Beth in Kazakhstan

Economic Indicators

2009-04-20T20:47:00.007+06:00

When we think of economic indicators...we often think of things like the stock market, retail sales, housing, consumer price index, the GDP, unemployment, exchange rates, etc. And these indicators give signs to the current economic performance and hopefully give some insight into future performance. Well recently at the office, I have discovered a new "economic indicator" that probably has not been given much consideration before now.

For those of you who have spent any amount of time in Kazakhstan, you will understand the truth of what I am about to reveal...choice of TOILET PAPER is an economic indicator.

Let me explain, when the budget is doing fine, we can count on your average white perforated t-paper...nothing too extravagant like colored and scented mind you but "normal". When we have to tighten the budget, we graduate down to the thin, off-white, non-perforated t-paper. If we ever have to go to torn out graph paper from used notebooks, it is time to close up shop! Next time you want to know how the economy is doing...see what kind of toilet paper is being used!

Special Moments...

2009-04-13T23:45:00.003+06:00

I have been back in Kazakhstan for several months now and things are starting to get busy. I have settled back in to my responsibilities and am feeling "at home" in Taraz. It has been great to reconnect with friends here and have recently made some new friends which has been great for my Kazakh and a chance to share my life with others.

Recently I had a chance to go out to one of the orphanages 2-hours away for a visit. On my way I stopped to pickup a woman who needed a ride. Now in America most people would never think about picking someone up on the road but here it is a relatively common occurrence. The Kazakh woman was 60 years old, had two daughters and an estranged son. She was coming from a funeral and needed to get to a village about 30 min. down the road. In those moments together I learned about her family and her hopes for her children. I learned that her husband died a few years ago and that she has taken in a young woman who doesn't have any relatives to help her. And of course I was encouraged by her surprise of an American speaking Kazakh and her heart that seemed kind and compassionate. My life was blessed by the few minutes we spent together.

Upon arriving at the orphanage I was greeted by Yulia who ran up to the car with outstretched arms. She also showed me where she put my name in chalk at the entranceway so I would see it when I drove in. She and I have been corresponding for the last year and it is good to see her hopeful for a better life. Her's is a life that has been transforming over the years. When delegations first started coming to Kazakhstan she was one of those kids who stood off at a distance, never smiled and was often moody. Through consistency, encouragement and love she has been learning to trust others and is trying to make some positive changes. She certainly smiles more often! What a blessing to see a difference in a life...oh to "care for the orphans and the widows in their distress..." ~ it is my life which is transformed through such special moments.

Back Safely in Kazakhstan

2009-01-24T23:13:00.002+06:00

When I set my return date for January 7, I wasn't anticipating any difficulties...at least wasn't expecting to reschedule my flight or be re-routed to Kyrgyzstan. Many of you already know that my letter of invitation took longer than anticipated so we were really down to the wire on my passport and visa. After numerous attempts to reach the embassy and even having the local postmaster looking out for the package, I didn't get it back in time. As a result, my trip was delayed by four days. I was pretty excited though when it did arrive and I could rest easy with my crates packed.

As one can often expect, trips to Kazakhstan are usually not uneventful to say the least. I was very pleased when the check-in person for AA informed me that she could check my baggage all the way to KZ since they were partners of British Air. This also saved me about $170!

All flights were pretty normal and on my final flight I had the entire seat to myself and took full advantage of the opportunity to sleep. Fortuately I did sleep because once we were over Almaty, the fog made it impossible to land causing us to be re-routed to Bishkek in Kyrgyzstan. What I didn't know is that when this happens, they usually issue you a "transit" visa for Kyrgyzstan and bus you to the border. When it looked like this would be our only option, I thought that for me, it might be best to leave the group and take a taxi to Taraz since I was only about 4 hours away. However, I couldn't get my cell phone to work (would not even turn on or charge) and I wasn't going to travel anywhere by myself without a working cell phone. So I stayed with the group and when I got to passport control, they were not going to let me pass because my passport was coming apart and they wanted to say that it wasn't valid. Fortunately, being with the group I was able to get the attendant's attention who helped me out and they gave me my stamp and let me pass.

After a 45 minute drive we made it to the border where all 19 of us passed through and then got through the Kazakh border without much difficulty. At that point, I borrowed someone's phone, called our office manager and discussed my options. Now having someone aware of my situation it was fine to grab a taxi from there to Taraz which actually put me in at noon rather than midnight! Once I got back to the apartment, I plugged in my phone...worked fine. Interesting how we make our decisions...and often when looking back we realize that it was a miracle.

New Toys to Drive

2008-12-01T10:38:00.001+06:00

For a little while, I was wondering if I would have anything new to "ride or drive". Over the past few weeks I have driven a Toyota Rav4 and am currently tooling around in rather large 1996 Chevy Tahoe.

Well, this last week I had the chance to drive a great little VW Bug and then on Thanksgiving, I was able to dig some dirt with my brother's John Deere front loader / backhoe. We had a good time digging a hole just to fill it in later. It was definitely some fun equipment to operate!

Sharing a Sunset

2008-11-19T04:20:00.001+06:00

Life is never too busy to stop an appreciate a good sunset! So of course, one of my favorite activities is "chasing a good sunset" with my best friend, Annie. However, that's not as easy as it used to be as I am currently in Muncie and she is in Ohio. The good thing though is the fact that we are at least in the same hemisphere. Usually we joke that my "sunset" is a good "sunrise" half way around the world. So this evening at the office I got a text exclaiming how amazing the sunset was along with a few pictures to enjoy (top left). I had to stop and soak in the amazing colors as well and with the camera close by, was able to send back a shot from my own viewpoint (bottom right). What a joy to share the beauty of Creation! When was the last time you enjoyed a good sunset?

The Joy of Relationships

2008-11-18T09:04:00.002+06:00

I am now in Muncie and my calendar is getting booked solid in an effort to get in some quality time with friends! More than anything, this furlough has been a reminder of how important relationships are in life. To share with one another our dreams, sorrows, accomplishments and fears...to listen and to be heard. A cup of coffee, a good meal, lots of laughter and words of encouragement. My life is abundantly blessed by some amazing people who share their lives with me. How often I say that "there are no strangers...just friends I have not met yet". How true that is...for in life we all have something to offer. And by giving ourselves away, we find that we are the ones blessed. Although not everyone is reflected, here are some of the amazing people I have had the privilege of spending time with over the past two months. And in my time remaining...many more photos to add! Click here to see photo album!

