The Things You can get for $20

Well, we made it to the south. We left K town at noon yesterday, arrived in the capital at about 4, and boarded our train at 7pm. Arrived in the south at 7:50 am. Daniel and I got placed in first class due to availability. It was the best $20 I've spent in awhile. Just two to a cabin, wider beds, private bathroom with a shower! Best shower I'd had in two weeks. Reminded me of being on a ship.
Went to the special needs orphanage today. Breaks my heart every time. Had a great time playing with the parachute, teaching handshakes, giving hugs etc. Our family here really make a difference in these orphans lives.
Our MK's really did a great job this week as did Jay and Daniel, our leaders. I think we saw what Jake and I had hoped for in their growth. Had hoped to see Muktar, but the number we have for him is not reaching him. Hopefully he will call Dean sometime tonight.
Cannot wait to get home!!!! Trains - done, automobiles - mostly done, planes - bring it on! Getting ready to do our debrief. We'll see you on the other side!

Put a Little Love in It

Well, this will be the last update for a couple of days as tomorrow begins our journey back. We'll be doing trains, planes and automobiles. We will bus to the Capital, train 13 hours to the kids home city, and then plane to Richmond. There I will spend a couple of days with the family, including Samantha. We will then head back Tuesday. We have tea tonight with a couple of new friends. Dad has really put it heavy on my heart about loving without expectations, being friends for no other cause than to show the love we have been given. But the friendship and love should not depend on whether or not they chase after the source of that love. Tonights tea will be a good test of this for me.

Miss D'ship group terribly. Would love an update on all of your lives if you could shoot me an email. The group has done amazingly well. The love we have shown has been given back in double measure. One little girl would not allow her mother to take her home last night until she had hugged her teacher. The mom was very pleased. Ar 'an was really encouraging with testimonies today in Wshp time. He is in a good place and i think beginning to get a sense of his role in Dad's plans here but does miss you all.

Look in a couple of days for the last update, then I'll tell you in person the blessings you have been to this place. Continue to intercede! Dad is honoring it.

Chuck-Chuck and other tasty things

Had some Chuck-Chuck the other day (imagine a scone torn into tiny strips). I have a pretty good snack food even if I do say so myself. Bunch of guys got to try Kumus today for the first time. We have a race going on for who can get the most trifecta's (you've ridden it, ate it, and drank its milk). Anybody got a goat I can ride?

Had dinner with two great friends, one you will remember, Arman, and my friend John. It was good conversation. I am hoping they become friends through the work and travel program. Arman misses you all. He will be going to work in the office for our company in Astana as a business manager. John is a great guy and we are becoming good friends. The friend I made last year has stayed in contact with K man all year. I ask that the same happen with John. He knows some of our friends in Almaty. I hope they treat him with love. Times with Dad have been very good - and very tough. Lots of conviction for all here.

Preston - heard you did a great job updating folks. Thanks brother for that and for remembering us continually.

We have our last full club tomorrow. The Texans will continue after we leave with a reduced group. We will need to continue to intercede for them and the work.

I am really looking forward to the Tien Shen kids getting home. We talked about getting out of the bubble and how they could be a vital part of the team. A couple of them have some great ideas of how to assist their parents, especially in developing relationships with young people. Been convicted of the bubble myself. We'll see where that leads.

Yesterday we were accosted by a very angry, very drunk, man with a grudge against the US. It was interesting. At the height of my frustration the words "a kind word turns away wrath" came to me. It worked as promised. Dad is faithful if we trust His word.

Gotta go or I'll set a bad example by being late for curfew. Miss you all. Darren - you're going down!

What a Party!

Well we had a very adventurous 4th. We had 43 people in 4 small buses head to the hills for a picnic. Our friends all had patriotic ring-tones on their cell phones in our honor. It was hilarious. We drove about 2 hours out of town to what was supposed to be a rock climbing haven. Our guide got mixed up a little and we wound up in some woods where they did a little logging and nothing else. The Marshukas drove back as far as the drivers were willing and then we hiked another kilometer in search of a place suitable to eat and toss a frisbee around. We would up on a small rise with a few rocks, lots of sage, and a couple scrub pines. We tossed the frisbee on the road - and people loved it! I was expecting some very disgruntled people, but instead we joked and laughed and had great conversation. Of course introducing them to Ranch Dressing did not hurt matters at all. They would taste some, get wide eyed and go MMMM... MMMM...MMMM! It was great. A lightning storm hit (of course) and we headed for the trees. It was then that a new friend of mine, we'll call him John, and I were able to talk about everything from the cold war to Afghanistan (Russian and American conflicts) to things of deep importance. Your requests were felt as our conversation was friendly, kind and gentle. He heard very clearly the reason for my hope. I think K. will have a great time when he gets here. The fields are ripening already. During W. today, our local friend, I., that worked with us told us that all day told the people would talk about how different we were from the Peace Corps guys. We spend time with them and talk with them. They are starting to ask why we are so different. Our friend left today. I ask that she be blessed. She was such an encouragement and great worker. Those that were here last year can share how awesome she is.

When we got back, two of our girls groups had dinner at students houses, getting to meet their parents. They were received very well. One was our friend Aigul. Her sister started asking about deep issues as well. There is something going on in this family. Some of the guys are fixing dinner tonight for another of our friends. He will get to experience fried chicken! He is interested in philosophy. He is a great guy, but a little bit of a loner. I hope he feels loved no matter what.

This has been a great trip, but I miss my family, the guys in Dship, Focus and Life Connection. Hard to see how important our friends and family are until you have to go without for a while. Looking forward to rafting with the gang even if it means a few more nights out of my own bed. Keep interceding, we are doing the same for you. See ya on the other side!

Salem from Central Asia,
What an amazing week! We have two people, one from last year and one new one that have been very interested in discussing deep issues. The girl from last year didn't wait for the subject to come up, she started asking questions as soon as they left the building lessons are in walking to dinner. She is starved for truth! Yarp as I will have tea with the young man tha is interested on Monday. Saturday we are going to have our own 4th of July party with the students. Should be interesting. We have become popular with the young soccer players here. We play for about 2 hours every night outside the apartments. Many, many exciting things to share that will have to wait for in person. Things are moving though! Gotta go to W time.