This letter of the Bible is believed to be Paul's final written account before He was executed. Fortunately that's not the case for me, but I did feel this book to be suitable as my final blog on the trip (but no worries.. there'll still be ooone last blog after this!)
But yes, the trip is pretty much over. I'm now in London for debriefing, barely able to soak in all the beauty of the country and the Manor i'm staying in while processing this past month.
We're all trying to mentally sort out everything our Majesty taught us.. and there's just SO much, in which I can't even begin to describe. We did just finish going over John 15. That really helped.
I must apologize to all any frustrated readers. This blog being so scattered-brained reflects the mile-long traffic jam up in my head. While I'm sitting here sifting through it all I am loving the fact I don't really have any regrets. I can't praise Him enough for His abundant grace and mercy.
Thank you all for the prayers. I hope I'll have something to really say in my next and final blog, haha. Love you all!
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Acts
Don't we all wonder where the time goes?
It's all just way too fast.
We've officially completed all of our classes... and have a day of fun with the kids planned tomorrow, and after that a weekend of sight-seeing the beauty of the country, spending most of it at nation's one and only lake, Issyk-Kul.
As the days narrowed down, I personally felt a need to be intentional with all I do, simply trying to display the changes Chris has made in my life, and at one point almost got the whole operation busted. I slipped in during class, as one of the ways I find daily peace and relaxation, that I like to read the Word.... and to my slight surprise, BIG No-No. Somehow word spread like wildfire after class through the students and it reached one of the ears of the university directors... who informed MY leader that mentioning something like that could get the whole enchilada shut down, and every pocket of believers connected in any way hunted down and deported.
The country is actually not thaaat anti-the-truth (they would actually prefer if the muslim faith remained dormant and simply a cultural thing too), but the KGB fears any sort of rising power that could sway its current hold of the political and social spheres. I actually can't say too much on this topic... eyes are everywhere.
But do pry earnestly for us, as we are trying to (at least) non-verbally convey the power and love of the King. There has been SOME success... much in the form of an after class, coffee shop, completely objective style, but we'd just like to make sure we're takin' advantage of every opportunity we're blessed with.
Thanks friends......
It's all just way too fast.
We've officially completed all of our classes... and have a day of fun with the kids planned tomorrow, and after that a weekend of sight-seeing the beauty of the country, spending most of it at nation's one and only lake, Issyk-Kul.
As the days narrowed down, I personally felt a need to be intentional with all I do, simply trying to display the changes Chris has made in my life, and at one point almost got the whole operation busted. I slipped in during class, as one of the ways I find daily peace and relaxation, that I like to read the Word.... and to my slight surprise, BIG No-No. Somehow word spread like wildfire after class through the students and it reached one of the ears of the university directors... who informed MY leader that mentioning something like that could get the whole enchilada shut down, and every pocket of believers connected in any way hunted down and deported.
The country is actually not thaaat anti-the-truth (they would actually prefer if the muslim faith remained dormant and simply a cultural thing too), but the KGB fears any sort of rising power that could sway its current hold of the political and social spheres. I actually can't say too much on this topic... eyes are everywhere.
But do pry earnestly for us, as we are trying to (at least) non-verbally convey the power and love of the King. There has been SOME success... much in the form of an after class, coffee shop, completely objective style, but we'd just like to make sure we're takin' advantage of every opportunity we're blessed with.
Thanks friends......
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Proverbs
They've just fallen in love with us. And it's becoming sooo, so rewarding.
We've now had 7 days of classes, and right from the start the students just hovered over us like flies to garbage, (not that they're flies..... aaand nor are we garbage lol), pressing us with so many questions about who we are, where we're from in the states, our families, what we studied in school, how many children we have, and on and on and on. So of course we just opened up and told them all about us (but still being wary of sharing our deep love for Pod and Pizzas) and asked them likewise. And slowly, discreetly, sharing about His awesome love. Many have become quite interested... but no tangible fruit yet. One of the easiest ways we teach them is through sharing with them, be it verbally or non-verbally, some of the simple parables and proverbs threaded within the Word.
