Dignity!

Kyrgyzstan is on my mind!  As I reflect on the news coming out of Libya, Egypt, Yemen, etc. it makes me realize how unstable, unknown, and unpredictable our world is.  A year ago April 7 the same thing happened in Kyrgyzstan.  The people rose up against the current leadership, riots ensued, people were killed, leadership resigned, and things calmed down.  Property was damaged, lives forever changed, families torn apart.  What has happened in the last year since that uprising?  I’ve read that inflation is looming due to the weakened economy as a result of the instability over the past year.  The uprising was sparked by rising prices for food, heat, everyday necessities.  Inflation will cause these prices to go up.  What does this mean for the people of this country?  What does the future hold?

When I began to reflect on my last blog, I realized my personal comforts were my focus.  I don’t want to lose the fact that I think about the loss of personal comforts of the people of Kyrgyzstan.  There is so much more than mine.

In our training session with mom & Lynn we were asked what we expect to get out of our trip.  The popular answer was to see lives changed, etc.  I AGREE with all of that and want to see the same!  Do you know what I want my trip to harvest?  I want it to harvest dignity.  I want to show the invalid men of Iskar that I love them, respect them.  I want to show the seniors that they are valued and not discarded former members of society as their families have shown them.  I want to show the orphans that someone loves them. 

In some of the blogs written by LAMb the word DIGNITY has been prevalent and rings loud in my ears.  Sooo, what do I want from this upcoming trip?  I want to show those who are hurting, dirty, sick, poor, rejected that they are respected and loved.  That we love them even more and that they DO have dignity in this crazy world of ours.

So, don’t judge me from my previous blog, part of me having my own dignity is looking good for myself and for my husband.  This is personal wants.  If I get dirty I don’t care.  That means I am sitting in the dump with the homeless, playing in the dirt with the children, and cooking and serving the seniors.  At the end of the day I just want the people I come in contact with go to bed with a smile on their face and maybe experience a GREAT nights sleep for the first time in a long time just because someone showed them dignity.

More later – there is a lot on my mind as this trip approaches.

Blessings!

Kim

38 Days!

Well, it’s 38 days until we leave!  Between now and then I have a Women’s Conference to assist with and begin the daunting process of shopping and packing.  Packing will be interesting.  I get the idea that jeans aren’t really appropriate in most situations and we also won’t have dryer’s to dry our clothes.  So what do you pack for two weeks that won’t wrinkle, is appropriate to wear, and dries easily (although jeans won’t dry easily).  PLUS I have only one bag I can take that is under 50 lbs and that includes my makeup and hair products!  OH MY!!!!!!

Kohl’s here I come!  I need to find shirts that layer well, pants that travel well, shoes that are comfortable and look good with my outfits (yes I’m vain!  I still have to look good!).  I need to get a hairdryer that will work on 220, possibly an iron that will do the same, gifts to bless those I come in contact with, meds to calm a nervous tummy, and anything else I can think of that I may need.  The only good thing is that my mom and I wear about the same size so I can raid her closet!!!  Tehe!!!

The nerves have started.  I have a lot to do between now and when we leave and being home only on weekends makes that a bit more tiring.   But then who am I to complain!  Mom and Lynn does this all of the time.  They do this with less than a 24 hr turn around so I won’t complain.  Just praying that God gives me clarity of mind to get done what needs to be done and packed what needs to be packed.

I am excited!  I get to see what mom and Lynn have been doing in Kyrgyzstan!  I get to meet the people whom they have blessed.  For this alone I am excited!

I keep praying that God prepares the hearts of those who we will come in contact with and prepares our hearts to be prepared to do what He has planned for us to do.

Blessings & Thanks for following!

Kim

LAMb International: WITH HEAVY HEARTS

LAMb International: WITH HEAVY HEARTS: "OUR SENIORS AT KEMIN - EACH ONE IS PRECIOUS TO US We have lost four seniors over the last months, two just passing this last week. The sor..."

Time is getting near!

I figured out today that we only have 44 days until we leave for Kyrgyzstan!  It was just yesterday when we were saying that 'next year we are going on our first missions trip!".   So hard to believe that it is so near.

