Home - Victoria's Adventures in Kazakhstan

A few changes to share!

Posted May 1, 2012

Hello Everyone,

It has been a long while since I last wrote and so much has happened.
I turned 50 last June. I'm now mid-way through life. Wow.. How did that happened. It seems like it has only just begun and in many ways it has.

A heart for children was build into me when I was formed. I dreamed when I was a small child of living on a large farm with lots of animals and kids running around. Now, my vision back then did have this farm in the rolling foot hills of Virginia.

In 2000 I first traveled to Kazakhstan with Interlink Resource on a short term trip. That is when I first fell in love with the children of Kazakhstan. That trip took me an entirely different turn then I could have ever imagined and it has been a wild adventure since. In 2009 I moved to Kazakhstan to live and work full time as the Youth Department Manager with Interlink. I loved my job, the wonderful people I had the privilege to work with and absolutely loved working with the children.

It didn't take long to realize how much more needed to be provided for the children to give them a chance to build productive lives. It is all about relationship build over time. People who are committed to the long term process of teaching/mentoring and coaching these children. They have nothing but mountains of "baggage" filled with pain, hurt, distrust, and stories no child should have to live through. They need a safe place to be loved, encouraged, some tough love with people who are committed for the long haul.

That first year way back in 2000 I knew the call on my life was to care, love and be a voice for these precious children of Kazakhstan. Most of the children are not legally free for adoption and would never even have a chance to be adopted. I am called to care for these children. I dream and pray for each of the children to find their forever family, but am now moving forward with a vision that will provide these children a place they can call home.

In December after much internal struggle I resigned from Interlink to pursue making this a reality. It is a huge project and I knew this could not be accomplished alone. It will take a large number of people being committed to it.

Beth Turnock and I spent many hours while we lived and worked together in Kazakhstan talking and planning for the ranch. Beth too dreamed of a ranch since she was a young girl. Beth was the Director of Operations for a large residential facility in Indiana before moving to Kazakhstan. The last part of her 7 and a half years she was the Director in Kazakhstan. The end of January 2012 she decided that the calling on her life was to be part of this vision too. I am so thankful for her friendship, partnership and for the wealth of experience and knowledge she brings to this project.

One chapter has closed and a new chapter has begun or it may be the next book in a series. Which ever is the case it is a God size project and will only be accomplished in HIS strength.

In February Beth and I went to Kazakhstan to pack our belongings up in the Interlink house and put into storage as well as share about this vision. It was encouraging to have it be so well received.

We took time to drive to Karatau to visit sweet Saule who use to be at Ulan Orphanage but was moved after I left to a Boarding School for disabled children about an hour and half north of Taraz in the village of Karatau. It had been snowing and was extremely cold during our time in Taraz. But that day it dawned bright and sunny and off we headed north with a friend. The first hour of the trip was uneventful as we drove mile after mile through barren snowy landscape. It all changed dramatically when we rounded a bend in the road into full white out conditions with wind blowing the snow side ways. The wind was blowing so hard it blew the car sending it sliding out of control. Thankfully when it got to the side of the road the snow bank stopped the car from plummeting down the hill. We thought about turning around at this point. Then though the village was only another 30 min drive and more importantly a 7 year old young child was waiting for us to come visit her. So we inched forward. What should have been a 30 min drive turned into a 2 hour Epic Adventure with scares and detours around each bend through the mountain pass.

Me walking in front of the car making sure the snow isn't too deep.

Saule and me after we arrived

If you would like to read the long version of this trip please email and I'll gladly send it to you. But the short version is we finally made it. And one sweet small girl with a club foot and face disfiguration knew that she was loved enough to come a long way in a snow storm to see her. The staff didn't understand why anyone would go to so much trouble for an orphan child that they could see no value in.

I think the experience is going to be a great example to us as we move forward with this vision. It is a huge project that is going to take lot of people being committed to the children as well as resources. At times we will not be able to see two steps in front and will have to slowly - inching forward. The sky will clear at times giving us a glimpse of the long winding road ahead then just a quickly clouds will fall low blocking the view. We will have to persevere with patience and determination. Never forgetting who is waiting for us. Saule had sat on a sofa from early morning till 3:00 pm waiting for us to arrive. The children who have no one else are waiting for a place to call home.

