COVID-19 Opening Doors in Central Asia

By Natalie Sarrett

Throughout Central Asia, communities who were already underprivileged and overlooked by society are straining under the financial burden of the pandemic.

Those with limited mobility—the elderly, disabled and those in remote regions—are especially struggling to get food from overcrowded markets during the designated quarantine hours. After discovering this, Send Relief partners started providing the community with essential food and hygiene items.

72 families had food on the table this week because of your generosity!

One of our national partners commented on a food box distribution he attended: “Because we were able to help with the physical needs of people by providing food, we had great opportunities to share spiritual nourishment with many families. The food opened the door to share the gospel with these families and now we have an open door to return in the future.”

Following the distribution, Send Relief partners decided to serve those who were home-bound by making free food deliveries on motorbikes. They are excited for this opportunity because it will give them ongoing, regular contact with their new friends, opening more doors for the Good News.


In another region that was previously closed to Send Relief, we distributed funds to trusted churches who then purchased hot meals and food packets to give out to families experiencing homelessness. The food boxes were also given to house church members who recently lost jobs and were unable to purchase meals for their children.

Almost 200 of these families received food boxes, with another 650 people receiving hot meals!

Refugees and displaced families were also given food, masks and sanitary wipes that have created valuable relationships between local church members and this community.

These efforts have opened many doors for sharing the gospel—doors that may have never opened without a crisis. There is power in caring for people’s immediate needs, and we are grateful to have your support in continuing to minister to the most vulnerable among Central Asia.


Published July 28, 2020