Work & Play

2008-11-04T02:39:00.001+06:00

A personal philosophy is that one should work hard and play hard...and if you are not having fun, go find something else to do! My time in Ohio has been filled with both and I have been having a great time. I have met Annie's new friends and most importantly the new man in her life, Dale. We have been catching a pretty regular workout at "Curves", gone shopping and of course a great cup of java at Caribou coffee. Most recently was a trip to one of my favorite international grocery stores, Jungle Jim's - 6 acres of international foods from over 50 different countries! It has also been a time to help out with some "projects" like painting the upstairs room and hallway and I couldn't help but grab the rake and start tackling the leaves outside. Next Tuesday one of my friends from PA will be arriving for a visit and then it will be off to Muncie for a few weeks. Time flies when you are having fun!

Country Living and a Warm Welcome

2008-11-03T02:26:00.001+06:00

One of the wonderful aspects of being home is being able to visit family and friends and gain a glimpse into the lives of those I care about but have not seen in awhile. Arriving in Ohio was the first time for me to see Annie's new place in the country and to meet her new friends. She definitely lives in the country in a quaint two-story old farm house that is nestled next to a horse farm. This view is from her back yard! A few days after my arrival she had invited some friends over for a bonefire and a time of singing. Unfortunately it rained that day which put a damper on the outdoor activities but we still ended up having a great time together inside. What a joy to finally meet the people I have been hearing about for such a long time!

Ride and Drive Challenge Update

2008-11-02T02:06:00.002+06:00

My "ride & drive" challenge has slowed down some although I was very tempted in California to ask my great aunt and uncle's neighbor if I could take his combination "road/dirt" bike for a spin. I did drive a Hyundai Sonata rental car which I was able to put over 1500 miles (2400 km) in just 8 days.

I am now in Ohio visiting Annie for a few weeks and had the opportunity to go horseback riding with one of her friends. Here is a picture of Sandy riding one of their mules and I got to ride "Doc". This was after getting to throw around a few bales of hay and groom the horses!

Beholding Beauty part 2

2008-11-01T00:35:00.002+06:00

Annie and I continued our time in California by visiting Yosemite National Park. What an amazing place to see and experience! It seemed that every turn we experienced breath-taking views of Creation from huge mountains of stone, crystal clear streams and so many variety of trees.

We stopped at the base of "El Capitan" (pictured left) where we were able to look through a telescope with 400x magnification to watch three climbers ascend the face of the mountain. Amazingly the climb takes 4 days to reach the top! To see more photos of the spectacular scenery in California, visit my photo album on Facebook.

Beholding Beauty!

2008-10-20T10:11:00.000+06:00

Annie arrived Monday evening from Ohio and we spent the first few days of our week hanging out in Morro Bay. We indulged in my Great Aunt Iva's baking (oh my land can she cook!) and had a wonderful time walking the beach and chasing the seagulls.

On Thursday we headed out in the rental car for King's Canyon & Sequoia National Park which is home to the largest trees on earth. The largest Sequoia is "General Sherman" which is 2,200 years old, weighs 1,385 tons and has a circumference 103 feet! This tree is nestled in a forest of other Sequoia trees that were absolutely amazing to behold!

While traveling through the park, we came across 6 black bears and one 6-point buck who tip-toed away as soon as we got the camera out to take the shot.

2259 Miles and Then Some...

2008-10-19T09:46:00.002+06:00

In 16 days my parents and I managed to travel over 2200 miles in the RV to arrive in Morro Bay, California. We have been able to see some amazing landscapes from the plains of Kansas, to the mountains in Colorado and the deserts and ocean in California. We arrived earlier in the week in San Bernardino, CA (home of the first McDonalds and the entrance to Route 66) to visit with my Aunt Judy and enjoyed getting to know others with the Victory Knoll Sisters who minister in the area. From there it was on to visit my great aunt and uncle at their home in Morro Bay where we got to hang out on the beach!

Breathtaking & Inspiring

2008-10-14T10:53:00.000+06:00

Our travels out west have been a spectacular display of Creation that has often left us without words to accurately describe the beauty that has surrounded us. It has truely been a display of glory! Rather than go into great detail, let me just share a few of those images.

Bryce Canyon (Utah)

Garden of the gods (Colorado)

Red Canyon (Utah)

11 Down, 41 States to Go

2008-10-13T10:44:00.000+06:00

Based on my title, you might actually think that I have 41 more states to travel to...but actually, this represents the number of states families I know have adopted children from Kazakhstan! In the amount of time I have been working in Kazakhstan, we have had the privilege of dealing with over 30 adoptive families from 11 states.

This past week my parents and I got to visit with another adoptive family as we passed through Denver, CO. Unfortunately their two older daughters were not home when I took this picture but it was still great to see the kids in their home. What a blessing to see so many lives touched by the joy of adoption! My only wish is that I could travel and see everyone who has adopted!

Russ & Wendy with adopted children, Julia and Jack

Meeting Up with Family

2008-10-12T10:23:00.000+06:00

My parents and I are continuing our journey out to California. In a stop over in Colorado for a few days I got to see my great Uncle Phil & Aunt Mary. I had not seen them for at least 16 years and a lot has certainly changed since then! It was great to catch up with them and it also gave them an opportunity to get to know me better as well. I found too that we have a lot in common and I also got an opportunity to learn more about my family.

From there it was on to see one of my mom's cousins, Patty and her husband Sid. Patty especially relayed some stories of my mom growing up that were good to hear. Nothing like getting the "inside scoop" from someone who was there!

The next day we got to spend the evening with another cousin, Jeff, his wife Tara and their daughter Jacquelynne. Along the way, it has been wonderful to see family and to reconnect with everyone!

The Challenge Continued...

2008-10-05T10:23:00.000+06:00

The challenge continues as I have made it one of my goals to ride and drive as many things as possible while I am in the states.

Adding to my list is my nephews Honda Twinstar 200cc motorcycle, just like the one I drive when I was in High School. Moving on to something significantly more powerful and substantial in size was my brother's C5 Corvette. I can see why it is his pride and joy and you can't beat the 28+ MPG these days. Hmm...I am needing a car to drive in Muncie...wonder if I should ask? (just kidding Mark).

Not as powerful but substantially larger is the RV. At 35' long and an additional 10' or more with the Mustang in tow it definitely has proven to be the biggest challenge of them all.

Not Just Coincidence

2008-10-03T09:25:00.000+06:00

I don't believe it is a coincidence when we meet people. Our lives are intertwined and we impact the lives of those around us ~ hopefully for the better. When we touch another person's life, we are blessed and better for it.

