Coal deliveries resume

 Update from the guys ...  

When I hear the impact that they are having I must say I do get a bit chocked up.  Maybe it's because I don't like the cold .

Good afternoon, John. The boys and I did a tremendous job today. The weather is just like Alaska. High winds and lots of snow. We brought warmth and God's love to 23 families. Next week we will bring coal to the front mouth for 8 more families. And 5 families in tokmok. And the coal will run out. There's a need for groceries. There are some people who need medical treatment. If there is money for humanitarian needs, I could help some people to get checkups in Tokmok. One woman has suspected breast cancer. But she can't have a checkup for lack of money. If it's possible to help, it would be good.    Thank you for everything.

There is always a difficult time when we go on deliveries .. when you come I to people's homes you see direct, first hand the needs .. and that can be hard. 

We will start collecting now for food hampers and medical help .. please let me know if you can help.

The strike is over .

In Canada we have had a postal strike now for over a month.  That has cut off several of the sources of revinue for us .  At this time of year that has been a big hit.  Fortunatly we do have some sources like Canada helps and e-checks with in Canada that have been getting through making it possible to keep the basic needs covered.  

We had run out of coal again and had just a few days of coal left on the farm .  Fortunetly Luke Services International who operate the Hope clinic heard about our difficulties and they have purchased 6 more trucks of coal for us .. They have started arriving, two trucks  yesterday and one today .  Already the boys have 200 bags ready thats enough for 10 families .  

We are told that Canada post has been mandated back to work today and by the end of the week the mail is expected to be flowing again. We are praying that it will be in time bring Christmas to many in Kyrgyzstan.  

Time to send Christmas funds

We are getting close to when we need to send money for Christmas. There is a slight problem , the money is not in yet .  Please help us so we can provide a small Christmas Celebration for our friends in Kyrgyzstan. 

Farm boys delivering coal

 

Guys at the men's home planing Christmas. 

Wow

Wow .. 34 families received coal today.  The boys were working double time to get it done.  Our truck has packed it in and we can not find parts so a friend lent us his truck and trailer for the day . 

We are definitely getting caught up.  We have finished the coal again but have just 14 families left on a wait list.   We think that just $2000 USD more for coal and then we will be finished ... Then we will start working on food hampers . We have 30 families identified this year and hope to deliver before Christmas. 

Everyone is so blessed to receive help with the coal. Thank you so much to everyone who has helped with this . 

 

Tanya would be thrilled

I have to watch that I do not get to caught up with the funding for the coal.  There are other needs and Christmas is approaching quickly.   I got a message from Vera a few days ago asking if we will have money for some Christmas gifts for her to distribute.  Then today Tanya contacted me to say that there are 23 men at the men's home that she works with that she would like to take to a movie and cafe .  She has worked out what they can afford and what it will cost and she needs another. $300 that just $15 each for dinner , movie and a bus.   If you would like to help with this Tanya would be thrilled. 

 

Back to delivering Coal

 The last few days the boys bagged up 34 tons of coal.   This will cover 34 families from the list .. the list continues to grow but we are catching up .. at this point we have about 25 people left on the list.  It has been a little tough as our truck has had some engine problems and we are having a hard time finding the parts.  We are going to see the difference between selling it as is and compare that to the cost of repair and what we would get for it repaired.  If you scroll back to the Christmas wish book, you will see the big ask about the truck .. please pray with us for this provision and those who are working to raise funds fo this . 

The boiler arrived for the boys house.  The old one was too small and has burned out so we are going to replace it this week . 

Mirlan counting coal bags 

Ruslan is delivering coal to some people in need that he knew of 

Vera and Oleg deli bring from the load we sent them 

We were also able to send a load of coal to Tanya and to Vlady for the families they support.

let Me Introduce You

I would like to share a bit of the story of Vika .  Vika has graduated from one of the orphanages and is doing her best to care for herself and her daughter.   Our  psychologist Lena has known her for 10 years now and tries to help.   

Vika now has a home that was left to her by her grandmother .  She did not have any coal so with the first load of coal that came in last week, the boys were able to help her with that.    Vika heard of a friend from the orphanagee that was homeless , who also had a small child .   Vika opened her home to Sasha and now they all live together .  Just starting up it has been extra difficult .  Lena brought groceries to them to help out .   

These young women fit all the cryteria to come to the farm to be helped by us .  But since they have a house and children, we feel it is better to help them in place, and Lena will comntinue to work with tthem and help them make plans and navigate living .  

If they were on the farm they would be recieving everything that they need to live as well as an aditional $50 a month each.   So we are looking for a sponsor that would help this family of 4 with a $50 a month sponsorship.  Things will still be difficult for them but with the right suports and incouragement they will make it.   We will also be able to include them in other projects like Vitamins , food drops, medical suport .. this will all come with time , but right now we need to get a sponsorship set up for them.  If you would like to help with this you can donate or set up a recuring monthly sponsorship in the top right side of the blog. 

I AM EXCITED AND BLESSED TO BE ABLE TO SHARE THAT THIS NEED HAS BEEN COVERED IN JUST MINUTES FROM BEING POSTED . 

Last weekend Julie and I were at a church in Petrolia Ontario, and we shared about how the boys work so hard to suport people through the winter with coal, but had run out .  They we able to get our coal back up and running .  We will be able to get some coal out this next week.  It may not be enough for the winter, but it will get some coal into the homes of the 38 people on our wait list, and then we can do a follow up delivery when more funds are availble. 

 

Clear the slate

 I have had a very heavy heart this coal season. I want to share the good news of being able to help people stay warm this winter but I hear the heart breaking stories from the boys as they are out on deliveries.  

They have not only had to work so hard physically but the emotional toll has been huge as they have had to not only had to help with incredible needs but have even had to act as an ambulance and even a heurse on more then one occasion.  This makes it all the more amazing to me when they send me messages to say thank you for finding them more coal sponsors so they can continue.     They know and experience first hand the importance of what they are doing. 

Today's reports were more heart warming then many 

I just got this email from our psychologist at the farm.  

Hello John! I wanted to share some news. I have known one girl for 10 years, she is an orphan. Now she is 26 years old, she lives in Bishkek and she has a small child. I found out that she needs coal for the winter. I told Sergey about it. Today Sergey and the guys brought this girl coal and firewood. She is very grateful and happy that their house will be warm in the winter.

We currently have 36 families waiting for coal .. thank you all so much for helping us to clear this slate .

Lots going on Today

 I just celebrated a birthday a couple days ago.  We had a few friends over and I made a Korduk in my Kazan, and a few Laproshka.  

The Boys from the farm were out and about and they stopped  in to see Nuric.  He is doing well, working night security, and has a warm place to live.

One of the teams left some money for us to purchase winter boots or coats for one of the small orphanages.  They were so thrilled. It's fun for them as well to get out.

As I shared earlier we had given out too much coal as the boys were trying to get as many families off the waiting list as they could .  They were left with just 10 days worth of coal but still have 38 families on the list.  

We were able to juggle some expenses this week to be able to get one truck load of coal right away .. so now rather then 5 days of coal left we have 15 days of food left hahaha.. but they will be fine there are lots of chickens and ducks there .   But if anyone would like to help with the 38 families still waiting for coal , please use the donate button on the top right side of the blog. .