A very successful day

The first day of lessons really stressed the team. Today during devo we discussed James 1 and how the first day should be viewed in light of this lense. Day 2 was fantastic. More diffuculties (which we asked Dad to give us to continue to grow us) but many more successes. We had 47 students!!!! We are running out of chairs again despite the fact we have a lot of new ones we didn't have last year.

Tonight some of us will be having dinner at Shlpns house with brothers and sisters from their fellowship. This is a day we have been asking Dad for for over 4 years!! Continue to intercede for us. I expect about Thursday the pace will catch up with the guys and some new stressers will come.

Guys played soccer, locals vs. USA with some kids outside our apartment last night. A couple came for lessons tonight. Well, gotta run to dinner. Thanks for helping us come here and thanks for interceding. Your efforts are being blessed.

Hello from Central Asia again. Started classes today with 25 students. Considering its been cold and rainy and we only had a couple of days of advertising, vice the 3 weeks we had last year, we were very happy with the results. Our team is currently out with our students having dinner and recruiting more. We have atleast another 15 confirmed for tomorrow even without this. As promised, some of our dear friends came back. We had fun with Donna, Nurbeck, and Karina. We made some new ones as well. We have a much older group this year.

Had dinner last night (Scott and I made Lasagna and garlic bread) with Kman and his wife Shpon, our dear friends that do the work here year round. Their small company has grown to 10 and are doing very well. They have one, Asm who we met on our first visit here 4 years ago, away now going through intensive training. Kumbt is doing well. Her daughter that was struggling has returned to the straight road and is doing well with Father.

Continue to lift us up. Everyone - and I mean everyone - here is still asking "where's Kevin?" Kman especially would love to see him. Tomorrow is Arman's birthday, so please remember him and facebook him your wishes.

Well, poor Daniel is waiting patiently as his stomach rumbles. We are off for a little Shashleke!

Well updating the blog has been quite the challenge. The first internet cafe I went to would not let me reply to emails or log into the blog. Just part of the fun! 22 of us plus our friends here are in Kokshetau, spread out in 5 apartments (PTL and thank K man as he set up all of these. He is an amazing friend). It is a very unique team of personalities. Daniel and Jay compliment each other well and have been doing welll as leaders. The team is out advertising and getting amazing results. We have two young people from our friend K's study group that will be taking lessons along with a Russian study group leader as well. They will followup with our students after we are gone. The two from K's group will invite them to K's house if they are interested in talking about important matters. It is amazing what the H. S. is doing here.

K has stated a need for literature in Russian to help alcoholics. This is a huge need for those he is serving.
We have many friends from last year coming again including Donna and Nurbeck. It promises to be very exciting. The weather could not be more different. We are in the 60's with occassional rain. We haven't killed more than two or three mosquitos. Thanks for remembering us continually. More updates soon (internet cafe permitting)
Good job Sandra Y on the surprise!!

What's Up Chuck in Central Asia

Well we have arrived. As usual it was an adventure. I rode while Nathan drove to Richmond. I was able to keep my mouth shut - for the most part. Only a couple of instances of "dad seat" driving. Once in Richmond we had a great night visiting with the McDaniels. They have a true gift for hospitality. Saturday morning we all went our seperate ways. Samantha and Brittony McDaniel took off to be counselors in a summer camp at Liberty University and Nathan, Daniel, and I headed to Dulles. About half way there, we got a call from Samantha. They had broken down a few miles short of their destination. So the last half of the trip was done checking to be sure they to got picked up by the camp leaders and got the car towed.

Nathan dropped us off and began his first solo journey through the outskirts of DC. Lots of tests of faith. He made it fine.

Meanwhile, Daniel and I wound up going through the check-in line twice. Long story but even longer lines. After getting to the airport 3 hours early we made it to the gate with 15 minutes to spare. The layover in London went well, until we started to check in again. Because we changed airlines they were going to charge us for our 2nd bags - 600 lbs which is about $1000!!!! All I could do was stare and pray. It must have worked because the lady called her supervisor and we were able to take the bags for NOTHING!!!! PTL!!!
Arrival at our final destination was without a hitch and we are beginning to get briefings and introductions done. The stopover is proving very useful as Daniel and I haven't experienced too much jet lag. More to come!

Thanks for setting this up Ron!