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Home , Caucasus Mountains, Kabardians, Meskhetian Turks, Tabasaran language

Let L mountains singN Prayers for the peoples of the Every morning, the sun rises over the rugged Caucasus Mountains and casts its warm glow on more than 2,000 villages found between the Black and Caspian Seas.

The Caucasus Mountains are largely unknown to the praying world; yet within these vast and beautiful mountains, some of the earth’s most unreached peoples live in oppressive spiritual darkness.

Today, 45 distinct languages exist among the . Suspicious of outsiders, resistant to change, speaking some of the world’s most complex languages and shaped by war and conflict, the fiercly independent peoples of the Caucasus are — from a human perspective — a daunting challenge to the spread of the gospel. PEOPLE GROUPS of the CAUCASUS Every color on the map represents a distinct ethno-linguistic people group of the Caucasus. But even within these groups there are often additional linguistic breakdowns. Many of the 45 to 50 distinct Caucasus languages are among the most complex in the world. The world’s languages are categorized from Level 1, simplest to learn, to Level 4, most difficult. Most of the Caucasus languages are Level 4 languages.

Source: NCRP-2014 For centuries, the Caucasus Mountains have hosted epic conquerors, power struggles, war and triumph. In Greek mythology, fire was created in the Caucasus. Prometheus was chained in its mountains. Arabs, Byzantines, , Persians, , Turks, and Nazis have each tried to conquer and control the lands around the Caucasus.

The many people of the Caucasus are resilient, holding fast Each rising sun carries the grace of another day for the to ancient traditions as they raise their families and support Caucasus — a day filled with hope and opportunity. As their communities. Every day, men and women go about God carries out His redemptive plan, each tongue in the their work — work which is quickly set aside for the will return to its creation purpose — singing worth of a neighborly visit or guest’s arrival. They honor the praises of the Redeemer, Jesus Christ. Despite the guests and deeply value friendship. With a love of music, they challenges, the people of the mountains will indeed one day celebrate traditional events by dancing long into the night. sing Christ’s praises.

Enter into God’s redemptive plan for the Caucasus by praying for the people between the seas. CIRCASSIAN TURKIC AND OSSETIAN Rejoice, heavens, for the Lord has acted shout, depths of the earth. The historically include 12 ancient tribes. The largest Unique among the Caucasus peoples, a majority of have Break out into singing, tribe remaining today is the Kabardian people. After surviving mass staunchly retained their identity as Eastern Orthodox Christians mountains, forest, and every tree in it. deportations and wars over centuries, still proudly live while continuing to blend pagan rituals into their practices. They For the Lord has redeemed Jacob, by their ancestors’ values. Known for their hospitality, horses and also maintain their own Indo-Iranian language, distinct from the orchards, Kabardians exemplify the life and culture of the Caucasus. 45 other Caucasus languages. Today there are 25 to 30 evangelical and glorifies Himself through Israel. Kabardians place the needs of their friends above their own and congregations in North . , however — including yIsaiah 44:23, HCSB generously share their belongings with others. Karachai, Balkar and — maintain loyalty to their ethnic and Islamic traditions.

Vadimir’s* life was such a mess that his Muslim community told him, “God doesn’t need you. The devil needs you.” Yet God relentlessly pursued him. Now a follower of Christ, Vadimir looks back on his turbulent past and testifies about God, “He is good — very gentle.” * Name changed WEEK 1 WEEK 2

