The Persecuted Church — We are THAT Family

Behind Enemy Lines

2:17 pm Bykristen

Two years ago, I shared extensively on my blog about our new friends from The Persecuted Church who were arrested, interrogated and eventually deported from Uzbekistan for telling others about Jesus and planting secret churches. Many of my long-time readers, donated money, clothes and household items to help them set up their lives in Texas.

Reluctantly, they have made a home in America, but their hearts beat daily for their homeland. Our dear friends bare the burden of the secret church that still meets behind enemy lines.

They are currently teaching leaders and pastors in Ukraine for the next several weeks. Just 200 miles from the town they were deported from and where their parents and siblings still live, a violent outbreak of ethnic cleansing is killing thousands.

From our friends, “As many as 2000 people have been killed in the last several days, up to 400,000 displaced from their homes with 100,000 who have fled to Uzbekistan out of fear for their lives. Many are sheltering in camps or hiding in their homes in fear with thousands trying to cross the border in hope of saving their lives and their families.

There is death everywhere, arson, looting, rapings, threats from police and other officials raising the level of distrust and fear.”

For this we ask you to join us in prayer and our heavy, sad hearts over this at this time. It has brought tears and deep heaviness in us. These are our people for who we feel a very big part of in our lives and for which we ache at this time.

“We wrestle not against flesh and blood but against other powers that control…”

Would you join with me and pray for peace and protection of The Persecuted Church?

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This is Love

4:00 pm Bykristen

*Updated List of Needs*

I asked my Russian friends from The Persecuted Church to give me an updated list of some items they need. They live entirely on the support of Christian families, while they lead and teach leaders still in Uzbekistan and other Russian countries via Skype.

If you’d like to donate money, that’s always needed. But here are some items you can send (They don’t have to be new). With the holidays approaching, this is a great way to teach children about giving.

1. Bath Towels
2. warm blankets for children
3. Big Plastic bowls(for mixing)
4. Salad bowls (or anythings for kitchen will make me happy)

5. Sizes of clothes:
Husband
L
pants-34*30
shoes-9
Wife
XS or S
pants-4 medium
shoes-6,5-7

5 yr daughter
4T-5T
shoes-9-10

3 yr son
3T
shoes-8-9

If you can donate any of these items, please email me (kristenwrites@yahoo.com)

Also, when my friend lived in Uzbekistan, she made their clothes and was very good at sewing. I’d love to buy her a sewing machine. If you want to help me, let me know!

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

Many of you have emailed and tweeted and left comments asking about my Russian friends from The Persecuted Church.

First, thank you for caring, secondly, if you are new to their story, please follow the link above. It might just change your life.

I know watching their story unfold has changed mine.

Our dear friends had an amazing three month trip to the Ukraine, the nearest place they were safely allowed to enter. Even twelve hours and hundreds of miles from their former home, caused their families left behind in Uzbekistan a visit and interrogation from the police.

While they were there, they traveled thousands of miles within the country teaching and encouraging pastors and Christian workers. They shared the gifts you sent.

Their story is still unfolding. But I will tell you of one miraculous event. They wished to see their parents, whom they hadn’t seen face-t0-face in the three years since they were forcefully deported from their county. It was a prayer whispered a thousand times, but it would take a miracle for these precious parents to travel across unsafe borders with papers and funds.

The day before they were to meet, our sweet brother called my hubby via Skype. He was very discouraged and said that everyone had received their travel documents to visit them in the Ukraine, except for his mother. She would have to stay behind.

Her heart was broken. I remembered ‘meeting’ her on Skype a few months before, this jovial woman whose children had been ripped from her life, thanking me, for caring for her children.

My heart was broken for her. My hubby and I prayed for a miracle. Our friends prayed for a miracle.

Just hours before they were to depart to see their children, the documents arrived. We rejoiced with them. And I cried as if it was my own mother.

Our Russian friends returned to the United States a few weeks ago. They returned home. They do not have a physical home, and are believing for yet another miracle. A local pastor has been kind enough to let them stay in his unsold home in another city, over an hour from us. They remind me and teach me daily that home is not a place, it is people.

We traveled to the home that is not theirs on Labor Day to fellowship with them. Our families are starved for each other. We laughed and talked and ate. It felt like home.

