Almaty, Khazakstan (August 2024)

While I was in Bishkek, I made a short visit to Almaty, Kazakhstan. The primary purpose was to meet up with John Kim who is running a couple businesses. He initially was focusing on education, but he also started a health care business. He agreed to work with us through his health care business and our fellowship was a great encouragement to each other.

He made an arrangement to meet a man who is running a college for people from the Central Asia. The fellowship time with him gave me a new opportunity to serve in the region.

I also spent time with a few ladies who have traveled to dozens of countries and settled in Almaty to run a Korean restaurant together. Their story was inspiring and we agreed to follow up for more dialogue. Their passionate commitment was so apparent and I was moved. They were praying for the previous owner of the restaurant, who opened a similar restaurant in not so distant from this location. They were exemplary in being gracious even under challenging circumstances.

 The short 2-day visit renewed the desire and resolve to expand our ministry in the Central Asia. Lord, help us! - Jeffrey

Osh, Kyrgyzstan (August 2024)

I traveled to Osh from Bishkek to attend the Joseph Project Summit. From this summit, I met many wonderful godly people and saw a greater vision that God bestowed upon me to serve the people in Central Asia and Eurasia, collectively called the Black Hole for the Gospel.

Since it was a provincial city, I did not expect much on the lodging and meals. But, we all had a pleasant surprise. The venue was a resor and the lodging facility as well as the meals were superb, beyond my expectation.

There was no natural hiking trail, but I found a walking pathway where I made repetitive laps to increase my walking steps early in the morning. The sunrises were beautiful.

When you attend a conference, the greatest joy is meeting people. One Korean American couple have been living here in Osh for almost 20 years. They are from Virginia. I am not disclosing their names for the security reasons.

The worship time was always blessing and joyous.

We made a visit to a few places to look at the projects that were under development including this small mobile unit where you can grow up to 160 layer chickens. They would provide approximately 120 eggs a day, which can be sold to neighbors in the village.

 

Another place we visited was a warehouse where the first Dutch Nature operation started. Now it is used to store feeds to be distributed in the south. The land value has gone up so much and the management is considering selling it to raise a capital for different projects.

 

Kostiya leading the initiatives

I met many people but I cannot upload all of them for the security reasons. This man is an American who is living and running a consulting business in Khazakstan.

This man is a farmer from California, who runs a tree operation.

These people inspired me. They live and serve in really tough countries to serve. May God bless them and protect them. I will definitely stay in touch with them.

We visited a sales proint that was built out of a frame of a 40-foot container with a 400 square feet. The owner sells a variety of Oasis Agro feeds and makes a net profit of $800. Not bad at all in light of the college-graduate earning around $250 a month. I was fascinated by the potential outcome out of using these units for various purposes.

We also visited a coffee shop owned and run by a Kyrgyz pastor. He is a PK who served in Ecuador Amazon jungle. His testimony was inspirational.

The Dutch Nature honored the founding leadership for their initial efforts and contributions. 

I have been in touch with Hans from the Netherlands for years, but it was the first time I met him in person. We have another project to follow up next year. I am looking forward to it.

These two brothers in Christ came from one of the five stan countries. A very difficult country. Our fellowship was encouraging to each other.

Micah is the Dutch Nature CEO. He is always an inspiration to me. His commitment, spirit, attitude, efforts all are great encouragement to me and many others.

Before I left Osh, I saw a Kyrgyz senior wearing the traditional hat. Beautiful and heart-warming to me.

This was my second-time participation and clearly God was calling me to do more in Central Asia. Lord, please show me the most effective way to serve them better. - Jeffrey

Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan (August 2024)

I traveled to Kyrgyzstan for a few reasons. The primary purpose was to participate in the Joseph Project hosted by Dutch Nature and AgGrandize Global to help local pastors sustain their livelihoods through the value chain. It took place in Osh, the second-largest city in Kyrgyzstan. Also,  I met up with several old friends and met new friends.

The first gathering was with Dr. Eun Pyo Hong, a member of the SfK Korea board of directors. He was visiting Bishkek, the capital city, to help with an agricultural project sponsored by the Korean Government's ODA project. He came out to pick me up even at an early time of 4:30 AM. 

Also, I met up with Jeffrey Yoon and his wife. They run an after-school for the Kyrgyz children. It was a joyous reunion.

I was thrilled to meet up with Sang Taek Oh who runs a Korean cafe restaurant, a dental clinic, and a trading business. He helped me get a COVID-19 PCR test report that was required to be able to get on an airplane two years ago. I just wanted to express my gratitude for the help he provided for me as a stranger, but it was God's will for us to meet up again. We met twice to spend time and fellowship in dreaming projects on which we can work together. I am excited about the potential opportunities lying ahead.

The dental clinic is run by Dr. Sun Young Kim as a partner with Mr. Oh. She also is licensed to practice acupuncture at a separate clinic owned and run by her mother. Her sister is also a dentist who practices at her mother's clinic. I was delighted to meet her although I did not get to meet her mother and sister.

 

Mr. Oh introduced me to Mr. Sang Woo Kim who is running a studio where he teaches Kyrgyz young people about jewelry-making skills. He plans to start a business with his students. He has almost 40 years of experience in this industry. What a joy to meet him!

I was very pleased to be invited to dinner by Micah and his Kyrgyz wife. He runs Dutch Nature operations in Kyrgyzstan as the CEO. He is such a diligent hardworking businessman. He and two of his colleagues participated in our BMT in 2021. The Kyrgyz food, called Dimdaman, was delicious.

 I was hoping to meet up with Jung Il Lee who is working in the Issykkul area, but we could not meet. - Jeffrey