The little church in a village in Tajikistan was founded around 70 years ago by believers mainly from Germany and Russia who were forcibly removed by the Communists to remote parts of Central Asia.
They began to reach out to their new neighbours, by preaching and living according to God’s word. New believers were born, and the church grew. In the 1990s, the country was overrun by civil war, involving aggressive Islamic forces, and the village became a centre of radical Islam. Many church members left. Only a few elderly sisters remained to carry on, faithfully serving the Lord. Then God did a wonderful thing. He sent a new revival, this time among the indigenous Tajik people, and the church revived.
Recently the church has gone through further trials. Within a short period of time, they lost their ‘Prayer House’ (church building) and their ‘Hope Centre’ – an associated building nearby used for Christian humanitarian ministry to the poor and vulnerable. Both buildings had been used and blessed in ministry. Then, a visit from a government official brought ominous news. A large construction project was planned for the land on which their buildings stood, under the direction and ownership of well-connected individuals. No-one was prepared to take the side of the church in opposing the scheme. They were ordered to vacate their buildings. The church prayed for a miracle.
The pastor of the church insisted that the church would not leave until those behind the project paid for the land they were taking from the believers. A court battle went on for two years. When the authorities learned of the identity of those behind the project, they threw up their hands in dismay saying there was nothing they could do to help the church. Eventually representatives of the construction company met with the pastor, gave him some reimbursement for the loss of their land, and ordered them to move out within four days. But where could they go?
Wisely, the church leaders had begun to search for another site, but possibilities were very few. The church members continued to pray, waiting for a miracle from God. In February last, one of the brothers discovered a house and plot for sale in the town centre, but to purchase it seemed impossible, for it was going to be sold the very next day! The pastor and the brothers viewed it and found that it was ideal. It was a rare opportunity, and many were interested in buying it. They went to talk to the lady seller, explaining who they were and why they wanted to buy the plot. Then God stepped in! The lady replied that whenever she had suffered need and was in hard times, she had gone to their church, and the believers never failed to help her and her children who, they learned, had attended their camps, special events and programmes – all ‘for free’. Now, she said, ‘The time has come for me to thank you!’ She promptly rejected all other offers and interested parties and sold the land to the church!
It is hard to describe the joy of the church. Everything had happened within a few days – from Monday through Wednesday, and on Thursday they moved all their belongings to their new place! Truly God had given them their ‘miracle’!
