Greetings from Astana, Kazakhstan

May the joy of our Lord Jesus Christgive you peace! As we have settled here, we are learning more and more about our newfield of service. One fact that is quickly learned is that Kazakhstan issuch a large country with her cities far and few between that travelingbetween them is proving to be very interesting. This week, our companycolleague, Joe and I, traveled from Astana to Povladar for an importantmeeting. We traveled the 900 kilometer (630 miles) round trip in 12 hoursdue to the severity of the road conditions of the main highways here,which are only two lane roads full of potholes, dropoffs, and longexpanses of missing blacktop. Our travel there and back took place bygoing to the train station and asking around for anyone traveling toPovladar and negotiating the fee to "rent" their back seat for Joe and I.(Traveling by car is much quicker than by train - the round trip trainride is 16 hours) Our long and bumpy journey was well worth it, in that the meeting whichwas held in Povladar, holds the exciting promise of seeing another newchurch there in the next few weeks. This year's Lottie Moon Christmas Offering is fast approaching. The focusthis year is upon the former Soviet Union where there are still thousandsand thousands of cities and towns where no evangelical witness is takingplace. Gifts through the LMCO are helping start new churches across theformer Soviet Union. You can check out available resources and stories atwww.imb.org and read how God is working among the 15 countries which madeup this former union of Communist countries. Check out especially the twocover stories about Ukrainian students and a Ukrainian missionary namedRoman (row-MAHN) who is working alongside of us here in Poladar,Kazakhstan. Our company colleague, Joe is closely involved with this workof bringing Ukrainians here on mission. Last year, Southern Baptist's gave a record $150 million to the LMCO.These gifts are allowing for the expansion of ministry among unreachedpeople groups across the globe and in the former Soviet Union. Our movingto Astana is part of this expansion as we are engaging the Russians ofKazakhstan with the promises of the gospel. Gifts from last year's LMCOhave provided for our relocation to Astana and as things continue, a carfor ministry mobility within the next couple of months. We pray thatyour LMCO goal for this year will be challenging and exceeded. Finally, we pray that perhaps one day, some folk from Immanuel inHighland, CA will come to Astana, Kazakhstan to partner with us inexpanding the kingdom work here. We have found a wonderful airline foryou to travel on (check out the attatched photo). Just kidding!!! Keep looking UPDon and Diane CombsAstana, Kazakhstanwww.Hope4Astana.comHope for every Russian heart in Kazakhstan, a church planting movementfor Astana and beyond!"I revealed myself to those who did not ask for me. I was found by thosewho did not seek me.To a nation that did not call on my name, I said, 'Here am I, here amI.'" - Isaiah 65:1

Ukrainians carry Gospel from their homeland to Kazakhstan

Posted on Oct 4, 2007 | by Kristen Hiller PAVLODAR, Kazakhstan (BP)

Roman Gopanchuk gestures with his left hand and leans forward to explain a Scripture passage to his home Bible study group in Pavlodar, Kazakhstan.

Just outside the living room door, Gopanchuk's 8-year-old son Timofey plays with Russian-speaking children. After a year of repeated asthma attacks, Timofey can finally breathe freely. And with their son's health restored, so can Roman and his wife Viktoria.

The Gopanchuks first considered serving as missionaries in Kazakhstan after reading an article about Pavlodar in a quarterly magazine published by the Ukrainian Baptist Union. As they learned about the need for missionaries there, Viktoria says her son's asthma played a significant role in their decision to move from their home in Lutsk, Ukraine.

"We were thinking and praying a lot about what to do because treating him and the medicine, they didn't help," Roman says. "Some people advised us to move from where we had lived."

Roman and Viktoria contacted Franz Tissen, president of the Baptist Union of Kazakhstan, who invited the Gopanchuks to serve in Pavlodar.

"Living in the Ukraine, we were absolutely sure God wanted us in Kazakhstan," Roman says. "And when we arrived here, one of the brightest examples is that our son has not had an asthma attack since we came here."

Because of Ukraine's wealth of religious freedom and its strategic geographic location connecting Russia to the West, Ukraine is commonly considered the "bread basket" of Christianity in the former Soviet Union.

