Samian

I just read this article today, entitled "Youth in Chechnya hunger for the Gospel" --- do you think it'd be possible through this site to let Chechen parents in Chechnya gain awareness of the intentions of this "summer camp"?

Link is here: http://www.mnnonline.org/article/9941

Text:

Chechnya (MNN) -- Chechnya has been the site of armed conflict between Chechen rebels and Russian military for years. While the battles have eased, the uneasiness hasn't left the area. Those uneasy feelings have many children living in constant fear and hopelessness.


Russian Ministries is doing something about that. Vice President of Russian Ministries Sergey Rakhuba, speaking for Russia, just returned from the region. He says Christians from the region are doing great work. "It was so exciting to see young people that reach out to that community -- reaching out to children with lots of outreach projects. I was just so impressed to see how much fruit the ministry brings when they see how much response is there among young Chechen people."

Rakhuba says it's an incredible story of people who have been targeted by Chechen terrorists, traveling to Chechnya to do God's work. "Instead of taking revenge or retaliating for all of the destruction that terrorists brought to Beslan, they go back and reach out to the Chechen children. They organize summer camps; they hold sports games."

Traveling to Chechnya is still dangerous. They must travel to many army check-points to get to Grozny, but the population welcomes the Russian Ministries teams. "Christians are welcomed. They have an opportunity to preach the Gospel and tell those kids about the hope in Jesus."

Rakhuba says they were only able to get into Grozny because of the assistance of one leader. "He came out of Chechnya with his personal car and offered his service to take us back to Grozny. Otherwise we wouldn't be able to go there."

It appears God is using non-Christians to allow the Gospel to penetrate these young hearts.

Rakhuba says Russian Ministries would like to send as many young people to summer camp as possible. "For $50 it's possible to send one child to summer camp and potentially to help change this country for Christ."

According to Rakhuba, Russian Ministries' young people will do the ministry work. "Young people motivated and mobilized and equipped through our 'Schools Without Walls' [program] will go to the summer camp and reach out to children, helping them build their lives on moral biblical principles."

johny walker

well, I guess you take too seriously another funding raise story. there is noone in the healthy state of mind who would ever beleive that this "reach out" activity would ever give any outcome. in my opinion no risk at all.

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Samian

you'd be surprised. those missionaries go in knowing well what the chechens are like. i read somewhere that shortly before the First Chechen War had started, they'd converted 30 chechens to christianity. all were evacuated out of the country, and are living in the West.

johny walker

I've been working for NGO's in the region for some time and I am aware of whats happening in field. When NGO is in need of external funds they prepare assessment reports, out-brief of the ongoing activities etc. to impress potential donor, they state a goal of the new project and this goal should be in the sync with interests of the targeted money-bags.
It's like when you need to build a lavatory in the Dairy Farm where people live together with animals in the same compound. one place you go for help is a church. I can go on and on but main idea is that sometimes these reports are bit exaggerated. thats one part of it. the other one is liberty of conscience which is a basic human right. A freedom to practise and preach your beliefs as long as this is according with the comon law. I cant judge or esteemate activities like that I just share my opinion that this is no risk at all.

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Samian

well, i see what you're saying, but this is something of concern. it's a children's camp, which means the christians would be free to tell whatever they want to the kids without their parents knowing about it. you know what i'm saying?

johny walker

I know exactly what you're saying. I cant say this is right thang todo.

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Samian

Plus, all the evidence seems to point to a larger missionary drive throughout the entire of Chechnya. Did you read about the missionary efforts in Kurchaloi?

One could say this because of a stronger Church, or so Russia can further "integrate" Chechnya so it won't rebel again. There are plenty of theories why. But the important this is news like this has to be aware with the Chechens and the implications of sending their kids to such summer camps.

johny walker

let me share something with you. The interest of the donors is getting weaker, especially the private donors that usualy sponsor vague activities like that. There are hotspots that has much stronger focus at the moment. this is confirmed by all large aid agencies that run ops in the spot. I am still at my point here. the articles like are... another lousy attempt to pay an office rent this month...)

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Samian

okay, i believe you )) again, i am just saying, let's not take any precautions and stay on guard. these aren't ideal times anyways.

johny walker

tobe honest i hate freaks that mess with children's minds....

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