T b i l i s i (EBPS)– Malkhaz Songulashvili (Tbilisi), Bishop of the Evangelical Baptist Church of Georgia, has thanked all foreign parties for their spontaneous support in overcoming his country’s energy crisis. “That’s a very special experience: discovering that one is not without support in times of crises and need,” he said. The European Baptist Federation and the Baptist World Alliance have sent a substantial donation trying to help in this critical situation. Songulashvili’s letter of thanks was distributed by email only three days after he had drawn attention to the catastrophic energy situation in his country with a dramatic appeal.

On 22 January two gas pipelines in the border region between Russia and Georgia were blown up. Songulashvili is convinced that these acts of sabotage were politically motivated, “even if Russian authorities describe the event as a simple act of criminal terror”. The gas provider is also apparently in no hurry to repair the ruined pipelines. Repairs have now begun, but ice and wind are slowing the work.

After Georgia had been virtually without gas for five days, a major electrical power line inexplicably tore. According to UES, the Russian power monopoly, repairs will take another ten days. The Baptist Bishop is certain: “We are being punished once more for our independence and pro-Western orientation.” Georgia is also experiencing its worst winter of the past 30 years with temperatures down to minus 10 Centigrade.

Songulashvili reports that the Bethel Church Centre, which was dedicated only last June, has also fallen victim to the energy crisis. Union offices are located in this building. The power and gas services have collapsed completely; the 25 residents of the home for the elderly can only remain warm by staying in the sole room heated with wood. Yet wood supplies are dwindling. The Centre can be heated with oil, yet oil costs the equivalent of 480 Euro per day. Gas heating costs only 30 Euro per day.

Songulashvili writes that the response to the call for aid has been strong enough for the capital’s Baptist church to expand its aid programme to include the general populace. Last Sunday, all 400 persons attending the Baptist worship service were given wood, bread and sugar and told to “pass it on to the city’s freezing in the name of Christ”.

Songulashvili also sharply criticised the Tbilisi municipal authorities. While most of the city remains without gas, energy supplies appear sufficient in those city districts “where the wealthiest people live”. “That’s a total scandal,” the Bishop concludes.