February 2010
STORIES, REFLECTIONS, and PHOTOGRAPHY
by Christians traveling ancient routes in a modern world
by Christians traveling ancient routes in a modern world
There are flashes of startling beauty along the Silk Road—the golden glow of a sunset illuminating the cliffs above Bamian; the languid movements of a Uighur dancer; the lush green of tea fields on the slopes of the Caspian Sea.
But there is also brokenness: Poverty, corruption, authoritarian governments, alcoholism and domestic abuse. Central Asians are no strangers to suffering, yet they often bear it with remarkable grace. That grace fills the stories and photography on the pages of Along the Silk Road.
A number of Christian writers, photographers and videographers traveled several segments of the old Silk Road routes, visiting modern cities and ancient sites, interviewing Christians and Muslims. Their stories, reflections, images and videos provide a glimpse into the lives of ancient peoples living in a modern world.
Along the Silk Road Book: Order now >
Along the Silk Road Study Guides: Order now >
NEW! Silk Road Kids: Order now >
ENCOUNTER
Featured BLOG:
Following When It's Difficult
31 January 2010
"I have had some very hard discussions with a local believer, *Matthew, about the demands that Christ has put on the life of a true follower as we walked through I John and now James. He said last Friday that he has been a Christian for 9 years and it has been pretty easy. But now he is starting to see that it is very hard. He said "I am not sure if I can do it."
Read more >
Stories from Central Asia:
When Ivan the Terrible conquered the Tatar homeland of Kazan in 1552 and brought it under Russian domination, he did so with two weapons: the sword and the cross.
Ivan understood that it wasn’t enough to capture people’s bodies; he wanted their souls as well. But acts of terror—forcing the Muslim Tatars to be baptized or drowned—may have bought their allegiance to a country, but it only embittered them toward Russian Orthodoxy.
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RESOURCES
Along the Silk Road Study Guide The "Along the Silk Road" book raises a number of issues and themes that beg to be considered in more depth. This six-week study looks at six of these issues through the lens of Scripture. Consider using this guide in the context of a small group Bible study, home group, or even as a personal devotional.
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View all Central Asia resources >
PRAY
Prayer walk Ankara, Turkey now >
Prayer walk the Black Sea region of Turkey now >
Pray for Central Asia >