We are back .. sorry for the break in the posts!

I should probably start this post with an apology to our many faithful followers , like Pat who actually sent word to see when I would post next !. This last two months has been an incredible time for us . Getting back into the swing of things hosting teams and getting reconnected with many people that we support.   We also had so much to do with planting and renovations , and spending time with our kids on the farm.  

I thought that maybe today I would give you a quick over view of the last couple months, then every couple days I will focus on a week until I get caught up.  

We were so excited to  have our friends from Minnesota come early in the season to help us set up for the summer  

They even brought some seniors out shopping in a grocery store for the first time , then another first .. out for supper in a restaurant. 

A few days after the Minnesota team left we had Paul come .  He is supported by many of the same groups that we are.  He came to encourage many of the those doing the work , but most of all he was a great encouragement to Julie and I .. He put a fresh wind in our sails.  

The next team from Petrolia was wild .  They helped us reconnect with so many groups and villages that we have helped in the past .  

So many very special moments 

Orphans, widows,  the disabled, bright young kids with a bright future ahead .. entire villages were impacted by their Love . 

Lots of work done around the farm as we expand the kitchen and patios at the ranch . 

Stay tuned for more in depth updates as we not only share photos , but process the impact of this last couple months ourselves. 

Help needed

 

I just got this message from Tanya  "John hello...could you help for grandfather. He is 79 years old ..

 He sees very poorly. 

One eye cant see. 

Another sees a little.

 Every month, vision is worse..

 He has cataracts in both eyes.. 

He needs surgery. the pension is only enough for food. Cannot collect for surgery . I want  ask if you could help. He needs to 20000 thousands ($300) for surgery and medicine... He likes garden but can't now..." If  you would like to help please use the donate button on the top right 

Time for an upgrade

 Update .. funds are on their way .  We are so blessed ,,........

Well our car has finally packed it in . It is still running but only in intervals of about 1/2 hour.   It has served us well over the years and many will remember it's few minutes of fame (start watching around 9:06) 

We continued to drive it for another 3 years.  But it's time is up. 

If you have been here you know how rough our roads are , especially the road to the kashar. So we need something with a high suspension, we also more times then not have all 7 seats in use, so we need at least a 7 seater. Having a bit of baggage space as well would be handy for food deliveries and shopping.  We are also looking for something that parts are available here .. 

But here is the problem .. cars are rediculoisly expensive here.  For a good used car that meets our wishes  will be $14000 USD . 

We would be so blessed if any of you would be able to help with this . 

Update from around the farm

 It has been two weeks since we arrived in Kyrgyzstan .  Here are some updates .  

We got the yurts put up .. Two older shepherds came to help us .. so now rather than having a 4 m and 6 m yurt we have a 6 1/2 m and a 5 m yurt hahahaha. Oh well . 

With the team we were able to get a few odd jobs done, like putting up shelves and coat hooks in the new room 

Julie stopped in Tokmok with some of the kids to visit Aigola in her new apartment.

We had the inlaws over for a nice meal up at the Kashar on the weekend 

Julie and I stole away a half hour for a coffee break while the team was shopping . 

The team brought hoodies for the kids on the farm .. they loved them 

They took some Seniors out shopping at a grocery store and to a restaurant, for some it was a first for both.  

We continue to deliver seeds to the community, as well as vitamins to those in  need  

The temm brought the boys to the bazaar and bought them spring clothes . 

The day up at the hot springs was a big hit as well 

The last day on the farm the team worked over in the work shop. They made some games as well as helped to fix the dryer ..

We are finishing up the corner rooms and getting the new veranda painted 

also a lot of work in the gardens this time of year 

Tanya would like help with a project.

I got an update from Tanya today .  She has been continuing her moms work at the mens home . This is such a difficult area to work. With the closure to outside during Covid and the many changes of directors, the full wing of the home she had has been reduced to just two rooms ... So now she starts to rebuild . 

"John hello. I want ask help .. There are only two rooms now in the men's home where boys disabilities can draw and spend time, Other rooms took away .. The places are small. And all things lie in the rooms. It's not convenient. I want a balcony Make a closet and we can put all things there and the rooms will be free and moor space and more places for boys....we need for the $300 ... If will be possible help for the men's home .."

 

If there is anyone who would feel led to help Tanya with her vision for the mens home, that would be wonderful . Just $300 can make that happen .

Just one week today , We will be landing in Kyrgyzstan , we are excited to be getting going on some projects like this . 

The seeds are being delivered .

It is always exciting when the spring garden seeds arrive.. it is even more exciting when you were not expecting to be able to put in a garden this year .. This week over 250 families will start receiving their seeds and a few weeks worth of groceries .  we still need more groceries but had enough money in to purchase the first half of them and hoping that by the time the rest are being delivered we will have more funds . 

I got a call this morning from Aiperie. One of the Afghanistan  refugee camps she has been helping with has had the roads closed for a couple months now.  This morning some of the ladies walked out to her to see if she could help them.  Fortunatly we were able to get money to her right away through Western Union to be able to help them . 

The ladies are doing great on their Camino .. A lot of long hard slugging , but it was encouraging to look across the valley at where they had started earlier that morning .