I watched my dear heart-sister create a meal from nothing. She lovingly rolled dough thin and taught me as she worked. I marveled at her skill and asked so many questions. She told me of the special steaming pans her mother passed down to her from Uzbekistan.

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“When we were forced to leave, we filled our suitcases with our special pots and books in our language, not clothes and unimportant things,” she explained as she rolled the dough thinner and thinner.

I asked several questions about the unusual pans that allow you to stack the unique dumpling-type dish 4 or 5 deep and she explained that America did not have anything like it.

She turned and looked at me with so much love, I couldn’t bare it, “Would you like my steaming pots? I would like to give them to you.”

Just like that, she offered me one of her most valuable possessions, one of her only links to her home and her mother.

“No. No, please, I do not want them or need them. I just think they are unique.”

She turned and carried on her act of love, rolling dough, as if it were nothing.

This is love.

I am a student.

Oh, how they teach me.

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From Russia with Love

2:15 pm Bykristen

I never thought I’d meet a family from The Persecuted Church.

I never thought my life would become so intertwined with theirs that it would be impossible to untangle our heartstrings.

And I never thought a piece of me would go to Russia.

Our dear friends are in The Ukraine for the next three months.

When they asked us in January to pray and believe with them to raise $33,000 for their missions trip, I doubted. How could they possibly raise so much money in such a short time in this economy?

God provided every dime through unbelievable means, just because they asked and believed.

They will be traveling to ten cities during this pilgrimage, training thousands of leaders in Sport’s ministry. They will face uncertainty and possible danger as they stay from house-to-house in this impoverished, hungry land.

They packed their belongings in two small carry-ons for their family of four. The other eight large suitcases are stuffed with items you sent, along with others. These bags will stay behind.

The lease on their rental home ended right before they left and so they moved all of their possessions into the garage of a friend. They didn’t want to waste money. When they return in July, they will be homeless.

“Where will you live? What will you do?” I worried.

“God will provide. He is never late. He is always on time,” they said with confidence.

In their home country of Uzbekistan, African Violets grow wild. My sweet friend loves caring for these delicate plants and when she was forced to leave her home, she left behind her beloved flowers.

Before she left for Russia, she brought over four African Violet plants for me to watch over. I put the precious plants in my kitchen window sill and bookmarked “Caring for African Violets” for reference.

She left a piece of Uzbekistan with me, and she took a piece of my heart with her.

Would you please pray for them?

Travel mercies
Safety from persecution
Provision
The children will adjust to their homeland and then again to America
Favor in seeing their mothers who will attempt to travel more than 20 hours out of Uzbekistan.
A home when they return
Beautiful African Violets

I don’t know what the future holds. I don’t know who I will meet or what will happen and it how it will impact my life. But I cannot thank God enough for stepping into my life that day.

I hope He does it again.

Because He is always on time.

If you haven’t read the whole story, you can catch up here:

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

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Every Little Girl Needs a Pretty Dress

7:00 am Bykristen

My life changed the day God stepped in. I knew the day The Persecuted Church entered my backdoor last summer, I would never be the same.

I cannot convey how deeply I love these people from Uzbekistan who have become my family.

And they cannot convey to me how much they love the people and family members they were brutally forced to leave behind the day they were expelled from their country less than two years ago.

My friends will be returning to an area of Russia about 10 hours from their homeland. (They are not allowed to travel back to their country. They do not have travel documents and would face certain death).

They will be conducting dozens of training seminars for the leaders of the underground church and Christian leaders from impoverished areas. Most of these pastors and leaders will travel days with little money and at great risk to attend the meetings.

The other day over coffee, my friend and I talked about their trip. She spoke of the workers, her friends, and of her deep longing to take them each something. The economy in these countries is very weak. Unemployment is high. It makes America’s situation look good.

My friend looked into my eyes and said, “I want to take something for these workers. It would just be a token gift because their needs are so great. I would like every little girl (daughters of the workers) to have a pretty dress. Something so little, would mean so much.”

I grabbed her by the hand and said, “We will do this. I know some people who will help.”

And I was talking about you.

Will you help me?

Most of the clothes worn in this area of the world have been passed down many times (6-7), so a new dress you find on sale or a lightly used Easter dress that your daughter wore a couple of times would be perfect.

