modern day Exodus

The last Khan of the Pamir Kyrgyz people, Rahman Gul,
saw the Soviet Union born and spread it’s Atheistic Philosophy
to the ends of the world.
In a bold move he led his people, around 5000 of them,
to China. They didn’t want to become a part of the Soviet Empire.
This was the beginning of their journey in the search for a peaceful
homeland. Soon after their move to China, they met with groups of
fanatic Chinese who proclaimed another type of Communism, Maoism.
Rahman Gul was on move again.
They settled in Afghanistan till the Soviet army started befriending
the Afghan government. They escaped to Pakistan.
This was the most difficult part of their exodus. Many of them died
in sicknesses and poor conditions in the heat.
He wrote letters to several governments in the free world.
The Americans promised them a lot in Alaska. Two hours before they
Were about to sign the final contract they received a letter from Turkey.
Turkey promised to receive them to the mountains of Eastern Turkey.
About twenty five years ago they airlifted 3000 people from Pakistan
to Turkey. Ulupamir village was born.
Rahman Gul died seventeen years ago.
His sons are sharing the leadership , but non of them claims to have
the same authority as their father.
Pastor Gani and I visited one of his sons, Arif, for two days.
He sees the tensions rising in Eastern Turkey.
Most of the men in the village work for the Turkish army guarding the
area against terrorism. Their co-laboring with the Turkish Government
has not helped their already shaky friendship with the neighboring
Kurdish villages.
They all want to move to Kyrgyzstan. Only some of them have enough
finances to do it.They have chosen to stay together. All go or no one goes.
Early in the morning, before we left the village, I shared with Arif Bey
how we all seek a country, but it is not here.
We are created for heaven.
Pray with us as we continue encouraging these people in their
time of trouble.