In fact, since the collapse of communism 15 years ago, the Ukrainian Baptist Union has planted 1,900 churches. But despite the growing number of church plants, Bible institutes and theological education programs in Ukraine, fewer than 2 percent of Ukrainians profess to be evangelical believers.

"We still have a lot to do here," says Mick Stockwell, International Mission Board strategy associate for Ukraine, Belarus and satellite regions. Until now, he explains, Ukraine has been a receiving culture. "Everything's been about what people bring to them; what people do for them. They are just now working on what it means to go on mission trips, to be called, to search and know God's will."

Since July 2005, IMB missionary Joe Ragan has partnered with both Ukraine and Kazakhstan Baptist leaders to recruit Ukrainian believers like the Gopanchuks to serve as missionaries to Kazakhstan.

Because of Kazakhstan's diverse population, Ragan explains, missionaries have a unique opportunity to reach a wide range of people groups with the Gospel. Just over half of the Central Asian nation's population is ethnically Kazakh, while the remaining inhabitants are comprised of Russians, Ukrainians, Uzbeks, Germans and various other ethnic groups.

"For me, the important thing is for Ukrainians to discover there's a world outside of Ukraine, and that they can be a part of that work," Ragan says. "Many of them have probably seen American missionaries come to their country and do mission work. And so they never thought that they, themselves, could be a part of something like that and go to another country."

The Gopanchuks are only one of several Ukrainian families who have spoken with Ragan about the possibility of relocating to Kazakhstan to serve as long-term missionaries. As Ukrainian believers begin to leave their homeland to share Christ in other parts of the former Soviet Union, Stockwell and Ragan agree Ukrainians have access to places where Americans might have difficulty serving.

"An American passport is not always welcome in every country simply because they know we're a 'Christian' nation," Ragan says. "But Ukrainians don't have that history. So they have more opportunities to go all around this world, especially in countries closed to the Gospel."

Although the Kazakh government has placed some restrictions on missionary work in the country, Ragan says believers can work within the context of those restrictions and still complete their missionary task of planting churches.

For the Gopanchuks, the primary goal is to plant churches in a city of 350,000 people, where only one Baptist church exists.

"If God wants us to create another church here in Pavlodar," Roman says, "I don't know how much time it will take, but I know it's all in God's hands, and He can do everything."

Watch Your Words

Then there was brought to Him a demon-possessed man who was blind and dumb, and He healed him, so that the dumb man spoke and saw. And all the multitudes were amazed and began to say, "This man cannot be the Son of David, can he?" But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, "This man casts out demons only by Beelzebul the ruler of demons." And knowing their thoughts He said to them, "Any kingdom divided against itself is laid waste; and any city or house divided against itself shall not stand. And if Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself; how then shall his kingdom stand? And if I by Beelzebul cast out demons, by whom do your sons cast them out? Consequently they shall be your judges. But if I cast out demons by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you. Or how can anyone enter the strong man's house and carry off his property, unless he first binds the strong man? And then he will plunder the house. He who is not with Me is against Me; and he who does not gather with Me scatters.

Therefore I say to you, any sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven men, but blasphemy against the Spirit shall not be forgiven.

Background Passage: Matthew 11:1 - 12:50

Lesson Passages: Matthew 12:22-37

На Пути! Na Putee! (Pronounced: nah pooh-TEA and means: "On the Path!")

Volume 5; Edition I

September 20, 2007

Think about this...

You and your family are in America traveling outside of your home state on vacation and while waiting for a table at a restaurant far from home you strike up a conversation with a family who is also waiting for a table and you discover that they are also from your home state. What happens next?

You are overseas, traveling in a foreign culture, surrounded by conversations in languages that you don't understand, when suddenly, somewhere around you, you hear English being spoken! What do you find yourself wanting to do?

In both situations above, would you agree that it is possible that you would feel an almost instant sense of "community" with those to whom you discover that you have something in common?

In the first scenario in the restaurant somewhere away from home in America, what might be a possible outcome of meeting someone from your home state? Perhaps you might invite the other family to join your family for dinner (dutch treat of course), or at the least, you would most likely wave at each other as you depart from the restaurant after dinner, right? Why? Because you discovered that you have something in common with them that joins you to them in a brief sense of "community."

