A Christmas these kids will never forget

Sometimes things happen out of the blue , or unexpectantly , and it is not until a few weeks later when we realise the impact of what we have done... You are likely asking ... what are you talking about.... The original LaJoy Christmas Challenge was to see a special Christmas for two of the orphanages... then when you guys rose to the challenge with 3 days to go , a special day for another larger orphanage was added to the challenge..... " A lot can happen in three days" ...

Last week there was a very difficult situation at one of the orphanages... the kids were playing in the trees, and one of the boys got tangled in a rope and died in front of his friends and his brother.... This has been a very traumatic experience for everyone at the orphanage. Now more then ever, these kids ... and the workers, need to know that someone cares about them... that there is value to their lives... and what better . At the same time as they were dealing with this, another family of kids were uprooted from their orphanage when their paper work was found to not be in order... They landed at the door of Sergey and Anya..... where they will stay until they are able to get things worked out.

These gave the extra hands needed to pull of the most incredible Christmas party that many of these orphans will have ever had... The night started with a concert put on by the kids from the village orphanage... they began with some break dancing to get the kids in the mood, then the girls did some traditional dancing... something that is a real treat in Central Asia.. After the dancing there was a play depicting the Christmas storey... then before the refreshments, the big event.. the presents .....

At a time of the year when finances are already stretched, and when the news is screaming recession, and financial doom.....You guys have made a sacrifice, and brought Hope and dignity to the lost and hurting in this world... On behalf of my family here in Canada and my family and friends in Central Asia, I want to thank you and to wish you a very Merry Christmas ... May God open the windows of heaven and pour out such blessings that you can not even contain them.

Stay tuned ... January 6 , 62 kids from two orphanages and others dear to our friends will have the experience of a life time when they will be traveling into the capital city to go to the Circus, then out for Hamburger and fries and more presents as they celebrate.. a McJoyfull Christmas...

Sneek peek

I just got some photo's of the first Christmas party sponsored from the Lajoy family Christmas Challenge......Here are a couple to wet your whistle... more coming tomorrow .... when I get to high speed...

A bright Star

Some have angels on there tree's and others have stars... The last post I showed you our Angel, but I got thinking about who would be our stars... that's when I realize how blessed we have been.... we could fill a tree with stars... Maybe over the next few weeks I will highlight some of those that I would consider a star... if I can get to them all... (please note... ... they are in no particular order)

Some time ago now, Sam and I were in Central Asia, and spent a few days... We were getting things set up for the iam1ru sponsorship program as well as making arrangements for our families trip that spring, that's when Sergey and Anya introduced us to Kristina . Kristina was engaged to be married to Anya's brother. She spoke fluent English, and had volunteered in the orphanages as she was growing up. She had spent a year as an exchange student in Rockford, and was currently working toward her law degree. She was perfect for what we had in mind. We hired Kristina to teach English out in the village. Twice a week , Kristina has been making the drive out to work with the kids. As well as concentrating on English, but she has been able to help them with some of their other schooling as well. She connected with the kids better then we could have ever hoped... Not only has she done a phenomenal job at teaching the kids, she has become their friend and their advocate. The self esteem of the kids has gone through the roof... Just knowing that there is someone there to spend the time with them and to pour herself into there lives has given them the HOPE that they need. Despite arriving at the orphanage in a state of turmoil, with Kristina's help, they are able to quickly catch up and realize their full potential... With this position of trust, the kids have begun to share needs and concerns with her ... times when there voices would otherwise not be heard, Kristina has pushed through and advocated for them... There is no doubt in any ones mind that she loves these kids, and they love her... In fact when she got married, all the kids from the orphanage were there to present her with a gift that they had made her as well as to dance and entertain the guests. Along with teaching, Kristina also found herself traveling with us into the capital city many times... As we found people requiring medical treatment and glasses etc. It was Kristina that was given the responsibility of arranging and attending the appointments... Kristina is on Maternity leave right now, and we are so excited for her and Ruslan, but I know that that does not diminish in any way the feelings that she has for HER KIDS.... Kristina... You are one of our stars, we look forward to working with you in the years to come... we love you ....

