Wednesday, December 30, 2015

Christmas with the blind society.

Yesterday there was a special celebration in Bishkek. 210 children from the blind society received Christmas gifts and a  party.  This was made possible again this year because of so many of you ... Thank you . 

 


 

 



Week one, update by Grammy



Week 1 I have made it here safely and I’m already at the end of week one. I had a good flight – or should I say “flights.” No problem at transfer points – I would recommend Turkish Airlines – and it was great to fly at night. I was met by Emma, Bekah and Jenish. We spent the first night in Bishkek at Bekah’s
 
 
 

 
apartment (Lilly was happy to see me) and then went to Tokmok to Emma and Jenish’s where we have been since- joined by Jenish’s brother Azamat. We kept busy packing and delivering food and presents and also went to the farm most days. I believe John has posted photos. Today, (Wednesday) was our first day off- we had the chance to dawdle and went to the farm in the afternoon. It was wonderful seeing friends again. The weather has been not too cold and very little snow, so that made our week easier. If I am asked times and dates of my departure and/or arrival I’d have to say, “I haven’t a clue.” I planned to keep my watch on Norwood time but






got mixed up with our 12 hour time, then 24 hour time and a few time changes thrown in and I just gave up, and said, “Whatever.” I’m looking forward to the next two weeks- I can’t believe I have been here so long. Don’t know where I’m going or what I’m doing so I will let you know on “Week 2” Trust everyone is well. I have tried to refrain from looking at Facebook and “staying in the moment” – and loving it. Hugs to all, with Love, Grammy Pammy.


Tuesday, December 29, 2015

let the parties begin !

Lots of food deliveries around town to students, seniors and families. It was a great time to connect with so many that we have known for a long time, and they were so Happy, not just with the food at this time of year, but most of all knowing that they were remembered.  Most of the deliveries today were sponsored by our friends at Possibilities International .  Lots of the people we help Know Sam for the many teams that he has hosted to Kyrgyzstan over the years .  















Students and Seniors alike were blessed with not just meat ( from the farm) but also this year we were able to include many extras in the food hampers because many of you had purchased food shares from the farm.   Some  even got fresh milk from our cows .















As many of you know we have been doing the pie in the face challenge for many years now.  This has enables us to bring Christmas gifts to over 10 000 kids over the years .  Here is a short video from one of the recipients of those gifts in years gone by.. today he is with his forever family and was one of the driving forces behind the pie challenge still continuing today .. 



this year we will be celebrating with around 800.  That means a lot of work preparing and packing gifts for the parties.  Each of our friends has taken on a few different groups.  Here are a few pictures of Grammy and Bekah  preparing for the parties that Sergey and his boys are looking after.




The first big party was today at the Chui Internat.  The kids were so excited to have the kids from Anya's dance group come to celebrate with them.  Along with the gifts, they got a concert and some group games that they played .  They all had an awesome time.. just look at some of these faces. 

   If you look closely in the back row to the right of the tree you will see Emma and Grammy enjoying the kids. 


 










Can you even begin to imagine just how exciting this is for these kids. To know that people from all over the word have sent gifts to them and care about them.  As kids, we would get so excited when we were told that ONE man from the north pole would sneak in at night and drop some gifts off .. how much more exciting is it that hundreds would be thinking about them this time of year, and not just sneak in, but send in a whole team of people to celebrate with them .. THANK YOU to everyone who had a part in this years celebrations. 

Sunday, December 27, 2015

A Bazaar Day


And by Bazaar , I am referring to the animal bazaar where every Sunday morning the animals are brought for sale .. but it can be a little bazaar as in a little "nuts" as well .  This morning Grammy Pammy got to experience both meanings ... They were there Shopping for animals sponsored through the wish catalogue, as well as to purchase some more feed for the winter before prices go up.   Well if you have ever wandered around the crowded Bazaar you know just how chaotic it gets with literaly thousands of people and animals of all sorts jammed into a huge field, no fences no corrals, just people , animals and trucks squished together, not to mention the 4 to 6 inches of mud/slush/poo on the ground .. can be overwhelming ..   so the trick is to find a quiet spot off to the side and bring your animals there as you buy them before trying to find a truck and make your way out .   So with the first acquisitions, they did just that.. made their way over to the back fence .. and waited as Jengish went back in to do some more bargaining.  

Mother (Becky)  and baby goat (yet to be named by Jonah and Eli) , along with the first lamb ( Lamby Pi )
 It was only a few minutes then Jengish was back with the next two sheep .  These are young sheep, but notice, they already have big buts ,, this is the sign of a good lamb in Kyrgyzstan , they grow them for this large fatty but that it the prime ingredient in many of the Kyrgyz dishes .. the bigger the but the better.  These two don't have names .. so maybe we can eat them .   So here is the deal.. If someone goes to the Catalogue and sponsors ANY item today, you can choose a name for one of these new sheep .. just put it in the memo box.   They all all girls , but I am sure they would answer to a boys name if it meant they stayed off the BBQ...  


Bekah and the little kid were fast friends .. she loves him 


Even Mirlan our truck driver likes the little guy, and thought he should ride up front with him rather then in the back with the others 


Once they had the animals loaded they went back into the bazaar and negotiated for a load of hay to be delivered to the farm as well ..  With so much going on and the two trucks heading out, they decided it was best to go with what they had, and go back next Sunday to get the rest of the animals. so good news, there will be another shop next week so if anyone would like to order some more animals for a last minute gift for a friend or hard to shop for family member , just go to the catalogue and choose something .. and remember if you do it today you can name one of the sheep.

So off they went to the farm to deliver the new animals and to unload the hay .


After a busy day , they are back at Emma and Jengish's having a nice cup of hot chocolate 



Meanwhile back at our apartment Sergey and his boys were busy packing Christmas presents for the next Christmas party .. You know how much work it is to shop and wrap for a few, but to do it for hundreds at a time is a real skill , and a lot of work , but we are all just so happy to be able to do it thanks to all those who sponsored during the pie in the face challenge . 



Along with these gifts, the orphanages will also be given a large share of the last cow along with other products from the farm  to make a great celebration  meal for the kids .