The Vision

The Ranch will give hope to children who are no longer able to live with their family of origin. The ranch provides a safe place and loving community for the orphans in Taraz, Kazakhstan and surrounding areas to call “home”. At the Ranch children are surrounded by people who are committed to pouring into their broken lives as they heal and learn how to build productive lives knowing they are valued and uniquely created for a special purpose. More than just meeting needs like food, clothing and shelter, the children’s spiritual, emotional, medical and educational needs will also be addressed. The goal will be to give children the solid foundation along with the vocational and spiritual preparations needed to fulfill the call on their lives. Incorporated into each “home” will be a core set of family values with an emphasis on the arts and how the process of creating; whether through dance, drawing, painting, writing, singing, or any other creative endeavor can give insight into living life to the fullest and finding joy and a positive future.

Stay tuned for how this adventure unfolds. If you would like more information please feel free to email me at kazakhvictoria@gmail.com

3 comments

Posted in Family

December Celebrations!!!

Posted January 17, 2011

Dear Family and Friends,

January is cold here in Taraz but we do not have nearly as much snow that many places have back in the USA. I’m amazed we don’t, but very thankful. Dealing with the hard cold is enough for today, thank you very much.

Beth, who has been our Interlink Director here in Taraz, has ended her time here. She flew back to the States 5 January and a new chapter began in both our lives. It was a great honor and privilege to work with Beth here in Kazakhstan. We meet in 2000 when Interlink sent its first team to Ulan orphanage. Our treasured friendship will continue, though she’s now in the States seeking Papa’s next direction for her life. During November and December, we had many gatherings of friends to say goodbye and celebrate friendships. I loved hearing the stories of how lives were touched through her friendships with the folks here. There were many delicious meals, great stories, much laughter, as well as tears.

In addition to the many activities related to Beth’s leaving, we had New Year’s celebration which is a huge holiday in Kazakhstan. It was fun to be part of so many different celebrations. One of my favorite was celebrating with Saramoldaeva’s youngest children’s group. The orphanage called to invite Beth and me to this celebration but it was scheduled for 25 December – Christmas! However, they said if we couldn’t make it that day they would move it to a day we could make it. My heart melted. They moved it to 26 December so Beth, Fil and Mary (an adoptive couple) and I could enjoy time with these precious children. It was so much fun. The caregivers had put so much energy into preparing a special time for all of us. The children preformed skits and songs, Father Frost and Snow Princess came to pass out candies and we gave out some small gifts and toys for the group as a whole. You cansee more pictures on my Picasa site - http://picasaweb.google.com/KazakhVictoria/NewYearsCelebrationAtSaramoldaeva#

In December the Youth Department celebrated the New Year with Saramoldiva, Ulan, PTL, and the Youth House. It was so much fun to watch the many performances and seeing how much time and energy went into the celebrations. I felt like I did when my children were little and preformed in their school plays. I was proud of these children. Some have had to overcome many obstacles to get out in front of all their peers and to others to perform. I watched some of the older children at the Youth House encourage some girls who were performing for the first time. These girls are a little slow and usually are at the bottom of the pecking order. I had worried when I first saw they were going to perform. How would it go over? My heart was concerned that other kids might be cruel. I was pleasantly surprised as I watched one girl in particular sitting on the edge of her seat mouthing each word, giving encouraging hand motions and thumbs up as Vika performed. There are so many sad times for these children that it is good to treasure the sweet tender ones.

During the last of December several of us and Fil and Mary went to deliver food to two poor families who had made a request at Interlink. The children in the orphanages are well cared for, even if there are things they aren’t getting because they do not live in a family. They do, however, have a good place to live. The orphanages are clean and neat, they are warm, they have good food to eat, and the children have good beds to sleep in. One of the things the Youth Department is always emphasizing is to be thankful. We all have much for which to be thankful for. Learning an attitude of thankfulness helps maintain a positive attitude towards life. As we delivered food to the two poor families in the village, it hit home just how fortunate the children in the orphanages are. I knew and have seen the extreme poverty in and around Taraz, especially when you get out to the villages. That day I was reminded of just how difficult life can be.