I feel to this day all the preparation that went into the trip... the pryrs, the airplane flights, the orientation, everything... is all starting to pay off. We teach the students from 10-1pm, and then do activities 1-4pm, finding any way possible to slip in the gas pill. Many of them afterwards invite us to go get ice cream with them, go to the musuem, have dinner, etc. Going to the King's House on sundays is rewarding too. We went to two different ones this past sunday in a village called Tokmok, and both have just awesome fire and passion, the second one with tongues and everything! Despite the dismal lives of the Kyrgyz people, many scattered believers have deep, agape love for our Redeemer.
The students have really been learning too! My partner and I teach level 3 of 4 (beginner, elementary, intermediate, and "upper-intermediate" - they don't like the name advanced. None of them think they are, heh), and we've taught them American greetings, education, expressions, how to ask for directions, shopping, restuarant behavior, sports... and much more to come.
Things are reallllly picking up. =)
I'm hungry for opportunities to share my love for Pizzas with them. Please pry there shall be more.
We've now had 7 days of classes, and right from the start the students just hovered over us like flies to garbage, (not that they're flies..... aaand nor are we garbage lol), pressing us with so many questions about who we are, where we're from in the states, our families, what we studied in school, how many children we have, and on and on and on. So of course we just opened up and told them all about us (but still being wary of sharing our deep love for Pod and Pizzas) and asked them likewise. And slowly, discreetly, sharing about His awesome love. Many have become quite interested... but no tangible fruit yet. One of the easiest ways we teach them is through sharing with them, be it verbally or non-verbally, some of the simple parables and proverbs threaded within the Word.
I feel to this day all the preparation that went into the trip... the pryrs, the airplane flights, the orientation, everything... is all starting to pay off. We teach the students from 10-1pm, and then do activities 1-4pm, finding any way possible to slip in the gas pill. Many of them afterwards invite us to go get ice cream with them, go to the musuem, have dinner, etc. Going to the King's House on sundays is rewarding too. We went to two different ones this past sunday in a village called Tokmok, and both have just awesome fire and passion, the second one with tongues and everything! Despite the dismal lives of the Kyrgyz people, many scattered believers have deep, agape love for our Redeemer.
The students have really been learning too! My partner and I teach level 3 of 4 (beginner, elementary, intermediate, and "upper-intermediate" - they don't like the name advanced. None of them think they are, heh), and we've taught them American greetings, education, expressions, how to ask for directions, shopping, restuarant behavior, sports... and much more to come.
Things are reallllly picking up. =)
I'm hungry for opportunities to share my love for Pizzas with them. Please pry there shall be more.
Friday, July 10, 2009
Daniel
Daniel and his three buddies served under a wicked and unholy King, but despite all the king's attempts to make them denounce their faith in the one and true King, they not only refused but survived his attempts to kill them.
The Enemy has not left our team of believers alone. One of my teammates Chi, hands-down the boldest of all our teammates has found herself continuously with diarrhea. Her water bottle leaked open one day and messed up a lot of her personal belongings, including her passport and camera, another teammate began developing pink eye, and another's friends' father passed away, which totally rocked her emotionally.
And as for myself, I started becoming so exhausted, having to wake up early, do some bbl study and group-singing to the King, riding buses, teaching English for three hours, doing sports for another three hours, resetting rooms and moving desks, walking back, eating dinner, plan for the nexy day's curriculum, and walk some more. What makes it even more tough is the fact that Chi is my teaching partner, so once she tapped out it became verrrry exhausting.
Fortunately it's Saturday morning, and we can now sit back and catch our breath. I'm so drained even writing this though... so I might have to end this here. But do know that I am staying afloat ladies and gentlemen! It must seriously be by your pryrs.