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Pray for Amina,* Pray for Madina,* a Pray for believers in Pray for God to work Pray that Sam,* one Pray for Hope* as she Pray that many Pray that God will Pray that many Turkic Pray that Turkic Pray that the gospel Pray for God to bring Pray for believing Pray that God who delivers eggs, divorced mother of the major Circassian among the Circassian of the few Circassian shares the gospel Circassian families bring unity among men and women will families will turn will rapidly spread spiritual awakening clan elders to lead through His gospel buttermilk and four children. As she cities to be faithful diaspora, stirring believers in , boldly with those she will experience new believers within the respond in biblical from darkness to among Turkic villages among the leaders of their families in will set entire fried bread. Pray struggles to raise her and bold. Pray that longing and giving will grow in faithful meets in her diaspora life in Christ and bear Turkic people groups faith to the reality of light and from the as men and women Ossetian clans. repentance from clans free from that God will give children in a culture God will transform faith to many men obedience and that city. Pray that God the fruit of the Spirit in the Caucasus — what is hoped for, power of Satan to believe the truth pagan practices, the centuries-old her interactions that shames divorce, these cities through and women. God will use Him to will bear much fruit — love, joy, peace, Balkar, Karachai, the proof of what is God. with joy. dead religion and practices of pagan with believers pray that in Christ the proclamation and bring many to faith in in the kingdom patience, kindness, Kumyk, Nogai and not seen. vengeance cycles. spirit worship and and a deeper she will find freedom power of the gospel. Christ. among her people. goodness, faith, Meskhetian Turks. animal sacrifices. understanding of from shame. gentleness and self- faith in Jesus. control. “There is salvation in no one else, VAINAKH DAGESTANI for there is no other name under heaven given to people, The Vainakh people — Chechen, Ingush, Akkin, Bats and Kist — are is the poorest of ’s 85 federal subjects. The of , largely unknown to the west, was once known for their strength, resilience and love of homeland. considered the edge of the world. As such, those who were on the run and we must be saved by it.” Belita,* remembers the day many years ago when Russian soldiers found a home within the shelter of its mountains. Over thirty distinct yActs 4:12, HCSB “We feel a sense of home here,” one Vainakh man explained after arrived in her village and arrested her husband. She never saw people groups — and even more unique dialects — exist within a living away from his homeland for many years and finally moving him again. Her daughter, eight years old at the time, “was such a region the size of West Virginia. Over the centuries, this complex back to . This strong sense of identity pulses through daddy’s girl,” Belita recalls. Her daughter and other children like history and geography has bred a warrior-mentality and intense the Vainakh people. proudly refer to themselves as “the her are now in their 20s. Memories of war shape them as they keep distrust of outsiders in Dagestan. Famous for their pride and courage, people of Noah,” believing their traditions and culture go back to alive their fathers’ longing for freedom. Dagestani men represent their region internationally among Olympic the time of the flood. * Name changed medalists in wrestling and mixed martial arts sports.

WEEK 3 WEEK 4

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Vainakh children are Pray for the diaspora Pray that elder men The strength of Pray that men and Pray that as God Mustafa* is an Dagestanis revere Unlike other Many Dagestani Pray that God will Pray for Kazakh Pray that Dagestani Pray that Dagestani reared to be tough, believers among in Vainakh families the people are also women will come to opens hearts to the Ingush believer, Imam Shamil, a hero Caucasus peoples, diaspora peoples raise up Dagestani believers who have men will be so believers will have proud and resilient in the Vainakh. Pray will hear, understand visible in their pride comprehend biblical gospel, He will raise father of five, and known for taking a Dagestani’s pride live in a gateway diaspora believers a desire to reach radically changed courage in suffering, the face of violence. that they will and believe the and stubbornness. forgiveness and up many men and the only believer in the punishment would prevent him city near Dagestan. who will return to Dagestanis with the by the gospel that knowing that Christ Pray for God’s hunger and thirst for gospel. Pray that Pray that God will strength that comes woman to be heralds the entire republic of another upon from accepting a Pray for gospel their home villages gospel. Pray that they will be known as conquered death protection over the righteousness, grow their families will bring salvation and through weakness. of righteousness of Ingushetia. Pray himself. Pray they menial job. Pray that breakthroughs and make disciples. God will open many blessed peacemakers through the cross. children and youth. in obedience and follow in faith and transform these among their own that God will raise will understand the God will transform among the Lezgi, doors for them to and sons of God. Pray that God will find other believers repentance. defining qualities people. up more believers to sacrifice of One who Dagestani pride into Dargin, and Avar who build relationships mercifully give them with whom to gather into a tenacity to encourage him. bore punishment for a bold love of the live in this city. and share the truth peace through Christ. and worship. exalt Christ forever. their sin. gospel of Christ. of Christ. “As I live, says the Lord, every knee will bow to Me, MOUNTAIN OF LANGUAGES STABILITY AND RIGHTEOUSNESS and every tongue Now thousands of years after the curse of Babel, the Caucasus From village to village, varying levels of corruption and political will give praise to God.” Mountains maintain a disorder of languages — in quantity as well as instability permeate the Caucasus peoples. Some villages are nearly “There will be times of security for you difficulty. The Roman historian Pliny the Elder reported that it took impenetrable. One region, inhabited by the “eagle people,” is so yRomans 14:11, HCSB y a storehouse of salvation, 80 interpreters to carry on business in the Caucasus. Centuries later, remote and politically sensitive that any visitor — even another wisdom and knowledge. Arab geographers labeled the region “the mountain of languages.” Russian — must obtain preauthorization from the Special Forces and The Tabasaran language is considered to be among the most complex approval of every piece of luggage 90 days prior to entry into the The fear of the LORD is Zion’s treasure.” language systems on earth with its 66 consonants, 8 vowels and 48 region. Once approved, the visitor must drive for hours up into the yIsaiah 33:6, HSCB noun cases. Within this treasury of Caucasus languages, some have mountains and past several checkpoints until arriving at a fortress-like dozens of varieties that are more different from each other than military facility equipped with tanks. Even at that point, permission to English is from French. enter is not guaranteed. WEEK 5 WEEK 6 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Pray that every Pray that the mouths Pray that many Pray that entire Pray that among a Pray that God Pray that every You will find no Political instability Violence permeates Pray that God will Pray that the Pray that God will Pray that Caucasus tongue will proclaim of many righteous Caucasus men and families will shout for culture of “piercing will redeem and tongue in the region in Russia has shaped each many homes and give a hunger Caucasus families bring the people of believers will be God’s righteousness men and women will women will have a joy together because swords,” Caucasus transform many Caucasus will confess as corrupt as the generation of marriages. Pray that and a thirst for will come to the Caucasus the deeply committed and praise all day utter wisdom and broken and contrite God has redeemed believers will be Caucasus women that Jesus Christ is Caucasus. Pray that Caucasus men and God will open many righteousness understand a love righteousness that to what is good long. speak what is just. heart that leads to a them through Christ. known for tongues to open their Lord, to the glory of among those who women for centuries. hearts to see the to the political that finds no joy in comes through Christ and know that they mouth that declares that bring healing. mouths and provide God the Father. demand bribes, Pray that God will beauty of a gospel leaders who make unrighteousness — a righteousness are blessed even the praise of God’s wisdom and loving enact revenge and give those in political that is incarnated in decisions related to but rejoices with the that brings peace if they suffer for forgiveness. instruction. steal, God will open power a desire for husbands who love the peoples of the truth. and quiet confidence righteousness. eyes to see their peace. their wives as Christ Caucasus. forever. need of repentance. loves the church. “What I found was summed up in one simple name— Interlude / UUPGS Jesus. IN THEIR In Him, the holy Lamb of God, my tormenting thirst OWN for genuine love, purity and WORDS “They are a holiness could at last be fearless people.” satisfied.” ~ Dagestani man describing his ~ Shaadia,* a believer own people