Last year the team and I had the privilege of meeting Patty who was adopting from a local orphanage. It was a long process and often times very discouraging, especially being away from her family in Missouri who were anxiously awaiting her return with 18-month-old "Anna Faith". Over the weeks we got to spend time together during team activities such as 4th of July or just help out with basic supplies such as a bucket to give Anna a bath in or a crib for sleeping. Simple blessings that mean a lot to the giver...and the recipient. They safely returned home and we have stayed in touch with an occasional photo or short story.

So, when my parents told me that we would be traveling close to where they live, I couldn't pass up the opportunity to meet Jimmy, Patty's husband and of course see Anna and Patty again. We were able to touch base and made arrangements this last Sunday to get together at a restaurant near where we were camping. What a wonderful opportunity to catch up on stories, talk about our shared experiences in Kazakhstan and mostly how our lives are abundantly blessed. For my parents, it was another opportunity to connect with the work I am doing and for me, it was such a joy to see Anna enjoying a life filled with hope and a future. And although by the world's standards Patty & Jimmy had made such a sacrifice to bring her home...to them, she is one of the greatest blessings of their lives. I am the one blessed to have shared in the experiences and to have them as friends!

Christmas in September

2008-10-02T09:59:00.000+06:00

This past week I traveled from Muncie to Lafayette to meet up with my parents for our journey to California in the C.O.W. ("Condo On Wheels"). My brother Mark, his wife Pam and 4 kids - Wesley, Alec, Bri and Clare live in Lafayette so we got a chance to spend a few days with them. It had been almost 3 years since I had seen them last and it was evident in how much everyone had grown! As a treat I got to cook them some Kazakh food and then some Thai food the following evening. I think everyone found it a new adventure for their tastebuds! We celebrated Alec's 16th birthday and then had Christmas since we won't be seeing each other in December. We had a great visit, laughed a lot, enjoyed how our lives have changed and for me it was a good reminder on the importance of family!

"Spoiled Princess"...and I am not talking about the dog

2008-10-01T03:53:00.000+06:00

You know, dads have a way of making their daughters feel pretty special and I must say, my dad certainly went above and beyond spoiling me when he let me borrow his 40th Anniversary Edition Mach I Mustang for a few days. I was trying to figure out how to get to Muncie and then to Lafayette where I would meet up with my parents to head out to California. Since the Mustang would be hauled behind the RV it seemed like a logical solution to my "transportation" issue. So on a whim I inquired and low and behold....dad thought it was a great idea! Dad and I did go for a driving test to make sure I could handle it okay (whew, I passed) and I was off to Muncie! No worries, I only got up to 90 a few times and only when passing. I returned it safely to dad this last week who I think was relieved to see it was in good shape!

The Challenge

2008-10-01T03:14:00.000+06:00

Now that I have been home for a few weeks, and after having the privilege of driving my dad's Mustang for a few days, I have concluded that one of my goals for this time in the states is to ride and drive everything I possibly can. So, that means if I just so happen to be visiting you and you have something interesting or fun to drive...I might ask you for the keys! Thanks to some awesome friends I have driven a John Deer Gator, riden a horse, got to drive a '95 Corvette and a Mini Cooper! So stay tuned in to see what else I might get my hands on while on furlough.

Meeting Up with Old Friends

2008-09-28T03:49:00.001+06:00

While in Elkhart this past week my mom hosted a special Open House and invited friends from high school, college and from my childhood. In order to give a taste of Kazakhstan, we made pilov, presidential salad, rainbow salad and several other items and set out some of the souvenirs I had brought back with me. What a joy to see friends I have known for over 20 years! We talked for a few minutes and got caught up some on how our lives have changed. I will try to make it back there in November so we can have a proper reunion!

A Day in a "Relaxed Life"

2008-09-27T02:47:00.000+06:00

Some of my main goals for my time in the states are to play with horses, muck stalls and just relax! I didn't know that I would be able to do all of these things by the second week I was here.

I was able to visit my Uncle Gordon & Aunt Elaine's house in Battle Creek, Michigan where I maximized on these goals. For three days I got to hang out with their Arabian mare, “Whiskey” and donkey, “Elvis”…mucking a stall, lunging Whiskey and taking a rest in their hammock. We took a relaxing drive in the countryside and in the evenings it was hanging out in the field with the animals. The only thing that would have made it more relaxing would have been an afternoon nap!

Divine Appointments

2008-09-26T02:15:00.001+06:00

A few months ago our Youth Impact Manager, Olya asked me if it would be possible to bring someone over to

Kazakhstan

to teach about therapeutic horseback riding. Of course anything is possible; we would just need to find the right people and figure out the financing for it. Although I think I responded with an enthusiastic "yes", I really wasn't sure where we might find instructors.

Well earlier last week my Uncle Gordon, knowing my interest in therapeutic horseback riding (THR) suggested that we head out to the Cheff Center which specializes in such services. Unbeknown to us, this center’s founder happens to be the person responsible for starting THR in the

and certifies instructors through the National Association.

We introduced ourselves and of course it came out that I was coming from Kazakhstan at which point the woman showing us around said, “you are not going to believe this, a few weeks ago we had a group from Kazakhstan here to learn about what we do”. The facilities were amazing and the two instructors I talked to said that if ever given the opportunity, they would love to come to Kazakhstan to provide training in THR. So who knows, this might be a future open door to bring training to

Kazakhstan

Princess "poised for travel"

2008-09-22T08:43:00.000+06:00

So this past week I got to meet the newest member of the family ~ “Princess”. I had to tease my mom in that she’s raising her quite different from the way she raised me and the word “spoiled” is an understatement!

Here is Princess and my mom going for a ride in the car together and yes, Princess rides this way the entire trip. The good thing is that she’s a little bigger than a drop kick dog and really is quite smart and sweet so I think we will get along just fine. That is a good thing considering the fact that we will be riding out to California together in the RV next week!

2008-09-20T08:39:00.000+06:00

The 26-hour journey from Almaty to Elkhart, IN was pretty uneventful and other than the redundancy of watching movies, eating and sleeping ~ it was actually and enjoyable trip! Getting off the plane in London I had the chance to help a young mom with getting her luggage and daughter to passport control and then got through security to my terminal with about 5 minutes to spare. Definitely much better than the usual 8-hour layover I get with other airlines!

Because of the direction I was traveling it remained daylight the entire time. Culture shock began as I looked out the window to see the city of Chicago below me with its towering skyscrapers and never ending streets of houses and businesses. I got to passport control and was sure I would miss my bus as I looked at the 150+ people waiting in line to get through. However, after a few minutes of waiting a woman came over and pointed to a sign that US citizens were supposed to be in a different line ~ whew! What looked to be a 2-hour wait turned out to be only 15 minutes. I then got to the area to pick up my luggage only to discover that it didn’t make it on our plane and would be sent to my house a few days later. Found my bus and headed out for the remaining 3-hours of my long day.