Kristina helping to give out mittens to the kids From left to right ... Anya's mom, Kristina, Ruslan, and Anya .. this photo was taken at a good buy party we hosted our last week in town

The ladies group from our home Church sponsored the wedding for them complete with dress and the banquet afterwords... The youth team catered the event... I was such a blessing to do this not only for them, but all her family and friends... it certainly was a day to remember...

One of the many picnics in the mountains with the kids

Our new angel

For years now we have been looking for just the right angel to go on the top of our Christmas tree... I think I have just found one.. I am going to print this, cut it out and use it for our angel ... this is Aysulu at a Christmas concert. I just received this photo along with a letter from some of our kids ...

Hello dear John, Julie, Emma and Bekah.
I now learn in the English lesson,
and I have lessons extra for Russian, and mathematician. Very soon I will go in
the school in" Akbata". Every Sunday we together go in the church. We now with
Sergey and Anya and this is very nice time for us. Today Sergey bought for me a
sport shoes, I am so happy, is good for me, now I can go in the sport lessons
big tennis, and when you come back I will show how I can play.
I, Kumushay"
I learn well and I try. My dance lessons is every Tuesday and Thursday. We like
be in Sergey's family. Thank you what wrote for us e-mail. We like see your
family and every time when we see we to smile. Now we think about you. Very soon
Christmas day will be great see you, but I know what you in Canada.
I,
Aysulu " I can count from 1 to 20 in English, I very like see your foto what you
gave for me, I love you and miss you. In the kindergarten we dance, and I try
doing well, I like play with doll, yesterday we was in the church and I have
many prezents. In kindergardan I eat very well and sleep. I like draw. We wait
you. I love you. One my teeth fell."
God bless you.
With love.
Aziz,
Kumushay, Alymbek and Aysulu.

Are you in the mood for Christmas

As the Christmas season starts to ramp up, I can't help but allow my mind to venture back you our kids in Central Asia. I think that the only thing that is making this bearable for us right now is the generosity of you ... our readers...It is such a blessing to us that so many of you have joined us in bringing Christmas to our kids.

I know that there are certain things that we must do for the holidays because we are here... and our family in Canada have been so wonderful and supportive to us , that they deserve our participation. So for the next week, we are going to do our best to get "into" the festive spirit....

Now on the note of the Well...If you had followed since this time last year, you would remember that we had no water in our well... it had been getting lower for years, and finally packed it in... Then out of desperation, we had one of the older gentlemen from our church come to the house and pray for our water situation... the next day we turned the water on again and it has slowly been rising ever since.... Yesterday we awoke to no water... I went out and looked in our old dug well and found that the un imaginable had happened... the water was so high that the pump platform at the top of the well was now a foot under water, and the pump had shorted out.... I had to spend the day yesterday installing a new submersible pump. ... So I guess that is what Julie and I will be getting each other for Christmas this year.!

Big mean dog... follow-up

"Just over one week ago I met the most amazing group of people. People who I had never spoke to, seen or met before. But less then 12
hours after meeting them I cried like I was leaving a best friend behind."

Ann. http://myadoptiongeography.blogspot.com/

Christmas is a time of year that we love to have family and friends over for dinner... It just starts to get a little more complicated when that dinner party you are hosting between your family and new friends takes place on the other side of the world. Last week, we had the privilege of hosting a dinner party in the village. This was a special event... you may remember the story, One of our readers...Ann... had heard the story of the stolen animals from Aygola's family, and sent money for them to purchase a BIG MEAN DOG... Well this story has taken an interesting twist.

Ann contacted me a couple of weeks ago to see if I could offer her any suggestions, she had been given permission to visit her adoptive daughter at the orphanage in Central Asia, and was wondering what kind of food to get for the party.... We have always tried to be as transparent as we could with any support we receive, so this was a perfect opportunity for everyone.... We asked Ann if we could have her out to the house to see the Dog and the beautiful family that she had helped... So many of you have put your trust in us over the years. I always say that I can understand our burden, we have seen first hand and the people we are helping are our friends, and many are now like family, But for so many to have the faith to send support with no opportunity to meet the people personally is incredible to me... I don't know if I will ever get over the generosity of complete strangers... Anyone that has lost faith in humanity just has to look back through the posts on this blog and they should have there faith restored. All that to say Ann and her friend that was also visiting in Central Asia that week were able to go for a visit....

