Kazakhstan Project

Kazakhstan is the ninth largest country in the world, and the largest of the Central Asian republics. With large natural gas and oil reserves, Kazakstan is seeing economic growth and is in particular investing large amounts of money into its fast-growing new capital city, Astana. This city is very much the showcase city of Central Asia, with many new buildings, avenues, parks, and shopping centers being built and people moving from rural areas to take advantage of the opportunities there. Although Kazakhstan is a predominately Muslim country, the president has proclaimed his desire for openness to the West, and while there is ongoing persecution of Christians, the stated policy is religious freedom. The church has grown rapidly, and it is essential for new believers to be strengthened and developed into maturity.

The Lord has impressed upon us the great need to supply affordable Christian books toward this end. Getting a ministry established during this current window of opportunity is key, and purchasing property now in the city of Astana will be very advantageous for the future.

CLC has felt led by the Lord to open a Christian bookstore in the city of Astana, and we are now moving forward and looking to Him for provision of all needs. Praise God for providing a leader for this work, Martha Peake. She has over 11 years of experience in the country and is very committed to seeing this project through to fruition. She has done an admirable job already of starting up a local foundation, opening a library, and offering English classes to a number of students. She is also actively involved in a local church plant. We would like to purchase a street level shop in a good location for the bookstore. Martha has put together a reasonable budget of about $225,000 for the whole start-up process. Praise the Lord with us that one church has tentatively pledged to support the project already with $95,000! Please pray with us about what your part might be in making this project a reality.

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