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PASTOR REMAINS FAITHFUL DESPITE PERSECUTION
In the Midst of Persecution, God's Presence is Felt
Salavat Serikbayev is 33 and married to Aitgul. They have five children aged between one and 10 years (one boy, four girls). They live in Muinaq, Karakalpakstan.
Salavat was 19 years old when he became a Christian in 1994. He was among the first Christians in his home town of Muinaq. Baptized immediately after his conversion, he was given a New Testament and became the pastor of a small group of believers.
Salavat had never read the Bible before, but every day he read a verse and explained it to the people. The group of believers grew as God confirmed His Word through healing and salvation.
Opposition from relatives, society and authorities has always been part of life for Salavat and Aitgul. Salavat has been fined many times. He was imprisoned for four months in 1999 and was offered freedom if only he'd reject Christianity. His wife was fired from her job, and once an angry crowd surrounded their house and threatened to set it on fire.
The family has experienced more poverty than the average family in Muinaq. When Salavat was released from prison in 1999, he returned home and found there was no food in the house. One of his daughters said, "Now that you are home, we can eat." But there was no money.
Salavat and Aitgul prayed, "God, you see what is happening, please do something! Please give us food. We're willing to work but we don't have jobs now and we are desperate."
There was a knock at the door and they let in two men who were strangers. They explained they were traveling by car and Muinaq was not their destination, but they felt that they had to come to this house. They handed over a parcel and left. Salavat went outside to see them go, but there was no sign of a car.
The parcel contained enough money to keep the family for one month. They tithed the gift and were so grateful to God for arranging this visit. When Salavat told his three-year-old daughter what had happened, she said, "Can I call your God my God?"
In January 2007, police raided a home in Nukus, near Muinaq, where Salavat was spending some time with Christian friends. The prosecutor began a court case against him, and Salavat was charged under Article 229-2 of the criminal code, for 'violating the procedure for teaching religion.'
Since the latest case started, the committee of the local mahalla (residential district) began proceedings to deprive his family of social protection payments, including childcare benefits.
In May 2007, Salavat was given a two-year suspended prison sentence and labor for the state. Of his wages he has to give 20 percent to the state. He is not allowed to travel abroad or be involved in anything religious as this is considered illegal. (None of the churches in Karakalpakstan have registration).
The sentence was later changed to one year. Salavat has spent the last year planting trees in the desert and works from 8 a.m. until 8 p.m. in the hot desert of Karakalpakstan. His wages are $20 per month but he has to hand over 20 percent to the state.
In December 2007, Salavat received amnesty, but please continue to keep him and his family, and believers like him, in your prayers.
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