The Enemy has not left our team of believers alone. One of my teammates Chi, hands-down the boldest of all our teammates has found herself continuously with diarrhea. Her water bottle leaked open one day and messed up a lot of her personal belongings, including her passport and camera, another teammate began developing pink eye, and another's friends' father passed away, which totally rocked her emotionally.
And as for myself, I started becoming so exhausted, having to wake up early, do some bbl study and group-singing to the King, riding buses, teaching English for three hours, doing sports for another three hours, resetting rooms and moving desks, walking back, eating dinner, plan for the nexy day's curriculum, and walk some more. What makes it even more tough is the fact that Chi is my teaching partner, so once she tapped out it became verrrry exhausting.
Fortunately it's Saturday morning, and we can now sit back and catch our breath. I'm so drained even writing this though... so I might have to end this here. But do know that I am staying afloat ladies and gentlemen! It must seriously be by your pryrs.
Saturday, July 4, 2009
Psalms
Kyrgyzstan is absolutely amazing.
We arrived around 3am early Sunday morning in Kazakhstan (spending our 4th of July in London. Probably the most unsafe place to spend a 4th of July as Americans...) and then took a short quick flight to the Manas International Airport in Kyrgyzstan, right outside its capital, Bishkek.
The entire country pretty much rests on a mountain range, with snow-capped mountains year-round. The airport (and actually where our apartments are) is in the flat "valleys", so it was a peaceful, scenic drive from some native Kyrgyz m-workers. Big G really took care of me too. As soon as we got off the place I got hassled by all these Kyrgyz men. They just bum-rushed me. At first I thought they were just trying to help. But then I thought "what a bunch of thugs". And then I thought "maybe they think I'm Michael Jordan." I was wearing a Nike shirt. =)
Surprisingly the people here aren't giving me too many double-takes. There were a couple construction workers that literally stopped what they were doing when I walked past them and stared at me. I mean stared... like... mad-dogged me until I was out of their sight. If I hadn't had such love from Big G and His teaching of who I was in His sun's eyes, I might've been offended. But I think most people aren't too amazed - there are a lot of tourists in the capital. Perhaps when we get to the villages it will be a whole new adventure.
I'm just sittin' at an Internet Cafe, unable to access Yahoo!... so e-mails will come soon. Everything on this computer is in Russian, but I'm startin' to get it down. It's prettty fun to read and it really isn't that hard! A lot of Greek letters. But the capital and the countryside is beautiful. I'll see if I can go into much detail next entry... as well as the first few days of teaching Greetings to the eccentric Russian kids. I only got so much time so, I'm out.
Stay tuned!
We arrived around 3am early Sunday morning in Kazakhstan (spending our 4th of July in London. Probably the most unsafe place to spend a 4th of July as Americans...) and then took a short quick flight to the Manas International Airport in Kyrgyzstan, right outside its capital, Bishkek.
The entire country pretty much rests on a mountain range, with snow-capped mountains year-round. The airport (and actually where our apartments are) is in the flat "valleys", so it was a peaceful, scenic drive from some native Kyrgyz m-workers. Big G really took care of me too. As soon as we got off the place I got hassled by all these Kyrgyz men. They just bum-rushed me. At first I thought they were just trying to help. But then I thought "what a bunch of thugs". And then I thought "maybe they think I'm Michael Jordan." I was wearing a Nike shirt. =)
Surprisingly the people here aren't giving me too many double-takes. There were a couple construction workers that literally stopped what they were doing when I walked past them and stared at me. I mean stared... like... mad-dogged me until I was out of their sight. If I hadn't had such love from Big G and His teaching of who I was in His sun's eyes, I might've been offended. But I think most people aren't too amazed - there are a lot of tourists in the capital. Perhaps when we get to the villages it will be a whole new adventure.