“I would like to thank my Lord Jesus because while I am still a sinner, he gave his “I’m the only man in life on the cross to give me new my family who hasn’t life, to heal me with his blood. killed a man I was a lost sheep. with my bare hAnds.” He looked for me many years ~ Dagestani father until He found me.” ~ Hope,* Circassian believer

“A good person’s dining table is always ready.” ~ Circassian proverb

*Names changed. Photos do not represent individuals quoted above. “you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with the saints, NO LONGER STRANGERS POWERFUL TRADITIONS

and members of God’s household, Caucasus peoples maintain an intense control over their own people As the western world reaches forward to grasp each new trend, the is the strongest tradition of the Caucasus peoples. Some built on the foundation as well as a suspicion of outsiders. Informal village security men who peoples of the Caucasus cling tightly to the past, letting ancient of the Caucasus have been under Muslim control since the seventh of the apostles and prophets, spot an unknown car driving past their village may force the car to traditions continue to shape their lives. Patriarchal authority century. Islam arrived in , Dagestan in 642, only ten years after with Christ Jesus Himself as the cornerstone.” stop. “Who are you? Why are you in our village?” they demand of the permeates Caucasus society. After putting off marriage for several Muhammed’s death. In the past decade mosques have been rebuilt strangers. years, Ayub* woke up one day to an older relative standing over him. in many villages throughout the region. Ask God to break down the yEphesians 2:19-20, HSCB “Get up. We’ve married you,” the man said. Putting on his clothes, Ayub strongholds of Islam among the Caucasus and bring many to salvation Despite the initial reserve towards outsiders, once bonds of friendship followed the man out the door and to the wedding prepared for him. through Christ. are established, they are powerful. By sleeping under the protection “I couldn’t say no,” Ayub said about his arranged marriage. of a Caucasus host, a guest enters a relationship of kunakh, a lasting bond of friendship, protection and loyalty.