Arriving at the South Bend airport I was greeted by mom, dad and Annie who had just arrived a few minutes earlier. After such a long absence, it was so good to see their smiling faces! And although I had seen Annie earlier in the year when we vacationed in England, I was very thankful that she made the drive up to meet me! The long day finally came to an end and the adventure of the next four months was to begin!

Saying Goodbye

2008-09-19T08:40:00.000+06:00

On the evening of September 5 it was me who was boarding the train rather than seeing someone off. It has been almost 3 years since I have been home to the states and I was starting the first leg of a long journey home. Of course, one thing that makes such departures so special is when friends come to see you off. By the time the train was getting ready to load, I was surrounded by those who have been my “family” on the other side of the world. And as usual, everyone had to get a little silly while waiting for me to pull out much to the entertainment of the conductor and those sharing my coupe. It was a wonderful "send-off" and a great reminder of how precious and meaningful it is to have friends on both sides of the world. It wasn't easy to leave but knowing who I will be coming back to made it easier.

Facilitating Friendships...

2008-09-04T13:56:00.001+06:00

Dr. Nurgali Ormanov has been practicing medicine for 30 years in the small village of Vanofka about an hour outside of Shymkent. His salary is decent for being in the village and makes every effort to increase his knowledge to better serve those he treats. Being along the main thoroughfare from Shymkent to Almaty he encounters many seriously injured in accidents. As head of the regional hospital, he supervises over 150 staff who treat thousands of patients a year.

One of the privileges of my job is being able to facilitate on-going relationships between friends from America and nationals here. One of our delegates met Dr. Nurgali for the first time in 2000 and was touched by his kind heart and care for people. Since he worked for one of the largest medical distribution companies he clearly saw an opportunity to provide quality medical instruments at no cost for the hospital's operating rooms. They met again this last April and a "wish list" was given as to desired items. These items came in July and a few weeks ago I had the honor of delivering these to Dr. Nurgali. He was pleasantly surprized and very grateful for the generosity and friendship of someone half-way around the world. He marveled at the quality of the instruments and I am confident that having these tools will enable his surgeons to do their jobs with more precision and ultimately save more lives.

Rainbows and Sunsets

2008-09-02T15:03:00.000+06:00

One of the wonderful things about Kazakhstan is the beautiful nature! Although I miss the emerald fields of green from home, there is a stunning beauty that can be found in the rolling hills, snow capped mountains that tower over villages and the simple landscape dotted with shepherds caring for their sheep, goats, cattle and horses.

My friend Nadezhda and I have been talking about going camping for some time now so when a time came open in our schedules, we jumped at that chance to head to the mountains. Radick, her husband came with us, mainly for security I think since I don't think the idea of sleeping outside really appealed to him that much (although by the end of the trip he said next time we needed to go for 2 days!).

There is a favorite spot (yes, another one) about 45 min. outside of town. A 15 min drive on a dirt road winds back through the mountains to an open clearing next to a small stream ~ a perfect spot to set up camp. We got everything unloaded and set up just in time for Nadezhda and I to head up the hill to watch the sunset. At the top we sat on the rocks and reflected on life, friendship and the blessings of our lives. We marveled at the beauty that was a welcomed feast for our eyes after so many busy weeks of work and just "doing life". As we talked we felt a light sprinkle on our faces and noticed darker clouds to the east. We climbed higher to the next ridge to get a better view of the sunset. As we reached the top we turned back to see where we had been and saw a complete rainbow! It was definitely a sight to behold and we enjoyed giving thanks for the faithfulness it represents.

That evening we enjoyed a roaring bonefire and fell asleep to the light of a full moon. In the morning we climbed up the other side of the mountain to enjoy the sunrise (ok...I am not always an "early riser" so we were a little late for the actual sunrise). We enjoyed a casual breakfast, broke camp and headed back to Taraz feeling rather rejuvinated from our over night getaway. Next time we will have to go for an entire weekend!

Puzzles and More Continued....

2008-09-01T17:23:00.001+06:00

Awhile back I wrote an entry entitled the "Golden Tree" a small tree made from a cigarette package by a young teen at the local rehabilitation center where we visited. He gave it to me as we were getting ready to leave. In that brief encounter I was touched by their stories and wrote about their need for things to do while using up the hours of their day.

In a more recent post, I wrote that my aunt Margie was able to collect a substantial number of puzzles, games, coloring books, and other things for these kids to do and these were delivered by one of the delegations coming over. We got instructions translated and Olya, Ember and I had the privilege of delivering these items a few weeks ago.

We walked into a room where 5 boys were talking with one another. We showed them the different games we brought and Ember got a great photo as one of them showed us the puzzles he completed. Another young man showed us some of the pictures he had sketched and it was obvious that he was particularly gifted at faces.

The three of us sat down with a deck of Uno cards and taught them how to play. Who would have guessed that a simple game most of us have played since childhood would bring them such enjoyment. Although we were only able to stay about an hour, it was one of the highlights of the week. As additional items arrive we will deliver them as well and hopefully be able to pass along some sports equipment as well. For us, we were blessed by the opportunity to give and their smiling faces and inquisitive questions certainly made the time enjoyable for all.

Finding a Favorite Spot

2008-08-30T17:02:00.000+06:00

There are those times when it is nice to just get away for awhile. Often times we get so caught up in the "activity" that we forget to rest and really enjoy the beauty that surrounds us. A few weeks I decided that it was time to really get away, even if for just a few hours to think, reflect and rest. One of my favorite activities is to "chase a good sunset" and this particular day was a prime opportunity to do just that! I set out to find that perfect spot to view the closing moments of the day and discovered it about 20 minutes outside of Taraz. There is a picnic place we have visited a few times which has a nice rocky hill to sit on overlooking a small lake. I arrived just in time to watch the sun sink below the horizon and turn into a fire light display of glory while a gentle breeze blew across my face. In the distance I could hear the occaisional bleating of sheep being hearded back to their homes. I listened to some music, read some out of my book and for the remainder of my time, enjoyed the stillness of just being quiet and thankful. It was a great reminder that no matter what may be going on around me...there are some things that just remain constant!

Comfort or Class?

2008-07-26T09:22:00.000+06:00

One of the noticeable differences between locals and foreigners is their choices in shoes and when certain shoes are to be worn. In the states, you will often find women wearing flats or even tennis shoes to work and then changing into their dress shoes afterwards. Here it is quite the opposite.

The other day I was heading out the door to go home and noticed our receptionist changing her shoes - going from a more comfortable heel to what is pictured here on the right. Oh MY Land...was my response...are you walking home in those? "Absolutely" was the reply. I of course had to get a picture of the "comfortable" vs. "classy" look. I can guarantee my feet were much more appreciative of my choice!