Uldana and her family, for example, live in a 5 x 7 meter home. However, their home is always clean and tidy. This was in contrast to the first home we went to which had 5 children ages 13 years old to a baby. It was so sad. The house had 4 small rooms, was dirty and smelled bad and the children were filthy. On that first visit to the house, it wasn’t warm and I told the mother we would return the following week with some clothing for the children. The next Wednesday we returned to the home with more products (purchased by Fil, Mary and myself) and clothing, only to find the children there alone. The eldest is 13 years old and only in the 5th grade. She seems slow. I’m not sure what the issues are. The 8 year old was the one caring for the infant. She carried the baby around like an experienced pro. She also cared for the 2 year old and 4 year old. My heart just broke. The American in me wanted to fix the situation right that moment. Yet what could I do? What is the right thing to do? If I walked next door, I probably would have found the same thing. The whole village is full of poor families just barely making it. Now being poor doesn’t mean they can’t keep a house neat and tidy and I guess that was one of the things that raised a red flag in my heart. Most Kazakh children do help around the house and girls, especially, do a lot of the house work, as well as tending to younger siblings. So why isn’t this family able to keep things clean and tidy in the very least?

There are so many hard things in this world. It is easy to become overwhelmed and turn back into the comfort of our own lives, own families and homes. Even though my heart breaks many days and I struggle to know what the best thing to do is, I do believe I have to continue to step out on faith, to reach out of my comfort zone, and do what I can. We each have a call on our life. This is mine. I desire to finish the race well and in the middle keep the hope near to my heart and grab each joy given for today, holding onto those no matter what storms may blow my way.

I am truly thankful for the dear friends I have. I got an email about from a friend with a quiz which read:

1. List a few teachers who aided your journey through school.

2. Name three friends who have helped you through a difficult time.

3. Name five people who have taught you something worthwhile.

4. Think of a few people who have made you feel appreciated and special.

5. Think of five people you enjoy spending time with.

The lesson: The people who make a difference in your life are not the ones with the most credentials, the most money or the most awards. They are simply the ones who care the most.

I am truly blessed and, on days when I feel my heart is going to break, I remember all those who have been there for me through the years. And I think of my dear friends. I give thanks for I am richly blessed.

Thank you each and everyone who have been there for me,

Love,

Vicki

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Posted in Family

Thankfulness for the Team I work with

Posted December 8, 2010

I can’t believe it is December already! Where have the last 6 months gone? Snow blankets the ground and preparations are already underway in the city of Taraz for New Year celebrations.

I want to apologize for the lack of updates and stories. Learning to live in a new culture is a great adventure with many exciting things happening, but learning how to do the basics of life in a totally different way can also be a bit taxing. However, I am beginning to feel like I’m now getting my “Kazakh legs,” so to speak and hope to be updating and sharing the stories that happen all around me more often. I miss sharing and miss hearing from my friends.

During the Thanksgiving season I had time to reflect on the many blessings I have in my life. I am thankful for my precious son, Marc, and daughter, Sarah, her husband Dan and little CJ. I am thankful for Emily, my sister, who is such an inspiration and encourages me along the way. I am thankful for dear, dear friends who love me in spite of my many short comings. I am thankful for the new friends I am meeting and making along this journey. My bank account may not reflect riches but I am blessed beyond measure in the riches of friendship that will carry me through eternity.

The Youth Department has grown fro Youth Department Team m two American’s and one national employee to six full-time and one part-time national employee and one American. This growth has made it possible to reach out to the children much more and have a larger impact on their lives. The Youth Department has a different theme for each month that we weave into all the activities done at the orphanages where we visit with the children. October was Responsibility, November was Thankfulness and December is Giving. Twice each week our team goes to Saramoldaeva and Ulan orphanages. Once a week we go to PTL, a boarding school for children who have aged out of an orphanage and are learning trades as well as to the Youth House, another facility for older orphans. We lead activities that help communicate the main idea we are trying to teach that month, as well as having homework time, and English classes/homework help. As a result our staff is very busy. I am so blessed and fortunate to work with such a dedicated team. These young Kazakhs work hard to build relationships with the children and staff. We learn so much from each other. They are able to teach me about Kazakh culture, provide insight and keep me laughing while we are working. I give them insights about teaching troubled children and help them understand the need to connect on an individual basis with each child and impart ideas of child development that aren’t as well known here. Without the commitment of these team members I would not be able to do what I and Interlink desires to do with the children.

