People of Tuva

Where do they live? Tuva, a Nebraska-sized member of the Russian Federation in south Siberia bordering with Mongolia 

What do they believe? Buddhism by culture and Shamanism as the ancient religion - and the church has been established

How many are there? 250,000 in Russia, about 20,000 more in Mongolia and China

What is their education? 10 years of school, sometimes followed by college 

What do they eat? Meat dumplings, blood sausage; salty green tea with milk

What is their principal occupation? Herding sheep and goats

What has Cedar Springs done to help the gospel reach these people?

  • Invited missionaries in Tuva to a missions conference in 1995 to tell us about the Tuvan people
  • Entered into an agreement with Campus Crusade of Canada for the production of THE JESUS FILM lip-synched into the Tuvan language. CSPC covered the cost of producing this film as well as the cost of the premier showing - approximately $100,000. Members Dave & Linda Ackerson, Carroll & Shirley Coakley, Dale & Barbara Keasling, Jon & Shelly Kreykes and John Sadler were on the first team to go. Many people indicated that they had trusted the Lord Jesus Christ as savior at these meetings, where about 2,000 people, at least, viewed the film. Two Tuvan film teams followed up by taking the film around the country and CSPC covered these expenses. Between 50 and 60 house churches were started since the Jesus Film went to Tuva; some are still in existence a decade later.
  • A team returned to Tuva in 2001 to encourage the believers there, and taught a seminar on discipleship.
  • In 2001 CSPC provided funding for two more projectors and more copies of the JESUS film to continue showing it until every Tuvan has heard the name of Jesus.
  • Provided funds for the publication of the New Testament, the Children's Bible, and siginificant portions of the Old Testament in the Tuvan language.
  • Invited a member of the Tuvan translation team, Lena Samba, to take part in the 2004 mission conference.
  • Partially funded a Christian summer camp in the vicinity of Kyzyl over a period of several years.
  • Provided funds for a talented young Christian lady from Kyzyl name Tatiana to get an education at a Christian college in St. Petersburg.

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