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Cornerstone Communications
Kazakhstan
July 14, 2008

Dear Family and Friends,

Greetings from Astana, Kazakhstan. I’ve been here for 2.5 weeks, and we’re well into production. We have a major prayer need.

Kazakhstan is predominantly Muslim. They live well with the Catholic and Orthodox churches, because all 3 are very religious and the minority: the Catholic and Orthodox churches submit to whatever the Muslims want. The problem is that the Muslims see all Protestant churches (Baptists, Methodists, Bible, Charismatic, Pentacostal, Lutheran, Church of Christ, Assembly of God, etc.) as cults and sects. Sadly, the Catholic and Orthodox churches agree with the Muslims!

These three religions have deep influence among the government, and the Christian church is very, very weak here, and thus has almost no influence. We have had to petition the government to use one of the public halls, and as of yet, they have not allowed us to use any hall. So, daily, we wait, and pray, and wait. So many will come to Jesus Christ WHEN we present this show!

Meanwhile, we have been faithful to rehearse and to build sets, make costumes, and re-petition, etc. I’ve encouraged the church to “move forward” and not wait until they get permission. If we wait, then it’ll be too late to get everything done. We have to step out in faith. We are 1.5 weeks away from the show, and we can’t promote the show until we know IF and WHERE we’ll get to perform. And without promotions, who will come? Churches are small, and God's Kingdom needs to expand in this middle eastern country.

Only the Lord can open this door, and your prayers are desperately needed. Please, RIGHT NOW, take a moment, and join your brothers and sisters and me in prayer here in Kazakhstan for a miracle. We’re believing to see many come to Jesus Christ, but the enemy has strong influence here, and only your prayers can help us “punch a hole in this dark canopy”. We need the light of Jesus to flood this place.

For the Kingdom,
Richard Montez