Between Hello and Good Bye

It is about 9:00 PM on Monday night and in a few hours we will board our plane and head for home. It is hard to explain, we are heading for home, but, we feel like we are leaving home. I guess that it is okay.


This morning, I had the privilege to speak to a large crowd of staff and many visitors at the Mercy Foundation here in Tokmok. There were probably 8-10 nationalities present all of whom had the main thing in common—personal faith in Jesus Christ and a desire to serve Him.

I started the morning talk with how Jayne and I like to walk if we have time here in Kyrgyzstan. There are three reasons, I said, why we like to walk. The first is we need to do so—so many simple carbs and sugar here. Secondly, when we walk, we are able to take in the details of houses, yards, symbols, and so many other things that are missed when one speeds by in a taxi. The third reason we like to walk is that we like to see the children who are at play in every block through which we pass. The children are beautiful and we love to see them.

The children do something when we walk by that has taught me a great lesson. As we pass, they say “hello” and then in a few seconds they say “good-bye.” Of course, we always responded in like manner and they were so pleased that they apparently were able to communicate with the “foreigners.”

I shared this story of the kids with the group this morning by saying that last March we said “hello” to our friends here and now, this morning, we are saying “good-bye.” The lesson I wanted to share is that each one of us says “hello” to life, and some time later, each of us says “good-bye” to life and how the most important thing to consider is what we do between the “hello” and “good-bye.” A favorite song of mine came to mind. It is When It Is All Said and Done.

After sharing the story of the children and making the application to life, we showed a video and power point presentation as to what God had allowed and enabled us to do here from the day we said “hello” to this morning when we are saying “good-bye.”

Between Hello and Good Bye

We were with the children at one of the Foundation Orphanages - A Weekend at Kara Balta

The teens and children had quite an entertaining program. This is the orphanage where the children from Tokmok that we know so well were moved in December. They all seem to be doing well.

      The three teens in this picture have special pen-pal ties to friends in the US
.

Having lunch with them on Sunday before returning 2.5 hours to Tokmok.

We were with the young people at the university

One thing David enjoyed was sitting outside under the trees talking with students.  They sought him out reguluarly. We have truly grown to love these young people as we have spent many hours on campus.

Afternoon of the last exam - what a great feeling for everyone.

We were involved with the ministries of the Foundation

Speaking on Sunday...

  Leading a seminar on character studies for the school system

We were with children and adults within the community living in difficult situations

This precious baby represents many children living in orphanages in need of medical treatment. The work of LAMb has started "Babies Bound for Blessing," which is a sponsorship program that will enabled babies to be taken to the capital city for much needed medical treatment.  Please visit www.lambinternational.blogspot.com for more information on this criticially needed program.

When the team from Canada was here, they minister  in a prison two hours from home. This picture was taken shortly before the riots broke out in Bishkek and the team had to detour around the city in order to be safe.

The LAMb team, including an incredible group of folks from Canada, did a complete makeover in the home of this family. We talked about it before on the blog.  We are so excited that the mom pictured here, has taken the leadership to get her children to church.  She came yesterday, asking for nothing.  We see God really working in this extreme inpoverish family.

Our team continues to be involved in the home for invalid men.  Once a dark place, light has come and one can see the difference.

We blogged just recently about the on-going work at Kemin.  Our prayer is that the community will step up and support this much needed home for homeless elderly.

As the time approaches for our van to pick us up at 2:30 am....we prepare to leave, again enriched by our encounters with this beautiful people...encounters between our hello and goodbye. 

It Was More Than Just Getting Out A Newspaper

About eight weeks ago, an enthusiastic group of young people arrived in the journalism class to begin something brand new - the publication of the university's first newspaper. The one barrier we faced is that our class was scheduled for 8:00 am on Monday mornings!  But they came.

On May 20, the first edition of the paper was released on campus and the student journalists were excited.

First edition of the IUCA Today campus newspaper.

Students get ready to distribute the papers.

Editors, Dasha and Michael give the college president the first look.

This newspaper project wasn't about getting out the first edition, but rather giving young people a new vision for what they can accomplish.  From the responses of these beautiful teens, I think they got it!

