35 years and still smiling !😁

What a journey this has been, but we have our new passports so I guess we are ready to continue .  

 Our bags are almost packed , just a few more little adjustments.     Everything  gets so complicated in this day and age of travel ... We have a personal , a carry on, no weight limit just the size limit and between us ONE checked bag weight 23 kg.  That is from Toronto to Paris .. then from Paris we have one personal 4kg one carry on 8 kg and between us we have ONE checked bag 15kg.  so here is how we are going to deal with this .. We will be flying home through Paris and spending some time on the Camino with friends / sponsors meeting us there .  Since we are staying a night at the same hotel on the way back, we can pack 13 kg bag to be held at the hotel for us for the walk , then move stuff from our carry on to the checked bag to balance out the new weight restrictions .  fortunately we have a teem coming in September so we are able to pack a couple bags for them to bring as well. 

Here is a short fall update video from us . 

When I got up this morning I got this short video from one of the boys we are sponsoring .. I might add that it was totally unsolicited .   Please note that when he says John he means ALL of you ... I am just the face he knows .

Bumping up the coal schedule.

The girls had such a great time at camp on Lake Isykool a couple weeks ago.  there are a few other comps going on this week that we have been blessed to help with like Vera's summer camp and Andrei's orphanage up in Karakool.   

We had to postpone the trip for the guys on the farm a couple weeks , there was to much pressing work on the farm.  they will be going on Monday .. But here is the thing , we have started scheduling truck loads of coal on Mondays that need to be bagged and put into the barn. 

The Boys got to work right away with the last load and bagged it right away and have asked if they can get Mondays load early so that they can get it bagged before they go. 

But here is the thing ... we just need $100 more to be able to purchase this next truck .. if you can help with this please use the donate button on the top right side of the blog . 

Here is what $100 worth of coal looks like, this photo was taken last fall with a very happy and relieved family . 

 

The Power of the Tongue !

For the last couple of months I have found myself thinking some discouraging thoughts and was about to speak it .. or at least write it, but yesterday I listened to a message that brought correction to this way of thinking... So let me share a bit more  

This last season has been a very difficult one for us , maneuvering through new banking requirements in Canada and some added expenses at the farm.. registering as a "Fund" in Kyrgyzstan which required us to purchase the boys house and green houses rather then renting them,   unexpected major renovations at the boys house, New roof on the apartment  , and many other unexpected expenses.  Our sponsors have been great and every need has been met, but it just feels like I have been asking a lot!   Funds came in quickly for the summer camps . but seemed to stall out when we started against the deadline for the Scholarships .. Knowing that the coal drive was rapidly approaching I was getting discouraged .. I started to think that maybe this year we would back out from the coal deliveries  .  That is always such a huge expense .. upward $30 000.     

By this time last year we had already purchased about $8000 worth of coal.. this year the barn is empty.  

I want to take a moment to speak some LIFE into this . 

Coal deliveries save lives ;

Especially for those who are older or have had unexpected health issues. Winter is harsh.  I have seen over and over people simply break down in tears when we arrive with coal . 

Coal  bring HOPE ; 

We don't bring enough coal for the whole winter, but enough to give people HOPE, this is often the encouragement that people need to know that they can make it .  faith is the substance of things hoped for !

Coal gives us reason ;

The coal deliveries give us reason to visit and bring encouragement to those who are alone .. we are able to do follow-up through out the winter to make sure people are ok.  This creates a trust and a friendship so that when people are in trouble they know that they can reach out to us .   

Coal deliveries elevate our standing in the community ;

Smaller remote villages can be a difficult place to live and work , people can be closed off and feel protective.  By providing something as important as coal there is a trust in the village built up , and that goes a long way when there are other issues that we may face . 

Coal deliveries teach the boys the power of giving :

Through the deliveries the boys see first hand the struggles that people face around them , and learn to have open and caring hearts to reach out to the world around them , teaching them one of the greatest life skills they can have . 

These are just a few quick reasons why these coal deliveries are so important , but I guess the most important reason is because God has given us this assignment.    and that should be reason enough that we move forward. 

This was part of the word I shared last Sunday,  It was given to us many years ago in a message from Pastor Shawn Baker when we started the Farm, and has continued to encourage us on this journey 

I was reminded about this truth when after the service people came back to our table and things got crazy .. God called in the resources and 80% of the tuitions were covered. 

