. in the areas of education/ science, medical and social care. 4. To support the Body of Christ in discipling, teaching, training.
NEEDS, PRAYER POINTS

Our visions and plans are developing. And with it, the needs get also clearer.
1) We plan to open a Culture and Language Centre. Teaching English, German, Russian, native language (or other languages), World view, Culture, Arts, Music etc. are just some ideas. We cooperate with a local church and support discipling efforts. There should be Discipleship Schools or Seminars for the youth of the wider region. Needed: teachers and students (long-term or short trip)

2) The whole area of supporting local experts and students in doing traditional handcraft. Teaching about doing business and basic marketing is very much on our heart. People are eager to learn. Ethics are needed. Sheep-breeding, making felt, carpets, joinery, musical instruments etc. are just a few things men and women are busy with. Maybe there is a way to support individuals financially in starting a little business? We are looking for professionals and for people who have experience in relief and development. Consider coming here and see what can be done (for short-term or internship)! Needed: visionary professionals, economists, business people

3) We need more prayer support.

4) We are also looking for sponsors who want to support the work financially.

5) As our team has little experience, it would be interesting to know how others work in similar conditions in the area of education, social work, health care and especially agriculture/ sheep-breeding/ wool-production, business as well as the whole area of culture (among artists, musicians). If you have experience, please contact us. We are happy to get advice from experienced people.

INTERESTED? - BE PART OF IT!
Contact us under the following address. We are looking forward to hearing
from you.
Any questions, feedback or ideas are most welcome. Write us today!
Email: altai@jmeo.nl
Address: Kadijksplein 18
Or call: +31 (0)20 530 2100
1018 AC Amsterdam
The Netherlands