A Time of Reconnecting

RECONNECTING WITH SOME SPECIAL CHILDREN
Last summer, we posted a picture on the blog of a little girl. Her name was Marina. The first time we saw her she was scavenging through the city dump. Our hearts were deeply moved by what we saw.

Just a few days later, we learned she and her little brother were safe in the home of a volunteer, Larisa. We spent time with them the rest of the summer. AND ON MONDAY of this week, we were finally able to reconnect with a dinner at the Wright home. It was wonderful to see them looking healthy and well.

This is the first time we have seen the children and can Valera stare you down!

Aksana (l) also lived in Larissa's home last summer. These are special children to us.

Although they are now living in a local orphanage, Larisa stays in very close touch, seeing them two or three times a week and calling them regularly. Through a translator and my attempts at Russian, we were able to learn about how they are doing. In the weeks to come, we hope to be with them on a number of occasions.

RECONNECTING WITH THE VILLAGE
One of the extreme highlights last year was visiting in a village near Tokmok. It was the village where Possiblities International, (John's group) provided the necessary fiances for a water line. They had been without a water source for 15 years and had to walk long distances to get it. While there last summer, we were able to share in the delivery the Samitarian Purse shoe boxes and spend several hours on a number of different occasions.

WELL, TODAY, David was able to reconnect with the people we knew from last summer. One mother was so pleased that David remembered her son’s name! David and John Wright went there today for a coffee hour with the villagers, hoping to reconnect with them and offer encouragement and support to them. They plan to return on a weekly basis until we leave.

The first coffee hour in this small village.

Someone recently called David, "the baby whisperer" because he has such a special way with children.

We understand that this little girl heard the team was coming and wanted her hair all fixed up. I think she is about three.

While coming home, David and John passed by this elderly gentleman. They stop to inquire about him to learn that he is homeless…living in the shell of the building in the picture. It is hard to understand, but this man, who was offered a warm bed and a place to stay turned it down.


Only Because David Insisted
One of our most joyous activities is spending time with the children at the Tokmok orphanage. Tonight we stopped in to share dinner with them. Someone asked me last year, “I thought you went to Kyrgyzstan…where are you in the pictures.” David is determined that I show up in a few of them…so here is one.