This not only has encouraged and brought some of our kids to tears of joy and relief, but it has cleared the fog from my own mind and given me a fresh recognition God will start calling in the finances to begin purchasing coal.    So YES the coal deliveries are back on . 

We still have about $1300 to go in scholarships to go but We are  not going to dwell on that , We are going to move forward .. What an exciting time this is for us to wait and watch the miracles  as God speaks to individuals and begins to call in those finances .. and the greatest part is that you can be a part of this blessing .  $80 is enough for one family , and $1000 is enough to purchase a full truck load . 

Coal being delivered in bulk to the farm to be bagged and delivered to those in need  

The boys bagging coal  .. almost 15000 bags last year and they are still smiling  

Luke services International is one of our biggest supporters with the coal .  That's why we are thrilled to emboss the bags with their Logo .. If you or your organization would like to sponsor a truck I would gladly send you a photo with your initials or Logo on some bags being delivered ! This helps people see that their funds have made it to where they were designated.  

 I sought the Lord and He heard and He answered Me , and has delivered me from my fears!

Blessed

We were so blessed today at NPC. I had shared about our scholarship fund and after the service we were overwhelmed with the people coming to our table and blessing the fund.  We are in striking range now ..  we still have another week to get funds in to take with us.

 

That's why I trust Him

 We are getting down to the wire as we prepare to head back to Kyrgyzstan .  This Sunday at 10:00 am Julie and I will be sharing at the Norwood Pentecostal church, then Next Sunday we will be sharing at Calvary Pentecostal church in Lindsay . 

Then we have just one week to get packed before heading back to Kyrgyzstan.  We will arrive just in time to make the rounds to pay the tuitions .  That is of course if the tuitions arrive .. we could use your help with this .  Donations will take about a week to get through the banks so we need to get donations in before the end of the month.   

"That's why I trust Him"

I sought the Lord and He heard and He answered
I sought the Lord and He heard and He answered
I sought the Lord and He heard and He answered
That's why I trust Him, that's why I trust Him
I sought the Lord and He heard and He answered
I sought the Lord and He heard and He answered
I sought the Lord and He heard and He answered
That's why I trust Him, that's why I trust Him
I sought the Lord and He heard and He answered
I sought the Lord and He heard and He answered
I sought the Lord and He heard and He answered
That's why I trust Him, that's why I trust Him
I sought the Lord and He heard and He answered
I sought the Lord and He heard and He answered
I sought the Lord and He heard and He answered
That's why I trust Him

Camp update

Vera just had an amazing day giving out the Samaritans purse boxes .  There were 500 kids at this event, and Vera and her team did an amazing job.

We also got a report from the extreme camp.  Everyone had so much fun and appreciate all the suport.  

Back on the farm they are taking advantage of the hot dry days to dehydrate some apricots for the winter months 

 

At the guest house they are repairing some of the walls on the Banya that needed to be patched up before winter. 

Our scholarship fund sits at $1500 right now.  I have a couple more weeks before we will need to have $10 000 to cover the tuitions of those we have committed to help If you would like to help out, please use the link on the top right side of the blog. 

Relieved

 

We are so relieved that the scholarship fund totals 

  have started to climb. 

This will make such a difference for so many incredible young people like Julia who works so hard and volunteers her time to help others .    Just one of the many that can only move forward if someone is willing to help sponcer their tuition.  This is your opertinity to invest in their futures .. our goal is $10000 , we have $8500 to go .

Update on Summer Camps

 Camp is under way for many of those we work with.  Vera is preparing for camp for her village this week , photos to follow.  The guys from the farm and 5 other youth from the village will be heading around lake Isykool next week. 

Right now we have a group of kids at Isykool for "extreme camp"  This is such a blessing that we were able to sponsor so many to attend . 

                                                    Romina and Sabina at the lake 

This next photo shows the kids on the beach partaking in some cool games . 

Sabina and Romina are two of the kids we would like to get into a safer and better environment for school this fall .  As I shared before they are currently in a terrible school and must travel between 1 1/2 and 2 hours each way by bus to get to it .. There is no room in any of the schools closer to home, but we have found a private school very close to home for them . 

Another person we would like to help with Education is Elena.  

Elena comes out to the farm twice a week and meets with everyone on the farm individually and as a group.  She also works with our people in Bishkek one day a week as well as home visits with some others that we are working with.  I am so blessed when I look out at the farm and see her sitting on the bench in the orchard or on the veranda sitting and having a one on one counselling session with one of the kids or workers  .