Last Sunday - A Day of Opportunity

Sunday was, indeed, a day of opportunity for us as David spoke twice to two different groups - a Chinese group and a Krygyz group two hours away from us. We were also able to spend the day with a family that we have grown to love over the two and half years we have been coming to this country.

Due to some sensitive issues here, I am just posting pictures of David and then some children.

It Was Children's Day at this local meeting

Just precious....

This is a traditional Kyrgyz instrument.

David had incredible cross-cultural speaking opportunities today. He spoke at this meeting to the heart of the father and husband in the home.

Melodie and Davina always capture our hearts.  We took them out to lunch at a restaurant where they have never been and it was such a delight to see them enjoy everything. They are the children of the house parents for the new family type foster home that is currently being formed.

And, yes, she ate the whole thing!

Davina was not quite demonstrative as her older sister.

Sunday was a wonderful day of meeting many new people and we plan to be with them again in the fall for parenting seminars and other topics.

"Call To Community" Luncheon A Success

A number of weeks ago, we were visiting the homeless seniors' home in Kemin as we do quite reguarly. While having tea with the director, we were more keenly aware that Tonya and her family are carrying the load for this home. They have little or no support from anyone to care for all the needs of fifteen elderly grandfathers and grandmothers, most who have no family. We decided to plan and sponsor a luncheon and invite local government and church leaders to hear about the needs of the home. Today was the day and it was truly a success.

Over 18 local people came to hear the needs of the seniors' home and the response was very positive. One young woman, who works in the government office stood up at the end and said, "I live in this town and didn't know this home was here. We will find ways to help them."

The vice mayor attended as well and when I thanked him for coming, he said, "These are our fathers and mothers, grandfathers and grandmothers, we need to take care of them." He promised to do what he could, although government financial aid is limited. I want to share some pictures and highlights of the day. Here is the video that we showed the group, of course, they saw it in Russian.






Volunteers Helped with the Meal Preparation

The volunteers were there early this morning to prepare.

         We had a wonderful lunch prepared by these ladies from the community.

Of course, Natalia and I were busy cooking, too. 

Government Officials Attended

The vice mayor (right) with another government official were impressed with all the work that Tonya and her family have done in the home.

As we were leaving, the young lady in the grey sweater stood up and told us that she lived in this town and didn't know this home was here. She promised to find help.

Anatolee played his wooden spoons for entertainment at lunch.

We prepared a "help needed" list to hand out to the guests and encouraged them to place them around town.

We are so thankful that God brought the people to us today and we are trusting Him that the seniors' home will receive help from their community. We have scheduled another luncheon for October 1 - Seniors' Day.

It Is Not All Work....

It is not all work…there’s time for fun


Our work here is often busy with difficult, desperate situations with broken people, needy families and children. However, to keep everything emotionally balanced, we delight in our relationships with our friends. On Friday evening, we planned a TGIF party with two sisters – Sophia and Zenia….before we left to go to the shaslick place, we had invited 7 more and our party grew to 11, which required two stuffed taxis. It was great.

As David and I were sitting with this beautiful group of people, we were amazed at the different nationalities sitting at our dinner table – Kyrgyz, Chinese, Ethiopian, Russian….simply amazing. We all had something in common…we are of like mind and heart. We also marveled at these young people who have very little, who work very hard for very little, yet have such the spirit of gratefulness. Truly amazing.

Here are some pictures from Friday….

Our server brings "shaslick," like kabobs into the yurt.

Inside, everyone is waiting for all the picture taking to stop so they can eat.

Zina, (l) our friend from the Foundation and a great help to us,with Natalia, our LAMb team member.

Altynia, is a university student. She is a young lady with a remarkable story of redemption. Peter, a friend from the Foundation is sitting next to her.

Sophia, a friend from the Foundation and a great help to us as well.

Seasi, our friend and also faithful driver with Altynai's brother.  He was standing with her when we picked her up and is Kyryz custom, we had to ask him three times if he wanted to come...and he finally said yes!

