In early spring, I received an unexpected invitation to visit one of the larger congregations of the Word of Life in Kazakhstan in the city of Karaganda. The visa procedure was set in motion and we ran into roadblocks for a variety of reasons, but the determination and faith of the host congregation was greater than the obstacles along the way. In faith, the ticket was purchased and just a week before the conference, the visa arrived. With a sinking feeling in my stomach, I fastened my seatbelt on the plane that took me closer to the country I had never visited before. In the days before, the temperature had reached 28 degrees centigrade and then dropped to almost 0. They call it an extreme inland climate and at this time in spring the weather can change dramatically. The steppe spreads out as we make the three-hour drive from the capital Astana to my destination Karaganda. The church was celebrating its 25th anniversary and had managed to buy and restore a now beautiful building. They run a fruit-bearing rehab centre and have a strong social commitment. I am happy to see and feel the heart beating among them.

The conference, aimed at women, had the theme “Fulfilling God’s Dream”. It was a privilege to speak to a group of hungry and open women from that part of the world. At the invitation to pray, most of the women came forward, including women who wanted to receive Jesus with tears running down their cheeks. At the end of the Sunday service, I was thanked (after dancing Kazakh-style with the others) by being dressed in a caftan and a square hat on my head. It was such an honour to be part of it. The Kazakh people are beautiful, their culture is beautiful and their horse meat is wonderfully good to eat and really tender.
I have coined a new term lately and that is missionary holiday! This was one of those trips that dusted off my old missionary life again and allowed me to see fruit that has endured over the years.

/Eva Moberg, Social Work Manager in the Word of Life Church