27 December 2020

Continued Hardship in Uzbekistan

http://www.asianews.it/news-en/Tashkent,-religious-communities-subjected-to-whims-of-authorities-51894.html

The news here has to be contrasted with the June 2020 Evangelical Focus article which cast the situation in an air of optimism. Apparently the situation isn't quite as hopeful as it seemed even six months ago.


Amid the ongoing regional turmoil we need to pray for the small but by all reports vibrant Christian communities throughout the various 'stans' of Central Asia.  Mostly operating in the underground or at the very least attempting to keep a low profile there is Evangelisation and mission work taking place in these settings – but it is precarious.

Further it must be understood that the reporting that's coming from US-based missions outlets like Voice of the Martyrs (among others) is not entirely trustworthy. These organisations have been corrupted by money and political connections and frequently report events from a considerable American slant.

I'm not thrilled at the idea of Christians and Christian groups registering with the state. If these groups wholly divest themselves of Western connections and Western money – one would hope the state would simply leave them alone. However, given that whatever traditions of tolerance once existed in those lands – they are but a distant memory.

And so the Church is called to endure in such situations. Let us pray these Christians do not turn to the West for diplomatic support and the threat of retaliation and destroy the Church's testimony in the process. If they're in contact with Western Evangelicals, that's what they're going to be encouraged to do.

See also:

https://pilgrimunderground.blogspot.com/2016/09/karimovs-death-and-its-implications-for.html

https://pilgrimunderground.blogspot.com/2020/06/evangelicals-in-uzbekistan-hope-and.html

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