It was heartwarming to hear the laughter and see the fun of the evening, knowing that this time was a brief respite from difficult days. The young people stayed behind to dance and visit...Natalia's mom, David and I went home sooner than they did. :)

A Day with Little Time to Stop

It has been simply a wonderful and beautiful day here today. But it just isn’t the weather that has made it so beautiful, but the connections with so many of people who have been special to us.


David’s Day Started When…

He left very early to walk to the University for his last class today. Exams are next week. We are so thrilled to be able to interact with these dynamic young people. Just last week, he was sitting out under a tree in the center of campus talking with a young man. Shortly, he was surrounded by 10 or 12 students who just wanted to talk with him. Our hope while on campus has been to develop caring relationships with these students and simply love them into the kingdom. Open conversation is happening more all the time. David is very busy the rest of today with grading research papers and designing final exams for three courses.

My Day Started When…

Natalia and I went to the government office building to talk with the key person in charge of children’s issues. We are discussing a new and most promising project- the creation of a family type foster home in Tokmok. Financial backing has come in for the purchase and renovation of a home where ten children will live. They will never enter the orphanage system. A few government hoops must be jumped through, and we are praying for God’s direction here. As soon as we have a clear green light, I will share more about this amazing project.

Then…

We went to the baby hospital to see Melana, a six week infant, abandoned by her 15 year old birthmother. Ruby had the privilege of naming her and Melana means “grace” in Kyrgyz. Melana apparently has some potential heart problems and through the project, “Babies Bound for Blessing,” she has been sponsored and will be taken early next week to the hospital in Bishkek for evaluation.

Little Melana will go to the hospital next week and then shortly move to the baby orphanage.

My heart breaks for birthmothers here as they simply are forced to walk away from their newborns, never knowing whatever happens to them. Maybe someday, we will find a way to minister to them. Relinquishment is not an event, but a lifelong journey for these young, frightened birthmothers.

Then…

We went to the bazaar because the doctor told us she had no baby food left for Melana from the supply given to them by Lynn and Ruby earlier. We hadn’t planned on shopping today, so had just enough money to get a few supplies – the essentials – oatmeal and diapers. Early next week, we will stock up the food supply at the baby hospital.

Then….

We headed to the university to gather the final news articles for the school’s first newspaper to be published early next week. After a quick lunch, we ran a short bank errand (40 minutes to withdraw some funds).

Then…

With all of 20 minutes left to get to the T-shirt factory before the manager left, we rushed to pick up the shirts for the journalism class. More about that later.

Then…
We hurried back to the baby hospital to deliver our small bundle of supplies…

Natalia, our friend and translator, (l) Hymanot, our friend and driver, and Altynai, a precious young student at IUCA who has a story of redemption all her own, helped deliver things today.

Then…

We came back to our apartment to finish some last minute changes on the student’s newspaper articles.

Then…

We grabbed a taxi for the last journalism class this term. Before rushing any further, I wanted to share what it was like to be with these 11 students. Here is the short article that will appear in the paper next week about the young people.

A Fantastic Group of Enthusiastic Journalists

By Jayne Schooler, Faculty Advisor to the Journalism Club

Something came to be today that just eight weeks ago was not even a thought. That something is the very paper you are holding in your hand – the new IUCA TODAY.

Just eight weeks ago, I met a dynamic group of ten young people, enthusiastic and eager to tackle a project in which they had no experience. And, tackle it they did.

How? Class attendance (8:00 am Monday mornings) was nearly 100% throughout our eight weeks. Each student readily took on new challenges, asked many questions, showed up and followed up with completed assignments.

To introduce the new course of journalism and to get a first paper out in eight weeks is just short of a miracle. I am so proud of these ten fine young people who worked hard and together published the first edition of the IUCA TODAY.

At the beginning of the class, I had the opportunity to share with them about the most important decision I ever made in my life and that was to make God the center of my life. I also told them that it was my journalism teacher over 40 years ago that led me in that decision. Following that short testimony, each student was given a t-shirt with the journalism logo they designed.

The IUCA TODAY journalism staff - a brand new experience for everyone of these young people.

                                  Did someone say "no final exam?"


A Day of Contrasts
This was truly a day of contrasts – engaging in the world of child welfare with all of its heartbreak and complexities and then engaging in the world of university students who are looking for meaning and purpose in life. We are truly blessed to be a part of it.

