The country

Turkmenistan is a desert country bordering the Caspian Sea, rich in natural gas and oil. Despite the natural resources and relative prosperity the Turkmen people struggle with poverty and illness. After the collapse of the Soviet Union Turkmenistan became notorious as a country ruled by a despot who demanded the people worship him as the “Father of all Turkmen”, with shocking abuses of human rights. The capital Ashgabat was the show piece of his empire, but outside the capital there is no sign of any wealth. The new president is implementing some changes but his final direction is still unclear.

Christianity

Turkmenistan is one of the least reached countries along the Silk Road. People practice an Islam strongly influenced by occultic practices and Zoroastrian traditions. Some have even become true followers of the former President’s artificial religion based on his book ‘Ruhnoma’— Letter of the Spirit. The Russian churches are suffering persecution and the number of Muslim background believers is very small. Many former church leaders are living in exile in the West.