Introduction / History

Ethnic Germans have a long history dating back to tribes who fought against the Roman Empire 2000 years ago. Among others their ancestors included the Saxons, the Franks, the Goths, and the Alemanni. Germanic tribes settled in what was the western half of the Roman Empire after it began to dissolve in the 400s. Over time, the Franks became the dominant tribe, and Frankish King Charlemagne established the Holy Roman Empire in 800. What is now Austria was part of the Holy Roman Empire. The Holy Roman Empire collapsed in the 1800s. This made way for the multiethnic Kingdom of Prussia, which incorporated ethnic Germans into the German Empire in 1871. A large number of Germans lived in Austria-Hungary. During this time, Germans emigrated to many places in the world, especially Brazil, the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. In all, Germans live in 78 countries. Most of these are in Europe, but some are in Central Asian nations once ruled by the USSR such as Kyrgyzstan.

German Mennonites settled in Kyrgyzstan in the 1800s. Others were forced there in WWII by Joseph Stalin. Most Germans left Kyrgyzstan after she gained her independence from the Soviet Union in 1991, but a small number remain.

What Are Their Lives Like?

Germans in Kyrgyzstan established the Hope German Cultural Center in 1996. There have been four congresses of German Youth of Kyrgyzstan, but the number of participants is dwindling as Germans continue to move out the country. Germans have contributed to Kyrgyzstan as exceptional athletes.

On a personal basis, Germans in Kyrgyzstan generally do not like small talk, so there is often dead time in conversations. This is true on a social level and in the workplace. They value punctuality and following rules, even those that others find trivial.

Germans have a strong work ethic, but they also value free time for hobbies and vacations. Quality time is also family time for most. Germans enjoy soccer and skiing; you will often see their teams winning in international events. Every year the Octoberfest is a grand event filled with German foods and beer.

What Are Their Beliefs?

Germany was the hotbed of the Protestant Reformation in the 1500s, and there is a high percentage of German Protestants today. They also have a high percentage of Roman Catholics. About a third regard themselves as non-religious.

What Are Their Needs?

Germans in Kyrgyzstan are emotionally self-sufficient, and they often see no need for God. There is every kind of gospel material in the German language, but they don t see their need for it.

Prayer Items

Pray for spiritual hunger among Germans in Kyrgyzstan.
Pray for God to use Germans all over the world to draw people to the light of the Scriptures.
Pray that soon Germans in Kyrgyzstan will disciple Muslims.
Pray for the Lord to show himself powerful and loving to the Germans.

Scripture Prayers for the German in Kyrgyzstan.

References

https://www.studying-in-germany.org/german-culture/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Germans
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kyrgyzstan_Germans