An evening in a village

Friday afternoon was one of the trips in which we had no idea what would happen. All we knew is that we were going to the home of a seventeen Christian young lady who lives all by herself. Once there we were going to share in a dinner celebration. However, as you see the incredible pictures below, it was not a dinner at a home, but the entire village had dinner together. It was again, one of those incredible experiences that we won't forget. We fell in love with these beautiful, beautiful, gracious people!

Before you look at the pictures, I want to share a few things about the people you will see. This is a village of 21 families. Many of the people have lived here all their lives. It is a Dungan village, which are Chinese people. Until a Krygyz Christian woman by the name of Larissa and her daughter, Tonya, moved into the village simply to love the people, the gospel had not been introduced there. When she arrived two years ago, they threw rocks at her. She refused to give up and continue to love them, provide resources to them and Tonya taught the children English. Today, she is deeply loved and respected there. It was her delight, as the evening ended to disribute the Samaritian Purse shoeboxes. The pictures tell the story.

This is the oldest woman in the village and it is the custom for her to greet the visitors.
Before the evening began, they asked for a group photo. This is just a few of the many families that joined us for dinner.
What an amazing dinner! Actually, three major courses spread out over two hours.
This is what we saw when we first arrived!
Tea, fruit and vegtables as we begin the meal.
These are some of the beautiful young ladies who live there. Laura, dressed in black, is the young lady who lives all alone. The young lady next to David was orginally met by John and Julie a year or so ago. They met her at the dump where she was trying to find things to sell to buy a school uniform. Without it, she couldn't attend school. The ministry group at that time gathered their resources, gave them to her and told her to go home and go to school.

God has used Larissa on the left, to bring light and life to this village. On the right is Julie Wright, who along with her husband and family continue to leave a life changing impact whereever they go.

We couldn't resist this picture. He was asleep by the time the shoeboxes were given out, but his mom made sure he got one.

The kids wait on the arrival of the Samaritarian Purse shoeboxes.

A glimpse of the box of gifts.

This young lady shows us what she received.

These young ladies were so excited to get their gifts and also the literature.

Some of the food bags that were not needed earlier in the day, were distributed to families in the village.

These ladies were so deeply appreciative of the food, which included flour, sugar, oil, rice, apples and other necessary items.

As we were leaving after a four hour celebration, the women were distributing the food items.

It was an evening we won't forget and the journey continues...

Each Week New and Interesting Experiences

Every day is different. Our young translator, Natalia, I know would agree. Sometimes we plan - sometimes we plan and everything changes - sometimes we just show up and don't know even what we are doing!

This past week began with teaching and training. David entered his second week in teaching at the Foundation. He has been extremely busy with meetings as plans continue for the opening of the Professional Institute. He also has been doing personal counseling and prayer work with Foundation staff and Chinese church members.

On Tuesday, we started a seven week series training for area social workers and they were so excited. "We've never had anything like this before!" they told us. They asked us to move the room next week to accomodate more workers who didn't know about the opportunity. We will meet each Tuesday for three hours.

These social workers come from a nearby village. Valentina, on the right, wants to open a rehab center for abused and neglected children.

These social workers work in very difficult circumstances each week without many resources to support them.

One of our most favorite things each Tuesday is to have dinner at the Tokmok orphanage. This is Maksat. When we first met him, he had just arrived and was angry and combative. Now several weeks later, he has settled in. When we arrive he runs up for a hug or "high-five."

As we come home each evening we are greeted with many, many "hellos" by our little neighborhood friends. These children live in and around our apartment house.

A visit to the home for invalid men

Visiting a home such as this is a life experience no one can forget. There are approximately 200 men at this particular home with a variety of disabilities - some physical, other mental disabilities. A number of Christian people from Tokmok visit this home regularly. Larissa, who ministers in a nearby village also, is planning to put a craft room there so the residents will have at least one activity to do. To learn more of their needs, visit actofkindness.blogspot.com

This is Sergae. He is seventeen and deals with severe cerebral palsy. He will spend the rest of this life in this home. He was so apprectative of the bags of treats he received. It was so little for such overwhelming need.

