Runaway Sheep

I promised some funny stories in my last post, so here you go.  A few weeks ago I was pulling up to the team house.  I looked up and saw a random sheep walking my way.  After getting out of the car, I realized our neighbor's gate was open a little bit.  Earlier in the week I had noticed some sheep in their back yard, which usually means some sort of yummy dinner is coming up.  I rang the doorbell and then was trying to figure out how to keep the sheep (let's call it "dinner") from running off.  Thankfully, another sheep (let's call it "yummy") was just inside the gate.  Yummy was calling out to dinner, which caused dinner to come back over to the gate and look at the gate in a very confused manner.  They both kept calling out to each other, but Dinner could not figure out that in order to get to Yummy, he just had to go through the opening in the gate.  He would get right up to the entrance and I would move forward slowly trying to encourage him to go through but instead he would take off running down the street.  Dinner did this 3-4 times.  Each time Yummy would call him back.  I was afraid Yummy would get away too.  Finally, my neighbor came out and ascertained that Dinner was trying to run away.  She opened up the gate and then chased Dinner towards me.  I then had to chase Dinner away from me, which caused him to join Yummy in the confines of their yard.  My neighbor was thankful for my role in helping save their yummy dinner plans.

We don't have chiropractors in Kazakhstan, so I have attempted numerous things to try re-align myself.   This time I am going to a guy who gives a massage and over time re-aligns your spine.  First off, I have to go 10 days in a row.  That seems to be the magical massage number here in Kazakhstan.  Anytime anyone goes in for a "healing" massage, they are asked to come back for 10 straight days.  Second, the other day as he was rubbing my back, I was afraid I would end up with rug burn (or whatever you get from a sheet) on my cheek from my constant motion back and forth.  Third, he uses one word periodically that sounds kind of like therapy.  I have come to realize that it actually means "you will soon be in excruciating pain, but I promise, it is good for you."  Finally, each massage ends with him smacking me on the back over and over again and then telling me I have to lie still for several minutes.  It has been helping though, so I guess I can't complain too much.  I find myself trying not to laugh as I imagine people I know experiencing the same fun.

Overall, this week has been a crazy, busy week.  Here are just a few things I have done.

• Met with a 49 year-old man who has no legs and only one arm who was requesting a wheelchair.  
• Gave a wheelchair to a 14-year-old boy, after spending some time with he and his mother and brother. 
• Introduced the children at the foster home for kids with disabilities to the iPad. 
• Gave away a used computer to a man and his two daughters.  I think it is their first computer, as they were really excited about it. 
• Met with a man who tried to encourage me to allow him to read my past and future and then heal me of any problems.  
• My English clubs came up with their first volunteering project ideas.  They did a great job being creative. 
• Two Kazakh lessons.  
• Helped my Kazakh mom with something she has to do on the computer for work. 
• Helped fix my Kazakh brother's iPod. 
• Waited 30 minutes for someone who had asked for help to show up at his own home so we could better understand his request.  We eventually had to leave.  
• Visited with one of my former English club members.  

It's been a month

I just realized how long it has been since I last blogged.  It's been a bit of a crazy, but great month.  Below are some of the highlights.

• We had a small delegation in town for 1 1/2 weeks.  They were a great encouragement and the schedule included some really interesting activities.  We laughed a lot, which I always enjoy.  
• During their time here we were able to have a round table discussion where we invited the caregivers of children with disabilities to our office.  They came into the room wearing the weight of the world on their shoulders.  As our group listened to them, that weight seemed to decrease.  We were able to give each one a quilt that was hand-made by some women in Muncie and share that they were made with love.  This not only touched them, but touched me as well.  I don't know how many quilts I have given out over the years, but these meant the most to me. 
• During the delegation time there was a car training that took place with graduated orphans.  This car training happened to be mostly females.  It was fun to see them excited about learning how to repair cars.  I had the chance to watch one day and learn a bit as well.  I could probably change my own oil now if I really wanted to.  The spark plugs in the car I drive were also changed, which was great!
• One of the delegates and I took a quick trip to Shymkent to see her sponsored child.  It was fun to spend time with with both of them as well as see friends in Shymkent.  
• English club has been going really well.  We have been working in listing the problems we see in Taraz and now we are going to begin working on how we can go about volunteering in our community to meet those needs.  It should be fun to see the kinds of ideas they come up with.   
• I will be visiting with several people this coming week who have requested things from us (orthopedic shoes, walkers, wheelchairs, etc).  I am setting up times to go into their homes and visit with them to get to know them better and understand the needs to a greater degree.   It will likely be a pretty busy week, but I am looking forward to this.  

Next time I'll try to share some funny stories since this update was more of one to catch you up on what has been a crazy month.  Have a wonderful week!