The kids were so excited that they were going to have the opportunity to meet the lady that had brought comfort and safety to their family... Also in a way, they were not just putting on a meal for Ann, but they were putting on meal for us and for everyone that has supported us...

If you go over to Ann's blog you can read all about the adventure , and some of our other friends that she met along the way. ... She has divided the day into several posts, and I am sure that she will post more in the future..

Simple Dreams Up Date

I am not sure how many of you have been following the Simple Dreams sight... some incredible things have been happening over there... Many children have been sponsored, in fact we have just started into the next orphanage with 150 new faces... It really is heart breaking as I load them up onto the sight... Their eyes just seen to burn into me as I look at them... Then I started to realize something ... out of 150 kids , they were only about a dozen outfits... then I remembered our Dream Agent sharing that when they want to take the kids any ware, they take them in small groups because they do not have enough nice cloths for more then about a dozen at a time...
I just received the final sponsorship for the Hernia operation... a good thing since we went ahead this week and booked lili for her operation ...We have also given out the first batch of blankets.... what a blessing that has been for the Babushka's facing a cold winter ahead. We have also had many other needs met , like trips to the dentist , and baby formula. The scholarships have done very well also... and we have been able to get kids into some excellent schools as well as tutors for those that need a little extra help.... Even some little extras in life like Dance lessons have been sponsored. The word is starting to spread in Central Asia, and We are starting to get more requests for help ... from kids like Anvar and Kamala ...
By seeing the difference that is being made in lives around them, people are allowing themselves to DREAM ... we are seeing HOPE return to the hopeless.... When we started this, I had not taken into consideration the spin off that hope brings... it not only touches those that are blessed when thier dream is met, it reaches deep into hearts of those around them . They see the difference that hope is bringing..It is giving them the strength to carry on . When a new Dream comes in I want to jump right away and say "Yes..Yes .... here you go" to all of them , but like them, I have to have faith .

There are a few other exciting events taking place right now , but I am going to wait until the photo's arrive before I post more on that...

Boxes on there way.....

As we are preparing for Christmas and recognising the impact that we can make , I can't help but think of the Samaritans purse Boxes that are being packed all over North America and Europe this week... We were involved with that again this year, ...though this year it meant a whole lot more to us.

I stood and Watched as they local Ambulance drivers donated their time to travel around collecting all the boxes to bring them to the main depot.... As I watched Case after case of them... I think over 500 boxes in total go out the door, It was all I could do to hold back the tears.... something I have not had much success at lately.... I did not see boxes going out, I saw all our little friends patiently sitting in the circle waiting there turn to receive a box, then siting with bewilderment as they were scared to let themselves believe that it was actually for them.....

The moment you have been waiting for !

We had a great weekend .. It started with our friend David and Barbra coming for a visit on Friday night ... They have been incredible supporters of the work in Central Asia... Years back, I would stop at their house once a month while in the area on business.... Dave caught the bug, and has made countless trips since that time, and has been a driving force for PI in Quebec... We have been blessed to have them as our friends. Then Saturday it was off to Kitchener to the Big Event... We got to town and met up with our Internet friends Jody, Roger and Gabriel... un fortunately Gabriel's Husband Kelly was not able to make it... They had driven over 6 hours for the event... We receive so much support and encouragement from the Internet community.. many of whom have a connection with Central Asia, and have also left a piece of them selves behind... These two couples where There with us , maybe not physically , but certainly in spirit and cyber land....They have been involved in two trips to the village orphanage, and have an invested interest in the kids... It was so great to spend some time with them and introduce them to so many other like minded people at the event. Oh Ya ... and Roger was eager to pitch in and bought a couple cream pies for the night. Another Exciting thing for us was that David and Jayne made the 8 hour drive for the event as well... we had not seen them since we left town..... They arrived with or other friends Lynn and Ruby from Lamb International. They have been such an inspiration to us... I felt as though God had sent them to Central Asia just to bring us the wisdom and support that we needed... with in days of us feeling that we may be in over our heads, they arrived with such a wealth of Knowledge and grace, that we knew that we were right were we were meant to be.... We each did our own thing, but we were always there for each other... That inter dependency and Like mindedness has developed a relationship with them that I can not explain... There were so many others there that night that we have traveled with, it was so nice to see them all... to may to start mentioning names.... then there were those that had traveled to Central Asia , but we had passed in the night... Guys like Marcell .. that still carry an incredible burden for the hurting helpless and lost of Central Asia. Even my friend and Pastor Ron had made the tree hour drive to show his support, and was there with his son. .... I will leave it to Sam over at the PI blog to tell about the totals , but that is not what you are waiting for , its the pie you want to see, so without any further delay.... Now there is one hitch, Emma could not bring herself to throw a pie at me... Bekah had no problem ... so filling in For Emma is one of PI's Dream Agents from Central Asia..