Home work helping Bolat, Gulnur, Mokhan, Talgat and Zarina bring such a wonderful mix of gifts and talent to the department. They each add a piece to the bigger picture. This next week we will hire a sixth full-time national and Umida works part-time for us teaching English. We can pair up and go into an orphanage and touch 4 times as many children as I could alone. I want to give a special thank you to this team of amazing young people who are making a difference in the lives of the children in the orphanages. I want each of you to know this amazing team that works alongside me as we reach out Connecting and Impacting the lives of children.

Talking about the theme of the month with children Playing games while teaching

Thank you Bolat, Gulnur, Mokhan, Talgat and Zarina. Thank you for all of your hard work, all of your laughter and joking, your friendship and for caring so for the children we work with.

As each of us travel the path laid out in front of us, we encounter people along the way. Sometimes people come across our paths who we never expected to encounter and then we find they richly bless our lives in ways we could have never imagined. I can say that I have been richly blessed by so many folks who have unexpectedly crossed my path. Thank you to each one. May you remember to continue to be thankful for all you have been blessed with. Remember the true meaning of this Christmas celebration and who to give all thanks to. Remember, too, how thankful I am to have each of you in my life. I may not see many of you as regularly as I once did. Some friends that I’ve made connections with over the internet because of our commitment to the orphans of the world are new friends; other friends have walked beside me for a long time. I treasure each of you.

Have a Merry, Merry Christmas and a Richly Blessed New Year.

Love,

Vicki

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Posted in General

Tagged as kazakhstan, orphanges, and children

Building friendships through letters

Posted April 23, 2010

Tim from Virginia on a visit Fall 2009 with the two children he, his wife and two children sponsor here in Kazakhstan.

Interlink has a child sponsorship program for children living in orphanages here in Kazakhstan. For only $200 dollars a year, a sponsor has the opportunity and privilege to make a significant impact on a child’s life through the work we at Interlink do in the orphanages here. Part of being a sponsor and probably the most important part is the commitment to write letters to their child on a regular several times a year. When signing up to be a sponsor it isn't only the financial contribution but the commitment to write the child to build a relationship with the child, to speak into their lives and encourage them, let them know someone does care about what happens, and be willing to listen to their hopes and dreams. A sponsor can also visit their child which further builds this relationship. Sponsors may come on one of the Kids Connection trips to meet their child, spend some time with them, see a little bit of Kazakhstan and experience first hand the work we are doing here. The letters and visits impact the child's life in a very positive way and build memories they will treasure for a lifetime. Knowing someone cares has an amazing affect on a child and their ability to work hard to build for their future.

Some sponsors email us their child’s letters directly to Interlink in Kazakhstan, while others send letters with small gifts to our stateside office in Indiana. From the stateside office, letters and small gifts are mailed to us here in Kazakhstan. Once the letter is received in Kazakhstan, one of our staff translates the letter and we then deliver it to the child.

One of our children at Orphanage House of Hope receiving to a letter and small package of gifts from their sponsors in Virginia.

What a joy to be able to deliver these special letters and packages to the children. They gather around with eager anticipation. For younger children, the letter is read aloud to the child while everyone listens. The one receiving the letter comes up front to receive the letter and the gifts. I love seeing their delight as they touch the letter and pictures. They run their fingers over the words, seemingly trying to touch the person half way the world who wrote to them. Older children read their letters out loud for the group to hear. All are cherished, as if precious treasures.

Two girls with letters from their sponsors.

Being a part of delivering these letters and seeing the impact they have on the children is priceless. Because the concept of personal possessions is so foreign to these children, they willingly share their small gifts with their group but they keep their pictures and letters in special hiding spots so to look at them again and again through the years. I have seen pictures and letters worn from multiple times of being read and re-read.

