Kyrgyzstan (MNN) — Kyrgyzstan's deposed president emerged from
five days of hiding with a threat.
Yesterday, Kurmanbek Bakiyev
rallied his followers and warned of bloodshed if the new government tried to
arrest him.
At least 81 people died in the capital last week when a
confrontation between police and protesters exploded into a deadly riot.
Audio Scripture Ministries has a ministry partner in the
heart of the situation. To protect his
ministry, he'll remain anonymous. Their
offices were left alone, but ministry was disrupted while the streets were
chaotic.
Describing the pressure of the situation, he writes, "The government of Kyrgyzstan has been very
corrupt, there has been a drastic increase in the cost of living including
utilities, and many government appointments have been made by the president
based on relationship, putting his relatives in power. This has been a
growing frustration, and many people have demanded a change."
ASM's Tom Dudenhofer says the ministry team is wondering
what the interim government will do now. Whatever it is, it will have to be fast. "There really is a lack of central power right now in the country.
That can often be very touchy."
According to the ASM partner, things seem to be settling down,
but change is coming. Prior to the revolution,
the team had experienced some government opposition to sharing the Gospel. "I think we should pray that some of
this antagonism toward ministry will settle out as a result of the change in
government," says Dudenhofer.
Although Kyrgyzstan calls itself a secular state, the government
imposed restrictive religion laws that negatively impact peaceful religious
communities. Fear of militancy caused the
government to tighten those even more in 2008.
Dudenhofer explains that's why the situation is a delicate
one for their partners. Keep praying.
"It would be very favorable to more freedom, more ministry
opportunities, and would take away some of the gang-like feeling that was present with
the previous government.