Pie's flying at the BIG EVENT !

Have you ever heard the term " a Cheerful Giver"? well the word Cheerful here comes from the original text "Halari" or Hilarious.... and that is just what it will be when Dominic and I get pied... oh ya Cindy too........ Hilarious...... But the most Hilarious part is that we have over 250 Orphans in Central Asia that are going to have the Christmas they could only dream of.... One orphanage has 150 kids.. they will have a special Christmas dinner and party complete with gifts for all the kids..... and a little something special for their caregivers as well....
At the same time, we are sponsoring a similar even with friends of PI at another orphanage the other side of the capital city for about 40 kids ... in fact the Dream agents there have been working on the Christmas presents for a few weeks now......
There are another 61 kids made up from 2 smaller orphanages as well as some families we have been supporting ...like Aygoola's 5 ... the little ones from the dump, and Ruslan in the house that "your the 1" bought .... These kids have quite the day planed for them. I thought you might be interested in the break down
"HI John
Today we was in the capital city and we talk with manager in "VEFA" about make for kids SKEEDKA for beefburger. The manager will give for us 15% for kids this is will cost 136som ( this is $3.49 for each kids)
for Prince kidsmenu:
Cocacola
hamburger
french fried
little toy
For old people like we :) will cost 159 som ( This is $4.08 for each pers)
$4.08 for :
Cocacola
hamburger
french fried
not toy for us :( :)
I send for you report how many people and kids, and you can read and change if you have other idea.
In the town orphange 18 kids and 2 workers ( Who will go with kids in captial city )
In the village orphanage 30 kids and 2 workers ( who will go in captial city )
Asela's kids 2 kids and 1 mama ( who will go in the capital city :) )
Larisa's kids 3 kids
Our kids 2 kids and 2 workers ( This is Sergey and I :) )
Aigula's kids 5 kids and 1 mama
Rahima's kids 1 kid
drivers 2 drivers

TOTAL 61 kids ($213) 10 old people

We will need two bus for each time ( we will need two time go to the capital city) And I think what need buy food for driver each time this is two time and for us too :) (Sergey and me because we will go two time).
About small gifts will cost 200 som this is $5.13 ( if 61 kids this will spend $312.93 )
And about circus or kids theater. In the capital city in the Christmas day in the theater will show for kids good program and will play with kids is will cost ticket for each kids $2,56 ( If we can go we will need spend for 61 kids $156.16 )
About gasoline from town to the capital city and back 1 bus need $52 ( if gasoline not will cost more
From the village to the capital city and back 1 bus need $77


And TOTAL for all this $999.09 :)

At this point we are only $20 away from all this taking place, so it is pretty much a done deal....
You have all been awesome and have risen to the challenge..... We will stop hounding you now... But for those of you that did not get your donation in and still want to be a part of this.... we do have another 2000 kids in Central Asia in 8 other projects that our Dream Agents work with on a daily basis.... My be in a few years of this I will have the faith to try and raise the $20 000 to reach them all....OH dear what would I have to do for that challenge... Maybe shave my head and beard.... and have my back waxed.....OK so I have gone to far... erase that image ....lol.

PS. if you are wondering SKEEDKA is Russian for discount.... like in "Skeedka John"

Why not to answer emails late at night !

