From one tattered Bible to a whole shop full: Olga’s story

Olga Polujachtova, an assistant at the Bible Society in Kazakhstan's bookshop. Almaty, Kazakhstan. Photo: Norwegian BS/Dag Smemo (KAZ04DJ-114.JPG)

ALMATY, Kazakhstan — The signs of modern economic activity can be seen everywhere in Almaty nowadays, from the packed shelves in the shops to high-rise buildings and the latest cars. Although, inevitably, economic development has not improved the lives of some of the city’s residents, there is generally much less financial hardship than there was in the immediate aftermath of the collapse of the Soviet Union. It was at that time that a young woman, Olga Polujachtova, encountered a poor elderly woman selling off her possessions in the street. This chance meeting proved to be a vital element in her journey to faith.

Ms Polujachtova is now 35 and works in the Bible Society in Kazakhstan’s bookshop. This is her story.

Back in 1991, several things happened in quick succession to bring me to faith. First, I was greatly moved by watching the Jesus film on television. Then some people from a local Baptist church visited me to bring Christmas greetings. They were very friendly, and I saw how happy their families were. All this time, I was seeking a better spiritual life. Not long afterwards, there was a serious accident near my home. I prayed to God for protection and he granted it to me. I began to attend church but I still did not have a Bible, because in those days it was very hard to get hold of one. That’s when I came across a poor old lady selling off her possessions on the street. I bought her Bible: it was very tattered, but I was so pleased to have it.

How things have changed since then! Now, in my job, I’m surrounded by Bibles every day! Because Almaty’s economy has taken off so dramatically, the Bible Society cannot afford premises in the business district, but our location here, in a residential street close to one of the main streets, is a good one. We get many people coming into the bookshop, and I really enjoy talking to them and sharing my faith.

I often find myself playing a similar role to the one played by the old lady and other people in my own life back in 1991. Only recently, for example, a man came into the shop to buy a Bible for his Christian wife. We began chatting and I suggested that he should consider accompanying her to church. I know that God can open people’s hearts, but I was still quite surprised to see him in church the following Sunday!

So many of the people who come in here are seeking spiritual guidance, while others are looking for help with tackling issues such as family life. We find that the New Testament and Psalms in Kazakh and the pocket-sized Russian Bible are especially popular, but we have books to meet everybody’s needs.

I’m very happy to have a job in which I can serve God so meaningfully.
(WR 390/2 - 02.05)

The stories and photos gathered by Dag Smemo of the Norwegian Bible Society, provide a glimpse into the lives of just some of the people who, whatever their geographical location or social or economic status, are being touched by God’s Word in Kazakhstan.