There are sixteen girls who would love a pretty dress. Here are the sizes:

~~2T-2 girls~~
~~3T -1 girl~~
4T-~~2 girls~~
5 -~~3 girls~~
6 -~~2 girls~~
~~7 -1 girl~~
~~8 -1 girl~~
9 -~~2 girls1 girl~~
~~10 -1 girl~~
~~12- 1 girl~~

If you don’t have a little girl or the ability to shop, but want to give, please consider donating a few dollars towards ~~a dress~~ ball caps, socks, Matchbox cars for the boys. (We will shop before they leave).

If you’re interested in sending a dress, please email me (kristenwrites@yahoo.com) and I will send you my address. I will also mark out the sizes I receive. The style (sleeveless, color, isn’t important, just a really pretty dress!)

My friends are traveling in May.

Thank you.

P.S. There are several boys too. Do you have any ideas for small, light-weight gifts that we can collect?

*UPDATE* I don’t have boy sizes and we’ve been working on girl sizes for a month! So, let’s do ball caps and socks (all little boy sizes) and a Matchbox car! I woke up to an amazing inbox this morning. I love y ‘all for starting off my day so well! Made me cry! an>

Most of the girls dresses have been claimed, but you can still send something to a little boy in Russia!

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s razhdеstvom (or Merry Christmas!)

7:00 am Bykristen

Persecuted Church:

Christmas comes but once a year.

Unless your Russian, living in America.

And then it comes again on January 7 (Russian Orthodox Christmas).

Earlier this week, we joined our friends and celebrated Christmas, Russian-style. They put on a play for Russian children in the area (they are helping plant a Russian church in Texas).

It was a really cute program.

And it was entirely in Russian. At one point, my son leaned over and said, “This is so funny, Mom! What are they talking about?”

Why, here’s my confused son now, mixed in with Russian children, playing a game he doesn’t understand.

Igor (our dear friend from The Persecuted Church) made a stellar dancing deer:

My toddler nearly fainted when Snegurochka, the Russian Santa helper-equivalent (meaning Snow Girl) walked thru the door with a bag of presents. My girl loves gifts.

A girl after my own heart.

I loved seeing my sweet friend Katerina, dressed as a Snow Girl.

I’ve learned that our friends use our American word ‘interesting’ often in describing our ways, our food, our American lives.

My hubby must be listening to the Russian language CD’s I got him for his birthday.

Because I overheard him say in Russian that the Christmas play (which turned out to be about animals, including a rapping hedgehog and The Ten Commandments) was very interesting.

But his sounded more like this: интересный

That got him several slaps on the back and hearty Russian laughter!

My friends don’t have many earthly possessions, but they have a beautiful life. Their sweet spirits, gentle natures, and yearning for friendship have all contributed to our own family’s desire for a balanced life.

They don’t care about society’s rules or fads. They simply live for God. And that inspires me.

I’m celebrating a desire for a more balanced life with The Inspired Room.

Food for the Soul:

John 15:13

Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.

{Please note that I will be removing the photos of my friends within 48 hours of this posting for their protection.}

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An Update on The Persecuted Church

8:00 am Bykristen

Persecuted Church:

Can I just say I am honored to be a part of these people’s lives?

I mean out of all the people in the world, why us?

I’m amazed God allowed our paths to cross.

And our lives to intertwine.

I am awestruck.

Last night, two dozen people I love, joined with me in blessing this family. We ate and laughed and offered gifts of love (bed sheets, a trash can, stockings for their mantle…just to name a few) to these refugees from The Persecuted Church.

Our friends.

Igor shared about his recent trip to the Russian block of countries. The Sport’s Conferences he held were very successful. He traveled to Khazakstan which borders his home country and he met with people from the Underground Church. They were so thankful to receive the duffle bags we sent.

I wanted to weep when he told about their two brief days together. They all had to sneak across dangerous borders to meet him. He saw his parents for the first time in two years! He said they were all so eager to fellowship together and pray for one another, they didn’t even take the time to sleep during the 48 hours.

Amazing, huh?

I thought my heart would explode when he told of the 100,000 orphans in The Ukraine alone that they held outreaches for and then introduced us to a Ukraine Pastor who traveled back with him. This Pastor has seven children, three who were orphans.

His name is Serge and he handed me a picture of his beautiful family. He asked us to put the picture on our fridge and pray for them.

The holidays are coming and our economy is unstable. These are difficult times for so many. And yet, I was reminded again today how much I have and how much I can still give.

