It has been such a long time since I have written. I am working on getting a newsletter out in the next couple weeks that better updates what the last several months have been like. I am doing really well and enjoying the things I am involved with here in Muncie, IN. I am feeling refreshed and energized. I have really enjoyed the community I am experiencing here.
I just thought I'd share a funny story since it's been a while. Yesterday I went to get my oil changed. I realized after I was done, how smoothly that process went. There were some marked differences in the process. First, I didn't have to go next door to purchase my own oil. Second, I didn't have to try to communicate in Russian (which is not the language I even spoke) and try to understand what they were asking me to do or what was wrong with the car. Also, a tire rotation and basic car check came free with the oil change. I signed a document at the beginning stating the cost of the oil change and it didn't change. I didn't have to walk over to the adjoining store and purchase transmission fluid or some other fluid when they noticed that they needed to add more fluid. I think the most marked difference was that when something was wrong (they determined that I needed new brake pads) they actually brought me back and showed me what they were talking about and talked to me like a person that was capable of understanding. Since men usually do the car maintenance in Kazakhstan, it would confuse the mechanics when I wanted to know what was going on. Thankfully, my host dad (who often helped me get my car repaired) was good at making sure I understood what was going on.
Last night I set up an apointment with someone to fix my brakes. When I got here this morning, the mechanic was here and ready to work on my brakes. :) I don't have to buy the supplies myself - which is my favorite part. Also, I can bring it in without help. I am currently sitting in a waiting room with internet and being able to get work done while I wait for my car. Although I miss Kazakhstan terribly, car maintenance is one thing I don't miss at all. It brings relief to just be able to sit here and trust them to work on my car and not have to go run errands to make it happen. If you don't receive a newsletter by mid-December and would like to receive one please let me know. Have a great day!
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Monday, September 21, 2009
Back in the Classroom
I am enjoying the place that I am living and getting used to life in the Muncie area. There is not too much going on right now, but I figured I'd tell you a funny story and give you a short update. Since my pay with Interlink remains the same while I am here in the States (despite the higher cost of living), I have picked up some subbing in the schools in my neighborhood. It is fun to be back in the classroom on a temporarly basis.
My first day in the classroom was pretty entertaining and I thought you might enjoy hearing about it. I was in third grade. At snack time I did things differently than their regular teacher. Normally she lets them all get a snack and go to the bathroom at the same time. Due to my being a sub, I didn't feel comfortable with this, so I told them that I would tap them on the shoulder when they were quietly working at which time they could get their snack. I also made them use the restroom one at a time. One of the boys just couldn't handle this change in schedule. He told me over and over "You don't know nothing." Anytime one of the other kids would say something to him he would just get louder in his proclamation. At one point he even put himself in the hallway, but came back in when he wasn't getting enough attention. Thankfully, when I was getting frustrated, the class had music. Music gave him a chance to get back into his daily routine and he had a much better rest of the day. I will be subbing for this class again on Friday, which should be fun because they are already used to me.
God has been providing for my needs in so many different ways. The most recent way was his provision of a car for me. I had been loaned a car during my time here. The people loaning the car to me decided that they wanted to donate the car to Interlink. Due to tax laws, it was not worth it for Interlink to own a car. As a result, I offered to purchase the car. Instead, the owners of the car decided to give me the car. What a blessing!
Over the next few weeks I will be working with Interlink to try to determine my status for my time here in States. No matter my status, I will be unable to remain insured by the company that Interlink has insurance with because it is international insurance. As a result, I will have to find medical insurance by January.
The KC staff of Interlink are busy right now preparing for the start of our programs in October. We will start our birthday celebrations and visits in mid-October. We have made some changes this year due to decreased staff. I am excited to continue to be a part of this, even though I am in the States. We are currently working on having each child fill out a survey to give to their sponsors. I came down with a sore throat this weekend. I am hoping that it will not be a replay of my last sore throat. Otherwise, my health is doing great. I am sleeping well (when I don't procratinate with my bedtime) and am enjoying the friendships I am building here.