In the second scenario somewhere overseas, what do you want to do when you hear English, perhaps even American English, being spoken somewhere in the crowd around you? Don't you feel drawn to want to at least walk over closer to the conversation, or perhaps even want to join in the conversation and meet the people talking your heart language? Why? Because you have discovered that you have something in common with an absolute stranger who suddenly doesn't seem as much of a stranger to you anymore because you share the same language and perhaps the same cultural identity. You discover, even for a brief time, a sense of "community" with this new friend you have met while far from home.

In Kazakhstan today, many different nationalities and people groups are seeking to live side by side. There are Kazakhs, Kyrgeze, Turkmen, Uzbeks, and Tajks. There are also Russians, Ukrainians, Belarusians, Germans, and Poles. Some of these people groups have been here for several generations or even for a few centuries. Others were forced here, exiled to this place far from their homeland during the days of the former Soviet Union. Regardless how each of these people groups arrived here, all of them have certain things in common, they all feel drawn to those with whom they feel a sense of "community."

When Diane and I arrived in Kazakhstan 3 months ago, our focus was to engage the Russian people of Kazakhstan with the gospel of Jesus Christ. What we are discovering is that our focus is widening to encompass all of the people groups that identify themselves through a common sense of "community" with Russian culture and language! Our focus is broadening to include not only Russians, but Ukrainians, Belarusians, Poles, and yes, even Germans, all of whom identify themselves together within a common culture and language - which is Russian.

This is an exciting discovery for us as we are preparing to seek to reach these Slavic peoples of Kazakhstan who, when in their own country would most likely identify with their historical culture, but here, far from "home" they identify with the larger group for social and economic reasons.

Please join us in prayer for the Slavic people of Kazakhstan. Pray that God would prepare their hearts for the message of the gospel. Pray that God will help us identify where in Astana various groupings of Slavic people are living to target for Bible studies. Pray, that as the Slavic people of Kazakhstan receive Jesus Christ, they will desire to not only reach others like themselves, but that they will desire to bridge the gap to other people groups in this land with the life changing message of the gospel!

Announcing the birth of our second grandchild!

Our son-in-love, Anders and our daughter, Jessica, are thrilled to announce that on Friday, August 24, their second child, Boden Edward Snyder, was born. Boden weighed 8lbs 1 oz and was 20 inches long. Boden's two year old sister, Addi, was really excited to finally get to hold her baby brother! Of course, we're pretty thrilled to be grandparents again too!

Because of some training that I was sent to in Idaho for the last two weeks of August, I was able to take two weeks of vacation and extend my stay in the states to travel to Denver to see our new grandson. Diane remained behind in Astana while I was in Idaho, but was able to join me in Denver for two weeks vacation as well. Do you really think Grandma would settle only for photos of baby Boden instead of traveling back to Denver and being there too? No way!!!

Although our time in Denver flew by, we appreciate so much the opportunity to spend those brief few days with our family in Denver. We are grateful that the company we serve with and the people like you who support us, understand the importance of family which allowed us to be in Denver for such an important occasion.

Back home in Astana.

We arrived back home in Astana at 5:00 AM on Tuesday, September 18 after almost 1 1/2 days of travel through Munich and Moscow on our way home. All went well and PTL all of our luggage arrived as well!

We were asleep by 7:30 that morning and slept all the way through to 6:00 PM before getting up for our "day." When trying to take a shower, we discovered that our water pressure was really low, and thinking that the water valves we had shut needed to be opened further, I reached inside of the wall in our bathroom to turn the shut off valve more open. Suddenly, the handle of the valve stem broke off and high pressure water began to gush inside the wall and out onto the floor! I was able to use one hand to almost squeeze shut the opening and keep the amount of water escaping somewhat under control for the several minutes as I franticly searched inside the wall with my other hand for the valve handle which had fallen inside the wall! After several exciting minutes and perhaps a gallon or two of water, I located the handle and was able to replace it successfully slowing the leak down to a steady drip.

