Deliveries continue .

The guys were busy all day , trip after trip delivering coal and food packages to those I need.

Still so many needs .. it truly is heart breaking. 

There were a lot more food needs than we anticipated. People were so relieved for the help

Families that started the winter off with coal are finding that the coal is almost gone or is gone and there is still more winter to go. 

There were just so many in need that the boys kept delivering ... But when all the dust settled , they realized that they may have gone too far.. this is what is left for on the farm. 
 

We will need to buy some more coal if we can .. not too late to help,  if you would like to help with this please donate now.  We will get more coal delivered as soon as we have the funds. 

Tanya has been in hospital with her new baby since before Christmas, but as soon as she was out she made sure to get food to some of the seniors she supports. She wanted to give a great big thank you to everyone who supports her with that.

Hand in Hand

Freezing and hunger often go hand in hand. 

Winters are long and hard.  Work is scarce and not much money to be made.   Some times people have coal and have to sell it to buy food, and for others they have food but have to sell it to buy coal.   Either way it's not enough and on the end they are cold and hungry.  The worst part is that when you are hungry you can't battle the cold as well. 

That's why today the boys are packing food bags to go with them on the next deliveries. 

They have identified some families that need help.

Thank you for those of you who have supported us in our efforts to help people this winter . 

 

On the road again

This week Julie and I will be on the road sharing about the work in Kyrgyzstan and the impact that your support has provided, reiterating that fact that you are a vital part of all that we do.  Sunday the 24th  we will be at New Life Church in Santa Rosa Beach FL for two services.   

We always love the opportunity to connect with people in person, so we will be in the area until Thursday.  If you would like to meet up with us for a coffee and visit, fb me or email to actofkindness127@gmail.com.  

If you are available, don't forget about Turning point Tuesday. This is always an incredibly powerful service, one you don't want to miss. 

Next up , Thursday we will be heading to Cincinnati Ohio .  Saturday morning Jan 31 I will be sharing at a men's breakfast , then you will find us at Makers church .     We will be in town a couple days so again if you would like to plan a get together, contact us on fb or email actofkindness127@gmail.com 

  Sunday Morning Service  February 1, 8:45–10:45am

8290 BATAVIA PIKE CINCINNATI, OH 45244

This Church is a huge support to the ministry, more then we could ever express, so it will be a great joy for us to visit and share. 

In March we will be driving to Virginia with a few stops along the way down and back .. another opportunity to connect with some incredible friends and suporters.. stay tuned for more details. 

actofkindness - Amazon gift registry

As we are preparing to head back to Kyrgyzstan this spring , I have created a wish list for some of the things we would like to bring with us. 

 Amazon needs Registry

This spring we have a more direct flight that is slightly more expensive , but it allows for 2 checked bags each .. something we have not had for a couple years .  This will give us an extra 200 lbs and an opportunity to get stocked up with some of the items we need .    Any items purchased from this wish list will be shipped to my home in Canada and we will be able to pack them over with us .  

As items are purchased, Amazon will indicate how many left that we would like .  

"Please do not forget my friends".

When our friend Genya died, His wife called us and said that he had left something for us . 

It was the list of families in the village who needed coal, and what their individual difficulties were .  on the out side of the envelope it said  

 "Please do not forget my friends". 

A couple of years later we are still honoring his wishes , and what is special is that his wife now comes with us on deliveries and has a list of her own.  She knows the issues of everyone in the village and keeps track of when and how much coal each family received  .. 

We had a few more helpers on deliveries today. A couple of young volunteers joined in as we loaded the truck. 

 

Winter can be long and hard at the best of times , but when you live in an abandoned building it is even harder. 

They are all so thankful for the support.  We have been doing our best to keep ahead of the need, but it has been difficult.  As the winter rages on we seem to have a list that continues to grow. 

We delivered to about 20 people today , and this brings out coal barn back to empty.  Any help with coal funds would be greatly appreciated at this time.

 

Unexpected set back

We have had two major setbacks at the farm in the last couple weeks .  I Had not mentioned them yet as we still have coal and tuitions not to mention booking our flights back that we were raising funds for . But I do need to bring this up with hopes of being able to rectify this by the beginning of April when we go.   New years eve there was a bad wind and a tree came down on the power lines beside the transformer .  It did not just take the lines down, it some how managed to effect the  the current and a serge came through the lines 

.. everything electric on our section of the grid was hit.  lots of smaller things were ok , but we lost some major appliances .. 

Bekah showing off our new fridge in 2010 

On the main farm we lost two refrigerators a freezer and a microwave , At the guest house we lost a refrigerator, and at the shop and Sergeys house we lost two refrigerators and a computer. but one of the biggest losses was the washing machine and dryer.   The total damages come to $2500 .   We will try to limp along until April when I come and can bring the cash to replace these before the summer season when the guest house is open and its too hot out to leave food out .  

                      

       That was not the only bit hit .                                                  There is a corn field behind where the farm bees are .. Last month the farmer sent a drone up to spray the corn so it would dry faster.  The drone came to close and the wind was in the wrong direction, and they managed to Kill ALL 32 hives of bees.  This is some what devastating for us . Not only is this an income source , but it is a great learning experience for the kids.  Some have even invested their own savings in families of bees.  Our Mountain bees are still doing fine, they are far from any fields .  This spring we will relocate the hives from the farm to the mountain, away from the irresponsible farmers .  The cost to replace the families will be $3500. 

$3500 is a familiar number ..   That turns out to be exactly what our flights back to Kyrgyzstan will cost us.  and that's the amount I knew we were going to need to raise.    So just like that , we need to raise $9500.   So I guess for the next little while I will know exactly what current  needs will be when asked .   Please consider helping us with this set back.  There is a link to donate on the top right side of the blog.    





 

Blessed to be a blessing

6 am Julie we're up to start the fires for the ploff.    

 

I can remember as a kid going winter camping .. at 20 below I would be wide awake at 6am eager to get up and move around and get warmed up.   

 

I thought about that as I fought with myself to get up out of a nice warm bed . 

Between the dark and the smoke and steam, I might as well have had a blindfold on... But I have made ploff a few times so I pulled it off.

We made a double batch in two Kazans just to be sure to have enough 

Yesterday I had made Borsolk so that was a hit with the ploff. 

Along with the Kyrgyzstan food we also served sandwiches and snacks 

We had several stops around the city , one of them being a small in a moment.   

At one of the stops a young man who looked like my Misha and sounded like him, and was so incredibly polite.   What was amazing was he was so happy and brought a smile to everyone's face.  

We were blessed to spend the day with Scott Couper and his team at Street Level Advocacy.  I can rest knowing that some one is making such an impact here on the streets in Peterborough, but that does not let us off the hook , we all need to do our part when we can. 

We are home and warmed up, and have had a nice hot bath .. something our new friends will not get tonight.   

Lord we ask that you would set their feet on the right path.  Led them, guide them and reveal yourself to them, and thank you for Scott and his incredible team who on the streets daily showing your love. 
And thank you for allowing us to be part of today's blessing.