Nearly eight years ago, one of our workers in Central Asia, Tom*, had two dreams about an isolated people group in his broader region – featuring clues to a hidden treasure and one specific name: John.* Tom knew little about the people group, but he believed the dreams had spiritual significance. So, he did what Joseph, Daniel, and many of God’s people before him had done: he trusted God to reveal the meaning.
He prayed for this people group and unknown “John,” asking God to bring understanding and insight. But for years, no answers came.
Finally, in the summer of 2025, Tom’s nearly forgotten quest for hidden treasure in Central Asia was revitalized. While serving at a conference, he met several individuals from the people group he had dreamt about seven years earlier. After he shared the dreams with them, one of the young men spoke up, explaining that soon after Tom had the dreams, he had the unexpected opportunity to attend a youth camp in a neighboring country. The young man had previously stumbled upon a children’s Bible and begun seeking, but at the camp, he got to know Christ more deeply. While at camp, he also gained a new name. The staff there, finding it difficult to pronounce his real name, decided to call him John.
John and the other young people were filled with awe. “They were encouraged that their people group is on God’s radar, even though most of the world is unaware of them,” Tom says.
In addition to living in relative obscurity and experiencing great spiritual need, this people group has faced significant hardship. Years of ecological disaster and economic devastation have left the region quite fragile, and many young people, especially, struggle to lead emotionally healthy lives. This was a comforting reminder in the land of Ishmael’s descendants that God hears (Ishmael means “God hears” according to Gen. 16:11).
Recently, Tom and his wife, Amy,* had the opportunity to visit this people group and spend some time with John and others they had met. During their brief time there, God opened doors for them to assist a network of like-minded locals with a program they recently started to improve the emotional and spiritual health of families. Using their gifts, Amy and Tom helped lead seminars for more than 25 leaders. As they see it, the local church, though small and vulnerable, is a “hidden treasure” in the community, and they trust God is using these followers of Christ to bring healing and hope where it’s most needed.
While the future seems brighter for this particular people group, Tom’s story serves as a reminder of the many people groups abroad with even fewer followers of Christ – and perhaps none at all. Will we call upon the God who hears to send laborers into these fields?