Greetings from Astana, Kazakhstan

May the joy of our Lord Jesus Christgive you peace! As we have settled here, we are learning more and more about our newfield of service. One fact that is quickly learned is that Kazakhstan issuch a large country with her cities far and few between that travelingbetween them is proving to be very interesting. This week, our companycolleague, Joe and I, traveled from Astana to Povladar for an importantmeeting. We traveled the 900 kilometer (630 miles) round trip in 12 hoursdue to the severity of the road conditions of the main highways here,which are only two lane roads full of potholes, dropoffs, and longexpanses of missing blacktop. Our travel there and back took place bygoing to the train station and asking around for anyone traveling toPovladar and negotiating the fee to "rent" their back seat for Joe and I.(Traveling by car is much quicker than by train - the round trip trainride is 16 hours) Our long and bumpy journey was well worth it, in that the meeting whichwas held in Povladar, holds the exciting promise of seeing another newchurch there in the next few weeks. This year's Lottie Moon Christmas Offering is fast approaching. The focusthis year is upon the former Soviet Union where there are still thousandsand thousands of cities and towns where no evangelical witness is takingplace. Gifts through the LMCO are helping start new churches across theformer Soviet Union. You can check out available resources and stories atwww.imb.org and read how God is working among the 15 countries which madeup this former union of Communist countries. Check out especially the twocover stories about Ukrainian students and a Ukrainian missionary namedRoman (row-MAHN) who is working alongside of us here in Poladar,Kazakhstan. Our company colleague, Joe is closely involved with this workof bringing Ukrainians here on mission. Last year, Southern Baptist's gave a record $150 million to the LMCO.These gifts are allowing for the expansion of ministry among unreachedpeople groups across the globe and in the former Soviet Union. Our movingto Astana is part of this expansion as we are engaging the Russians ofKazakhstan with the promises of the gospel. Gifts from last year's LMCOhave provided for our relocation to Astana and as things continue, a carfor ministry mobility within the next couple of months. We pray thatyour LMCO goal for this year will be challenging and exceeded. Finally, we pray that perhaps one day, some folk from Immanuel inHighland, CA will come to Astana, Kazakhstan to partner with us inexpanding the kingdom work here. We have found a wonderful airline foryou to travel on (check out the attatched photo). Just kidding!!! Keep looking UPDon and Diane CombsAstana, Kazakhstanwww.Hope4Astana.comHope for every Russian heart in Kazakhstan, a church planting movementfor Astana and beyond!"I revealed myself to those who did not ask for me. I was found by thosewho did not seek me.To a nation that did not call on my name, I said, 'Here am I, here amI.'" - Isaiah 65:1