Joe Ragan

PRIORITY: UPDATE
Lower parliament voted and passed the religious amendments last week to restrict religious work and now goes to the senate to vote.
FOCUS ON NATIONAL PASTORS/ LEADERS:
Peter, is a new student at the institute. He lives in Uzbekistan. In the village where he lives, he is the oldest brother in Christ, so many [...]

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Yesterday I visited Baraholka. It is the largest outdoor/indoor market I have ever seen. There are some big markets in Kiev, but I don’t think any of them compare to this.
It seems to go on for ever and if you happen to be in a vehicle trying to pass by, get used to [...]

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I woke up during the night to the sound of pouring rain. While normally that sound brings joy to my heart, that’s all it seems to be doing lately around here. I know for my family and friends in Texas, it probably doesn’t do that enough there and so I shouldn’t be complaining.
The [...]

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I have been in Almaty for a few days and the weather has been cool. It has rained almost everyday and as I type this it is clouding up to rain again.
Almaty is a very “green” city. There are lots of trees here and there is still snow on the mountain tops. [...]

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I am at the Institute this week teaching apologetics. On Monday, I had the students interview people on the streets about what kind of worldview that person had. I gave the students several questions to use and the answers were very interesting, but proved what I was thinking.
Most young people do not or [...]

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This last week has been exciting in Karaganda. Workers have been cleaning, painting, sprucing up all over downtown in preparation for the 60th Anniversary of WW II on May 9.
This morning (Sunday) I got up and noticed a large crowd already gathering in the area around the Lenin statue. What seemed amazing to [...]

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What an interesting day I had today! I had to go to the immigration police office to get my visa renewed. It’s great that the Baptist Union has a great relationship with several of the workers there, and so I didn’t have to wait in a long line once I found out where [...]

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PRIORITY: UPDATE
Parliament will be voting soon. Please remember to pray for this situation.
FOCUS ON NATIONAL PASTORS/ LEADERS:
Sergei Masyoutin, is pastor of the church in Lisakovsk. He asks for prayer for several villages where they have small groups and for the spiritual growth of church members.
MINISTRY:
Easter Sunday was celebrated in Eastern Eurasia (Europe/ Asia) [...]

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Victory Day is celebrated every year in the former Soviet Republics. However, this year is the 60th anniversary of the end of the war and big celebrations are planned all over the former Soviet states.
Plans are being made here in Karaganda for a large celebration. Unfortunately, I need to be in [...]

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Spring time is one of my favorite times of the year. Trees are blooming, flowers budding, grass is turning green. And after a long winter, people return to the streets, parks and playground areas.
I play basketball twice a week and love the walk to the school gym. My favorite part [...]

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