Whats Bekah up to.?

Many of you will remember our friend Kolya.  He was one of the first kids we met when we came to Kyrgyzstan.  We have been part of his life since then.  He was in an orphanage at the time, but the orphanage closed , and Kolya went to live with his Great Grandmother .  

  We help with things like glasses and medical care for both Kolya and his GG.  Also when ever we do back to school shopping , or fun outings, we bring Kolya along.  

Kolya is one of many kids like him that we work with on a regular basis .. Kids that with out a little help could be in a very difficult place.  But what we give them that is more important then any material thing, is the knowledge that some one cares for them and is looking out for them .

Before we left in the fall, we made arrangements for several of our kids to attend a very good , accredited English class two or three times a week.  Bekah went with Emma to meet with their teacher this week .. here is what they reported    

" we went to see Kolyas English teacher Karina to pay for him and the others and she always gives updates on how the kids are doing and she was so proud of and pleased with Kolya. He's such a good boy and such a good student. He comes 30 mins early for class to review his lessons and ask questions. The other teacher loves him too and wants to award him with an Oxford Russian English dictionary.

The others are doing good, going to classes, Meerim decided not to go, but Jangil has started. She comes late cause she has music lessons right before. Aizada and aziz are doing well and she said they are all good students

Kolya's paid this month and the next 3 months"

Bekah was so excited to be able to help Kolya with his English class.  This was one of her simple dreams as a PI / iam1ru dream agent .  You can check out other dreams that Bekah has posted at www.iam1ru.com 

 Here is the way it works ..Bekah is a dream agent for P.I.  as such, she finds ways to make maximum impact in life changing ways , for minimum investment ... ie. simple dreams .  As a dream agent, she has these simple dreams posted on the im1ru site .. , like this one  and when people like yourself go on line and meet the need, the funds are sent to Bekah and she fulfils the dream and reports back like this 

why not take a few minuted to check out the site and see some of the other projects that Bekah is working on.

many firsts

There are so many rewards when you reach out to help someone .   We have been so blessed to be a part of Kamala's life .  Its very exciting to be part of so many firsts for her .. 23 years old , and there is so much that she is just now experiencing .  

Before we left in the fall we read the riot act to each of the girls .. We were very gentle , yet firm with Kamala about the house rules ... This was difficult for her .. not that she had rules, but it was the first time that any one has cared enough about her to have safety rules.  

Then there was Christmas .  It was with wonder and fascination that Kamala experienced her first Christmas.  the stockings , the decorations. the gifts from friends and her sponsor . surrounded by people that cared about her .. Not only that, she was able to give back.. she worked hard helping  our friends celebrate Christmas with so many  as  a result of the Christmas pie in the face challenge. ( thank you to every one that sponsored and had a part in that great event ) 

Yesterday was another special day for he,r Emma and Bekah , along with a bunch of the kids  that we know , put on a Birthday party for her .

What a great group of kids ... each with their own story of how God has brought them  through difficult times, restoring HOPE and DIGNITY ....

Happy Birthday Kamala , we Love you and are thankful you are a part of our lives ....

On our way home again ... maybe

Great morning in at Parkside in Cincinnati.  We had a really fun time with the team that will be joining us in Kyrgyzstan in the end of March .  They have such a wide range of experiences and gifting s , but what they do share is a genuine desire to be used by God to bless the people of Kyrgyzstan, we are looking forward to great things ...    

then its off to the Airport  ,  We are so blessed to have friends like Julie and her family who went out of there way to make our time in Cincinnati so wonderful  

Many of you will remember Kola , our young frind from Kyrgyzstan shown below with Ann

He and Jengish contacted us this morning with a great concern .  His 2 year old nephew swallowed some sort of Acid and has burned out his throat   ..the Dr's have rigged up some sort of feeding apparatus  but it is not working .  They are now told that the only way to save his life is to send him to Russia for an operation.. Kolas family does not have the means and do not know what to do , so they are asking us if we can help.

I have Jengish contacting organizations in KG that we know that may be able to assist with organizing this, and we should know shortly what it is going to cost to save this baby 

Please pray for Gods hand on this poor child, and pray for wisdom for the Dr's.   I will keep you posted as I learn more about how we can help.

It may be my fault !

When planing our trip to Minnesota and California, I suggested that we should return home through Ohio to meet with friends there , as well as a team that will be travelling to KG with us in March .. Julie was not sure if that might be pushing it, and when the Airlines said we did not have the points for that ,I just dropped it , and planned that we would drive down in a couple weeks .  Yesterday when we landed in Detroit for a 30 minute connection  we were told that Toronto was closed and our flight was cancelled   In fact we would not be home until late Sunday night , and we would be flown to Cincinnati first then connect from there .  So we spent last night in a hotel in Detroit, and this morning we flew to Cincinnati for the week end ... as I had originally tried to plan... and that ladies and gentleman is why the eastern seaboard is shut down... so that I would get my way , or at least that's the way it is playing out in Julie's mind. .  We are so Blessed to be able to spend some time with some great friends , and tomorrow after church we will meet up with the team travelling with us in the spring .  

Our time in California was so great and such a blessing .  

beautiful Scenery  along the way 

first day in CA with long time supporter  of  everything Kyrgyzstan , the Brotherton Family 

 Then it was of to Suzanne B's for la luncheon and an overnight .  It was so great to see her again and to see her amazing Daughter .. they are such great Hostesses .

This was a special meeting for me .. Tina's father sent the very first unsolicited donation we ever received for our work in Kyrgyzstan .. I still remmeber the feeling when it arrived.. It was then that we realized that it was bigger then just us ..that we were just the ones that got to go but so many where behind us making it possible  

The next day , after stopping for a visit with Mr Hank from SOC, we went to the home of Bill and Ivy Lee ., where we met up with Cindy Lajoy and her kids . together we hosted a Kyrgyz/Kazhak open house.  

it was such a blessing for us to see old friends again, as well as meet some new ones in person that we have known on the Internet for so long 

lunch on the deck 

a couple more Ladies we have known for a long time, but have just had the opportunity to meet in person 

We knew Dylan from the Tokmok Baby orphanage , and it was so cool to spend some time with  him in his home ."Done my Chocolate .. now to just relax "

We got to meet Ivy's Family..Times like this I am reminded that adoption is not just about  the kids or the new parents, but there are entire family networks that can be part of the process, and are blessed by it 

they even had a birthday cake for Julie 

Cindy taking a moment .... 

Great morning .. now off to LA

Great morning this morning with friends at Calvary Chapel Saint Cloud. 

We were so blessed, and are looking forward to seeing how our paths will cross in the future .

My Tokmok Buddies

Another great night as we helped our little buddies host a traditional Kyrgyz meal for about 35 of there friends ...  Thanks Acel  .. we used your ploff and Bishbalmack Recipes .. not quite as good as yours, but I am getting closer every time 

Funny storey

First stop was Minnesota  .. It is so great to see everyone .  

Funny storey ,  after everyone arrived, a car pulled up front , a couple and 2 young kids got out and came to the door ,   I did not recognize them, but thought maybe I should , so I opened the door and welcomed them in .  The kids took there coats off and headed down stairs with the other kids , I was franticly trying to place them in my mind, then Hilary looked at them with a little confusion and asked ... Do I know you... at witch point it became clear to everyone that they were in the wrong home .   Rather embarrassed  she tried to gather her kids back and get them dressed to go.. Her son turned to her and said  " well why did we come here then"  her answer was mumbled under her breath..."Because we are stupid "  ... We told her that if things did not work out for them at the next party to come on back...hahaha