If you would like to help, please click below. (So, many have you already donated and sent gift cards and gifts. Thank you).

Please keep us in your thoughts on December 1st. Our local Chick Fil A is hosting a Benefit Day and 20% of their proceeds will go towards this family and their ministry.

I’m praying a lot of people will get The Chicken Craving that day.

I plan to consume a lot of sweet tea.

It’s the least I can d
o.

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One Day To Give Celebration

7:00 am Bykristen

Persecuted Church:

Thank you for taking the time and energy to do something good.

In a world, where bad often gets the attention, I find it exhilarating to be a part of a community where good prevails.

Our family brainstormed ideas for our One Day to Give project. We wanted our kids to help us decide. And we came up with so many great ideas, we decided to set aside a day every month to give. I can’t wait!

But for this first one, we unanimously decided that since our hearts and attention have been so stirred by The Persecuted Church, that would be our focus.

Our sweet Russian friends are doing amazing things for God. Our families sat down a couple of weeks ago and they shared the dream God had given them.

And it included us.

My hubby and I were honored and overwhelmed with their vision. There are many details and exciting things I hope to share in the future. But during the conversation, we talked about Igor’s next trip to the The Ukraine, which coincidentally is happening right now.

He is teaching to more than 400 Christians many of whom are Pastors, and many who are risking their lives to attend such a conference. Igor teaches how to use sports to witness about Christ. Using sports as an avenue to lead people to Christ and ultimately into the underground church, is highly effective in these Muslim countries. Many of these people are traveling great distances through dangerous borders with very little money, to learn. About God.

After the conference, Igor is traveling to one of the countries (which borders his home country of Uzbekistan) to meet with disciples he left behind from the persecuted, underground church in Uzbekistan (the country he was deported from and threatened with death, if he should return). I decided to be vague about details for his protection.

They are meeting together to pray, fellowship, and receive training. It is very dangerous and complicated for these Christians. And for Igor. He has been arrested for teaching the Book of James by the KGB and was followed the last time he was there.

Please pray for him and these amazing Christians today. There are new laws going into effect right now that make it even more dangerous for Christians in these two countries. You can read about it here and here.

As Katerina was explaining the details of this trip to me, she mentioned that they were collecting items to take to their 40+ disciples that Igor is meeting. Supplies that are hard to come by and personal items that are very costly are at the top of the list: prenatal vitamins, dry erase markers, instant coffee, gum, socks, deodorant and clothes.

And that’s where our One Day to Give comes in. Immediately, I knew what our family could do. We made a list and sent it to some friends and family and our Pastor, and asked them to join with us. Our church offered to pay for the baggage costs among other things, and we started filling duffle bags. (Sunday, our church took up an offering for supplies for the underground church and to help some pastors travel to Igor’s conference. $5,000 came in!)

As we stuffed the boxes of crayons we purchased and toys from my kid’s room into the bags, we prayed. We each took a turn and prayed that the simple hygiene items we we tucked into the corner of the bag, would be a blessing. We prayed for the believers who would sip the treasured cups of coffee. And for the children who’s future is uncertain, we prayed safety and peace and joy, as we packed up small toys.

And we asked God to bless them, to protect them and to let them know that they are heroes to this little family in America.

And Jesus replied, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” (Matthew 22: 37-40)

Please pray for them today. And for Igor who is somehow managing to carry six stuffed bags across many borders!

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Tie a Ribbon ‘Round Your Typing Finger

7:01 am Bykristen

One Day to Give is this Friday! It’s just a few days away, but you still have time to make a difference in someone’s life!

It doesn’t have to be BIG to be important.

Link up your post and share your One Day to Give project. It will encourage. It will inspire. It will make a difference. (I will be putting Mr. Linky up late Thursday evening).

One of my readers, Shana, emailed me about something special going on TODAY (Oct. 15): Blog Action Day. It is an invitation for bloggers to join together and blog about poverty.

And since our families’ One Day to Give project (that I’ll be sharing on Friday), encompasses some very poor people, I thought I’d share this with you:

In Uzbekistan, where our friends from The Persecuted Church, escaped, poverty is rampant and it touches everyone. Most families live on $50.00 per month. The rest of the people, survive on less. Our sweet friends tried to explain just how poor the people are:

“In our country, when you visit neighbors and friends in their homes, you notice that there are switch plates and outlet covers missing. The faucet hardware and shower heads are gone too. Some people have no hardware in their homes at all. This is common. They sell everything ‘extra’. These people have sold bits and pieces of their house in the open market, for food. To feed their children. They know poverty very well.”