Within a few moments, our door bell rang and we were given the chance to meet the neighbors who live below us who said that it was "raining" from the ceiling in their bathroom! To sum it all up, the steady drip was contained by diverting it into a bucket which we emptied every few hours during the night until the next day when two repairmen came to replace the valve with the rusted out valve stem. All is fine now and God has given us the opportunity to meet some neighbors on the floor below us. We'll stop by their place soon and check to see if all is ok and who knows what this "chance encounter" might lead to?!

By the way, Autumn is in full swing here. We've already had our first frost and the leaves are turning and falling quickly. Jackets and sweaters are the norm every day.

Visa Renewal.

When preparing to come to Kazakhstan, we applied for a one year visa, but only received visas for three months. We are currently working with leaders with the Baptist Union here to renew our visas before our current visas expire on October 5th. All seems to be going well and we hope to report soon that we have received new 1 year, multi-entry visas. Please join us in prayer about this.

Web site under construction, but available.

Please check out our new web site at www.Hope4Astana.com and let us know what you think. Remember that it is still under construction, but we would appreciate your input and suggestions as we seek to communicate God's vision for reaching the Slavic people of Kazakhstan. Thanks again for our friends Carl and Arline Ryan who are managing the web site for us.

Keep looking UP
Don and Diane Combs

Passage for Sept. 23rd, 2007

And when He hadcome down from the mountain, great multitudes followed Him. And behold, a leper came to Him, and bowed down to Him, saying, "Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean." And He stretched out His hand and touched him saying, "I am willing; be cleansed." And immediately his leprosy was cleansed. (Matthew 8:1-3)

And when He got into the boat, His disciples followed Him. And behold, there arose a great storm in the sea, so that the boat was covered with the waves; but He Himself was asleep. And they came to Him, and awoke Him saying, "Save us, Lord; we are perishing!" And He said to them, "Why are you timid, you men of little faith?" Then He arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and it became perfectly calm. And the men marveled, saying, "What kind of a man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey Him?" (Matthew 8:23-27)

And getting into a boat, He crossed over, and came to His own city. And behold, they were bringingto Him a paralytic, lying on a bed; and Jesus seeing their faith said to the paralytic, "Take courage, My son, your sins are forgiven." And behold, some of the scribes said to themselves, "This fellow blasphemes." And Jesus knowing their thoughts said, "Why are you thinking evil in your hearts? For which is easier, to say, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Rise, and walk'? But in order that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins" - then He said th the paralytic - "Rise, take up your bed, and go home." And he rose, and went home. But when the multitudes saw this, they were filled with awe, and glorified God, who had given such authority to men. (Matthew 9:1-8)


Background Passage: Matthew 8:1-9:34

Lesson Passages: Matthew 8:1-3, 23-27; 9:1-8

Passage for September 16th, 2007

"For I say to you, That unless your rightousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you shal not enter the kingdom of heaven. You have heard that the ancients were told, 'You shall not commit murder' and 'Whoever comits murder shall be liable to the court.' But I say to you that everyone who is angery with his brother shall be quilty before the court; and whoever shall say to his brother, 'Raca,' shall be guilty before the supreme court; and whoever shall say, 'You fool,' shall be guilty enough to go into the firey hell. If therefore you are presenting your offering at the alter, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your offering there before the alter, and go your way; first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and present your offering. Make friends quickly with your opponent at law while you are with him on the way, in order that your opponent may not deliver you to the judge, and the judge to the officer, and you be thrown into prison. Truly I say to you, you shall not come out of there, until you have paid the last cent."
(Matthew 5:20-26)

"You have heard that it was said, 'An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.' But I say to you, do not resist him who is evil; but whoever slaps you on the right cheek turn to him the other also. And if anyone wants to sue you, and take your shirt, let him have your coat also. And whoever shall force you to go one mile, go with him two. Give to him who asks of you, and do not turn away from him who wants to borrow from you. You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor, and hate your enemy.' But I say to you , love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you in order that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the rightous and the unrightous. For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax-gatherers do the same? And if you greet your brothers only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? Therefore you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect."
(Matthew 5:38-48)

Background Passage: Matthew 4:17-7:29

Lesson Passages: Matthew 5:20-26, 38-48