A Harvest Thanksgiving Celebration for the Mugat Gypsies

More than 40 people gathered on October 9 for a harvest thanksgiving celebration at the local church’s temporary meeting place. Women attending the sewing classes came with their husbands and children. There were also some women attending for the first time, as well as young people.

Sister Vera shared this account:

“The celebration was filled with joy. The children sang, and the adults joined in. Brother Said, a preacher from the church in Bukhara, read a passage from the Bible and explained the meaning of the celebration in simple, accessible language. He encouraged everyone to thank God for the abundant harvest with which He has blessed Uzbekistan.

After emphasizing the importance of gratitude for earthly blessings, Brother Said spoke about the coming harvest, when every person will give an account before God of the life they have lived and the fruit they have borne. He spoke about reward and punishment and explained what a person must do to receive a reward. He concluded by inviting everyone to pray. The children then sang ‘How Can I Get to Heaven?’

It was a warm time of fellowship for families. For the first time, husbands, wives, and children had come together for a gathering like this. Pastor Shukhrat spent time with the men and answered their questions.

Delicious plov was prepared for the guests, and the tables were filled with sweets, juice, tea, and fruit.

A coloring activity was arranged for the younger children, who found it difficult to sit through the sermon. During this activity, they too could hear God’s Word and learn through the pictures that God provides the harvest and that we should thank Him for it.

Thank you for your prayers and donations! God hears your prayers and blesses our ministry among the Mugat. Praise God—He is faithful and answers the prayers we offer together. Thank you!”

“What are your plans going forward?” I asked Pastor Shukhrat. “Your new church building will be dedicated on October 25, and you will need to vacate the kindergarten premises where you currently hold worship services and classes for the Mugat. The new church building is far from the settlement. Do you think the residents will travel there for classes?”

“It is unlikely that anyone from the settlement will be willing to travel that far. This is a major challenge. We are praying and asking the Lord to help us resolve it. It looks as though we will need to find a place to rent near the settlement. But we do not want this ministry to stop. We believe God wants it to continue as well. So, by His mercy and grace, a solution will be found. Please join us in praying for a meeting place, for workers, and for spiritual awakening among the Mugat.”

I would also like to add a personal request: please pray for those carrying out this challenging ministry. They all serve sacrificially and need support, protection, and good health. Above all, they need the guidance of the Holy Spirit to discern the direction they should take and how best to move forward.

Olga Avetisova