Kitty Loves Kurt Balls

2008-07-24T09:00:00.000+06:00

Sara came home from a birthday party and had a kurt ball with her that she was saving for later.

Now for those of you who don't know, "kurt" is a salted dried sour milk ball that is popular as a snack here in Kazakhstan. Often mistaken as candy by our unsuspecting delegates, they are often surprised or shocked by it's pungent taste =).

Anyway, Sara set it on the table and within a few minutes, Gussie my cat starts licking it...then picks it up and starts chewing on it! Over the next several days it served as a tasty treat for my four legged feline friend!

New Meaning to "Econom"

2008-07-21T20:37:00.002+06:00

Locals will tell you that whenever possible you should "econom"...save money wherever possible. This includes shutting off lights that you don't need, rigging repairs on automobiles, only having one light bulb in a chandelier having 4 sockets, unplugging all the power strips at the office at night, using the river as your car wash, etc. In the midst of rising prices, econom is important. So when we came home in the evening the other day it wasn't unusual to find that we didn't have electricity since the city seems to "econom" it as well.

After awhile though it seemed odd that it wasn't coming back on so I decided to investigate further. Going to the control box outside our door I noticed that the lights in the stairwell were on...hmm, how DO you examine a box that looks like this? I knocked on the neighbor's door to see if she had electricity...yep. After closer examination I noticed that one of the wires connecting the "knob" was broke, took the wire connected it together and wow...electricity!

Puzzles and More...

2008-07-13T19:40:00.000+06:00

In a recent post I commented on the kids I met at the rehabilitation center and the need for basic games and activities for them to do throughout the many hours of solitude and boredom. One of our staff, Olya who went with me that day has collected a lot of books in Russian for them to read. After reading the plight of these kids, my aunt asked if there was any way to help. Within a few weeks, she's collected several boxes of games, puzzles, coloring books, and activities. The first box arrived with this last delegation and it will be a pleasure to deliver these items soon!

Clowning Around

2008-06-28T09:21:00.000+06:00

What an awesome surprise to be met by two clowns at the train station when I returned from my UK vacation a few weeks ago! Those who know me know that something like that would have probably embarrassed me to death a few years ago but living here, you just have to "get over it" and have fun!

My train pulled into the station and as I started to climb down the stairs with my luggage, I was met my my friends Nadezhda and Marina dressed in clown costumes, Yura who gladly grabbed my bags, Ember who was taking pictures in paparazzi style and Ken who was shooting video. I had a sneaking suspicion that something was up earlier in the evening when Marina texted to ask what wagon I was on but had no idea I would be met by such an entourage! I think it was pretty entertaining for those around us and it was a great way to be welcomed home!

Golden Tree

2008-06-12T22:27:00.003+06:00

A small paper tree made from gold foil left over from a cigarette box sits on the corner of my desk. It was a small gift from a young man named Slava. Olya and I went to a local rehabilitation center today to see their work with kids and adults. I had heard about this program last year and finally had an opportunity to meet with the head doctor who invited us for a visit. The small facility is set back in one of the micro-regions in what used to be a small kindergarten. The grounds were well maintained with flowers and plants and some of the adult clients were pouring cement on the areas of the building needing repair. We made our way to the second floor and was met by a young nurse who unlocked the barred door to let us in to the patient area. We met briefly in a small room that served as an office, therapy room, classroom and exam room depending on what the need was at the time.

After gaining an understanding of the program and the population they work with we moved on to a small room containing 4 beds, each one occupied by a young man with a recently shaved head. One boy was lying on a cot with an IV drip of who knows what. The other three boys introduced themselves and responded openly to our questions. The 16-year-old had arrived three days before by order of the court. Apparently he had stolen a car and had been given a sentence of 2-years on the local juvenile jail. Since he has a problem with drugs/alcohol, he will need to get a clean "bill of health" from this center before moving on to finish his time. His "cousin", Slava was in the cot next to his and in the window was a picture of a woman and in response to my inquiry he said it was his mom. During the conversation, Victor, age 13 stood by quietly with his hands clasped behind his back. His tiny frame made him look more like a 9 or 10 year old but his face, with awkward glances of curiosity mixed with timidity indicated that he has seen more than his fair share of life experiences. In those short moments of interaction I was made aware of another group of kids at risk of falling through the cracks. Before leaving the boys gave each of us the craft they had finished as a "thank you" for visiting. For me, it will sit on my desk as a reminder to be doing something more for these kids. Olya and I brainstormed some ideas on how we might provide some games, activities and crafts for these kids. We would also like to see some volunteers from the community coming in and just spending time talking and trying to encourage them. We will also see how we might use the Youth Impact program to give them some much needed skills and hopefully this visit might open some doors for us to the local juvenile detention facility. I wish Slava knew how much his gift meant to me today...

Normal or Expedited Service?

2008-06-11T19:47:00.002+06:00

I guess I am not the only one who has a challenging time dealing with visa issues. One of my British friends needed to obtain Kazakh visas for 6 people. Since the embassy website was down, e-mail wasn't working and they were not answering their phones she decided to drive down on a Friday to submit her applications. Since they were leaving the following week, it was pretty important for them to obtain the visas quickly. She arrived in time, submitted the forms and was told that each one would be $40 each and would be available Monday morning after 9. Knowing that she wouldn't be available to pick them up she asked if expedited service was available. She was told that service was available for an additional $22 each. Great! She asked if she could stop by in the afternoon to get the visas and was told, "no, those would be available Monday morning after 9 a.m." Okay, so you can go for either normal service for $40 or expedited service for $64 and both available Monday morning after 9 a.m. Hmm, I guess normal service would be the way to go huh? Fortunately a friend was available to pick them up on Monday so it did work out ok. Never a dull moment!

Culture Shock

2008-05-15T08:00:00.002+06:00

As I have walked the streets of London over the past few days I find myself experiencing a bit of culture shock. Old brownstones, fancy cars, outrageous prices, creature comforts from home and everything is in English. Green grass, clean streets, pristine gardens, customer service with a smile, an apology even when something was your fault, mass transit systems, accents and languages from all over the world, fresh avocados, Starbucks (I refuse to pay $6 for a cup of java even if it is from there). Drinking water out of the tap, flushing toilet paper (still can't get myself to do that). No one following me around the store being suspicious that I might steal something. Dogs being walked on leases everywhere...not a stray in sight. Fashion...let's not even go there.