WEEK 7 WEEK 8

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 When Caucasus Each village has its Marriage outside Friendship is of more Pray that God will Control over others Pray for believers In the past decade, Pray that men and Respect for the older The primary social Pray that many in The Lezginka Each people group peoples receive an own law and code the village group is value than money build churches in the is common in the who struggle under an increasing women who long generation is a high unit in a village is the the Caucasus will is a traditional proudly maintains outsider into their of life. Pray that frowned upon and in the Caucasus. Caucasus filled with Caucasus. Pray that oppressive family number of young for their sins to be Caucasus priority. tookhoom, a group understand Christ Caucasus dance their distinctive inner circle they give God will bring the many marriages Pray that God will men and women God will bring many environments. Pray people have turned forgiven will come Pray that God will of up to 15 family as the supreme host that showcases the traditional artistry themselves as deeply law of grace into within the village are open many hearts who show familial to submit to the for God to help toward radical, to understand God’s work among the units organized who gave His own strength of the man and music. Pray that loyal and sacrificial each village, uniting arranged. Pray that to see the friendship affection to each control of the Holy and sustain them violent Islamic vast love that made respected village with unique social life so that sinners and the femininity of many from each friends. Pray that strangers under the God will open their with God available other, outdoing one Spirit through faith in to persevere in reform movements. a way for forgiveness elders to see and obligations. Pray could feast at His the woman. Pray that people group will God will bring gospel. eyes to His love in through Christ. another in honor. Christ. faithfulness. Pray that God will of sin through Christ. believe Jesus as that God will build table. men and women will one day sing and about many deep Christ. mercifully soften Savior. churches among the come to comprehend dance before the friendships with hard hearts. tookhooms of the God’s design and throne of God. believers. Caucasus. purpose. “For the word of God is living and effective born again and sharper than any double-edged WORD OF GOD

sword, penetrating as far as the Andy,* a Circassian man living in Jordan, walked into the smoked- Alex* is a Balkar man who became a believer after Stalin exiled his filled pool hall. The other men in the room looked up from the tables separation of soul and spirit, people to a Central Asian country in the 1944. He returned to his and shouted to him “Congratulations!” He had just returned from the joints and marrow.” homeland in the Caucasus and lived as the only known Balkar believer Umrah, a lesser pilgrimage to Mecca that takes place at a time other for over thirty years. During that period, he began translating the yHebrews 4:12, HCSB than the Hajj. Andy beamed with pride as he proclaimed that his visit Scripture from the into his mother tongue. Twenty to Mecca was like a born again experience. Pray that Circassians like years later, he had completed translations of the New Testament Andy, would learn what it truly means to be born again. and several Old Testament books. There are now 37 known Balkar believers. Many Caucasus languages do not have any Scripture or * Name changed gospel material in their own language.

* Name changed

WEEK 9 WEEK 10

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Pray that many will Pray that God will use Pray that God will Aminat* has heard There is a remarkable Pray that in diaspora Pray that God will Pray that God will Some Caucasus Many Bible Satan is eager to Pray for the Finding able and Some translators be born again to a dreams to drive men build biblical Christ- the gospel many absence of grace countries, God will encourage the bring His Word to languages have translators are hinder translation completion of willing translators of living hope through and women toward exalting churches in times yet has no and forgiveness in bring about a rapid households and each language of the no word for unbelievers. Pray that of God’s Word. evangelistic audio is a difficult and languages receive the resurrection of understanding Christ villages across the desire to change. the Caucasus. Pray multiplication of communities of Caucasus. “forgiveness.” Pray God will open the Translation work and video material in challenging task. physical threats Jesus Christ from as the Savior and mountains of the Pray that she and that God will open churches that will Caucasus believers that God will protect eyes of their hearts in one language Caucasus languages. Pray that God will because of their the dead, to obtain promised Messiah. Caucasus. others like her will many eyes to see the continue into the who live in a desert the gospel meaning as they intently study was delayed after Pray that God’s Word raise up translators work. Pray that an imperishable understand that sin beauty of forgiveness Caucasus heartland. of fellowship. in the difficult work the Word of God. the translation will bear fruit as it and editors who will God will protect inheritance. brings death and through Christ. of translation. was lost. Pray for goes out in even the work with skill and them from danger only Christ can bring God to physically briefest forms. integrity. and sustain them new life. protect each stage of through this task. translation work. BELIEVERS AND CHURCHES PARTNERSHIPS