I'm just sittin' at an Internet Cafe, unable to access Yahoo!... so e-mails will come soon. Everything on this computer is in Russian, but I'm startin' to get it down. It's prettty fun to read and it really isn't that hard! A lot of Greek letters. But the capital and the countryside is beautiful. I'll see if I can go into much detail next entry... as well as the first few days of teaching Greetings to the eccentric Russian kids. I only got so much time so, I'm out.
Stay tuned!
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Exodus
We're taking off to Kyrgyzstan in less than 24 hours! I'm trippin' out.
Orientation is pretty much over! Our four long days of prayer, personality tests, presentations, ice breakers, and drafting up language arts curriculum is all set. Our final day tomorrow will just be finally touring Boston and seeing the sights. OH! I got to step foot on Harvard! And M.I.T., as well as Boston University. Oddly enough though, Kurt, our leader, and I were lookin' at the students walkin' around these prestigious schools.. and they just looked like total squares! We were like, "Dude. They're sissies... We could take 'em." We were so tempted to just walk by one and give him a lil' shove and be like "...what? what??"
I have never heard a thunderstorm like I did at 2am last night. Somebody must've prayed for the flood gates of heaven to open. Like a sky-borne earthquake, the sky just screamed and ripped apart, lit up with electricity and poured out so much rain that it just flooded right through the open window and onto the bed! I seriously thought it was C4. I shot up, my roommate did too and he rushed to the window to seal us in. It was kind of sad, because I was seriously hoping for some sunshine for the last day - it's been raining ever since we got here, and anyone that knows me knows I seriously don't like rain. I'm about ready to go.
Yeah... the team is just about set. We all feel super close, and the anticipation of going is starting to drive us insane. I'm a bit depressed though that I never got to see Transformers 2... i GUESS i just have to wait for DVD.
But honestly the movie really hasn't been on my mind. My teaching partner Chi, who was randomly assigned to me, is actually pretty big on the works of the Holy Spirit, and truly believes in Its healing power and ability to really transform mankind. Once I found this out I got so pumped for revival. I'm soooo ready to see the flood gates of heaven shoot open above Kyrgyzstan... and the rain to never end.
Please pray for me for sanity on these flights. I've never flown for more than maybe 5 hours one-way. It's going to be LONG.
Orientation is pretty much over! Our four long days of prayer, personality tests, presentations, ice breakers, and drafting up language arts curriculum is all set. Our final day tomorrow will just be finally touring Boston and seeing the sights. OH! I got to step foot on Harvard! And M.I.T., as well as Boston University. Oddly enough though, Kurt, our leader, and I were lookin' at the students walkin' around these prestigious schools.. and they just looked like total squares! We were like, "Dude. They're sissies... We could take 'em." We were so tempted to just walk by one and give him a lil' shove and be like "...what? what??"
I have never heard a thunderstorm like I did at 2am last night. Somebody must've prayed for the flood gates of heaven to open. Like a sky-borne earthquake, the sky just screamed and ripped apart, lit up with electricity and poured out so much rain that it just flooded right through the open window and onto the bed! I seriously thought it was C4. I shot up, my roommate did too and he rushed to the window to seal us in. It was kind of sad, because I was seriously hoping for some sunshine for the last day - it's been raining ever since we got here, and anyone that knows me knows I seriously don't like rain. I'm about ready to go.
Yeah... the team is just about set. We all feel super close, and the anticipation of going is starting to drive us insane. I'm a bit depressed though that I never got to see Transformers 2... i GUESS i just have to wait for DVD.
But honestly the movie really hasn't been on my mind. My teaching partner Chi, who was randomly assigned to me, is actually pretty big on the works of the Holy Spirit, and truly believes in Its healing power and ability to really transform mankind. Once I found this out I got so pumped for revival. I'm soooo ready to see the flood gates of heaven shoot open above Kyrgyzstan... and the rain to never end.
Please pray for me for sanity on these flights. I've never flown for more than maybe 5 hours one-way. It's going to be LONG.
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