Few people are aware about, much less invested in, the dry and cold mountain frontier of Naryn Province in southern Kyrgyzstan. Ages ago, Naryn was an artery of the Silk Road; today the few visitors to the province are likely only driving down A365 Highway that connects Kyrgyzstan to China through the Torugart Pass. Considered the poorest region in Kyrgyzstan, the Soviets were unsuccessful in their attempt to turn Naryn’s livestock-based economy into a center for large-scale mining. While this meant the awe-inspiring landscape was preserved, Naryn remained ignored by the global economy.

Yet, thanks to your faithful support, Covenant World Relief has been present in this beautiful corner of Central Asia. For the past two years, we have supported the Balyk Too Cooperative in their Animal Loan Program. Continue Reading »

Janish Beck (JBeck in the video) is 34 years old, but he is already the leader of a group of three villages outside of Naryn, Kyrgyzstan. Janish is also the state representative for the wider district comprising seven villages. A few weeks ago I stayed at his house with Bob Shim, ECC worker in Thailand who formerly lived and worked in the Naryn area.  Janish has a heart for the poor which make up the majority of the people in this region.  Several years ago Janish started an animal loan project for those with few or no sheep or goats.  Bob Shim learned of this and CWR was able to help expand the project.

Janish (on the right) with others from Naryn

Bob and I visited more than 25 families who have or are currently benefitting from the animal loan project.  I was a bit concerned when I heard that the project had expanded to all of the seven villages, so I asked Janish how he is able to keep up with this and all of his other leadership responsibilities. He told me that he is forming small groups of young men who are taking responsibilities for leading the project in their village.  Some people need to spend years learning leadership skills.  God seems to have instilled this all of this in Janish.  He just gets it.  Please watch this great video of the animal loan project that Bob Shim produced.  You can give to this project here.

Redeemer Covenant Church in Beloit, WI has been doing some really creative work to raise money for our sheep project in Kyrgyzstan. This was their last bulletin insert. We’d love to hear your creative ideas for raising awareness about CWR projects.

Don’t get me wrong, Bethlehem is great, but we’re really needed in Kyrgyzstan. Rams $250, Ewes $60, or you may purchase her physical attributes as follows: the body for $15.00, the head for $10.00, one leg for $6.25, the tail for $5.00, one hoof for $1.00, or one ear for four bits.

A huge thanks to their Treasurer, Keith Perkins, for his desire to inspire and lead his congregation to get involved. Thanks Redeemer Covenant for taking your time and money this Christmas to work together with the people of Kyrgyzstan!