[2026 Ramadan] Day 8: Turkmenistan, the finest of the finest horses for fulfilling the vision of the Kingdom of God!

Turkmenistan, meaning "Turk of the Turks," is a landlocked country in western Central Asia, bordering Uzbekistan, Afghanistan, Iran, Kazakhstan, and the Caspian Sea. With an area slightly larger than California, Turkmenistan boasts a population of approximately 7 million. Approximately 80 percent of its territory is covered by the uninhabitable black desert known as the Karakum. The evangelization rate in this land is a mere 0.01%, and most adhere to Islam.

Since independence from the former Soviet Union, the authoritarian regime and the powerful deification of the president, which began with the first president, Nyazov, have persisted to this day. Taking North Korea's dictatorship as a role model, Turkmenistan displays photos of the president in hotels, government offices, and buses, and erects tall, majestic statues of the president everywhere. For this reason, Turkmenistan is sometimes called the "North Korea of ​​Central Asia." To maintain its dictatorship, Turkmenistan controls and monitors the lives of its citizens, blocks most international news and the internet, and rarely allows foreign journalists into the country.

Although it is a hereditary system, the inauguration of Serdar Berdymukhamedov as president in March 2022 at the young age of 40 raised hopes for a change in the regime. Unfortunately, however, the president's heavy-handed control and idolization efforts continue. During the COVID-19 pandemic, all borders were closed for over three and a half years, preventing even its own citizens from entering the country. Turkmenistan boasts abundant natural resources and encourages its citizens to live contentedly within the country by offering low prices, utilities, and affordable education.

Although most people identify as Muslim, they are actually relatively unfamiliar with Islam. But especially as Ramadan approaches, those suffocating under the dictatorship increasingly seek to find all the problems and sufferings of life in Islam.

Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert. (Isaiah 43:18-19)

Hallelujah! In this land of Turkmenistan, God has truly opened a way through the wilderness, and rivers through the desert. Last November, 21 people from all generations in major cities across this land overcame all the challenges of visas, finances, and the environment, and simultaneously crossed the border into Uzbekistan to attend the first Vision School, marking an incredible new chapter in history. We believe that the final missionary vision they received from God through the Vision School will not be blocked by the dictatorship, but will spread rapidly, reaching every community and every generation, not only in major cities but also in every corner of Turkmenistan.

Even more remarkable, the deaf and mute were able to participate, experiencing a truly grace-filled time of understanding and perceiving this “era.” Now, people with special needs will rise up en masse to prepare the way for the Lord's return. This nation will no longer be hidden under the shadow of dictatorship; all blocked borders will be broken by missionary vision, and the people will boldly and courageously conquer all nations and peoples with the Gospel. Amen!

There is a famous horse in Turkmenistan called the "Akhal-Teke," a horse found only in Turkmenistan. This horse has golden fur, and its sweat looks like blood, earning it the nickname "Han-Blood Horse." The Akhal-Teke is considered the finest of horses because it is renowned for galloping 360 kilometers across the Karakum Desert for three days and nights without a drop of water. In short, this horse possesses incredible endurance.

We believe that God will use the Turkmen people in this last era, like the finest steed, to complete His kingdom vision. Like the Akhal-Teke horse, the Turkmen nation will run tirelessly with unwavering endurance, spreading the Gospel to the remaining nations until the Lord returns, completing God’s final vision with power. Let us fervently bless this nation, Turkmenistan, which is like the finest of the fine horses!

[Today's Prayer]

1. May the powerful dictatorial regime acting as a false king fall, may false Ramadan worship seeking to solve all problems through Islam depart, and may walls and barriers blocking the flow of prayer and the Gospel be broken, allowing countless prayer warriors and Gospel teams to enter this land!

2. Among the Turkmen people, the finest steed for the completion of God’s kingdom vision, may all generations rise simultaneously in missionary vision, run with all their strength toward all nations with the Gospel of Jesus, and may vigorous missionary movements arise in all communities of the major cities!