Central Asia Outreach

This was TACO's first tour in this particular Central Asian country and we believe it won't be our last.  We had a full band with a German drummer, Aussie electric guitarist, and American vocalist/guitarist and bass player.  Dustin brought his world class unicycling and we had 2 dancers from England and USA.  This was a challenging tour in many ways and we know God brought this specific team together to help each other and keep united through the ups and downs.

We started the tour at a Christian camp just outside the capital.  Some Christian, but mostly Muslim high school and college age students came, not all of them knowing that the camp was evangelistic.  We did 3 shows for the students and 3 days of dance, juggling, bass and acoustic guitar and drum workshops.  The best part was watching the juggling students learn to juggle with onions and apples since other props were too expensive.  On the final evening of camp the students performed what they had learned in the workshops.  It was rewarding to hear students say, "I didn't know how to do this before and now I do!"

It was great to perform for these enthusiastic youth who genuinely appreciated anything we did for them.  One girl told us that she had never seen live dance before and was thrilled to see our show.  We have heard since that many seeds are taking root in Muslim student's lives from reading the Bible and hearing the Gospel at the camp for the very first time.  Some are now attending the English Club run by a local church.

After camp we had 3 shows, 2 at churches and 1 at a cultural center.  At the secular show many workers came to us afterwards amazed that we were so open with the Gospel, saying that what we were doing there was huge.  This country has not been free for that long and there are still many restraints on evangelism.  It was a privilege to be able to share the truth openly and even encourage believers.

Several guys came to Dustin, impacted by the fact that he has totally surrendered his giftings to God.  They wanted help understanding how they could use what they have for God.  Vernon, the Aussie, really connected with many of the locals and jammed with them at camp and helped them lead worship.  He was an example to us all with his friendly efforts.

At our last show for a children's service at a local church Aimee shared why she dances.  Afterward a mother told her about her son starting dance school.  This mother had been totally against it, thinking dancing was only worldly.  After hearing Aimee's testimony, her heart totally changed and she saw how God can use such creative giftings and pursuits for His glory.  Several other girls also shared with Aimee how her story had touched them and they now intend to use their dance for God's glory and not their own.

Unfortunately every one of our team was hit with varying degrees of sickness throughout the tour.  We were all able to perform when needed but many days were a challenge dealing with the harsh conditions.  God sustained us and taught us along the way.  We know many seeds were planted throughout this outreach.  We praise God for open doors during this tour and new contacts made future opportunities.  Thanks for praying with us for lives impacted by the truth of the Gospel in Central Asia!

Our amazing team!

Aimee dancing her heart out!

Drake in the ceiling mirrors.

Italy is being reached for Christ!

We wrapped up July in Italy with 41 students and leaders from Grace Church.  Italy for Christ hosted us very well and organized our schedule.  They gave us a great Italy experience with sights of the Mt. Etna volcano and ruins older than Rome in Syracuse and an amazing tour in and around Rome itself.  Swimming in the Mediterranean and eating gelato were extra perks, too.

The best part was the ministry they led us in.  We had 4 open air performances in piazzas in Catania and Avola, visited a gypsy slum and participated in their local church service.

The students had prepared songs with choreography, a flash mob song/dance, poi, a drama and testimonies.  We put all this together with a band from the church and the UniShow with Gospel message and saw thousands of people reached.  Since it was super hot this time of year in Italy, our shows didn't start until 10p and went until around midnight.  This is when people hang out in the piazzas.

After the first show, Katie noticed a guy who had watched our entire show, lingering on a nearby curb.  She visited with Deleno, though he spoke little English, and learned that he'd been very moved by our message.  He said he was Catholic and wanted to see our show the next night and talk with a local church leader because he knew he was spiritually on the outside but didn't know how to come in.  Katie got an Italian pastor who talked and prayed with this man at length.  The men exchanged info and will be keeping in touch for Deleno's continued spiritual growth.  

Before each show our group would distibute invites and Dustin's tracks in the piaza and surrounding streets.  Katie handed info to 3 guys before the 2nd show and wound up talking to them for an hour.  One was an athiest, one an agnostic and the other a spiritist.  God softened their hearts and they were very open to the Gospel and what the Bible says about Jesus.  They weren't able to stay for the show that night, however.

Our 3rd show was in the same piazza as the 2nd show and the same 3 guys happened to be there and saw the whole show (Katie found out after the show when she surprisingly ran into them again).  They were very impressed with Dustin's show and wanted to meet him and try out the unicycles.  One of the guys was a musician and had liked the band's music and thought he'd like to connect with them and even play with them at some point.  Without knowing that Katie had been sharing with them, an Italian pastor came over and started talking to the 3 guys, introduced them to the band who shared their stories with the guys and intvited them to their Friday night youth service.  As our 3 new friends were saying bye to us, they said they'd had the same conversation with the pastor about God as they'd had with Katie the night before.  They had totally realated to the testimony shared with them and planned on going to the youth night and inviting their friends, too!  It was obvious that God is pursuing these young men!

Thank you for praying for these 4 guys and the many others impacted through our outreaches.  Italy for Christ!

First piazza show in Catania.

Visiting a Gypsy camp.

Loving the kids at the Gypsy camp.

Second piazza show.

Uni art.

Atop the volcano Mt. Etna.

Exploring ruins in Syracuse. 

Greek amphitheater in Syracuse built in the 5th century BC. 

A fountain in Piazza Navona.

Michelangelo's Pieta in St Peters Basilica in Vatican City.

The Roman Forum.

Trevi Fountain in Rome.

Roman Colosseum built almost 2000 years ago.