Gathering around to receive letters from sponsors.

I’ve seen children tape pictures of their sponsor’s family on the underside of an upper bunk, if their bunk is the lower one. Or they place their sponsor’s pictures and letters inside their little cubby or place them in a photo album to show visitors their “family.” Sometimes the pictures are carried with them like a security blanket. The children ask us weekly, “Do you have a letter for me from my sponsor?” Can you imagine the feeling of when, for the first time in their life, a child feels like someone cares? That someone has taken the time to reach out to them? That someone some place cares?

Having their letter read to them one of the managers of the House of Hope orphanage.

I have heard sponsors say they had no idea how important these letters are until they come to visit. When they see all the letters and pictures ever sent, as their child shows them their treasures, they then begin to understand. I have seen more family photos from friends of mine that sponsor children here since I’ve been here than when I lived in the same town as these friends. I can’t begin to express in this short post the impact those pictures and letters have made. I hope, however, some of these pictures will touch your hearts.

My heart breaks for the children whose sponsors don’t write and many of our children don’t have sponsors yet. Those without sponsors beg us to find them sponsors. It would seem so easy, yet it is not. I’ve seen tears from teenagers whose hearts break because they don’t receive a letter. Would you take a few minutes to consider if you would be willing to sponsor a child, please? The $200 a year will make a difference in their life but it is your commitment to writing letters and building a relationship that will make the greatest difference.

I wanted to share a letter from Zhenya who is 12 years old and has written a letter to us asking for a sponsor. Here is the letter.

Hello,

Please find me a sponsor. Now I want to say a little about myself. Once I lived at Abai Street in Taraz city. I have friends there but one day everything changed. My mother died and I was sent to one organization that works with orphans. After several days I was sent to orphanage in Merke Village. I was here for period and at vacation my father came and took me home for a visit. He promised to take me and my brother home from orphanage but he hasn't ever come back. Please find me a sponsor. From Zhenya

This letter touched my heart and it is just one of many we receive from children who desperately want sponsors. Only about half of the children here have sponsors. To learn more about our sponsorship program please check out our web site Interlink Resources - Kids Connection.

There are days when my heart is breaking that I have to realize that it is not my job to save the world. My personality type is to fix things and there are many things I cannot fix. I have to remember there is someone bigger than me and trust in HIM to care for all the children. I am so grateful for my dear friends who support and encourage me in the work that I have been called to do here with the least of these. I am blessed beyond measure and am so very thankful for each of you who join me on this journey. Thank you, dear friends, for your support and your continued encouraging words.

Love,

Vicki

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Posted in Family

Arman

Posted February 27, 2010

I’ve been back in Taraz for almost three weeks now and I definitely hit the ground running. I’ve loved being back in Kazakhstan and am ever so thankful for restored health. It has also been great to have spent the last two weekends in the same location which is something I haven’t done since November. Even better, that location has been here at home!! I did visit with some friends but kept things pretty low key after some very busy weeks.

During the last two weeks, the team and I have had fun at the orphanages with the children. I want to share some pictures and tell you about one particular boy.

Arman is a sweet boy who was new at Ulan Orphanages when I returned from my time in the States. He is bigger than the other children in his group and didn’t come running when we entered their room. When I asked about him, I was informed that he was deaf, dumb and mute. Well, he most definitely is deaf. He doesn’t make many noises but does have the ability to make sound because I have since heard him make many. He is trapped in his own world with little or no attention having been paid to him. This young child is not dumb by any means, from what I can tell.

With a little work he will give eye contact. I was thrilled to see him pick up a crayon when I directed him to the table and demonstrated with a crayon what to do. Arman explored the many colors and made many marks on his paper before turning his attention to playing with the crayons like Lincoln Logs. He lined up 5 side by side and, using his hand, rolled them simultaneously back and forth. Then he stacked 4 crayons on top in the opposite direction and again rolled them, observing how they rolled back and forth depending on how he pushed them.

The next week the class decorated book covers and title pages with stickers and their names. We wrote their names both in Kazakh and in English but they did all the decorating. I placed the pages in front of Arman, then handed him a foam sticker and placed the sticker side towards his fingers. After several minutes of exploring the stickiness against his face and hands, he placed it on the cover. I was so pleased to see him work right along with the other children who were decorating.