I can’t turn on my lights or plug something in without this image invading my thoughts.

Let’s do something.

Food for the Soul:Psalm 140:12 “I know that the LORD secures justice for the poor and upholds the cause of the needy.”

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The Persecuted Church: Meeting Them Face to Face -Part 5

7:00 am Bykristen

More than $400 in donations has come in for The Persecuted Church from this blog, plus several items that have been shipped to this family (toys, rugs, clothes). My friends would like to say thank you:

Dear friends,

We are so thankful for your generous hearts. We are so glad that after we lost so many things in our life, we have found new friends, family and home. Thank you for being friends for us even we haven’t met each other face to face. Thank you for your gifts of love which we received from our friends. Thank you that you are open for needs of others and willing to help them. Through your donation we can see the love of Jesus in our life. We pray that our Almighty God will meet your needs for His Glory. We pray that each of you will have many blessings in your life, family and business. We pray that one day we will meet each other before feet of our Lord and celebrate victory together. Please, keep us in your daily prayers and stay in touch.

I helped my sweet friend register for some things at Target in the next town over since ours is getting a new roof (thanks to Hurricane Ike).

You can still donate to the Paypal account. I will leave it open indefinitely.

If you would like to view the Target registry and actually send them a gift, please email me and I will send you the link. It gives some personal information, so I decided to monitor it more closely.

(I’m planning a small home shower with a few friends, but you are more than welcome to participate!)

My hubby is meeting with Igor weekly for prayer and discovering ways we can get involved in this great ministry. And I’ve been helping edit his English for the materials he sends out.

I left the letter above just the way he gave it to me. Not too shabby, huh?

In the next couple of weeks, I will be sharing more about their current ministry to Russian countries. It is exciting. It is unbelievable. It is very dangerous. And we are convinced that God wants us to be a part of it.

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How the Persecuted Church has Changed Me-Part 4

7:00 am Bykristen

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Last week we hung curtains together, laughed over homemade pizza, visited a church clothing-ministry, swam in my parent’s pool and chatted on the phone.

My life has become slowly intertwined with those from The Persecuted Church. It is an adventurous road I never dreamed my family would travel.

And yet every cell within me knows that this is right.

There are only a handful of decisions in my life that I knew were right, were my destiny, the moment I made them: going to Bible College instead of a traditional university, marrying my hubby, moving back to Texas, and befriending Russian refugees from The Persecuted Church.

It is in my nature to fix problems. I work my to-do list like a pro. I made a mental list of this family’s needs and have determined to tackle them. The Church is more than just a building, it’s made up of ordinary people like me and I can’t wait around for others to act. And many of you are helping…

And while my hubby and I feel compelled by God to help them, this persecuted family is changing me.

When we moved into our current house three years ago, we moved from a very small rented townhome a few miles down the road. That simple townhome was a step up from our deteriorating dwelling in Florida.

Our current home is nice. I think it is beautiful and adequate and a gift from God. But in my town, it is considered a starter home. Many people in this area live in houses 2-3 times the size.

It’s funny how quickly you forget how far you’ve come. In the past, when friends have visited, there have been moments where I’ve wished for a grander home.

The other day, Katerina was stopping by for a visit, for the first time.

And I was actually tempted to un-decorate my home. Because suddenly, I saw it thru her eyes.

My eyes were drawn to all my fussy, unecessary decorations. I felt guilty thinking of her beautiful, but sparsely decorated home. When I opened my closet full of clothes, I couldn’t help but remember her one pair of shoes and 3 or 4 shirts.

We are supporting this family monthly and helping with some of their more urgent needs. (And on Friday, I met her at a Kid’s Resale Clothing Sale and gave her the $125.00 from your Paypal donations! A little more has come in since then and I’ll give it to them this week).

But I’m struggling with balancing who I am and what I have with what I see in them.

When I look at this couple and their young children, I see one thing.

I see Jesus.

It’s that simple. It’s that profound.

I can’t explain it any other way. We’ve sat around for hours listening to how they risked their lives to smuggle 500 Russian Bibles across armed checkpoints in Uzbekistan. I’ve listened in awe as they shared that the bed they are now sleeping in, is the first real bed they have had in their 5 years of marriage.