This young man was part of a music group that came to perform for the residents.

A Visit to the City Dump

After we left the home for invalid men, we went to the city dump. Many families live near here and visit the dump regularly to find food to eat or items to sell. Today, thankfully, there were only a few families there. We brought food for ten families, which is usually what is there.

These three boys ran from us as we approached, but not before we were able to ask them about their "mama and papa." No "mama and papa" they said before they scaled up the hill of trash. The odor was indescribable as it is extremely hot now in Krygyzstan.


This picture was actually taken from a distance, but Julie was able to pull up the zoom on her camera. This beautiful young girl was hiding in the trash pile. She is one of the thousands of children abandoned or neglected in this country who need a child welfare system that can care for them and provide safe, clean, nurturing and loving care.

We had some exciting developments regarding training at the national level. As soon as I know more details and plans are more firmly made, I will share this incredible development!

The journey continues....

Elanya's Dental Needs

Three weeks ago, we introduced you to Elanya, a single adoptive mom, serving as a pastor and also a chaplain to the orphanage for disabled children. We told you about her serious dental needs and now we are ready to get her the much needed intervention. (see May 20 blog)

At this present time, it looks like it may cost close to $600. In our country, it would be thousands. If you would like to help Elanya get this health restoring dental care, please send your contribution to the address below and mark it "Pastor's Dental Care." Thank you so much for caring about her.

LAMb INTERNATIONAL TUCSON, ARIZONA OFFICE Don & Johanna Buchman 3146 N. Fennimore Ave. Tucson, AZ 85749 phone: 520-749-6872 e-mail: lamb-intl@q.com LAMb International web site: http://www.lambinternational.org/

Celebrating Children on Children's Day

This weekend began the country's celebration of children. Officially, it is June 1. We went out to spend more time with the Orlovka youngsters and see them perform. Keep in mind as you see these pictures that these children live in an orphanage. In our country, their building would be condemned, everything is dark and broken. However, the incredible director, assistant director and staff (who work for NO PAY) are not only rebuilding a building, as they have the funds, but rebuilding lives.

Again, the pictures tell the story!





This is Emma Wright. For her 17th birthday, she wanted to have the orphanage teen girls over for a slumber party. It will happen on Monday night.


This is John and Julie Wright, whom God has called to minister in this very unique way. On their right, is the orphanage founder and director, who receives no salary for her work.











This incredibly beautiful family of five live at the orphanage. When they were found by the government, the oldest young lady was searching through a dump for food for her younger siblings. They government moved the younger four to the orphanage and their older sister came with them to care for them. Her dream is to go to college and she has received scholarship funds to do so.


Another fabulous family of five. They all live at the orphanage along with their mother, who is the unpaid cook. This next week, through the gifts of Possibility International, they will move into their new home. Check out actofkindness.blogspot.com for their story and grab a kleenex.

We are so incredibly blessed to have the experiences we have every day. Our prayer is that God will not only continue to allow us to see, but also help along the way.

The journey continues....




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Pictures Tell the Story - A Day in the Mountains

We spent most of Thursday, May 29 on a trip with 20 youngsters from Orlovka orphanage. We went to the Baharna Tower, an ancient, 1,000 year old historical site and then to the mountain waterfall. The kids were awesome. None of these children have ever experienced what they did on Thursday. The pictures tell the story.

We arrive at the tower site
Getting ready for the tour

These kids stick together.

Climbing the tower stairs to the tower.

David did! I didn't!

One of our two vans broke down out in the middle of nowhere...but God made a way!

These youngsters love to have their pictures taken!

David and Alymbek at the riverside.

All kids everywhere love to throw rocks into the river. These kids have never seen what they saw on Thursday....the beauty of God's creation.

Hey, Andrew...we have now had shaslick- lamb kabobs

This will be a day they will never forget! and neither will we.

We were standing at the foot of the waterfall and someone asked the question - "What is more beautiful - this waterfall or the family of four (the Wright family) who gives so much to these kids. We all agreed it was the Wright family, for they are touching the souls of children.

