Peter and Jo work in a former Soviet republic in Asia. They live in a city on the edge of a huge valley with large mountain ranges nearby. In many ways life is old-fashioned with regular trips to the local bazaar for provisions, rather than going to the supermarket.
Although Peter’s original job was teaching English in the University, one of their main roles is helping in a newly launched Bible College. They have also got to know many followers of “Isa” [Jesus] through the local church. “Ishmael” and his wife “Hope” (not their real names) have, like so many in this republic, spent years scraping a living by selling things from a small street stall.
Six years ago Ishmael was given his first Bible by a neighbour and he read it from cover to cover in three weeks. However, not everyone was impressed with Ishmael’s new faith. In the post-Communist era, people were asserting their national identity – and for the southern republics, this implied an Islamic identity. Even Hope was adamant that Isa was alien to her own faith and culture. Despite Hope’s refusal to convert; because Ishmael was a believer, the whole family – including their three children – was subject to isolation and persecution.
In the middle of all this, Peter and Jo had to leave the country for a few months. ‘But,’ Peter says, ‘on our return, we were amazed how things had improved for the family. Before we left, Ishmael and Hope lived in a decrepit one room flat where five families had to share the only toilet and sink. But now, they had their own freshly decorated three-room flat.’
How had he been able to do so well in such a tough situation? Ishmael explained he’d bought a car, using a loan from the same friend who had given him his Bible, and delivers goods from the bazaar. Ishmael attributed his better life to God. His Bible is always on the dashboard and attracts plenty of surprised reactions from his clients and opportunities to witness. Despite Ishmael’s ‘alien’ religion, people chose to use his services because he proved to be reliable and honest.
A happy ending? Yes and no: unfortunately, the region’s economic downturn means that, over the summer, Ishmael has had to join thousands of other men working in Russia. But the good news is that, despite this set-back, Hope has now become a Christian.
Tags: Post Communist Faith