Hope for the hopeless

Children and teenagers in the Caucasus often face difficulties, including poverty, isolation, neglect and even abuse. Most face these struggles without the hope of Jesus, as there are few believers in this part of the world. Fidan,* who leads the youth ministry for the OM team in the Caucasus, is working to change that. Through activities and trainings, she is sharing hope with youth, discipling them and equipping them to share their faith with their family, friends and neighbours.

In 2024, Fidan and some of her team members travelled to southern Azerbaijan, where many people from the Talysh people group live. The Talysh have their own culture and language, distinct from the main culture and language of Azerbaijan. There are about 850,000 Talysh in the world, with 600,000 of them residing in Azerbaijan. Although there are some Talysh believers, the people group as a whole is almost completely unreached.

The primary purpose of Fidan’s trip was to identify places for future outreach opportunities among both Talysh and Azeri youth. Along the way, she and the team stopped in several villages to distribute gifts to children. These gifts contained a variety of toys, books, clothes and school supplies. Some of the families invited the group to their homes which helped to begin building relationships and connections.

As they drove through one village, Fidan noticed a young girl pushing a wheelbarrow in a yard. The cart was nearly twice her size, and it was difficult for her to push. Although they didn’t stop, Fidan wished that she could have helped the girl.

Driving farther until they saw a group of children standing with their parents, the group stopped the car and distributed the presents. After passing out gifts to all the children, there was one left, a gift for a young child.

A woman approached Fidan and said, “Please, there is a family nearby with a newborn baby. Let’s go there.” Because the distance was far, and they had to walk to get there, Fidan was hesitant. Yet the woman insisted, so she agreed.

The woman called her friend, informing her that there was a present for her child. On the way, she told Fidan about this family. There were three children — from two mothers. The new baby was the child of the man’s second wife. The man’s first wife had left him and her children, and then the man had remarried.

When they arrived at the family’s house, Fidan realised that this was the house she had seen earlier, with the girl and wheelbarrow. They went inside, and Nurana,* the little girl, approached them. In her arms, she held a baby, her new half-sister. Fidan learnt that Nurana was 10 years old, but she looked much younger. Because she was so small, she struggled to carry the baby, so Fidan crossed the room and came close to her. As she drew near, she saw that Nurana’s hair was dirty and full of lice. But that did not stop Fidan from kissing her. Then she took out the gift to give it to Nurana.

At that moment, the stepmother entered the room. She took the present and placed it in a box. “I will give it to her later,” she said. Yet Fidan knew that she would keep the present for her own child, even though the gift was not for a baby, but for a child, like Nurana.

Fidan looked at Nurana, whose eyes were shining. She promised her that she would return and bring a gift for her. Nurana did not say anything, but her eyes held onto the hope that Fidan would remember and return.

The return visit

And Fidan did indeed return. Several months later, she came to Nurana’s house again with gifts. When she arrived, Nurana was the first to greet her in the yard, but Fidan didn’t immediately recognise her as Nurana’s father had cut her hair short. Because it was so short, Fidan had thought at first that she was a boy. When asked about her haircut, Nurana was shy to tell the truth, but Fidan knew that the best way to get rid of lice is to completely shave the head. Fidan had actually bought special shampoo for Nurana, thinking she could wash her hair and feel clean and refreshed. Because of the haircut, though, there was no need for the shampoo anymore.

Full of joy, Nurana ran back into the house and called her parents. They invited Fidan to have tea. Fidan was introduced to Nurana’s father and brother, and she then gave gift boxes to Nurana and to her brother. Inside were school supplies: backpacks with pencils, pens and other items.

Nurana was very happy with the gift, and her stepmother said it came at just the right time. School was about to start, and they could not afford to buy supplies. The family invited Fidan to stay longer and eat with them, but she politely declined and left with the intention of meeting again.

Fidan hopes that Nurana’s whole family will believe and become a family of peace in that region, a family that will partner with her in ministry. She does not think it is a coincidence that God connected them.

Please ask the Lord to bring salvation to Nurana and her whole family. Ask God to raise up servants to spread the good news of Jesus Christ to hopeless children throughout the Caucasus. In Matthew 11:28, Jesus says, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.” Please pray for children to receive that hope, follow Jesus and experience His rest.

*name changed