from Uzbekistan

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, dear friends!
I often hear that we are prayed for somewhere and by somebody. It encourages a lot and makes difference in our lives here. Think of the people who think that no one is interested in them. Today we had time with two elderly women (mother and daughter). They both are physically incapable to go out of their apartment. They went to another church but 1,5 year ago they stopped because of sicknesses and nobody has visited them during this time. A week ago we agreed to come to them and have time around the Word of God every Friday. There is a lot of misunderstanding among Christians here about the church – for most of them it’s a duty. You have to bring something in there. If not then you are switched off. I love to think that church is the living Body. And it’s about relationships based on the Agape love of God. The weakest are much more necessary! 1Cor. 12:22
Things are not always going in a way you want them to go even though you can have the godliest motives. It can discourage. I had plans but most of them either didn’t work or took more time to fulfill. The Bible School taught me to keep going anyway. Recently we started Sunday School anew – our church missed it for a long time. I’m happy to have new girls who were available to start it.
For this Christmas we have rented a restaurant and made invitations to invite unbelievers. On December 24th we’ll celebrate with the Gospel. We’re also planning to have a concert in Navoi city with our people and others too on 29th.
Today I talked to a guy whom I have known for many years since I was an unbeliever. He doesn’t receive the Word of Life. I came to invite him for the Christmas. He is sick and can’t leave his apartment. He has a habit to talk much. And with no sense. The same talks, the same thoughts. Nothing has changed. Maybe only to the worse. And I prayed in my heart for him. If he only could let God touch his heart and heal it and bring him peace. It would change everything as it happened with many. His name is Oleg – please, pray for him and his family.
Let’s have a great year in grace that was given to us, be it’s wise stewards and it’s generous givers!
Pastor Artur Karimov