God is changing me. I still love home decor and I know I can’t change who I am and what I love. But my perspective is changing. My wants and my needs are more defined.

God is reminding me that my clothes dryer breaking this week and our sprinkler system coupled with a lower-than-expected paycheck aren’t insurmountable problems. I’m learning to let go of my tight-fisted grip on our bank account and I’m seeing my life through new perspective. I’ve been reminded that I have more than enough.

And what I don’t have? Well, if I follow Igor and Katerina’s lead, I don’t have to worry about it. Because every time I see them, they weave these words into the conversation: “Our hope is in Jesus.”

And I think that’s one reason they don’t feel needy, they feel blessed.

Because He is enough.

Just yesterday, my daughter and I were talking about The Persecuted Church and she summed up how I feel: ”I’m glad Jesus chose us to help them.” But we both know, they aren’t the only ones being helped.

If you’d like to help them too, please click below.

*UPDATE* $230.00 has come in TODAY! Plus many of the things are being scratched off the list below. I’m going to speak with them about registering at a store…will let y’all know!

Thank you so much if you’re able to give, if not, your prayers are just as valuable!

I asked them to share their prayer requests with us:

1) Pray that we can go forward for new victories in Christ and never live by our victories from past.

2) Pray that Holy Spirit will guide us every day toward accomplishment of God’s vision like in time of Paul.

3) Pray that God will protect us from evil people and bad things.

4) Pray for success in ministry of Revival Sport and Treasure House.

Some of their personal needs:

(They attached this note, “I will write a list of things, but of course we can live without them”)

1) ~~big rug for living room~~

2) the sets of spoon, forks, tea spoons and knifes.

3) scale

4) clothes for children for fall-winter season. (2T, boys, 4T, girls)

5) adults shoes (man -8,5 women -6,5 size) for fall – winter season.

6) ~~vacuum cleaner~~

7) ~~tools to fix car or other stuff~~

lawn mower

9) shovel

10) office chair

11) 2 bar stools

12) Adult ladies bike

13) Weed eater

14) Home decor

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Getting to Know The Persecuted Church Part 3

7:00 am Bykristen

Once again, the blog community has surprised me. Blessed me. Left me feeling overwhelmed, but not alone.

Never alone.

I didn’t know I would meet a family of refugees (Part I) from The Persecuted Church at the local swimming pool. I never planned to eat dinner with them and listen to their amazing story of survival (Part 2). Part 4 is here.

Thank you. Thank you for your comments, your emails, your suggestions, your invitations to have this family come speak at your church and mostly, your prayers for them. They are not in vain.

A few days ago, Igor and Katerina called and invited us to their home. They wanted to serve us Russian food and fellowship more.

You cannot imagine my excitement as I put away the spaghetti noodles.

I told my kids what we were going to do and explained that they had to like the food, or at least pretend to like it. I knew this couple would give us their best and I wanted our response to be great.

Only one word describes the look on their faces as they greeted us at the door of their modest, rented home: pride.

“Look what God has given us. He has blessed us with this and this…” Igor said as he pointed out the sofa, dining table in their simple, beautiful home.

We arranged ourselves around the table and joined hands to pray. The food on the table was colorful and it smelled wonderful. Igor explained that the main dish, called Plov, was a meal only served for celebrations. Tradition states that only the men of Uzbekistan are allowed to prepare the delicious meal of rice and meat. (I knew Katerina had been cooking all day, but so had Igor. They were giving us their best and I felt very unworthy).

It was delicious and my kids ate every bite! There was also a cucumber-tomato salad that was incredible and it was accompanied by an eggplant appetizer. Just between us, I could have seriously devoured the whole eggplant dish, because yummy doesn’t even begin to describe it.

Katerina was kind enough to translate and share these recipes:

Appetizer:

1 eggplant

2-3 tomato

1-2 pieces of garlic

>2-3 tbl. spoon of mayonnaise

some green onion

loaf of french bread

Slice eggplant like a wheel. Sprinkle salt and fry in oil in frying pan. Lay eggplant out on paper towel.

Sauce:

In small bowl put mayonnaise, add pressed garlic, add some black pepper. Mix everything.

Put sauce on eggplant, then put tomatoes on top of eggplants. Sprinkle salt and green onion. And place on piece of bread.

