Uzbek pastor 'celebrates' his birthday in prison

On 9 April Dmitry Shestakov reaches the halfway point of his four year sentence., The leader of a Pentecostal church in Uzbekistan, Dmitry was convicted of “operating an illegal religious organisation and distributing materials promoting religious extremism”.
 
In April he will ‘celebrate’ his birthday in a hard labour camp 350 miles from his home and family in Andijan.  He is not allowed a Bible and is permitted very few visitors.  This is a very painful time for his family, and his youngest daughter, Vera, has recently written a letter to all who are praying for him:

My name is Vera. I am 8 years old. I live in Uzbekistan. I have a Dad, a Mum, and two older sisters. We all believe in Jesus. My Dad is a pastor. Two years ago he was put in prison, because he spoke to people about God. I don’t understand why.

My Dad is the best of all!

He is good, fun-loving and generous. I really miss him. He used to take me to the park and bought me ice-cream. We all long for him to be here. Mum often cries and worries about him. When I wake up each morning I really want to see Dad. I ask God to bring Dad back to us. So that everything will be as it was before. Help us to get my Dad back!

Vera Shestakova
Pastor’s Dmitry's daughter. Uzbekistan

Your action and encouragement could be the best birthday gift Dmitry Shestakov will receive this year.

Background

Read more about Dmitry in the latest issue of Response magazine.

What you can do

Pray

- That justice would be done in Dmitry’s case and that he would be released from prison.

- For Dmitry’s physical and emotional health – pray that he would continue to trust God and be strengthened by Him. 

- For his wife Marina and his three young daughters. Pray that they would be reunited with Dmitry very soon, and that they would take courage from God and from the support of others.

- For Dmitry’s church, which has been subjected to harassment by the state.

Protest

Write to the Uzbek Ambassador politely requesting his assistance in bringing Dmitry’s case to the attention of the President of Uzbekistan using our sample letter.

Provide

Send a birthday card or a letter of encouragement to:

Dmitry Shestakov
8th Detachment
82nd Brigade
Navoi's Camp No 29
210105 Navoi-5
UYa 64/29
Uzbekistan

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