Bibles For Russia - "Reindeer People"

Reindeer People

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written by: Founder of "Bibles For Russia, Inc." - Alfred McCroskey

Who are they?

Why should they be of concern to Christians today?

The so-called “Reindeer People” are nomadic, tribal peoples. They may live in one of several different nations (i.e., Mongolia, Finland or Russia). In recent years, short-term missions teams sponsored and led by missionaries from “Bibles For Russia” have made contact with Komi, Hundi and Nenets (sometimes spelled Ninicy). They live among and follow their reindeer herds throughout a large area of the tundra (frozen wasteland) of northern Russia. From Moscow to Vorkuta is a 2-day trip by train. That’s the end of the line. Continue northward by snowmobile and reindeer-drawn sleighs beyond any cities, towns or villages/ many miles beyond the Arctic Circle. The land and the weather there are remote, harsh and desolate---in a word, unforgiving, but not God forsaken.

The people there are of a Mongoloid race---no one knows which race or nationality for sure---and are perhaps descendants of Genghis Khan or the “golden horde” of savage conquerors who were his army.

Because they have no written language, they have no reliable history beyond the memory of 2 or 3 recent generations. They have no permanent buildings, books, schools, government or civic infrastructures. Because of the scarcity of foodstuff for their reindeer, they must pack their teepees and all earthly belongings and move every 10 to 14 days.

The lives of reindeer people revolve around one thing only: reindeer. Theirs is a life of struggling for survival, both for themselves and their herds. They eat reindeer meat, drink reindeer milk and make their tents, clothes, boots and beds from reindeer hides. Reindeer pull their handcrafted sleighs.

The most difficult aspect of the lives of such people is not the harsh demands on their physical beings. It is this: they have no knowledge of God. They have not even a concept of a Creator, much less of a Sustainer or Savior even though the Lord Jesus Christ commanded His disciples to “go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation” (Mark 16:15 and elsewhere). The reindeer people of northern Russia are truly “unreached people.”

In recent years, several teams of short-term missionaries have penetrated those remote and virtually closed societies. Friendships have been forged over a period of time. Humanitarian aid was provided and invitations for return visits extended. In February 2006, eight Nenets repented of sin and made professions of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. That was an historic breakthrough of huge proportion and reason to praise God from whom all blessings flow.

Although not physically present, many friends of the mission organization Bibles For Russia, Inc. were nonetheless members of the team. Some went, some prayed, some provided financial aid and others gave gifts of toys or clothing. Together a group of God’s people from 3 nations worked as a team and pushed back Satan’s kingdom of darkness by further advancing God’s kingdom of light. That’s exactly what Jesus Christ commanded us to do.

Please pray for those nationals (Russians and Ukrainians) left behind to disciple the new believers into mature, witnessing Christians. Pray also that an indigenous church might be “planted” in that faraway corner of the vineyard belonging to “the Lord of the harvest.”

Would you like to join us?

www.biblesforrussia.org,

alfredandjeanmccroskey@comcast.net.

And give God the glory! Great things He has done.