My first day in the classroom was pretty entertaining and I thought you might enjoy hearing about it. I was in third grade. At snack time I did things differently than their regular teacher. Normally she lets them all get a snack and go to the bathroom at the same time. Due to my being a sub, I didn't feel comfortable with this, so I told them that I would tap them on the shoulder when they were quietly working at which time they could get their snack. I also made them use the restroom one at a time. One of the boys just couldn't handle this change in schedule. He told me over and over "You don't know nothing." Anytime one of the other kids would say something to him he would just get louder in his proclamation. At one point he even put himself in the hallway, but came back in when he wasn't getting enough attention. Thankfully, when I was getting frustrated, the class had music. Music gave him a chance to get back into his daily routine and he had a much better rest of the day. I will be subbing for this class again on Friday, which should be fun because they are already used to me.
God has been providing for my needs in so many different ways. The most recent way was his provision of a car for me. I had been loaned a car during my time here. The people loaning the car to me decided that they wanted to donate the car to Interlink. Due to tax laws, it was not worth it for Interlink to own a car. As a result, I offered to purchase the car. Instead, the owners of the car decided to give me the car. What a blessing!
Over the next few weeks I will be working with Interlink to try to determine my status for my time here in States. No matter my status, I will be unable to remain insured by the company that Interlink has insurance with because it is international insurance. As a result, I will have to find medical insurance by January.
The KC staff of Interlink are busy right now preparing for the start of our programs in October. We will start our birthday celebrations and visits in mid-October. We have made some changes this year due to decreased staff. I am excited to continue to be a part of this, even though I am in the States. We are currently working on having each child fill out a survey to give to their sponsors. I came down with a sore throat this weekend. I am hoping that it will not be a replay of my last sore throat. Otherwise, my health is doing great. I am sleeping well (when I don't procratinate with my bedtime) and am enjoying the friendships I am building here.
Saturday, August 29, 2009
Settling In
The week and half that I have been back in the States have been pretty eventful. I have had to visit the doctor (sore throat caught in Kaz) and have had a chance to catch up with many friends. I have really enjoyed being able to hang out with my small group and other friends here. I have also started helping with a local youth center, which I have thoroughly enjoyed.
This week I moved into a house that I am house sitting. This has been a confirmation to me that I am doing the right thing, even though it has been very difficult not to return to Kazakhstan for the time being. I have pretty much unpacked everything (this doesn't include putting it all away though). :) I will take the next week or two to get settled in. I have met several of my neighbors and feel very safe in this neighborhood.
I have new phone numbers as a result of the move and my old cell phone dying. If you click on the link on the side of this blog you will be able to call me using Google Voice. It will ring both my cell and my home phone. You can either do this to get my new number or send me an email and I will send it to you. Thanks for all your encouragement as I have been walking through this challenging period. I have a sense of complete peace, which is really nice.
This week I moved into a house that I am house sitting. This has been a confirmation to me that I am doing the right thing, even though it has been very difficult not to return to Kazakhstan for the time being. I have pretty much unpacked everything (this doesn't include putting it all away though). :) I will take the next week or two to get settled in. I have met several of my neighbors and feel very safe in this neighborhood.
I have new phone numbers as a result of the move and my old cell phone dying. If you click on the link on the side of this blog you will be able to call me using Google Voice. It will ring both my cell and my home phone. You can either do this to get my new number or send me an email and I will send it to you. Thanks for all your encouragement as I have been walking through this challenging period. I have a sense of complete peace, which is really nice.
Sunday, August 9, 2009
Musings
I was trying to think about how to best describe these last two weeks in a concise manner and decided that it wasn't possible to write it in the same way I usually write. So instead this time I am just going to give you random phrases of things I thought and noticed during my first two weeks in Kazakhstan. Hopefully it will give you a glimpse of my heart and the emotions I have been through as I have had special times with my kids and had to say goodbye.
When I told the kids at Vanofka that I was leaving, one of the 16 year old boys had a hard time with it. The rest of the afternoon he barely acknowledged me. The next day (my last day with them), I got a chance to talk to him. When I said it was hard he said to me "I cried yesterday." I was able to tell him that I did too. What a bittersweet memory - knowing I had touched his life that much, but also knowing that I might not get to see him again (at least for a while).
Getting to see the lives of the youth that came over on the delegation change as a result of their time here.
Despite the hurt of going back to the States right now, I am anticipating getting to work with the youth that came over. I am looking forward to watching them play sports and seeing how this trip impacts their lives.
Watching the kids read the letters that I gave them explaining my return to the States and having them come up afterwards give me a hug, tell me they would miss me, and then tell me they would write.
