During the Soviet Union era, the city of Karaganda was the third highest producer of coal. Today, coal mines continue to dot the landscape and many people still work in the mining industry.
Karaganda’s population hovers around 500,000. The city is made up of several regions, most of which do not connect with one another. When you drive to the other regions, it feels like you are going to another city, since you completely leave one area, “drive in the desert” and then come to another region.
The city is mixed with Russian and Kazakh people as the main people groups. Russians make up around 50% of the population, with Kazakhs comprising more than 40%. There are still lots of Ukrainians, Belarussians and Germans in the city as well.
Karaganda and Kazakhstan served as a place where people were banished. Many Germans, Tartars, Ukrainians, and other people groups were sent here during the Soviet Union time. They were sent here mostly for political reasons, but some for religious.
There are two Baptist Union churches in Karaganda. There are several other Baptist churches, a Mennonite church, a couple of Catholic churches, several Mosques, several Orthodox churches, and Charismatic and Pentecostal churches also.
This “desert area”, as several have nicknamed it, is a desert in several ways. The land is dry and unremarkable. But not only is the land dry, but the people are thirsty and Jesus has commanded us to give a cold drink of water to those who thirst. I pray many will come to know and “taste” the Living Water that Jesus provides to a dry and thirsty land.
5 responses so far ↓
1 Carolyn Parker // Jan 12, 2008 at 9:03 am
Hi Joe: Enjoyed your website very much. It made me cold. Al continues to make small improvements along the way…his goal is to walk again so pray that if the Lord wills, this will happen. Tuesday is his 76th birthday….I will be 70 in August. I can’t believe we are getting so old!! Hope you have a wonderful 2008!! Love You, Al and Carolyn
2 Danny Kauffman // Mar 2, 2008 at 8:42 am
Joe, blessings from Michigan! It is cold here, but nothing like where you are!
It’s been awhile since we spoke, but things are good here. Chase is 19 now and will start college in the fall - he’s going into photography. Taylor is 16 and in 10th grade. Hannah is 10, in the 4th grade, and is into music, fashion, and friends. She recently helped lead one of her un-churched friends to Christ!!!
Amazing to hear where you are now. It’s a long way from watching high school basketball in Austin, TX, isn’t it?
Am praying for you, and praising Him.
Danny
3 dale & billie inez // Aug 8, 2008 at 9:29 am
HAPPY BIRTHDAY
4 dale & billie inez // Aug 8, 2008 at 9:32 am
We (billie that is) is having a garage sale today, trying to make money so we can give to Lottie .
5 Keith Fugett // Aug 18, 2008 at 8:36 pm
Joe,Dad wanted me to pass this on to you about Homer and the Civil War vet Riddle.
http://www.timesrecordnews.com/news/2008/aug/16/riddle-wrapped-enigma/
Keith
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