It has been a challenge getting the other children to realize that we will not tolerate their grabbing things from Arman or hitting him. Whenever a hand goes near him, he flinches. It breaks my heart.

I also let him explore the buttons on my camera. This is not something I generally do! Many of the children in the younger groups have impulse control issues and are not very gentle with things like expensive cameras. Arman very methodically and gently pressed the buttons and soon it became evident to me that he was searching for the button that caused the flash to go off. Once he identified the button, he stood in front of the camera getting it to flash several times. He also found the button that allowed him to scroll back through the pictures I had taken. He touched an image of a child and then searched the room looking for that particular child. Several times he looked directly into my eyes, seemingly to ask me a question and then he turned back to the camera. Oh, how I wanted a way to communicate with this child.

I started researching, looking for resources to help reach Arman. American Sign Language wasn’t what I needed. I needed Kazakh or at least Russian. I talked to Beth and send several emails to various people. This past Monday I found out that Gulnar, who works here at Interlink with the older orphans after they leave the orphanage, actually knows Kazakh sign language! And her mother is a translator for the deaf community right here in Taraz. Amazing!! What an answer to my prayers! It turns out there also is a deaf boarding school here in Taraz. We are looking into seeing what kind of facility this is and if Arman could go there and what kind of services we can get for Arman right now. I am so excited about this.

Last Thursday I was greatly encouraged when Arman let out a heartfelt giggle while I was playing with him. To see this precious boy smile and laugh made the hardships I encounter living here more than worth it.

Thank you, dear friends and family, for your continued support and encouraging words. I love hearing from each of you.

Love,

Vicki

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Posted in Ulan Orphanage

Changing web sites

Posted February 7, 2010

I'm back in Taraz finally which is a story in itself but at the current moment I want to inform you of a little change in my sharing the adventures with you. I have been using blogger and been very pleased with how it works, but unfortunately there seems to be some blogging restrictions. I am unable to access my account or read any of my friends blog. This has been going on for about a month. Now that I am back and the problem still hasn't been resolved I have found it necessary to start a new web site. I chose this one because several of the other well know journaling/blogging sites have also be blocked during recent months. So I am going to try and see how this works.

I was able to transfer previous post from my blog and am working on getting all the links etc on this new one up and running. Please bare with me as I get myself adjusted to this new site.

Again I am so thankful to be back home in the land I love so much. Tomorrow I head back to work and I'm so excited and a little nervous. I have missed the staff at Interlink and especially missed working with the kids. I feel like a kid before the first day of school.

Thank you each for joining me on my Epic Adventure.

Vicki

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Posted in General

2009 "Many Blessings and Adventures"

Posted January 7, 2010

2009 in Pictures - The Many Blessings and Adventures from Victoria Charbonneau on Vimeo.

1 comment

Posted in General

Remembering a year so full of blessings and adventures!

Posted January 1, 2010

This past year was bursting at the seams with an abundance of blessings and treasured memories. I've started this new year in the same place I started last year! In Virginia! And my travels since my return 15 December to the States are taking me back and forth from Virginia to Pennsylvania and soon to Indiana and then returning to Virginia to leave again for Kazakhstan on 2 February. Last January I went from Virginia to North Carolina back to Virginia to Indiana back to Virginia then to Texas back to Virginia down to North Carolina to Virginia to Pennsylvania and then back to Virginia before boarding the plane that would take me to Kazakhstan. I am still amazed at the most amazing people that have crossed my path as I've traveled on the journey. Sweet friendship have been made and memories that I will treasure for a life time.

Kazakhstan filled my heart with great joy in 2009, as well as breaking my heart for the hardship and conditions facing its people. I count it a great joy and privilege to be able to serve the people but especially the children of Kazakhstan. They captured my heart in 2000 and this love has only grown.

I have been so amazed and touched by all of you who help in so many ways for me to carry out this work that I have been called to do. It wouldn't happen without your financial support and for that I am eternally grateful. I am even more grateful that you not only give of your finances to help in the work here but in the notes and encouraging words I receive. