We do not take it for granted .

      I am always grateful for all that we are able to accomplish through the support of so many, but about every thirty days that is exemplified for me.  I do not take it for granted when the end of the month comes and all the salaries and expenses are paid.  Every month when those needs are covered, I start to think about all the other things that were covered during the month ... and do not take them for granted. 

    I don't take for granted that when a few  families needs food and fresh milf for their babies that Jengish and Emma are able to pick out the best milk goat and give it to them. 

I don't take it for granted that when a family runs out of coal we are able to meet that need for them .

I don't take for granted that when there are so many families who don't even have any food to eat, we are able to bring them bags of groceries including a fresh duck.  

                                                                                 I don't take it for granted when the orphanages are facing a long winter we are able to deliver dome fresh meat to them 

 those late night calls when we hear of people in need and we can get there right away and bring food for them. I don't take that for granted.

 I don't take for granted that when the government makes it mandatory for all kids to have a different colour of uniform to attend school, we can move quick and make sure the  kids from the orphanages can go. 

 I don't take for granted that we have a freezer at the farm and that it is always full of meat ready to help out any families in need. 

I don't take for granted that the cellar is full of food put away for the winter, and ready to provide for others in need. 

 

I don't take for granted that we were able to support Aigoola when she was able to step in to keep a wonderful young boy out of the orphanage system.  He is doing so well on the farm, back in school, and the top of his class.. 

                                                         I don't take for granted families like Sidoola's who are such a blessing to us, heading up the building of the green house, and pouring into our kids on the farm every chance they get. 

                                                                                                                                   I don't take for granted all the vitamins that we are able to give out to people in need through our friends like Olga at her center, or Acel through several different organizations in the city 

I don't take for granted those that have donated so that kids like Marat not only is still able to see, but in a few weeks will have a final operation, so that he may even have his vision fully restored . 

                 I don't take for granted that we are able to be one step ahead of the needs so that when we are contacted by a young man saying that he has just turned 18 and wondering if he can still come to the farm, we can say yes. 

I don't take for granted our many co workers who daily reach out to those around us in the orphanages and institutions , and families in need. People like Acel and her family, Sergey and Anya and her family, Larissa and Tanya, Oleg and Vera, Vlady and Tatyana. all working tirelessly to be a blessing to others. 

 

 I don't take for granted that the farm is a place that has become a welcoming hub for people from all over the world,  where care and respect are shown to all. 

 I am thankful that in a couple weeks when the funds clear the bank, we will be taking possession of the ranch, a place were we will be able to continue to grow and be a blessing to so many in the years to come . 

I don't take for granted that every month we are able meet the payroll on the farm helping provide a sense of stability for our kids. kids who have had so much to worry about in their lives do not worry about what they will eat, where they will sleep, if they will get payed.  The will have a hope for the future.  

I don't take for granted that we are living in a land flowing with milk and honey !

WEEK 7

Here is this weeks update from the green house .  We are so excited about how well everything is doing .  

Week 6 ... We have cucumbers ..

Ok so the cucumbers are rather small at this point, but it sure is incouraging to see them

 

It also makes a great place for a shower when you are five.

five weeks of growth in the green house

For those who have been following the progress of the green house, here is an update from today. 

I have put in a series of pictures to show the progress  

5 weeks ago

4  weeks ago 

3 weeks ago .. we had the right temperature, but were giving too much light so they were getting strong and looking good but not growing fast, so we started shutting the lights off at around 9pm  

2 weeks ago they started filling out 

 we then hung the rope for them to climb on .

1 week ago  they started sending out feelers to hang on to the rope

today they are now beginning to climb the ropes 

Emma has the aquarium with water in it and the water balanced ready for the fish to arrive  The first batch is coming with a fish importer who will be helping us with this process. 

Dustan is doing great and settling in nicely.  It is so great that Aigoola could get custody of him and he is now registered and back in school.  He is all fives (five is the top marks in Kyrgyz grade schools ) Jengish is thinking he may graduate with honors 

Today Jengish met with the current owner of the ranch to inspect the documents and put down the deposit.   All looks good and we are in the process of transferring funds when the banks are finished with their holds .. 

Happy Happy Happy

There was so much joy and excitement in Larissa's neck of the woods over the last couple weeks.

Tanya and Larrisa receiving vitamins brought by a teem in the spring 

Together with her daughter Tanya and their friends, they prepared Christmas bags and delivered them and had parties with about 270 men at the men's home, about 30 people from the dump and 18 families who lost their homes in a fire a few years back .   

The gifts may have been small, but when you have nothing, they are beyond compare .. 

Here is a little video of more of the excitement 

       

You may have spotted this picture in the video, and remembered this young girl  We have known her and been helping for a long time 

  I went through these older photos an came across some of her pictures as she was growing up.  

One more time, we would like to express our thanks to everyone who donated to the pie challenge or who participated in the challenge.  You make it possible for us to bring a little joy into the lives of those who may be hurting this holiday season, and to let them know that they are not alone.   you made them 

Happy Happy Happy