Yesterday, we sat in the office of the university president to discuss what courses we will be teaching next fall. David will be co-teaching with the university president in a class entitled “Professional Ethical Leadership” and Applied Psychology: Principles of Counseling. He has been asked to be a part of a Learning Center next year, which is actually a guidance counselor’s office as we know it. So many of these young people have no family or broken families or come from very significant poverty situations and life is difficult.

International University of Central Asia's president, Camilla Sharshekoeeva and head of  the linguists department, Tatyanna Dubina.


Although it is still undecided, I will probably be teaching Beginning Composition and Journalism. There is a possibility that with the addition of the new Education Department, I could be teaching a course on early childhood development.

We start the ten day count down on Saturday with much yet to do. Again, we will leave here changed. We continue to be humbled by the gracious, loving people for whom life is extremely difficult, and yet, they extend themselves to us every day.

What's In Store for the Two Weeks That Remain

We cannot believe that we are down to our last two weeks here. We just returned from having dinner with our friend and team member, Natalia and we planned the activities for this week. Here is what is ahead, but as we always say here - we must be flexible!

Monday:

• We go to the Senior's home in Kemin to help plan a luncheon for the local churches and government administrations in the area.  The family managing the home does so, without pay and with little or no help and we thought it would be a good and fun idea to reach out to the community, get the word out about this life-saving facility and encourage volunteers to come to do a variety of things. The luncheon is scheduled for Wednesday, May 19th. This luncheon is being made possible through the gifts of our friends and partners. We trust that this time will encourage those in the community to share in this vital service.

Tonya and her husband and three sons basically manage the health care needs, nutrional needs, emotional and spiritual needs of 14 elderly people, who would have been homeless without their intervention.

• In the afternoon, we will drop in with a visit with Larissa, who has a Bible ministry at the home for invalid men. Lynn and Ruby left Bibles and other booklets with us to take out to the men and Larrisa will deliver those wonderful resources. Just last week, we visited the invalid home of about 250 men and took fruit and vegetables and treats to them. This also was supported by friends back home.

God has called this selfless woman to the ministry at the home for invalid men. Once a dark place, the light of God's love has been brought there by Larissa, and through the work of LAMb International and John Wright's group, Possibilities International

• Following our visit with Larisa, we will come back for an afternoon meeting at the University with the journalism staff. After Thursday, I want to blog all about these dynamic students. I plan to share the picture of all of them in their journalism shirts, which be given to them on the last day of class. These gifts made possible by the gifts of others, is an enormous blessing to these young people.

Tuesday

• Because of the sponsorship of friends in Lebanon, a young man attends the university. He is doing well in his second year.  We heard early last week of his need for shoes - he literally had none and was forced to borrow from a classmate.  So, on Tuesday, Natalia and Vitali will go shopping for shoes and other clothing items while we are in class.
• While here, Ruby had the privilege of naming a baby who was born in the baby hospital here and left there by her 15 year old birthmother. Her name is Melana Grace and just before they left, we heard she has a heart problem. Natalia and I will visit the baby hospital tomorrow and Natalia will make arrangements for her to be transported to the capital for tests.
• David and I have classes all afternoon at the university.

Wednesday

• We will meet with the university president to discuss their needs for the fall and how we might fit into the picture here in September.
• David will possibly have meetings, but it is too soon to know.
• We plan to have dinner with some special friends.  As we prepare to leave, one of the precious memories we experience is spending time with friends.

Thursday

•  We will go to see "Jessica's family" in the morning.  The oldest daughter is in need of eye surgery and through the gift of a special friend in West Chester, we will be able to share in this need.

           Ruby and Medina, who needs the surgery, on home renovation day.

• David and I finish our university classes on Thursday and will truly miss these fine young students.

Friday, Saturday and Sunday - Just too soon to know, however, a few things are planned. We will be going to Bishkek on Friday for dental work for Natalia and again on Sunday as David will be speaking at a church there.

Our love and admiration for our friends here deepens with each trip that we are here.  Our prayer is that in some small measure, we have blessed them as they have, indeed, blessed us.