As I think about getting ready to go I ponder on what we are going to see, do, and experience.  I hear the landscape is beautiful, the people are precious, the food is good, the needs are great.  I also wonder what being there on the first year anniversary of last years revolution will bring.  Will it be quiet?  Will some uprising occur?  Only time will tell.  I'm not nervous.  Just excited to see what God has in-store for us!

One thing I have been looking forward to is visiting with the seniors.  There is one man particular that I was so excited to meet.  He played the spoons and loved to play for others.  I was so sadden to learn today that he went home to be with Jesus.  Not only did the team and seniors lose him but this winter they have lost four of their friends.  Please keep the seniors and the LAMb team in prayer.  It has to be hard to minister to people time after time after time only to return and find the precious people that they come to love no longer are with us.

I have realized by listening to mom and Lynn and the other team members that they give so much of themselves while in Kyrgyzstan.  Meeting the needs of the hurting and seeing joy come into their lives.  Each time someone goes passes away a piece of them goes with them.  The DO have an emotional connection with those that they are serving.  How wonderful is this . . . I pray that I can leave something of myself behind . . . and pray that I can return.

So, in 44 days I leave for an adventure that I have no idea what to expect!  I can't wait!!!

Kim

What We Need!

I have had several people ask how they can help as we prepare to go to Kyrgyzstan.  What do we need?  What can they provide?  LAMb has asked each of us to bring one suitcase full of stuff – that means 4 bags up to 50 lbs each.  We have 1 ½ bags full so far with 2 ½ to go.

Well, I have asked around – okay – asked mom and Lynn!  Here’s what they suggest:

• First and foremost . . . PRAYER!  Pray for God's protection, guidance, favor.
• Cash.  No, we can’t/shouldn’t take a suitcase full of cash but cash on hand will allow us to buy food for the seniors, a party for the kids in the orphanage, purchase craft supplies for the Home for Invalid men, dinner for the families living in the dump, clothing for the homeless we come across on the street. Supplies for Dayspring Family Life Resource Center!!! The philosophy that we are going with is “Stop for the one in front of us”.  If we see a need we want to be able to find a way to meet that need.  If we should get a suitcase full of cash to take we can deposit it into the bank and withdraw it once we are there so if you are so inclined . . .  NOTE:  Any cash donations will go for mission related activities and not for our travel expenses, food, souvenirs, etc.  We can also provide a receipt for tax purposes by going through our church "Dayspring Ministries".
• Craft supplies – yarn, painting supplies, etc.
• Kids – inexpensive jewelry for the teen girls, toys, coloring books, crayons, finger paints, colored pencils, stuffed animals (I’ve sent over WebKinZ that I have had from giving the codes to my niece & nephew in Brazil and not the actual animal.  They in return are giving something to the children in Kyrgyzstan themselves), etc.
• Health – vitamins, first aid supplies
• Socks, underwear for all ages

I will post more ideas as they come to mind and as I get more feedback.  We just want to join you in blessing those we come in contact with.  When you donate to, pray for, and support our mission’s trip, we are just extensions of you and your hands!  You go with us!

If you would like more information on how to help please let me know!

Please prayerfully consider how you can help!

Blessings!!!!

Kim

LAMb International: THE WRIGHTS ARE ON THE ROAD SOON

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Great Training Day!

Last night Pastor Ken, Jackie, Randy, and myself met with mom & Lynn to go over what to expect while in Kyrgyzstan, what our schedule will be, etc.  I'll tell you, no rest for the weary!  We arrive (after 30 hrs of traveling) in Bishkek around 5:30 a.m.  After we receive our visas, get through customs and immigration we are whisked away to Tokmok (1.5 hr drive) to the Mercy Foundation where we will be staying for a quick shower, little unpacking, and to get ready for church at 9:30 a.m.  From there:  lunch, walking around the markets in Tokmok, and anything active to keep us awake and from sleeping.  Kyrgyzstan is 11 hrs ahead of Dayton and in order for us to get our bodies acclimated to the time zone we MUST stay awake until bed time.  OH MY . . . tired people = grumpy people!  I think we'll be fine!  We will be soooo excited to be there we will be fine!

We covered what to bring, what to expect, talked about what makes us nervous, what we want to get out of the trip personally, etc.  I think what made us nervous has been reduced.  This is a GOD appointed time for all of us and as we all know that as long as we show up God will move.

