Home

We are home and getting back slowly into our normal routine.  Randy took off for Arizona as soon as we got home for a business trip - second time in ten years - and I headed back to Michigan.

Jet lag has not been my friend so I am still getting to bed early and up early.  This weekend we are here in Michigan for my niece's softball games at Eastern Michigan then we head home together and I get to be home for a week while working at one of our plants!  Excited for all!!!!

There is still so much we need to blog about regarding our trip.  Randy and I will work on it this weekend.  We want to tell you the stories.  The stories need to be told.

For now, I have attached a video that we shared at church on Sunday.  A photo recap of our trip.  It's hard to share what we experienced but we want to try.  Enjoy!

Blessings!

Randy & Kim

Blogging!

I know I am behind in my blogging.  The last two days here have been a blur and tiring - I think emotionally tiring.  We leave in about four hours.  Bright and early at 2 a.m. for a LONG day of traveling.  I figure we will arrive back home no earlier that 1 a.m. Saturday morning.  Then we hit the road running at 8 a.m.

During our travels home I will see about blogging about our last days here and over the weekend I will provide a wrap up.

Leaving this year is tough.  Saying bye to the Girls of Dayspring is heartbreaking.  Just as I was getting to know them . . .

Until we return!

Randy and Kim

There Are NO Accidents!

Today (Tuesday) was a day set aside to visit a few area hospitals and medical clinics to deliver more of the 100 stethoscopes that were donated by Kindred Hospital of Tuscon though Aunt Johanna & Uncle Don.

We started out with a visit to the baby orphanage where the babies stay until they are 4 years old and then they are moved to a different orphanage.  We met the director who told us that they are still celebrating Easter with children programs.  We got to see part of their celebration and singing - what a joy that was!  They even sang the Hokey Pokey - but in Russian!  What fun to watch them ham it up for us, smiling, laughing, and just having plain fun.

We then said 'Take us to the baby hospital' - well, lot's of the time when they say that they go to one particular hospital.  Not this time . . . we ended up at a clinic that the team hadn't visited before.  What was an initial 'accident' turned out to be a blessing.

This clinic treats people of all ages but specifically expectant mothers and children.  They pointed out that their chairs needed replaced - soviet era seating (in their words), old, tattered, worn, and just plain uncomfortable.  This includes all of the offices, examining rooms, and waiting areas.  They have NO computers!

When mom & Lynn introduced themselves the director realized that this was the group they had heard about helping in other areas of the town.  She was honored that we were there.  They honored us by providing a traditional Kyrgy coffee and snack.  The hospitality here NEVER ceases to amaze me!  I honestly thing we can learn a thing or two!  We also found out that it was the director's birthday and we sang 'Happy Birthday' to her!

As we left, mom and Lynn asked what they needed and they mentioned the seating in the waiting area and examining rooms.  They also said they could use a computer.  No promises made ... we would pray about it and it would be brought to the different sponsor's attention and see what happens.  We walked out knowing that we were in the right place at the right time.  No accident here!  We were supposed to be here!

We left and within 30 minutes Zuhra called them back to see if the director would be there in the afternoon for a delivery of ten chairs.  We needed to show them that we heard their cry.  We needed to show them that we truly are who we say we are - here to help.

They were amazed - someone really does care.  A little gesture of caring does go a long way.

Again, the journey continues . . .

Wonderful day with the seniors!

Today was a day that I was looking forward to even before we left for Kyrgyzstan.  It was the day that we went and spent time with the seniors at Kemin!  We started our day at 9:30 a.m. to pick up final groceries and 15 roasted chickens, picked up tons of clothing that were donated from the Netherlands, picked up around 15 people and in one vehicle we were off and running to Kemin.

When we arrived we unloaded the bus to the delight of the seniors.  They will have a blast going through all of the clothes and items that were donated.  They also were proud to show us that they had finished the renovations in their entry room and living room.  What a beautiful job they have done!

While the food was being prepared the seniors all gathered together in the living room and had a short program for us.  They sang, danced, played the spoons, etc.  It was sooo delightful to watch them enjoy their talents and to share them with us.  At the end, the LAMb team gathered together and sang a few songs while mom & Lynn played their ukuleles.  Lynn ended the time sharing from the Word.

Before we ate, the seniors were given a new pair of spring/summer slippers.  Thank you donors for your support!  You helped up buy the slippers and the food for dinner.  We really appreciate being able to have you join us this way!

Dinner was exciting!  They don't get much food so they always enjoy getting the chicken that the team brings along.  We cooked peas & corn, rice & chicken.  Served it to them and honored them.

As the visit came to a close we cleaned everything up for them and said our goodbyes.  Before we left, we then delivered some C.S. Lewis books to one of the ladies that has some serious health issues and is bedridden.  She was delighted and wondered when we could bring her more.  Pray that she get's better!

