Central Asia Trip Visiting IM Partners Bible Mission Global

Danny Gasperson and Pastor Bob Brown traveled to Central Asia to reestablish IM’s relationship with our valued partners at Bible Mission Global (BMG). COVID-19 restrictions have prevented travel to Central Asia for the past three years so we were thankful for this long-awaited opportunity.

Danny and Pastor Bob spent one day in Almaty, Kazakhstan, reconnecting with dear friends at BMG. From there, they traveled to Dushanbe, Tajikistan, where they spent the next five days working at the Hope Center in Rizzovkhoz. This facility provides housing, care, and Christian teaching for men recovering from addiction, imprisonment, or other hardships. Their goal is to help them understand and accept the Gospel, grow in their faith, and become contributors and Christian influencers in their community. Danny and Pastor Bob worked with the men to prepare the ground and pour concrete driveways, sidewalks, and multi-use areas around the campus. They shared that it was a joy getting to know the men and working with them. These men have a time of worship and Bible study each evening. Danny and Pastor Bob were invited to join them during these times while they were there. The stories of their past were heartbreaking to hear but seeing the hope they now possess because of Christ testifies to the transformational power of God.

Danny and Pastor Bob also visited another Hope Center in Dushanbe that provides housing, care, and training for women and children. This facility is home to a dozen children who cannot live with their parents as well as five ladies transitioning from difficult circumstances in their lives. The children sang, shared memorized Scriptures, and presented to Danny and Pastor Bob handcrafted gifts they had made for them. Because of this ministry, the children and ladies have Help in their present circumstances and Hope for a brighter future.

On their return trip home, they passed back through Almaty and visited the Bible Institute and the staff members there.

It was a great trip that renewed commitments to send at least one short-term team each year to either Kazakhstan or Tajikistan as determined by our partners at BMG.