Photos

Thought I would share some pictures of the kids here. We've been having a grand time around here. I wanted to share these earlier, but been having some difficulty with the internet. My computer doesn't want to connect to the wifi sometimes. And usually when I do get on, it only lasts for a little while before it quits working. 

seeing the kids off to school

Lidia, Veronica, Isha

Little Daniel

Big Kata, Veronica, Ira

my Russian family :) 

helping the boys make breakfast

Don't have enough time to write much about what's been going on. But hope to have some updates soon. Lots of laughing been going on here.... bet you can't believe that! :D

Out and About

Last week I was able to go for a drive into the mountains south of where I am staying. I didn't drive, but I enjoyed the ride greatly. It was a gorgeous day - about 60 degrees with sunny skies. As we drove higher and higher into the mountains, it got a little cooler and snow became deeper. A lot of the road near the top of the mountains were covered with snow and melting slush. Before that, the roads were swimming in mud. 

country road

 My pictures don't even begin to do the sight justice. I love seeing rolling green and brown hills set against a backdrop of snow capped mountains, with a blue sky above. Our Creator is an amazing artist!!

mud slide/waterfall

 On the way back down the hill, we slid and fishtailed a little. Seems we weren't the only ones who had problems with the slickery (yes, I did mean to say slickery) roads. We passed a vehicle that had slid off the road. They stopped us and asked for help. Neither of us had a tow strap, but they had a piece of wire. I didn't think it would work; it wasn't very thick wire. But they hooked the vehicles together and we started pulled. Snap! The guy tied a knot in the wire and refastened it to our trailer hitch. Yes, a knot in the wire. We tried again. The car started moving forward, but not back onto the road, merely along side it. Then it started tipping a bit. Mr. Allen said, "if they go over, we're going with them...." At one point, I really thought they were going to roll down the hill. Pretty sure my heart stopped for a second or two. But somehow we pulled them out of the ditch and back onto the road..... all with a piece of wire that had a knot in it!!!! Yep, that's the way it's done here. :) 

 Today I got the chance to go into the city to look around a bit. Thankfully we had a little bit of blue sky, which is always nice. Missed the changing of the guards at the City Square, but got a video of the soldiers marching into the building. It doesn't seem like a very practical way of marching, but sure looks cool! 

Kyrgyz flag

 Just a couple years ago, the country had a revolution. This monument shows how they (supposedly) got rid of the bad and kept the good in the government. There are two main parties constantly vying for control, each accuse the other of being corrupt. And they're both right. 

Revolution Monument

national hero - Manas

Bishkek's "Big Ben" :p

1st Day

Within twenty-four hours of arriving here, I was asked if I wanted to take the scooter for a drive. Now this was no child’s scooter, but a full-size, almost a motorcycle scooter. You don’t have to ask me twice! Simple instructions were given; here’s the front brake, the back brake and the throttle. Simple enough, right?

Only problem was, it was my first time every driving something with that kind of throttle and I was in a small courtyard. Well, I straddled the beast and as soon as I turned the handlebar throttle, we moved forward. Before I could get used to the bike and how it handled, the concrete wall was there. BAM! The bike stopped, but I fell off to the right. Wouldn’t have been too bad, except for the large concrete step that was waiting to meet me. The left side of my back met the step all too willingly. Took me a second to realize what happened. I hurt initially, but wasn’t horrible pain. (I’ve endured worse) But later that day, I started hurting. Thankfully I didn’t hit my spine, at least I don’t think so. But my whole left lower back’s muscles were swollen and bruised deep. Have a few other bruises also. But here it is 5 days later and I’m moving around much better! Yesterday evening, I even played volleyball for a little while.

It’s warmer here. Almost got to 60 degrees a couple days ago. I keep checking the trees for little green buds, but nothing yet. A friend said it does normally start turning green here in March. I hope to see a little green before I leave. I love Spring and it’s so short back home, that I enjoy being other places during this time. 

Youth Night & Big City

The night before I left Khatgal, we had our first official activity at the new church building in the center of town. I was going to miss the first church service by one day, so we had youth night the Friday before. Just had a handful of teens, but it's a start! Now that the location is better, the place is large enough and we have a Mongolian that is on board with being in charge, we're praying the group will grow.