Have you ever gotten up in the morning and realized what you may have gotten yourself into on line the night before... I think of back when I worked night security and would put a bid on eBay at 4 in the morning... then in the morning wondered what I am going to do with a Saxophone.... especially when I don't play any instrument....
Well I got up this morning to realise that I both issued and excepted a challenge to have a pie thrown in my face by my girls.... you see we hit our target of $1000 last night to get the kids from two of the orphanages as well as some of the kids from needy families we have been supporting sponsored for a Christmas dinner in a Restaurant.... This means that Cindy Lajoy will be receiving a pie in the face by her sons... when she mentioned that she wishes she was not alone, I suggested that If we could raise another $1000 we could bring a Christmas party to another orphanage that has 150 kids in it... I then suggested that maybe her husband Dominic could have a pie thrown in his face if we met this challenge, then to sweeten the deal, I agreed to have Emma and Bekah throw pies in my face if we can meet that target... OK so it seemed like a good idea at the time.... well we have now had another $150 in toward the second challenge so $850 from now, things are going to get messy... we will video the event and post it right here for the world to see.... then in another month we will post the photo's and video's of the kids in Central Asia... for some reason, I think that the excitement here will pale in comparison to what will be going on there...

Lajoy Family Challenge

I thought you would appreciate seeing the last post from a different point of view.... Cindy over at http://www.lajoyfamily.blogspot.com/ has looked at this story from her sons perspective.... go take a look HERE then come on back and join the challenge.... if donating from the U.S. please use this link and we can give you a tax receipt.

Another Mcjoyful Christmas

McDonalds has become the "elite" place to eat in the former USSR . The orphan kids never got to go there. Six years ago we started taking these kids out to celebrate Christmas .Our friends have watched in awe as they shake in their seats before the meal comes and, when they finish, take their cups, boxes and even paper placemats back to the orphanage!
So far, we've given over 20,000 orphan children a special Christmas gift that they will never forget ... and they'll all tell you, "God did this for me."

In Central Asia, there are no McDonalds , but that does not stop our friends there... In Xxxx we went to the home for invalid women and kids and brought a party to them... In Central Asia, Anya has been watching the program for a few years, and would love to be a part of it....

The last couple weeks, she has been asking me "What about Christmas" ..."Can we do something special for them " and then the last letter " Remember the restaurant you found that you said was just like McDonald's and even had a play area, what you think we bring kids there ? ".

I have not answered her yet, but I think it would be a great idea... With everything else going on... dare I dream of the kids going out for Christmas I can get going in to many areas some times and spread a little thin, but then I have to stop and think.... why are we doing this, and it's because I want to bring" Hope and Dignity"... I want the kids to know that they are special and that someone loves them..... and how can we give them that message, then bring them a bag of coal for Christmas..... we have around 65 kids we are directly working with through the sponsorship program... To pull this off complete with transportation and a small gift would be about $1000.... So what do you guys think... is this something that our actofkindness readers would like to make happen... let me know what you think. If there is a lot of interest, I will move this post over to the simple dreams sight and add a sponsor button to it.

ONE BIG MEAN DOG

This just in

Hi John.
Sergey and Turat yesterday bought a black dog, and bought collar and catena, food. Whaen Turat saw it now not in the foto, he said " wow, it is bigest than in the foto. And I think what now will go in toilet form the window."
When Sergey and Turat come in the Aygula's house ( Aygula in that time was not at home). All kids was in the house and looked in the window, how Sergey and Turat brought the big dog. They are scared.

Dog ( Boy ) now live in the hen house. Chickens live on the tree . When Aygula back from the orphanage in the house she open the door and just doing couple step, and she saw a big, black and terrible dog ( like in the hair-raiser ) and Aygula slowly went back and open the door and very fast closed. And dog start barking. Aygula start said very loud " Turat, Aypery. Turat , Aypery helpp I want go in the ho-o-o-me ". And one neighbor can see this situation and laugh, and lough. And said " have you a new master of the house ? "
Today Sergey asked Aygyla " Do you live a dog? " she said " Yes, Iike but scared. Turat and Beksultan not scared and bog play with them."

So yes we are thrilled to announce that there is a new master of the house...or at least that is what the neighbours are going to be talking about.... I am sure that in no time the dog will be a part of the family and bring them comfort. Thank you to everyone that made this possible.

circle of support !

