| Few things are more important to a Central Asian | | | | Shocking evidence |
| than maintaining cultural traditions. Throughout the | | | | However, through the prompting of the Holy |
| existence of the Soviet Union, they were forced | | | | Spirit, more and more Central Asians are |
| to conform to a Russian mindset, lifestyle, and | | | | discovering that they have been living under false |
| even language. Free from this tyranny, Central | | | | assumptions. And in evangelizing this region, one |
| Asians now cherish the things they can call their | | | | question is turning the tide, Why do you profess |
| own. On the flip side, they are turned off by | | | | the religions of your conquerors, and forget |
| anything that looks, smells, or acts foreign. | | | | Christianity, the faith of your forefathers? |
| In the eyes of these people, Christianity is an | | | | Amazing recent discoveries have shown that |
| intrusive import from the West. According to the | | | | Christianity was practiced throughout Central Asia |
| Director of one of the leading Central Asian | | | | long before Islam or Zoosticism, the two |
| Christian ministries, it is viewed as a boil, a | | | | predominant religions of today. |
| festering sore, and causes division. After all, a | | | | While visiting a Central Asian home, the previously |
| persons religion is not determined by choice, but | | | | mentioned Director saw a pattern in the familys |
| by the family into which he is born. So to become | | | | rug that demanded his attention. The design, |
| a Christian is to turn your back on both your | | | | common in area rugs throughout this region, was |
| family and culture. And such an act goes beyond | | | | full of symbols that told the story of the life, |
| being disrespectful, its crazy. | | | | death, and resurrection of Jesus. |
| It is for this reason that Central Asian Christians | | | | With the familys permission, the Director took the |
| are persecuted. On a daily basis, they suffer at | | | | rug to an anthropology professor at the |
| the hands of those who intend to bring them | | | | University of Chicago. Upon further study, the |
| back to their senses. Families attempt to undo | | | | directors suspicions were confirmed, the Christian |
| what they think is brainwashing by isolating him, | | | | symbols predated the period when Islam spread |
| denying his rights, or even through intense | | | | to Central Asia. |
| beatings. | | | | Return to their roots |
| Restrictions from the top | | | | One by one, Central Asians are discovering what |
| In two Central Asian countries, the governments | | | | Christians around the world have always known, |
| have enacted laws to deter radical religions, such | | | | God is truth. God is love. And God is longing for |
| as Christianity. In these countries, it is unlawful to | | | | Central Asians to return to their ultimate cultural |
| meet in churches that have not been legally | | | | heritage through faith in Jesus Christ. |
| recognized by the government. However, there | | | | Pray for those Christians throughout Central Asia |
| are so many rules and regulations in registering, | | | | who are facing the torture of their families and |
| that few churches are able to complete the | | | | governments, that they will continue to have the |
| process of gaining approval. | | | | courage to live out their faith, regardless of the |
| In one Central Asian country, it is also illegal to | | | | cost. |
| conduct a service in the national language. This law | | | | Pray also for their persecutors. Pray that as Gods |
| was enacted to stop Christians from converting | | | | Spirit moves they will accept the gift of salvation |
| nationals to a foreign religion. | | | | from the one, true God. |