At the end of the month we are going to an event in Lebanon, OH to meet up with the LAMb missionary staff who will already be in Kyrgyzstan when we arrive.  This will be a GREAT launching point for our final month leading up to the trip.  The team (Schoolers, Wrights, mom) will be there and I am so excited!  Along with them will also be LAMb's right hand lady and assistant from Kyrgyzstan - Natasha.  Another familiar face when we arrive and who will assist us with our translations requirements.

Well, there is so much to say but this is a good place to stop.  Watch for more . . .

This is going to be an amazing time for the four of us - we will not come back the same as when we left!

Blessings!

Kim

LAMb International: ABANDONED NO MORE - KATYA RETURNS TO AMERICA

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Training Day!

Today is our Kyrgyzstan trip training day!  Mom and Lynn will be going over everything we need to know, what to expect, paperwork completion, videos, etc!  Pastor Ken & Jackie will be with us - this is making this all soooo real!

In my years of training I realized that I need to have established what I expect/need to get out of training.  So here it goes:

1. Paperwork complete to get the visa at the airport since we aren't going to do it ahead of time.  This is my first so I am a little nervous.
2. What do we plan on doing during the two weeks there?
3. Conversational Russian covered and learned.
4. Assurance that we will get to try and experience the food culture in Kyrgyzstan since I know that Jackie and Randy are REALLY looking forward it.
5. Anything else deemed important!  

Looking forward to this evening!

Kyrgyzstan Bound!

Kyrgyzstan trip is well into the planning stages!  My husband, Pastor Ken & Jackie Day and myself are preparing for two weeks in Kyrgyzstan.  We will be leaving on April 1^st and returning on the 15^th.   We are in for an adventure!

Pastor Ken & Jackie have never been out of the country.  We get to experience international travel with newbies first hand!  Our trip will include a 6 hr layover in New York followed by a 9.5 hr flight to Moscow, 12 hr layover there, then a 4 hr flight to Bishkek – and back home with a similar schedule two weeks later.  I am looking forward to the cultural hodgepodge of people we will get to observe in Moscow.  I will never forget my first realization in the Amsterdam airport that there is a whole other world outside of Ohio!

So why Kyrgyzstan?  Well, my mom and step-dad along with my aunt & uncle Don & Johanna Buchman started LAMb international over six years ago.  Over time their hearts for missions has taken them to Ukraine and now Kyrgyzstan (and beyond).  They are changing the destinies of the children in orphanages from having a bleak future on the streets of drugs, prostitution, and sex trade to a future full of promise with loving families, education, and realized dreams.

It seems that their hearts yearn for Kyrgyzstan.  As they did in Ukraine, Mom and Lynn spend many months there serving the people, the orphans, and reaching out to government to help organize their version of Family Services with training programs for foster parents, orphanage staff, and others.  This is just the start to make a difference in the lives of the orphans!

LAMb is opening up a home called Dayspring Family Life Resource Center!  This is a one-of-a-kind home that will house 10 young girls whose families have abandoned them or removed due to abuse and/or neglect.  Instead of them living in a dormitory like house in an orphanage where essentially they are just a number they will live with a loving family who will love on the girls, educate the girls, and give them hope for their future.  These girls will be available for reuniting with their families if possible, adopted by a Kyrgy family, or remain in the loving home until they are ready to venture out on their own to university or the big expansive world that awaits them.

The home is purchased thanks to a VERY generous donor; the house has been renovated with beds, kitchen, furniture thanks to many other donors; the house parents have moved in; now it’s time to finish the paperwork with government to bring the children in!  We hope to be there as this is happening!!

We are also looking forward to serving the seniors, loving on the disabled men, playing with the children in the orphanages, holding the babies in the baby hospital, and meeting the needs of those we see around us.

Are there anxieties?  Yes!  Long travels, keeping track of luggage, first year anniversary of the revolution, what kinds of foods do they have, etc.  BUT this is our appointed time to be in Kyrgyzstan and I am so excited to see first had what mom and Lynn have been doing these last six years in these foreign countries and meet those whose lives they have changed!  With all of that in mind, the anxieties turn into excitement of what lays ahead of us in April and beyond . . .

Join me and the others as I try to blog what we are thinking, feeling, and experiencing up to, during and after this amazing trip to Central Asia!