David's Perspective

My main job here in Kyrgyzstan is to fulfill the role defined as “Spiritual Director of Mercy Foundation.” This foundation has six Christian schools with 1200 students, two orphanages, an experimental farm, a mountain summer camp and various other ministries, such as the soon to open Professional Institute, which promises to be one of a kind in this country. Over three hundred and fifty employees of many nationalities work for the Foundation and with whom I am working.


It is an amazing work of God in Central Asia and equally amazing is the spiritual and moral impact it is having on this devastated land. I am currently involved in a five week training series with the Foundation staff. My present series of lessons has to do with:

1. What is the Product we are hoping to produce – people. People who are born again believers in Christ, emotionally and intellectually healthy and have discovered their mission in life
2. What is the Conflict? We need to realize that there is an enemy who does not want us to do what we do. We need to know who he is and how to overcome him.
3. What is the Process? This has to do with how we produce a person of God so that he can fulfill his mission.

This type of teaching seems rather unusual to them, so it will be interesting to see their response.

This is my main job and I see it as important and needful. However, my favorite job is working at three orphanages and getting to know the beautiful children who live there. We spend as much time with them as we can and participate in a once in a lifetime trips and activities with them. For instance, we spent most of May 29th in the mountains and at a waterfall with about 25 amazing kids from the nearby orphanage. Their life stories border on the unbelievable. They are heartbreaking to say the least. They all behaved well. We had a great time and they love to be loved. We will be with those same children on May 31.

(David and Alymbek at the mountain waterfall)

In addition to what I mentioned above, I continue to preach, have healing moments with people and counsel the staff. I am also going to be meeting with a co-ed group of teens who want to learn about leadership and “anything else you can teach us.” Kyrgyzstan’s future rests in the hands of such young people who simply are not going to stand for the corrupt status quo here. I say to them, “go for it!”

We love to hear from you. Because we are here, doesn’t mean we don’t think of you or care about your journey. Please keep us informed.

Graduation, Training and Lots of Experiences

It is Friday and what a week of work and experiences it has been. We are getting much more into a routine of work- teaching and training on a regular schedule, but of course leaving much time for our trips with the orphanage kids.

Last Saturday we had the privilege of attending the first graduation of the School of Blessing. This was the first school started by Mercy Foundation in Krygzstan eight years ago. God has enabled them to start four other Christian schools in this Muslim country. Quite incredible.

Celebrating the end of the school year.

Elder Yang, standing to the left of the flowers, was called by God to establish Christian schools in this Muslim country.

Some the second graders celebrating the end of the school year. Their sign says, "Good-bye school!"

After the graduation and celebration of the end of the year, we took a trip to Mercy Foundation's mountain camp. One of the highlights for the camp in the summer is a month long experience for all the children living in their orphanages. We will really enjoy sharing in this in July.



David visits with Elder Yang. It was a cold, misty day in the beautiful mountains about an hour away from where we live.

Sunday we had the opportunity to visit in a local church to hear Dr. Thomas Wang, a renowed Chinese church leader. Being with him the previous several days was a real privilege as he shared his perspective on the international Body of Christ with us.

Quite a congregation - Russians, Chinese, Krgyz, Canadians and Americans.

Four of our little friends from the orphanage - l to r - Cola, Izat, Vania and Eelia.

Monday began our teaching and training schedule. On Monday and Tuesdays in the afternoon I teach English as a second language to the workers at the Foundation.

(The first day of English as a second language class)

Each Tuesday and Wednesday, David conducts a morning class for the workers on Sharping Their Focus. We are grateful for the opportunity to serve here.

Beginning next week, we will be conducting a seven week training session for orphanage caregivers. Those sessions will be held each Tuesday morning. David also will be meeting weekly with a group of young people who desire to learn leadership skills. The hope for this country is its young people, so we look forward to the possiblity of touching these young lives.

This has been quite a week for us ...we see and experience God every day and are humbled by the privilege of being here among these incredible people.