Hope for things yet to come . . .

FRIDAY!  Today was a day into Bishkek but not a day for seeing the sites.  It was a day filled with seeing orphanages and a rehabilitation center.

We started off dropping mom off for a dentist appointment.  We headed for an orphanage to get a tour and pick up their crafts that they make to sell back in North America.  Each of the kids that made something gets half of what they are sold for.  We picked up EVERYTHING!  Not ONE child's art was left behind.  They were thrilled.  I will let the pictures speak for themselves:

 

Our next stop was to the market to pick up a few items for the women's conference and a few souvenirs if possible.

We proceeded to Teen Challenge where there is a drug & alcohol rehabilitation home for about 17 men.  They are just a few months of opening up a home across the street for women!  The men prepared our lunch!  The food was WONDERFUL!  I found this place to be relaxing, encouraging, restful, peaceful.  They are men who are working for a year on the farm learning a new trade and becoming drug and alcohol free.  This program is making a difference!!!!  What's also cool is that they are working to make their farm self-sustaining - where the animals, crops, bees, etc will produce enough income that they are paying for their expenses on their own - this is true restoration . . . being responsible . . . 

From here we headed to another orphanage.  This orphanage has about 140 children who have minor disabilities - most of which could be resolved with a simple surgery.  If only . . . 

These children LOVE to have their pictures taken.  We also picked up their crafts to sell back in NA.

In the midst of today, mom was out and about in Bishkek doing her thing!  After her dentist appointment (ugh here so please keep it in prayer) she headed to a meeting with the Minster in charge of the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection.  This meeting was BIG!  What could have been just a cordial two minute meeting ended up being two hours!!!!  I can't even begin to tell you what this means.  Wanna know the COOL thing!!!!!  The minister will be at the Dayspring Grand Opening to cut the ribbon!!!!!!!!!!!  This is an amazing God thing!  We are so excited!  I am so proud of my mom and Lynn for following God's direction to come to a foreign land and use their skills and talents to make a difference for the children of these countries.  I am proud of the WHOLE LAMb team - Wright's & Schooler's for doing what God has directed them to do - to make a difference in His name.  Today was a day to see the fruit of their labor - just the beginning - still a lot of work to be done - but this is big!  Our God is big!  I am honored to be here at THIS time . . . 

Blessings!

Kim