Yesterday was my birthday....... actually I don't know were to go from there..I have not been able to bring myself to blog much lately...My blog has always been that ... My Blog...about me... sure I tell a lot of stories about others we rub shoulders with in life, but ultimately I have always shared or stuck in my two cents worth as to how that has made me feel , Some times you may not be interested.... and yes I openly admit that at times I tell stories that may be too spiritual or political in there undertones for some..but that the great thing about a blog... is it is just that The ramblings in my head... .. ..but there is something rolling around in my head trying to get out...so I will just start and see where we end up.......... We celebrated last weekend with Julies family and had a great time.. actually the first time they had all been to our house since before we left for Central Asia... Then Thursday night we went out for supper with my mom. Friday was a great day, I went with nine other friends to a two day men's conference in Toronto, the highlight of which was a concert by Robin Marks. It was incredible , there were over 5000 men there and some great inspirational speakers. After the first nights sessions, we grabbed a bite to eat and headed back to the hotel.. The guys even bought me a little chocolate cake.... When we got in, it was about 11:30, and I set up the laptop and turned it on...Oh Yaaa...high speed... something I don't have at my house... When the computer turned on, the Skye opened automatically, (does not work on my slow dial up) and I saw Altyni's name on the screen... Dan and Jamie were there( they had lead the youth team over to see us, and know Altyni) so I gave her a call.... As soon as I said Dratsvootsey (Hello) she pealed with excitement... It was such a blessing to talk with her.. her English is doing so much better, I hardly had to speak any Russian...She is doing well in school, it has been difficult for her, but she is through the latest round of exams and is feeling better now. She told me all about the new winter clothes that Anya had bought for her, and wants to thank everyone so much for " Giving her her new life...." Today we were back to the conference , the first speaker was a young man that had worked with mother Theresa, then with the homeless in Philadelphia and has actually been arrested several times there for helping the homeless... and has had to stand before the authorities and present his case, as a result has been able to have laws changed ...and hundreds of homeless have been given a new life..... Another speaker told a neat story of a friend of his who in college had skipped a few too many classes, and when he came to class he heard that a major assignment was due two days latter...He raced home, checked the course
outline to see which assignment found the research material, and worked day and night to pull it off.... When the paper came back, he was thrilled to see the fantastic comments... " Great Paper" , "Excellent insight" a few more pages.."Clear and concise" then " You definitely have a great grasp on the subject" ... then as he turned to the last page.... " Too bad it's the wrong assignment! F "....... The point was ... no mater how great a job we do, and how good we are at it... you do not get points for doing the wrong assignment ! The purpose of the weekend was to encourage people to make a
difference with their lives.... not focus on themselves...but to seek to help those around them .... Each speaker covered a different area, but there was a common theme. .....Some will cheer you on from a distance , some will mock you... and many may not understand... The Authorities may be at odds with you at times, and in the natural you may not fully grasp the impact of what you are called to do....But you can not let that stop you... Take note of those that have been placed around you for support and will be there to help you fulfill your assignment, then get busy.... The entire weekend as these sessions were going on,... six months of "assignment" kept flashing before me... While others may have the largest task ahead of them being "What is their assignment?" I have been Blessed with a clear understanding of what my Assignment is ... and yes I have been cheered from a distance...I have been mocked, I have had to present my case to those in Authority, and I know that there are thousands that just do not understand.... but I also have a growing list of those that feel the calling to step up and be part of that circle of support to help continue our assignment.... It has been almost three months since we got home, and our Bordon for the people of Central Asia has been growing exponentially in that time...I guess when I start to blog, my past has been to sit down, and open up ... to tell all.... as the time goes on, that is becoming to painful . I see that I have started to set up walls and not allow myself to go there ..... I have determined the story I want to tell, and tell it.... and sprinkle in just enough passion to keep it real... well that is not how you change lives.... I am not doing justice to you.. I am not doing justice to myself, and I am certainly not doing justice to the people I am trying to
help.... I am sorry for that.... Over the next few weeks I will try to get this back on track.... You need to know our hearts are broken... our friends are suffering....life for them is not all good.... take Altyni for example ... I know what is burdening Altyni right now......I know that she likely cries herself to sleep every night with the Bordon she carries for her family......... she is not aware that I know, nor does she let on that there is a problem but I know ....and I we have already made steps to help.... but some one had to tell me....They had to come out and ask if they could help her . I know that I will never hear the whole storey as they are not at liberty to share all .. But ultimately they turn to PI for the support to make it happen.... They know that we have limited resources and many times to help would be a sacrifice ... They often start or finish there email with I am so sorry John we need help. ..... I have tried to explain to them that they should never have to feel sorry for asking for help, and that it is me that is sorry that we could not do more ... We have even discussed weather we should just sell everything and just go.... we could sustain ourselves for a few years.... we could not help them all, but we could help a few.... But that is not our assignment...... that assignment misses the part about "The circle of
support that is there to help you to fulfill your assignment"...... Well... I am so sorry, but we need your help
This post has turned out to be a little longer then I thought, but I
suddenly have more to say so here is part B and you can come back and read it
later if you like......