As we left we looked into the snow covered mountains and reveled in God's glory.  Spring is here and some of the hills that had snow when we arrived are now looking green.  A new season is arriving . . . a new hope for tomorrow is as well.

We came to bless but what always ends up happening is we are the ones blessed . . .

LAMb International: TEARS OF REALITY - KYRGYZSTAN DONOR STORY

LAMb International: TEARS OF REALITY - KYRGYZSTAN DONOR STORY: SOMETIMES THE REALITIES OF OUR LIVES JUST SEEM OVERWHELMING

God's Perfect Timing! How one act of kindness can change perspective!

Today (Saturday) was a bit more laid back!  We spent time in the morning chillin' after a busy week before we headed out for a few visits.

To start we went and saw Jessica's Family.  This is a family who LAMb team members and guests have helped out over the years - A home renovation, food, love, medical assistance, etc.  They have struggled over the years with alcohol, poverty, etc.  During our visit the mom was out working in a garden but Lynn got a chance to visit with the dad and we entertained the kids - how cute they are!  We also took vegetables, soda and bread over to them to just help out a little bit to and to bless them. Lynn talked to the dad about some work.  They will work on that as well.

After that visit we headed out to Dayspring to finally give the the gifts from Grandma!  Grandma purchased dolls and made outfits for them.  She has said that NO little girl should be EVER be without a doll.  Boy did she know what she was talking about!  Just a note - the dresses she made were beautiful!

What's interesting is that we planned from day one to head over and deliver the dolls and things just kept getting in the way.  We even had them with us Thursday night and in the midst of the crazies we forgot them.  So along came today . . . God's Perfect Timing!

When we walked in we had chocolate and I let the girls pick their piece.  I started with Christina because she seemed so quiet and disconnected.  What we found out was that she had been sad all morning missing her mom - separation, regardless of the reason, is still so very hard on kids.  My heart just ached for her.

Mom and I went into the art room with the secretive suite case and closed the doors.  The girls were all piled up outside trying to see what we were doing through the little crack - soooo cute!  We then called the adults in the room to let them see what we had, prepare to take pictures, and to drive the girls a little more crazy with anticipation - and it worked!  TEHE  We even lined the up behind their gifts and told them they had to wait until Christmas - ohhhh the looks!  Yes, I can be a bit mean!  ;-)

Dayspring Family!

We had the girls open their's one-by-one with the youngest going first.  Each look on the girls face as they saw THEIR doll and THEIR special clothing was absolutely and totally priceless and heartwarming.

But what I saw was the transformation of caution, girls who have been hurt, to total joy and elation.  ESPECIALLY in the eyes and face of Christina.  The smile on her face . . . you saw God's love!

Thank you grandma for letting Randy and I be part of this delivery!  You have truly touched the heart of God today through these children!

Tuesday & Thursday - Visiting the Girls of Dayspring

A big part of what Randy and I wanted to do on this trip was to spend time with the Girls of Dayspring.  We wanted to get to know them - see their personalities.  Boy have we had the chance!

The first time we stopped by we walked into the house and the girls were all over the team members that they had seen before.  They weren't too sure of us yet but that quickly changed.  I couldn't but help to immediately realize the difference in the house already from last year.  Last year Dayspring was a 'house' . . . with hope for a future . . . today it was a 'home' with little ones that had a hope for the future!  What a year has brought!  How amazing to see the difference!

Our first visit was to start on the garden.  One of the requirements from the organization that donated the monies to purchase Dayspring was that the girls had to have a garden and participate in planting and maintaining it.  What a wonderful idea and how the girls loved it as well.  The squeals when they found a worm or but was precious and watching them handle a worm was priceless!

The garden had already been turned over so the ground was soft after the winter.  Lynn took time to prepare the planting mounds and rows (with a little supervision) and then the joy began!

Each of the girls at some point in time participated in the planting.  Some more than others but everyone was out and about playing, laughing and having fun.  We planted carrots, pumpkins, beets, peas, and other veggies.  We also planted a LARGE strawberry patch.  I can see the girls sitting in the patch eating the fresh berries straight from the garden - what a joy that will be!

  

The pictures tell the story.  I had fun watching from start to finish and seeing the little personalities come out!  There is a little diva that I called my little me.  They got possessive about their rows they were planting.  They are truly little girls!  They are sisters!

Thursday we headed back for the afternoon for a LAMb staff meeting - fun seeing the team all together!  While sitting in the dining room, I could watch the little girls run all over, laughing and having lots of fun.  The laughter just made me smile - especially since I have heard their stories.  Trust me - laughter is a VERY GOOD thing.  Dayspring is truly their home and safe haven!

We cooked dinner for the girls and just spent time getting to know them!  Do we speak the same language? No.  But God's love does.  Laughter does.  Smiles do.  Compassion does.  We didn't need language to show them that we loved them.