I arrived in London last Saturday after a very LONG wait in the Moscow airport. Made my way to Alice's place where she gave me a great place to sleep and call home base for a few days. She let me borrow an Oyster card (better and cheaper way to get around on the public transportation system) and an orientation on where to go and what to do. I have made it to Kensington Gardens, the museum of Natural History, National Gallery, London Eye, Big Ben, Covent Gardens, Regent's park, etc. So for the past few days I have been exploring London while waiting for Annie to get here (arrived on the 13th). She injured her back last week and had to delay her trip by several days. She's not yet 100% but is doing better. We will then head to the Cotswold and then up to Manchester to see a friend there. Early next week it will be on to Belfast!

What do you mean you don't take cash?

2008-05-14T10:00:00.001+06:00

I am staying in London with my friend Alice and since I was going to the Russian embassy she asked if I might drop off her visa application at the Kazakh embassy about a mile away. After my long wait at the Russian embassy, I had about 45 min. to get to the Kazakh embassy before it closed. No problem...got to the nearest underground tube station and waited for the line that would take me there. Whoops...same line that was having problems in the morning. After having spent 3 days now in London, I thought I was getting a handle on this public transport bit. I decided to get on a different line and get off two stops before where I needed to be and walk. Got out and had no idea where I was and after asking realized that I was still a ways off. Mind you, it closes at 12 and it was 11:45. After a brisk walk I realize that the only way I would make it was to grab a taxi. Hailed a taxi and got to the embassy at 11:55...whew.

I happily spoke to the guy in Kazakh (I don't think he was impressed) and he took the application. He then asked for payment of £20 which I had in my pocket. I handed him the bill and he said, 'we don't take cash, only credit card or bank transfer'. What!?! Since the Russian embassy said it didn't allow handbags I had left my purse and cards at home. He said, we close in a few minutes so there is no time to process this, you will have to come back another day. Oh my land...you must be kidding me! He must have seen the look on my face as I asked, "can't I pay it when I pick it up?" He said, he would only make this one exception and wrote a note at the top of the application.

There was a huge sense of relief as I exited the building shaking my head of course at my morning "adventures". I almost got run over by a guy that had obviously run there based on the sweat dripping off his nose and breathing heavy, I sure hope he brought his credit card!

You Do the Math

2008-05-13T19:53:00.003+06:00

For some reason I had this crazy notion that I should fly through Moscow for vacation so that on the way back I can spend time with Anton and his family. My layover, which requires a transit visa, is from the evening of the 28th until the morning of the 31st. A few weeks ago, I went to the Russian embassy in Almaty to get the transit visa, only to find out that I need to acquire it here in London. They assured me that the transit visa requirements is anything under 72 hours.

Yesterday I went to the Russian Embassy only to discover that the line was a mile long (slight exaggeration) so decided to go early today instead. I was up and out the door by 7:45 and to the Embassy by 8:20. Not bad considering that one of the tube lines I needed wasn't working so I had to reroute the trip a bit. The line, even that early in the morning was already about 50 people deep. Sigh...I should have bought coffee for the wait. By 10:00 I had decided that maybe it would be better to send it by post and made some phone calls to see how best to do that. In the course of obtaining an address, etc. I ended up talking to the guy in back of me who encouraged me to wait it out since I had come this far. My main concern was having to wait in the same line next week to pick up the visa/passport. Fortunately pickup is in the afternoon.

By 10:30 I was finally inside and this time the queue (British English for 'line') was a little shorter. Finally got up to the window and asked the gentleman behind the glassed counter to borrow his glue stick since my pictures where on the two previous applications I had filled out in Almaty. He commented that everyone expects them to have glue but since I asked so nicely, he would let me use it. At which point I politely replied that since they insisted that ONLY their form could be used from their website, I needed to remove my picture from the previous applications and attach it to their form. He smiled affirming that yes, he would only take their application (which by the way has exactly the same information and layout as the previous one I completed, minus the little symbol in the corner denoting their embassy).

He examined my paperwork, looked at my documents and then informed me that he could not give me a transit visa. What!?! He said, according to the dates, you will be there longer than 3 days and the rule is no more than 72 hours. Now keep in mind, most people will tell you that my math skills are zero without a calculator and even then I sometimes have problems. However, I KNEW that I didn't exceed the limit. Fortunately I was pretty good at story problems growing up so I drew it on a piece of paper and started counting for him. I was glad that he really did want it to work out for me but just couldn't see how it could. I got to the last day at which point he said, 'oh, I see' and quietly went back to work processing my request. So, after 3 hours and $90 (only cash accepted) later I should be able to pick up my permission slip next week between 4 and 5 o'clock and hopefully without a line.

Touching My Heart

2008-05-04T20:32:00.002+06:00

It is often the unexpected that touches our hearts the most. Today I received an e-mail from a national friend to whom I had given a book to about finding your purpose in life. She works in one of the local businesses and is amazing at customer service and is always such a help to me. She has a genuine kindness and is always serving others. In a conversation back in March it seemed evident that her "success" was falling short in giving her meaning in life. She is clearly searching and wants to experience joy and peace in her life. I remembered a book that was available in Russian that I thought might help answer some of those questions and arranged with our mutual friend Nadezhda to get her a copy. She writes,

I do very appreciate your heart for the book, you have given to me!
I thank God for meeting you!
And I thank you for your love and kindness, hope and joy, you spread to everyone!

As I read it it was I who felt abundantly blessed and hope that it will be used in her life to find the hope she's looking for. I am also looking forward to getting together with her after I get back from vacation!

Cop Saga Continues and how dirty does it have to be?

2008-05-02T23:51:00.003+06:00

So today I headed to Shymkent in order to pick up our two delegates who will be arriving tomorrow. It was a beautiful drive as everything is lush and green - a true feast for the eyes! Definitely have to enjoy it while it lasts because by June it will be brown and dust.

As I was entering Shymkent and the roundabout leading into the city I was flagged down by the "magic wand" yet again. I had to just shake my head because I was going the speed limit. I grabbed my documents and stepped out of the car only to be met by Serik one of the same cops who stopped me a few weeks ago! As soon as he saw me, he laughed, shook my hand and told me that my "future husband up and left" (that was the other cop who wanted me to be his 4th wife). I was actually glad to hear this! He handed back my documents and sent me on my way with a smile.

When I was relaying the story to my friends in Shymkent she told me that she was stopped a few weeks ago for having some dirt on her car. Come to find out there is a new law requiring that your car be clean! So, how dirty does it have to be before you break the law?

2008-04-28T23:00:00.003+06:00

This weekend was filled with a little bit of adventure as Sara and I took a visiting adoptive couple on an excursion beyond the borders of Taraz. We often get to meet people coming in to adopt but they often don't get a chance to see village life and some of the most spectacular mountains along the way.

