We arrived home around 1:15 a.m. Saturday morning after a long day of travel. We had little issues and the issues we did have were just bothersome and annoying but nothing that hindered us from having a good trip home.
The first thing Randy did was get a bottle of Mt. Dew when he found some in Columbus. The joy on his face was hysterical. When we got to our car I went straight for McDonald's and got a Big Mac (my travel comfort food), fries (not very good), and Iced Tea (back to no soda for me).
Saturday we were up and out by 8 a.m. I had a nail appointment, we went grocery shopping, and home by 10 a.m. for a day of doing laundry, cleaning a bit around the house, working on a video for church, finishing some blogs, and just chillin'.
Grocery shopping was a bit startling. We want the bread from the local bread maker on the street, the selection of vegetables and fruit from the corner stand, natural juices. The Kroger was sooooo much bigger than Narodnyi. I miss the bazaar shopping experience.
What I miss most though is knowing that I can't head to Kemin this week to love on the seniors, head to Iskra for English classes, baby hospital to love on Rosa or Hope, and the many other places that could use a helping hand, smiling face, loving hug. I can't head to the local university to help put together their first year book, stop in the English class to help them understand our language, or call Hymanot to take me anywhere I need in a flash.
I realized during my two weeks that missions is different anywhere you go. Some missions trips you go and build buildings such as a church, hike into the jungle, stand on a street corner evangelizing. What I found in Kyrgyzstan is that the work that LAMb is doing is building relationships. Spending time with the seniors and just loving on them. Taking craft supplies to the men in Iskra so they can use their creative minds to create beautiful crafts and taking treats like ice cream to honor them and just spend time with them. Helping a local family renovate a home, which in turn renovated a family. When we visited Jessica's Family the two thing that struck Randy and I was HOW EXCITED the kids were - they were beside themselves when they saw us; and how proud mom was that dad now had a job and was bringing the money home and giving it to her instead of drinking it away. Relationships. Watching the Wright family, John and Julie letting their young daughters (17 & 19?) integrate into the culture building relationships is inspiring. John and Julie have the biggest hearts I have ever seen. They love the country and it shows. Their passion shows with each hug they give (and receive), each painful decision they have to make when you just can't help everyone, each kind & compassionate word they speak.
The work that mom & Lynn are doing with leaders in the Social Work field is amazing. Brining field guides, training materials, expertise to a country that want's to make a difference for the children is generation changing activities. Starting pilot projects for orphanage alternatives, university training options, leadership courses. Jayne Schooler bringing her adoption expertise and sharing her books with those who want to make a difference. This doesn't start overnight. They have spent hours upon hours meeting and getting to know those who work in these areas and building relationships. Maybe, just maybe, the dream that Sergey and Anya have to see the children protected when leaving an orphanage can become reality. That is the work that LAMb is doing. Helping to build new futures for the children of Kyrgyzstan (plus Ukraine, and others).
It's all about relationships and realizing that it's just not about ourselves. I remembered quickly in our trip that it's not about observing, it's about doing. That it's not about what someone may think of me, it's about spending time and getting to know the culture. That's what the seniors taught me. That's what the men taught me. The loving touch, hug, smile makes a difference.
As I look at my pictures I am reminded of these lessons. Where I let me go and instead be the hands and feet. But you know what . . . there is so much more that I want to do. There is so many more I want to meet. There is more that I want to learn. The Kyrgy culture is amazing and so rich. There are so many stories that I want to see them play out; Hymanot's visit home, Sergey & Anya's dream for orphans, results of relationships, Bekah's dreams, Rosa's future. Two weeks ruined me . . . too much time to make me fall in love with the people I met and not enough time to see things play out.
What is in store for Randy and I? Time will only tell but I'm pretty sure we will be back. We left part of us there and realize that we can do a lot there. In the meantime what we can do is work from here. Help fund raise for LAMb, help bring awareness to what they are doing and how people can help make a difference. How? I have no idea but this is what we want to do for now. We need to get things in order here as well. We can't be used if we aren't prepared to be used. Oh yeah . . . and learn Russian! We want to be able to talk and really listen to what people are sharing with us instead of guessing when we return.
Mom, Lynn, Jayne, David, John, Julie, Bekah, Emma - thank you! Thank you for sharing your passions with us and going out of your way in doing so. We interrupted your Kyrgy lives for two weeks and you were so gracious. You were tired but yet you still continued on with us. Each and everyone of you are true servants that didn't go unnoticed by Randy or I. Your sacrifices will be blessed. You are in our prayers. We pray that one day we will be there with you. Serving along side of you. But that is out of our control for now.
Mom & Lynn, your hospitality - as always - was beyond expectation. I am so proud that you are doing the work you are doing. I am amazed, in awe, and was soooooooo honored to be introduced as your daughter to those whom you work with and have worked with for years. Their joy when meeting me showed me how much they love you and respect you for what you are doing. I am humbled. Truly humbled.
As I finish this up I am torn, confused. What does God have in store for us now? Where do we go from here? For now, we will continue to do the work that God has for us here. We will also pray that He show's us where and if we fit in with LAMb. It is a bit overwhelming . . .
Thank you for your prayers during our trip. I ask that you continue to pray for LAMb and the team on the ground that doors continue to open and the ones that need closed close. That they are given favor as they move forward in changing the future for the children, and that they are blessed beyond imagination. The work they are doing is AMAZING. If you are family or friends on one of the team members, be proud. Be very proud and supportive. What they are doing is hard and tiring work but the relationships they are building is making a difference.