Salad:

3 tomatoes

1 cucumber

green onion

green cilantro

<
span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 51, 0);">olive oil

black pepper,salt

lotus flower (asian section of grocery store) I think this is the secret that makes it taste so good!

Cut tomatoes and cucumber in salad bowl. Then small chop green onion and cilantr o. Add olive oil, black pepper, salt and lotus flower. Mix all ingredients.

The Strawberry Shortcake I brought paled in comparison to the ‘Nest of Birds’ cookies Katerina brought to the table, served with Russian hot tea. And my kids, yeah, it was embarrassing how many cookies they ate. In her broken English, she explained how to make these incredible cookies, but she lost me after the 14th step which involved thinly rolling the dough. Ya’ll know cooking is not my gift. an>

After dinner, we sat around and talked. We learned more of their story and about their current ministry to the former Soviet Union and how they use the avenue of sports to reach people for Christ. If you can read Russian, you will enjoy their website, if not, you will think that it is pretty, like me.

I’m still very deep.

Before we left, my hubby asked if they had any immediate needs. I know this was hard for them to answer. They feel so blessed by what God has done for them. “We have everything we need,” they replied.

My hubby pressed further.

“Well. We could use another pair of shoes. We have only sports shoes,” Igor said as he pointed to his tennis shoes.

And Katerina, hesitated and said something to her husband in Russian, “Katerina, would love to have curtains some day, but it is not a priority,” he said has he pointed to the uncovered window.

I looked around at their modest dwelling. I couldn’t help but notice a 5 gallon bucket serving as their trash can and that they shared one English Bible between them. Their 4 and 2 year olds were happy with their small collection of toys and they considered one pair of shoes, enough.

And they felt rich, like kings.

And thinking of the hours I had spent decorating my own home and my closet full of shoes, I felt like a pauper.

So, yes they have needs, but I don’t think they are huge priorities for them. They have raised 17% of their budget for next year. And while I would be freaking out with worry, Igor shook his head and said, “We don’t worry about that. We just do exactly what God wants us to do. Look at the miracles He has provided all ready.”

I asked Igor to prepare a list of needs that we as a blogging community could meet and I hope to share them with you soon.

In the meantime, I opened a Paypal account for them. If you would like to donate $1 or $100, please let God lead you. If you or your church would like to support this beautiful family every month, please email me directly and I will give you more information.

100% of the donations will go directly to this family!

I found out that today is Katerina’s birthday. I can’t wait to take her shopping for new curtains!

*Update* Thank you for the donations today: $117.00! The amount you donated will appear to be ‘unclaimed’ until the account is verified which I’m told takes about a week.

(please feel free to use this button!)

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The Persecuted Church: At My Backdoor (Part 2)

7:00 am Bykristen

Last week, I told you about the family who escaped religious persecution eleven months ago and ended up living less than 5 minutes from my house. I met them because God stepped in.

On Friday night, we met at Chick Fil A and I was happy to see them drink sweet tea. Because you know how much that means to me. It was a little awkward at first since our hubbies were meeting for the first time and because of the language barrier. But our kids hit it off and played while we sat down to eat.

Normally, I would not like this kind of situation. But nothing about this meeting was normal.

I wish I could have recorded the conversation. I wish you could hear their beautiful Russian accents and the excitement in their voices as they shared the miracles God performed. I wish I could tell you the whole story, but it would take pages to do so. I wish I could adequately explain the impact it made on my hubby and I. We were deeply moved.

And I am sure we will never be the same.

Before I share the details of their story, you must first understand how dangerous it is to be a Christian in Uzbekistan, which is 98% Muslim. Right now, it is one of the most persecuted countries in the world. If someone is caught with two or more religious items (Bible, Christian t- shirt, pamphlet, booklet) they are fined 20 to 100 times their monthly income. If they are caught twice, they are fined 100 to 200 times or sentenced to corrective labor (prison) for up to 3 years. Christians have been fined, imprisoned, beaten for preaching about Jesus.

Here is their story (while I have their permission to share this, these are not their real names): Igor was born in Russia and maintained Russian citizenship even though he moved to Uzbekistan as a young boy. He became a Christian, after his sister viewed The Jesus Video. (When Igor said this, I started crying. I worked for The Jesus Video Project about 15 years ago). Even though it was unlawful, Igor could not hide his love for God and His Word. He began leading summer camps along with his sister’s husband in Uzbekistan. The camps were held as recreational events with the underlying purpose of spreading the Gospel.