Part B) .....Anya I know that you will not appreciate me
sharing this and I know you read the blog, but people need to understand what
Burden does to a person....

We Had been in Central Asia for about a month
and had been working a lot with Sergey and Anya.. They had just come through the coldest and worst winter that any could remember . Both had some health
issues , but not letting on ... they took me so I could pay my Power bill ... As Sergey was heading in I asked if his bill was payed and then gave him money to pay it as well..... I figured that since I was there any ways... I would pry a little more.... I pointed out that they always seemed hungry to us... and asked if they had food at home.." Oh We are fine was the answer" I again asked "do you have food at home" Anya answered " the kids get feed good meals at school.." So I asked again "DO YOU HAVE FOOD AT HOME" Then Anya started to cry.... she said " John it was such a bad winter... people we were helping were dying all around us... we had to help....
Anya you taught me two things in that moment....
1. I had better prepare myself for the day when I would be
asked to put everything on the line ...
2. I can never be to ashamed to ask for help.

Anya It is me that is so sorry, and I will do all I can to share that Burden with you this winter....after all... I am in your circle of support !

Up dates on the last couple of posts.

Great news on the lili operation ... A donation came in last night toward her operation... we now only have about $145 to go... This was such a blessing to me.. I can not help but think of the discomfort that she must be in , and to be so close to a point of being fatal... it must be so hard on her and her family.... My Mom and I were just discussing this yesterday, about an hour before the donation came in . We have been worried about her, and just said that if this was not covered shortly we would have to try to make room on the Visa and then deal with the bill when it comes.... I guess it was Gods way of telling us not to worry and that he had things under control... and that he is talking to some one about it as we speak.
We just had another $30 US come in... we now only need $100 to make this dream come true.
..... THE BIG MEAN DOG.... The dog has been sponsored, and Sergey and Anya will be going on Friday for the Dog... The dog is full grown, and is a specially trained guard dog... this was the wrong person does not get eaten....
This would be so much easier of a job is Julie and I were independently wealthy... then we could just meat the needs ourselves as they came in... but maybe that's why we have this Job... all we can do is present the need and then give others the opportunity to be a blessing and in turn be blessed.

Sample from The Simple Dreams sight .

Here is one of the Dreams from the new sight.. http://www.simpledreams.tv/ .. I re posted this here because I wanted to show the types of issues that are faced on a daily basis in Central Asia . When we arrived in town, we were bombarded with similar requests... each on its own was manageable , but together they become very over whelming.... We simply ran out of our own finances in the first six weeks we were there... We tried to do it on our own... We had to reach the point that we realized that we were not on our own, and that there are people around the world that carried the same bordon we did for the people of Central Asia...We learned that we had to rely on them... Together, we were able to meat thousands of dollars of simple dreams like this one. This is part of the reason for the Simple Dreams sight.... Can you imagine if you were given the sentence that Lili has been given.... For her there is nothing Simple about it... if it was , her life would not be depending on the generosity of others . here is the post .........

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It is difficult enough when you see people that are in need, but it is more distressing to me when it is GOOD people that are taken down... People that are working to make the world a better place... This is an email that I just received about Lili...

"She has hernia for about two and a half years. Doctors say
it's a third stage and it might be fatal for her if she will not have surgery
within 4 months. The income of the family very limited about 30 dollars per
month. There is no work in their village for them and they live on the mothers pension.
Despite this, the work that they do in their community is
great. They go to theirs and neighboring villages to help old people and
invalids work with the young people. Also Lili would go to other villages
and would do medical check up for residents and people from neighboring
village. "

You know... by helping Lili... we will be helping an entire community...
The cost of this operation is .......$345

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Please check out the sight when you have the opportunity.... You know you don't have to be a Bill Gates or an Oprah Winfrey to be a philanthropist.... we can all be one!

iam1ru?