Women's conferences in Tajikistan

Last year in November in St.Petersburg during the "Living Water Conference" I met for the first time Natalia Filatova, full of energy sister from Tajikistan. And just there together with Olga Mocan we received an invitation to Tajikistan also from the president of the Union of Evangelical Christian Baptist Churches of Tajikistan, brother Alexander Vervai for women's conferences which have been planned in September this year.

For me personally it sounded like exotic country of Central Asia and it is so. Let me give you very general, short information. Tajikistan is beautiful, mountainous country with the capital Dushanbe. There are over 7 mln people and children are majority, 53% of the population. The main religion is Muslim - 94%, the rest are Christian and non believers. The people use Tajik and Russian language. In years 1992-1997 there was terrible home war with many victims of that, therefore people are appreciating peace and they accept very poor economical situation. Warm climate of this country allow to cultivate soil three times per year but it is important to know proper plants to protect soil before sterilization. One of the source of national income are cotton plantations where work mainly women and children. In some areas are problems with water, also in the city, therefore every evening women and children carry water from wells and springs. It reminded me pictures from the Bible when women carried water for people and animals. Women wear nice loose dresses.

Baptist Family in Tajikistan

After some problems with visa and baggage with one day delay I arrived to Khudzhand. In this city there is the Baptist Church with about 60 members. In this church took place one day conference for women and at this meeting participated over 30 sisters and a few brothers. They were very happy about the time together and what they could listen by Olga's and mine lectures and testimonies. Sisters from this church work with children and also brothers work with poor people from the street. They offer them one meal a day and just during the conference we had dinner together. It was nice possibility to talk with this people, also about Jesus.

At this conference participated one special women, mother of Sergiej Bassarab, pastor who has been killed by Muslims two years ago after the service in the church in Isfara. This old woman touched my heart by her peace when she related this tragic story.

From Khudzhand we went to Dushanbe. There is the biggest Baptist Church of the Union with over 250 members and about 160 children. Before the home war there were about 800 members but because of difficult situation many of them migrated mainly to Russia and to Germany. The church members, also women involve in different mission projects. They work with children from the street, children in orphanages, handicap children, women in prison and after prison. We had possibility to visit two centres: for children from the street and for women who left the prisons. This is very concrete ministry and help for those who are in need.

The visit in orphanage where are 86 handicap kids has been very moving, especially the rooms where are children in beds. With almost all of them there is not any contact. Each child this is separate, very sad story. This orphanage is governmental but there work very dedicated sisters from the church. Believe me they are like heroines because this work is very difficult.

During the summer time the church organize camp for children, also for some from this orphanage. This is for them always wonderful time. When we visited this place kids asked our leader Madamin - when we will go??? or just some of them could say only one word - camp, camp repeated a few times.

Participants to the conference in Dushanbe

At two days women's conference participated about 100 sisters (among them nice number of young women) and also some brothers. The theme of this meeting was: We are the members of God's family. The lectures presented by Olga and me have been accepted with big joy. They expressed very openly gratitude for our coming. Some of them individually talked about their problems and burdens.

We could also listen to their testimonies concerning women's ministry: ministry for children and people in need. They also take care for older members of the church, women and men. Every Friday they decided to have prayer meetings.

During the conference first time has been elected a new committee. Natalia Filatova is the president and 5 additional sisters work together with her. Please pray for new elected committee that they could serve the Lord with a heart full of devotion.

Ewa Gutkowska

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