As a violent young man in a desperate, drunken stupor, Nikolay* The challenges in the Caucasus are immense and the work is slow. cried out to the Most High, “which is the way that is true?” Believers Gospel-believing Russians must address the centuries-old attitude shared the gospel of Jesus with Nikolay and in time, God answered of hostility that exists between themselves and their Caucasus “Now the God of all grace, all of the critical questions in his mind. “I vowed at that point,” neighbors. Nearby Central Asian countries have begun sending “I give thanks to my God who called you to His eternal glory in Christ Jesus, he said, “to be faithful to this living God for the rest of my life. I believers into the Caucasus to proclaim Christ in the darkness. was going to serve him, and I was going to bring people into the A growing number of North American churches have chosen a will personally restore, establish, for every remembrance of you … kingdom.” people group as a long-term prayer commitment. God’s work in the strengthen, and support you Caucasus is indeed a global work of partnership. Ask the Lord to because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now.” after you have suffered a little. Mustafa,* father of five, is the only believer in his republic. As draw believers from around the world together in unity to reach the The dominion belongs to Him forever.” the youngest son in his family, he holds little authority in his peoples of the Caucasus with the gospel of grace. yPhilippians 1:3-5, HCSB community. His older brother is an Islamic teacher and has begun y1 Peter 5:10-11, HSCB studying the Scripture. Pray for God to save the households of Caucasus believers. WEEK 11 WEEK 12

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Pray that God will In a culture that does Pray for believers Pray that God will Pray that Caucasus Pray that God Pray for Christian Pray that the Russian Pray that Russian Pray that God will Vlad,* a Russian Pray that God Pray that God will Pray that the Russian protect Caucasus not cherish women, who have been bring a sweet spirit believers will will provide leaders to emerge church will develop a speakers will desire raise up — from Baptist, assists two will burden many raise up gospel- and European church believers from Caucasus men face rejected and of unity and trust hunger and thirst encouragement within the local heart of compassion to go to difficult near-culture groups of Caucasus churches in the focused, mature will grow in maturity the enemy, the a radical life change persecuted by their among believers for the Word of God, and employment church with His for the people of the places in the countries — the right Muslim men who to pray ministries to reach and in fellowship world and fleshly after they believe. families. Pray that from different accepting it as the to believers who vision for reaching Caucasus. Caucasus to build people at the right are studying the for the peoples of the out to diaspora and with Caucasus entrapments. Pray that believing God will comfort ethnicities within the new authority over struggle to provide their own people friendships and time to work among Bible. Pray for Vlad Caucasus. displaced peoples of believers from men will love their them with His Caucasus, showing their life. for their families. with the good news. proclaim the truth of Caucasus peoples. to effectively teach the Caucasus. Muslim backgrounds. wives as Christ loves presence, strengthen evidence that they the gospel. obedience to the His church. them and deliver have passed from Gospel. them from evil. death to life. Has someone been praying? TAKE A People Group INTO YOUR HEART Translation work on the Gospel of Luke was not going Kabardian. Lezgi. Adyghe. Just pronouncing Choose a people group mentioned in this guide Think Long-Term well for one Caucasus language. The entire manuscript the names of Caucasus peoples can and begin praying. Use the prayer suggestions in Make a ten-year commitment to pray. In a was lost and the translators were ready to quit. be a challenge. How can we possibly this booklet. Pray Scripture. Pray the gospel. Western culture of instant-gratification, few understand their lives? How do we go But surprisingly, the project came together and people will take this challenge seriously. Yet about responding spiritually to such a Research some will. Perhaps you are one of the few who the translators completed the project. Amazed, an Use the Internet and other resources to research kaleidoscope of cultures and peoples? But will persevere long term in prayer for the land employee at the Institute for Bible Translation asked, your people group. Explore their history, location, like the Midwestern church, we can make a between the seas. For more information contact, “Has someone been praying for [these] people?” culture and traditions. Search current projects at decision to get involved through prayer. [email protected] Thousands of miles away, a small, country church in the Institute for Bible Translation in Moscow to see the — filled with people Here are a few if any Scripture translation projects for the people We do not know what God will do in 10 years, but group are underway http://ibtrussia.org/en/ we do know what He will do on the final day — who have never travelled overseas — had made a ways to begin: commitment to pray for this Caucasus people group. Visit imb.org to learn more. He will receive worship from every nation, tribe They prayed specifically for the translation work on the and tongue. From each language in the Caucasus Advocate in your Church Gospel of Luke. Mountains voices will unite in fulfilling their Become an advocate for the people creation purpose — Sally,* the pastor’s wife, recognizes that their prayer group in your church. Educate singing the praises of God. commitment has not ended. She and the others in others and encourage them to join M the prayer group now pray for the development of you in prayer. Start a regular prayer an oral version of the Gospel of Luke. She likens their meeting, and encourage commitment to a mother’s prayers for her children. perseverance in prayer when others are ready to give up. “It’s not an overnight prayer,” she explains. Stay connected imb.org Twitter @IMB_SBC Instagram @imbmissions Facebook IMB.SBC 1-800-999-3113

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