A brief update on the latest developments in our family…
September is the first month of autumn in Tajikistan (although it is still quite warm, and summer is not rushing to leave), and the first month of the new academic year in schools, colleges, and universities. And so, learning has also begun in our family…
Sergey has started learning sign language. Deaf and mute people come to the local church, and we would like to communicate with them, but there is only one interpreter. The pastor decided to invite teachers and hold courses for anyone who wants to learn sign language so that they can communicate with these brothers and sisters, at least on simple topics.
Sergey also regularly attends training courses in his field (electronics engineer). Progress in this area is moving at a rapid pace, and it is really important to learn new skills.
Lilia (that’s me) began training to become a “childbirth preparation course instructor.” It was another miracle! The Lord first prepared my heart, then gave me the courage to enroll in expensive courses without a penny to my name, and then blessed me with the means to pay for the first month of training, and then the second. This is a very important step for me, but it’s impossible to describe in a few words. I will write a separate article about it later.
Andrei, our eldest son, who is now 15 (a difficult age for him and for us), continues to study at a Ukrainian online school, also attends archery training, and recently joined a sign language study group (which I am personally very happy about).
We still do not have a stable income or support, and this has been a pressing need in the last month. Sergey does all kinds of small electronics projects, but the pay is barely enough to cover the rent. We are still praying for regular support so that we can devote all our time to ministry without worrying about whether we will have enough money to pay the electricity bill this month. Of course, supporting an entire family is no small amount, and we have no idea where such a miracle might come from. But we know for sure that God can do this too! We have seen so many of His miracles in our lives…
Good news column. One guy from our board game club started reading the Bible and came to a Sunday church service once. He is a young Tajik student who has now left to study in another country, but we continue to pray for him and keep in touch. A group of foreigners who used to attend the board games also started attending Sunday church services. Although, in general, the board game club is currently “stuck,” we have given up several times and thought about stopping and no longer hosting board games for non-believers. But the Lord once gave us confirmation to continue, so we try to be faithful in small things. Of course, Sergey (together with his eldest son) is now solely responsible for this, as I am busy with my little son Salim and my studies.
Our city has also started offering classes for expectant mothers, which I am very happy about. Even though they are not run by Christians, it is still a very important cause that I have been praying for over the past year, and now I can see the answer to my prayers! In the future, when I finish my training, I hope to collaborate with these organizers. It is not important for me to run something of my own, but it is extremely important for me that pregnant women here gain at least a little knowledge and understanding about the process of childbirth, at least a little hope and confidence, so that they become less afraid…
We ask for your continued support in prayer that the Lord will allow us to see even more of His glory on this earth and share His love with this people.