It was a blessing to be there that night.

the foreigners. :) 

 We (I should say they, I took pictures) played a "crazy American" game. When I first started doing strange games like this six years ago, they all thought I was crazy. But then they enjoy them. :) Each person had a candy tied to the end of a string (I used dental floss - Thanks Tman!), the other end they put in their mouth. The first person to get the candy in their mouth without their hands wins! 

silly boys

We also had a foosball tournament. Most of them had never seen a foosball table, let alone played. It was fun to watch them try so hard. 

most of the group who came out

Bogi teaching for the 1st time! 

The past few days in the city have been busy, busy! I stayed Saturday night with some friends and went to their church that morning. Caught a ride home with some people, spent the afternoon at their house, then went to a different church that evening. I've enjoyed the company of God's people.

After Sunday, I've been running errands around town - trying to pick up a few things, see old friends, visit the dr. (always an experience), etc. Yesterday pretty sure I walked at least 10km. all over town. But it was a beautiful day! Warm and blue, sunny skies! that's a luxury here in UB. 

 Tonight I met up with some friends from Khatgal, who are now here in the city either going to college or working. I mentioned that I was going to prayer meeting afterwards and they asked if they could tag along. So, five of them crowded into the back seat of our SUV and away we went. I was thankful that they wanted to come! Some of them, I hadn't seen in 4 years! 

Khatgal friends in the big city

My time here is drawing to a close. Tomorrow I'm off to a new place. Only God knows what adventures await me next. He is Ever Faithful!!

A few Pictures

Back in the City. 

The past two weeks I had a blast with the Cofers. They finally made it home from the capital and I just stayed on at their place. No sense in moving again. (3 places during my 2 months in 1 town, whew)

Jesse, Jaaz and I had some crazy times. Lots of fun memories. Trina and I had some sweet talks. And of course, Mickey made me laugh lots. That guy is SO crazy!

I am enjoying the slightly warming weather. Only have wear one or two layers instead of three or four. ;) and it's a little more enjoyable walking outside. Though now that I'm back in the city, the pollution is not enjoyable to breathe in while walking. Gonna miss the clear blue skies of the country! 

Enjoy a few random pics from the past few weeks....

Bogii and Saikna's family

sunrise

frosted hair on my walk to the postoffice

some of my now grown up youth group from 6 yrs ago!

love this pic

oh the craziness!

my Mongolian family!

Tsagaan Sar, Box and GRACE

This past Monday and Tuesday was Tsagaan Sar (White Moon/month) - one of the big Mongolian National holidays. We were invited to a couple homes. Always bring a gift for the host and hostess of the house and be prepared to eat a lot. Buuz, steamed meat dumplings, are traditionally served, along with cold salads and hot milk tea. This time we were also served homemade fruit juice that was quite tasty. Much better than the drink we were offered the day before. :/

enjoying milk tea

enjoying the sugary treats

Today I received a phone call that I had mail at the local post office and I'd better go pick it up. I quickly threw on some layers of warm clothing, grabbed Jaaz's bike and set off. Big mistake! I haven't ridden a bike in a LONG time! And on icy trails and roads in the sub zero weather, that was interesting. My legs were hurting by the time I got back to the house! But so excited to have my box here!!! I was dreading the thought   that it would arrive after I left Hatgal. God is good. I thoroughly enjoyed opening it, seeing all the randomness from my BFFF and my sister. All their notes and stickers were awesome! 

My long awaited box!!!

Recently I've been reading through the New Testament again. One thing that I was noticing was that many times that the word "Grace" appears. Been thinking a lot about God's grace - how He always there for His children, giving strength, grace and peace during trials and struggles. So glad I serve a God that cares!!

Tonight I am especially grateful for His Grace. I opened my email today for the first time in a week and in my inbox was a troubling email. A short forwarded note that a good friend of mine was killed a couple days ago. I don't know much about the situation, but she leaves behind a husband and three dear, lovely, young children. This family was one of God's warrior families, serving Him on the foreign field. 

My heart is heavy tonight. 

But I KNOW my GOD is Good. 

and I KNOW HE is still in Control. 

God's Grace is Real