Oh yea . . . If anyone reading this has any ideas or thoughts on fundraising, please let me know!
Blessings!
Randy & Kim
The first thing Randy did was get a bottle of Mt. Dew when he found some in Columbus. The joy on his face was hysterical. When we got to our car I went straight for McDonald's and got a Big Mac (my travel comfort food), fries (not very good), and Iced Tea (back to no soda for me).
Saturday we were up and out by 8 a.m. I had a nail appointment, we went grocery shopping, and home by 10 a.m. for a day of doing laundry, cleaning a bit around the house, working on a video for church, finishing some blogs, and just chillin'.
Grocery shopping was a bit startling. We want the bread from the local bread maker on the street, the selection of vegetables and fruit from the corner stand, natural juices. The Kroger was sooooo much bigger than Narodnyi. I miss the bazaar shopping experience.
What I miss most though is knowing that I can't head to Kemin this week to love on the seniors, head to Iskra for English classes, baby hospital to love on Rosa or Hope, and the many other places that could use a helping hand, smiling face, loving hug. I can't head to the local university to help put together their first year book, stop in the English class to help them understand our language, or call Hymanot to take me anywhere I need in a flash.
I realized during my two weeks that missions is different anywhere you go. Some missions trips you go and build buildings such as a church, hike into the jungle, stand on a street corner evangelizing. What I found in Kyrgyzstan is that the work that LAMb is doing is building relationships. Spending time with the seniors and just loving on them. Taking craft supplies to the men in Iskra so they can use their creative minds to create beautiful crafts and taking treats like ice cream to honor them and just spend time with them. Helping a local family renovate a home, which in turn renovated a family. When we visited Jessica's Family the two thing that struck Randy and I was HOW EXCITED the kids were - they were beside themselves when they saw us; and how proud mom was that dad now had a job and was bringing the money home and giving it to her instead of drinking it away. Relationships. Watching the Wright family, John and Julie letting their young daughters (17 & 19?) integrate into the culture building relationships is inspiring. John and Julie have the biggest hearts I have ever seen. They love the country and it shows. Their passion shows with each hug they give (and receive), each painful decision they have to make when you just can't help everyone, each kind & compassionate word they speak.
The work that mom & Lynn are doing with leaders in the Social Work field is amazing. Brining field guides, training materials, expertise to a country that want's to make a difference for the children is generation changing activities. Starting pilot projects for orphanage alternatives, university training options, leadership courses. Jayne Schooler bringing her adoption expertise and sharing her books with those who want to make a difference. This doesn't start overnight. They have spent hours upon hours meeting and getting to know those who work in these areas and building relationships. Maybe, just maybe, the dream that Sergey and Anya have to see the children protected when leaving an orphanage can become reality. That is the work that LAMb is doing. Helping to build new futures for the children of Kyrgyzstan (plus Ukraine, and others).
It's all about relationships and realizing that it's just not about ourselves. I remembered quickly in our trip that it's not about observing, it's about doing. That it's not about what someone may think of me, it's about spending time and getting to know the culture. That's what the seniors taught me. That's what the men taught me. The loving touch, hug, smile makes a difference.
As I look at my pictures I am reminded of these lessons. Where I let me go and instead be the hands and feet. But you know what . . . there is so much more that I want to do. There is so many more I want to meet. There is more that I want to learn. The Kyrgy culture is amazing and so rich. There are so many stories that I want to see them play out; Hymanot's visit home, Sergey & Anya's dream for orphans, results of relationships, Bekah's dreams, Rosa's future. Two weeks ruined me . . . too much time to make me fall in love with the people I met and not enough time to see things play out.
What is in store for Randy and I? Time will only tell but I'm pretty sure we will be back. We left part of us there and realize that we can do a lot there. In the meantime what we can do is work from here. Help fund raise for LAMb, help bring awareness to what they are doing and how people can help make a difference. How? I have no idea but this is what we want to do for now. We need to get things in order here as well. We can't be used if we aren't prepared to be used. Oh yeah . . . and learn Russian! We want to be able to talk and really listen to what people are sharing with us instead of guessing when we return.
Mom, Lynn, Jayne, David, John, Julie, Bekah, Emma - thank you! Thank you for sharing your passions with us and going out of your way in doing so. We interrupted your Kyrgy lives for two weeks and you were so gracious. You were tired but yet you still continued on with us. Each and everyone of you are true servants that didn't go unnoticed by Randy or I. Your sacrifices will be blessed. You are in our prayers. We pray that one day we will be there with you. Serving along side of you. But that is out of our control for now.
Mom & Lynn, your hospitality - as always - was beyond expectation. I am so proud that you are doing the work you are doing. I am amazed, in awe, and was soooooooo honored to be introduced as your daughter to those whom you work with and have worked with for years. Their joy when meeting me showed me how much they love you and respect you for what you are doing. I am humbled. Truly humbled.
As I finish this up I am torn, confused. What does God have in store for us now? Where do we go from here? For now, we will continue to do the work that God has for us here. We will also pray that He show's us where and if we fit in with LAMb. It is a bit overwhelming . . .
Thank you for your prayers during our trip. I ask that you continue to pray for LAMb and the team on the ground that doors continue to open and the ones that need closed close. That they are given favor as they move forward in changing the future for the children, and that they are blessed beyond imagination. The work they are doing is AMAZING. If you are family or friends on one of the team members, be proud. Be very proud and supportive. What they are doing is hard and tiring work but the relationships they are building is making a difference.
Oh yea . . . If anyone reading this has any ideas or thoughts on fundraising, please let me know!
Blessings!
Randy & Kim
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