First, there were no jobs, and then the people left Angren

The breakdown of the Soviet Union back in the 90ies resulted in the collapse of many industries, among them the famous coal-mining industry of Angren in Uzbekistan. First, there were no jobs, and then the people left Angren. Empty declining apartment buildings stand like silent witnesses of the hopelessness in Angren. About 125,000 people stayed in Angren. Many of them ended up in criminal life, drug and alcohol addiction, because there was just no work and no perspective in Angren.

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These are the children of Angren

If there is anybody who knows the tragedy of the children from Angren, then it's Gulmira (name changed). Grown up in a traditional Muslim family, she had come to know Christ at the age of 13. She loves her city, and her heart breaks at the suffering of the children.

Gulmira shares:

There are children suffering from Polio and other disabilities, but their parents are too poor to afford any medical treatments.

There are moms and dads who go to Russia to find a job, and who just leave their children unattended.

There are the three girls that I fed at my home, because their drunk mother had just left them out on the street. The girls hadn't eaten for three days.

There are the children who steal to survive. Like the boy who wanted to steal coal from a train car and who didn't notice that the train started moving. He lost his leg, and he has no chance to get an artificial replacement.

There are the children whose mother committed suicide, whose uncle is alcoholic and who didn't even have a bed. One of the pastors of our church adopted these children.

These are the children of our city.

When Jesus saves them, there will be a future for Angren!

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God sends His light into the darkness of Angren

The small church of Angren is caring for the people of Angren. The Christians help those who suffer most from the tragedy of Angren - the children and their broken families.

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‍When we care for children in need, God touches their hearts and the hearts of their parents

The little girl Oksana (name changed) looks bravely into the camera. Despite of her suffering, there is a little smile on her face. Oksana suffers from Polio, like many children in Uzbekistan. She can't walk, just crawl. Her mother is so poor that she could never afford a wheelchair for her girl. Oksana's mom is Muslim, and like many people in the city of Angren she is so poor that she could hardly cope without the help from the church of Angren. Gulmira (name changed) comes regularly to bring help to this family, mostly food supplies. Gulmira was also there to help when little Oksana had a terrible accident. Oksana's mother had been cooking, when the oil in the pan started burning. She had not noticed her little girl crawling behind her on the floor, and at the attempt to take the pan from the stove, she stumbled, pouring the burning oil on the girl. Gulmira and the believers of the local church did everything possible to pay for surgeries and skin transplantations. Praise God, Oksana is doing better today, and God is acting in the heart of her mother. Gulmira says: Before, when I had suggested praying for Oksana, her mother had used to leave the room, as if she was afraid of the prayer. Today she stays in the room, as well as Oksana's grandmother, and together we pray for the girl. I also invited her mom to our Easter service at church, and she agreed to come. When Oksana will feel better and we can transport her, then she will come too!"

Only God can do this! I keep telling this to the people of our city, among them many Muslims. God has done this! He is alive. He sees your need and He sends help to you! Sometimes, I'm in despair too. We're all poor people in our church. But we can pray and help where God tells us to help. If we do all we can, then He will do the impossible! He can use us as a testimony so that children and their parents will understand that God loves them! Yours in His love, Gulmira.

‍A Step of Faith

The believers of Angren need help in their ministry to the needy - so that they can take Living Hope to a "dead city". Living Hope in the Living God!
The believers of Angren have pulled down an old clay building in the backyard of their church, in order to build a Hope Center for children. The foundation has already been laid.