There is something really peaceful about village life as children play in the streets and neighbors sit in front of their houses chatting away waiting for the cows to come home (literally). The steppes are dotted with herds of sheep, cows and horses and the fields are being plowed for the spring plantings. Life just doesn't seem so complicated here.

As we drove into Bauerzhan Momumshuly we spotted a really cool camel grazing and had to stop to get some photos. Of course, I wasn't satisfied with just photos and wanted to see if I could make friends with him which didn't see to take long. He seemed rather curious about our group and was right there to "sniff us out". Definitely an amazing creature!

First Impressions

2008-04-26T23:07:00.003+06:00

A recent encounter caused me to think about the importance of first impressions. Heather and I needed to take some clothes in to be altered. We walked into a large room with probably 15 sewing machines and about 10 women engaged in various stages of work. It seemed pretty obvious that we were viewed as an "intrusion" and several of the ladies expressed to their co-workers in Russian that they didn't have time for us. One older woman reluctantly consented to see what we needed and asked us to step into the dressing rooms where I tried on a pair of trousers. I had heard her speak briefly in Kazakh to one of the women so I was relieved that I would at least be able to communicate with her. She came in and I greeted her warmly and with respect. I asked her name and requested her help with my needs. Within a few minutes I had her smiling and expressed my appreciation for taking time out of her busy day to help me. I went back later in the week to pick up the items and I was greeted warmly with a smile and a "come again" as I paid for my items.

What determines how we engage one another? Do I treat someone differently based on their position, education or age? Am I willing to treat someone with respect irregardless of how I am being treated by them or how I am feeling at the time? I recently read that we are to "do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility, consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests but also to the interests of others". A good reminder that each day people come into our lives who WE will make an impression on....what image will they be left with after that encounter?

Magic Wand & Marriage Proposal

2008-04-12T10:40:00.005+06:00

Unlike the police in America who, for the most part, legitimately stop people for an infraction...the police here I think do it for entertainment and to earn a little extra cash. The other interesting thing about the police here are the lighted "red sticks" they use to pull people over. They resemble a chopped off "light saber" out of Star Wars.

In Almaty recently I was being driven in a taxi to the train station when a car zoomed by and a red magic wand popped out the window to pull over another driver who from my assessment...had done nothing wrong.

During a recent trip to Shymkent I was talking some guests to the airport when a policeman pulled me over..."just to check my documents". That same day as Heather and I were driving back to Taraz on an open country road I noticed several cars parked off to the side. I saw the sign that said "50" and saw the "gravel pit" ahead in the road which is a remnant from a harsh winter and poor construction. I guess I didn't slow down fast enough as the policeman quickly got out of his car and hailed me with his magic wand. I handed him my documents and he told me to get in the car on the passenger side and proceeded to show me the picture of my car speeding along at 70 on his high tech radar. He threatened to take my license and give me a ticket which if worse came to worse he could have since I had two more in my purse (the advantages of having an international license).

In these situations there is always an "exchange of information"...."what do you do?", "where are you from?", "do you have children?" and of course, "are you married?". He went on to tell me that he had 4 children and his partner went on to boast about his 9 children and 3 wives at which point he asked if I would be his 4th wife. I told him that I thought he had enough already while chuckling and shaking my head. Since I didn't want to stick around much longer and it was clear he was looking for some pocket change or something else I told him he could keep my license. He laughed, handed it back and sent me on my way. Guess I still have three licenses for the next time I am stopped!

Birthday Celebration

2008-03-04T18:31:00.006+06:00

I had the privilege of taking Ember, Kiikzhan and Moldir to the Savva orphange this past Sunday. Every month the youth department goes to celebrate birthdays from the previous month. Since half of the department is on vacation I got to be the designated driver.

When we arrived the kids were waiting for us and greeted us warmly. It was great to see so many familiar faces. Before the birthday party we played games and I discovered that it's not that easy playing soccer in heeled boots. I opted for a card game after about 15 min. of running around.

The added fun was that it was my birthday that day and Ember made it a point to let everyone know. We celebrated the birthdays of 13 kids ~ games, dancing, prizes, gifts and cake made the afternoon special for them. I must say, that it was the first time I have ever done the "chicken dance" on my birthday!

On the way back to Taraz I thought a lot about these kids...in a few years what will their lives be like? Will we have made a difference in their lives? I believe the answer is "yes"...a hug, a word of encouragement, a small gift, taking the time to reach out, really listening to hear what isn't being said...loving unconditionally. So, on my birthday I was thankful that I could walk hand in hand and bring a smile to someone else's face. That was the best present of all!

Giving Hope...

2008-01-24T23:17:00.000+06:00

I am continually amazed at how much I take for granted. As we are in our third month of the Youth Impact program we have about 20 young people who are being given practical skills for life and being challenged to dream. During the health & nutrition part of the program it became apparent that many of our kids get one meal a day and that often falls short of the nutrition that they need. When asked what they missed most from the orphanage, most of them replied, "fruit". As a way of adding something special to their sessions, we are now bringing in fruit for the participants and they are very appreciative of this extra treat.

Some of the girls we work with are pictured here on the right with Olya and me. These girls, through the program have really been given an opportunity to dream about their futures, set goals and are beginning to believe that they can be more than what they have been told most of their lives. Each week it is exciting to see the simple steps that these youth are making to achieving a better life for themselves and impacting those around them.

Hot is Cold & Cold is Hot

2008-01-21T21:12:00.000+06:00

Life has been exceptionally busy here in Kazakhstan! In the past month I have moved from my house to an apartment in the center of town. I have assumed new responsibilities as the interim director for Interlink. I have given away my horse after several unsuccessful attempts at other plans. The move also meant finding a home for the dog. She is now at Ken's house and all three dogs are trying to figure out who will be boss. And now, we are gearing up for delegation season.

As always things can be interesting! For example, in Kazakhstan you can never assume that if you turn on the "cold" water that you will actually get cold. In fact, more likely than not, it will be just the opposite ~ cold is hot and hot is cold. Never assume that if you buy something that it will acually work. After shopping several hours at the bazaar half the things I brought home didn't work. I later bought a cell phone battery at a real store and behold...it didn't work either. Fortunately in that case I was able to get my money back and get a different one.

It has been very cold here. In fact, we often will joke and say, "B.Y.O.H" which stands for "bring your own heater". Despite the fact that I don't like winter, this year hasn't been too bad especially since we have had minimal snow.