The pats on the back or smiles from the delegates when they knew I was having an especially tough time.
Laughter
Having the energy to play soccer and enjoy it again.
Standing outside in a thunderstorm trying to keep the rain flaps on the tents and getting completely soaked. Everything inside the tents got pretty soaked as well.
Seeing the most beautiful double rainbow that I have seen since living in Kenya when I was seven.
My heart breaking as I watched the faces of children as I told them I wouldn't be back for a while.
Watching the youth interact with my kids despite the language barrier and the short time in Kaz.
Love
The beauty of Kazakhstan.
The sense that I was home as I traveled throughout the country. I was filled with an amazing sense of peace.
Joy at seeing my Kazakh family for the first time.
Sitting on the square eating hot bread (just cooked) with butter accompanied by the vice-governors of the village.
Well, I guess that is enough. This week I will have some time in the office to try to organize things with Kids Connection. I will also spend time with my Kazakh family. On Friday I will go to Savva orphanage camp and celebrate birthdays and say goodbye to my kids there.
When I told the kids at Vanofka that I was leaving, one of the 16 year old boys had a hard time with it. The rest of the afternoon he barely acknowledged me. The next day (my last day with them), I got a chance to talk to him. When I said it was hard he said to me "I cried yesterday." I was able to tell him that I did too. What a bittersweet memory - knowing I had touched his life that much, but also knowing that I might not get to see him again (at least for a while).
Getting to see the lives of the youth that came over on the delegation change as a result of their time here.
Despite the hurt of going back to the States right now, I am anticipating getting to work with the youth that came over. I am looking forward to watching them play sports and seeing how this trip impacts their lives.
Watching the kids read the letters that I gave them explaining my return to the States and having them come up afterwards give me a hug, tell me they would miss me, and then tell me they would write.
The pats on the back or smiles from the delegates when they knew I was having an especially tough time.
Laughter
Having the energy to play soccer and enjoy it again.
Standing outside in a thunderstorm trying to keep the rain flaps on the tents and getting completely soaked. Everything inside the tents got pretty soaked as well.
Seeing the most beautiful double rainbow that I have seen since living in Kenya when I was seven.
My heart breaking as I watched the faces of children as I told them I wouldn't be back for a while.
Watching the youth interact with my kids despite the language barrier and the short time in Kaz.
Love
The beauty of Kazakhstan.
The sense that I was home as I traveled throughout the country. I was filled with an amazing sense of peace.
Joy at seeing my Kazakh family for the first time.
Sitting on the square eating hot bread (just cooked) with butter accompanied by the vice-governors of the village.
Well, I guess that is enough. This week I will have some time in the office to try to organize things with Kids Connection. I will also spend time with my Kazakh family. On Friday I will go to Savva orphanage camp and celebrate birthdays and say goodbye to my kids there.
Monday, August 3, 2009
Saying Goodbye
Things are going really well with the delegation. We just moved on to the second part our trip. Our first three days were spent with the children of Vanofka orphanage. It was so good to see some of my kids again. I have missed them a lot since being back in the States. I was reminded of how strong those relationships have grown over time.
On Friday I explained that I was not coming back to live right away. It was such a hard discussion to get through, especially while watching the kids' faces. Earlier that day the delegation had a lesson about doing the right thing even when it was hard. Without planning it, my talk with them about staying in the States right now went right along with the lesson. I chose to do this right before our swim time so that we would have something to distract us and cause us to have fun despite the sad news. I also wanted to give them time to process it before I left. One young man was talking to me the next day about it and admitted to me that he cried when I told them. I was able to tell him that I did too. After swimming I had to take some time to myself to process the pain of leaving behind these kids for the time being.
One of the highlights of my time was being able to play soccer with the kids. We played Americans vs. Kazakhs - which was a lot of fun. It was a pretty intense game and at the end of an hour it ended up in a tie. It was fun to have the energy and desire to play a serious game of soccer again.
I have really enjoyed being able to help facilitate this delegation. The youth are growing so much and really made a difference in the lives of kids at Vanofka. It was fun to see how well they connected despite the language barrier and our short time there.
Despite some lack of sleep, I am really enjoying my time so far and am continuing to look forward to my time here. I know it will be very difficult to say goodbye to the rest of my kids and my friends here, but I also know it will be a really good time.
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