 Elana is always taking courses to give her more tools and a better understanding of the people she is helping.  She has an opertunity now to study on line a course on clinical psychology and psychiatry  

This course is over $1000 so it is way out of her price range.  we would love to be able to assist her with this .  like we try to do for Nick .   For years Nick worked on the farm, and had a chance to start his post secondary education .  He could have done anything, and he decided to go into Psychology   When I asked him why he chose that, he said it was so he could "Help with the Family Business " 

Like many of those we sponsor, they are bettering themselves so that they are able to give back !

If you would like to invest in the future of these or many of the other kids we sponsor through our scholarship fund, please donate through the link on the top right side of the blog .  We are looking for $10 000 this year to cover the needs . 

A few items from the wish list

 We have a couple days left for the prime days wish list .  The items purchased will be shipped directly to a team coming next month. That means that you can purchase a donation for the work in Kyrgyzstan and it will be delivered right to the farm.

I thought I would highlight some of the items on the list . 

We have a hole assortment of vitamins .. these are so important.  In Kyrgyzstan they are more than a supplement, but are more of a medication. 

I brought a lock box with me in the spring, and realized how great they are when we have multiple locations and guests and groups coming , we can't always be there in person so this way we can give them the code to be able to get in. 

New towels are always in demand .  We like to keep the towels fresh and new in the guest houses, so each time we get new ones we pass the old ones on to the boys and people we support ,and there old ones move on to be cleaning clothes 

We have some water tanks that we can pump from when the village water is often turned off .  With these valves installed, when ever there is water, the tank will automatically top up and shut off when full.

This fall we are planning on having a meeting of bee keepers. We would like to have a welcome pac for them .. what  better then bee hats and are gloves .

Along with the water tanks I. The farm, we have two large tanks at the Kashar.  The water can get skunky in the heat , but if we drop in a chlorine puck it will keep it clear for a week.

Amazon deals to Kyrgyzstan July 8 - 11th

 I know we are in the beginning of our scholarship fund raiser , but we did not what to pass up this opportunity for some great savings .  We have created a wish list that will allow you to purchase some items that we would like to have in Kyrgyzsstan .  You follow this link, purchase the items from the link, and they will be delivered directly to a team that will hand deliver them to the farm in just over a month from now.   

We have things on the list like vitamins and first aid supplies, along with some specific items that we would like on the farm , like the water purification t ablets , the water shut off valves and door lock boxes.  Towles for the guest house and of course we can always use coffee for the cafe.  There are many items to choose from, and they each have a counter showing how many we would like that will let us know when those needs have been met .  

The sale starts today and ends at midnight on July 11.  So we have just 4 days to make the most of these deals .   please act fact , and share with others that you think would like to help.

Thank you for your help.

Scholarship fund

 

As we head into the fall, it is time to start preparing for all the tuitions that we cover, and top up the scholarship fund .    This makes such a difference for the kids and will give them such a boost going into the future .  This year we have a target of $10 000.  I will give you a little insight into a few of the kids that this money will cover.  

Rustam is from one of the orphanages that we try to support.  He is a very bright and promising young man and is wantig to take a athetlitics program.  

We have had Vika at a pre school.  She was behind in development when she came to live with Kamalla, but Kamalla has done an incredible job with her.  She is in a private school and thriving .  this also gives Kamalla a bit of time to care for the household. 

Romina and Sabina are Vika's older sisters.  Right now they are traveling over  1 1/2 hours each way,to get to school.  There are no openings in the schools near where they live.  The school that they are attending is a very poor school. last year there was a finght in one of their class rooms and a boy was killed.  We have been trying to find them a school closer to home .  There is one just a few blocks away and has an excellent reputation.  they have room and are willing to take the girls this fall.  Getting into a good and safe school for their final couple years would be such a blessing .. and could save about 3 hours of time sitting in a bus every day 

Nick is still working on his Psycology degree.  He has been working at the same time for US Aid , but this position is on hold right now so he has been teaching English to help with the cost of living.   

Julia is another very hard working young lady.  We met her at the english school where she volinteers teaching Art class to the kids there.  She also works as a Baresta in an island booth at the local mall.  Julia has come and worked for us as a translator and has done an incredible job. She not only translates but works right along side the teams and is atentave to their needs.  We see such a hope for her future, and with some financial suport, we have been able to help her enroll in the Petagogy program at the local University. 

These are just a few of the kids that we are looking for someone to invest in their futures.  They have such potential and it really is an honour to be able to suport them .. Please consider suporting our scholarship find at this time.