Ordinary Days...Extraordinary Adventure

2007-12-19T01:00:00.000+06:00

Life can sometimes be just ordinary here in Kazakhstan. But I have come to realize that “ordinary” for me…as I have come to know it can really seem like such an extraordinary adventure to some. For example, the other day I received a phone call from the receptionist telling me that the K’GB was at our office to take a statement from me about a matter involving a former student at our English Center. Now how many people get to say that they’ve been interviewed by the K’GB?

A regular part of my grocery list is buying “abresca” which basically refers to the leftovers after butchering a cow. This gets added to macaroni and fed to my dog since this is cheaper (and probably healthier) than buying dog food. The other day as I was dividing up the abresca into smaller bags, I cut up an esophagus because it was “too big for the pot”. It was routine, something that has become a part of my simple life here…and I chuckled as I thought of how many people would be able to just talk about such a thing.

Canning tomatoes, blanching beans, carrots, beets, freezing mushrooms, homemade sausage, making pizza from scratch, or cake that didn’t come out of a box…all a part of life in KZ. I have recently tried my hand at making beef jerky and I have decided that I will never buy it in a bag ever again.

Not Quite a "Butterball"

2007-11-25T21:10:00.000+06:00

Thanksgiving is always a little different when you live in Kazakhstan (or any other foreign country) and this one was no different. We did have a great time though, just the three of us! It is amazing how much time one spends cooking for thanksgiving. We ordered and picked up two turkeys from a contact in the village and one look at them and you would think that they were chickens on steroids. Despite it's size, it sure was rather tasty!

Sara, Ken and I spent time on Friday shopping at the bazaar for all the needed ingredients, took a trip out to the village that afternoon to pick up the turkeys and cooked pretty much the entire day on Saturday. Our meal also included corn pudding, broccoli casserole, mashed potatoes, and three kinds of pie...one for each of us - pecan, pumpkin and apple. Of course...we did share and we definitely ate too much!

The rest of our time was spent playing games and enjoying some holiday traditions which Sara mentions more in her blog. It was a great time together spent with friends!

Random Events or Divine Appointments?

2007-11-24T22:20:00.000+06:00

I always find it interesting when events happen that although frustrating at the time, you realize later that it all happened for a reason. The weather had been exceptionally warm (60s) the other day and by afternoon we had VERY high winds. Electricity was going out all over the city and since I was supposed to go out and set up to show a movie at PTL I texted Olya and asked her to call to see if they had electricity. No sense driving to the other side of town if they didn't. They did so I headed out. The minute we got there the electricity went out. So, we decided to reschedule and went out to dinner. The first place we stopped we didn't like the atmosphere so we went down the street to a different place. Three quarters into the meal a kid came in and was begging from the tables. He came to ours and we started asking him questions. He stated that his mom was out all the time and his father was in jail. He lived in the micro region that doesn't have much...most places don't have electric, gas or heat. Some buildings don't have windows. We told him to wait and we would take him and buy food. He had two friends outside waiting for him. We finished about 15 min. later and walked all three of them over to the store and bought some bananas, apples and samsa (potato, meat filled bread things). The one boy was 14 and homeless. He had plastic slippers and socks with a light jacket. The other kid lived with his grandmother. We gave him them a business card and told them to come to the office some time for some clothes and I gave the homeless kid my gloves. Looking back, I am glad we didn't have any electricity.

A Simple "Thank You"

2007-11-21T22:36:00.000+06:00

Each morning driving to the office I pass the local "street cleaners". Starting early in the morning, individuals...mostly older women wearing worn orange vests are on the streets with short brooms, rakes, sack and a dustpan (often just a piece of cardboard) are cleaning up leaves and other debrie. I often pass as they are bent over scooping up dirt or raking the fall leaves. In just a few weeks these same women will be out in the frigid weather breaking up ice and shoveling snow. A thankless and an often dangerous job, I wondered if anyone ever expressed appreciation for the hard work that they do? For several weeks I thought about ways to say "thanks". So earlier this week when we were listing the house we have for sale on TV, I decided that it would be a worthwhile investment to have an "ad" run on the TV saying "thanks to everyone who works hard to keep our streets clean!". Even if it blesses just a few people, it is a simple way to say "thanks".

Snow!

2007-11-14T22:04:00.000+06:00

I mentioned last week that I worked all day on the yard and it was a good thing because the next morning we had about 4 inches of snow! Nothing like going from a day where it is 60 degrees and sunny to cold and snow. Fortunately as of today it has all melted but I am sure that we are in for a lot of snow this winter.

I have been very busy working on updating a few websites along with writing curriculum for the Youth Impact Program. It has been such an encouragement to see what has been put in writing actually being implemented and making an impact on the lives of the youth we are working with!

All in a Day's Work

2007-11-08T23:21:00.000+06:00

Although I think vacation days are supposed to be for rest or having fun, I decided that I needed a day to get the house winterized. While Ken was busy putting flooring in the living room I worked on the outside which desperately needed attention. It turned out to be 9 hours of raking leaves, putting plastic up and insulating the windows. Of course as always, it was a great time greeting neighbors walking their cows and sheep out to pasture as well as attempting to talk with my Russian speaking neighbor. We actually ended up helping each other rake leaves which was really helpful. Later this weekend I will touch up the fence.

The latest news from home is that I need to find either a new home for my horse (the chestnut thoroughbred pictured above) or sell her. Interested parties may e-mail me!

At work we are busy writing the Youth Impact program. This program is to teach life skills, employment skills and business training to graduated orphans. The more we interact with the orphanages as well as the graduates, it is so apparent that this program is needed. Most of these youth lack direction, are afraid of the future and don't have much hope for a better life. Fortunately this program will help mentor and encourage them and at the same time, give them practical skills for life!

China Reflections

2007-11-05T22:23:00.000+06:00

This time last year I was traveling around China with my best friend Annie. Over 6,000 miles of amazing beauty, facinating people and interesting food. One thing about China is that there are people EVERYWHERE! There is an amazing difference between 15 million people (Kazakhstan) and 1.4 billion (China).

One of our greatest challenges without any language was to make food selections. Our first train was great in that the menu was in Chinese and English. That was one of the few times we had the benefit of an English menu. One particular time we went to a restaurant – drew pictures, made noises and hoped that we were going to get something with chicken. What arrived was a flaming wok with every part of the chicken that wasn’t edible – beaks, feet, chopped up bone, etc. That evening, we picked through what we could, ate the rice and tofu and settled later on for ice cream and cookies.

The terrain was absolutely beautiful! The best way to describe Southern China is “uniquely stunning”. The mountains are shaped like the humps of a camel and lush green plants and trees were everywhere. We took a bamboo raft ride down one of the rivers for an up close look at some of nature’s picturesque scenes. It was certainly an amazing trip!