Eleven years later, after meeting and marrying Katerina in one of these camps, Igor and his brother-in-law were planting house churches, holding camps and intensely teaching new followers of Christ with Bibles they smuggled in and literature they secretly printed.

In the height of their underground ministry, Igor was arrested and told that he must leave the country within 48 hours (Uzbekistan officials were hesitant to imprison him because he was a Russian citizen). Igor was shocked at his deportation.

He called his wife and told her to pack some things from the house they had just built. After 22 hours, the police told Igor his time was up. He hid in the mountains, but after his look-alike brother was arrested and held hostage until he reappeared, Igor decided to turn himself in. His wife and children hid in a dirty, abandoned apartment.

He was put on an airplane without any belongings, without knowing where he was heading and without his wife, toddler daughter and 15 day old son. The government knew his wife and children would follow because Igor was told they would be killed if they were seen.

(At this point in their story, I’m crying ya’ll, and breathing deeply).

The family finally reunited in Moscow and lived in a one bedroom apartment with 11 other people for a year, facing much hardship. Katerina’s papers expired and could no longer stay in Russia; she had to return to the place of her citizenship: Uzbekistan, where they faced death.

A family without a home, a family without a country.

They found safety at the United Nations as persecuted refugees and came to America, with $200 in their pocket.

For the past year, this amazing family has learned English, a new culture, and a new way of life.

But do you know where their heart is? They are working tirelessly thru the Internet and Skype to continue their ministry and disciple Christians in their heartland.

Their funding runs out at Christmas, so they are trying to raise monthly financial support so they can continue reaching others. My hubby and I feel compelled to help them get into local churches and share their unbelievable story.

God stepped into their lives and although they faced unbelievable suffering for the cause of Christ, they stood firm. I can’t help but wonder what I would do if serving Jesus cost me my life….

Please pray that their financial needs will be met so they can continue to impact Uzbekistan and other parts of the world. I’m hoping to do some kind of blog fundraiser for them in the future. (What do ya’ll think about that?)

Something Igor said moved me, “My arrest and deportation was terrible. And leaving our possessions and our family was very hard, but leaving the work, the ministry and the disciples…that is the hardest, even today.” And he said this knowing they may never see their families again.

I am in awe of their faith and passion for Jesus.

God stepped into my path to remind me what it’s all about. And He’s using this sweet family to turn me inside out.

Part 1 to this story is here.

Part 3 to this story is here.

Part 4 is here.

And you can donate to them here:

Food for the Soul:

“I have set the LORD always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.”- Psalm 16:8

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When God Steps In-Part I of The Persecuted Church

7:01 am Bykristen

As I shivered at the edge of the pool, I glanced at the clock.

Again.

Only 5 more minutes of Mommy & Me swim lessons. In freezing water.

I noticed a woman and her children sit near our things, as I bemoaned my decision to struggle with my toddler in the water for two weeks of lessons.

I live a tough life.

We toweled off and my toddler kept saying, “Hi” to the lady I had noticed.

She spoke softly and sweetly to my daughter in a language that sounded like Russian.

“Where are you from?” I asked making conversation.

“Uzbekistan,” she answered in clipped English.

I nodded my head, as if I knew the exact location. “How long have you been in the US?”

“Eleven months,” she replied.

“Your English is very good. Did you move here for a job?

“No, how do you say, we are Christians and we faced persecution,” she answered as she patted her little boy’s head.

It was a surreal moment. Standing in the heat, watching my kids splash in the kiddie pool while talking to an escapee from the former Soviet Union. A persecuted Christian.

5 minutes from my house.

She shared some about her life. Her husband was a Pastor and arrested and later deported for his crime: preaching the Gospel.

“Did you face violence?” I asked.

I will never forget the look that crossed her face, she nodded, and tracked her children with her eyes.

She said a hundred things in that moment without uttering a word.

We exchanged phone numbers.

On the way home from the pool, I told my older kids about the conversation. My voice quivered as I shared her story.

“Mom, do you remember the Sunday School lesson we had a few weeks ago on the Persecuted Church?”

Yes.

“That was the country I prayed for,” she said excitedly.

Yes.

I don’t know why I met her. I don’t know if we will develop a relationship or what the future holds.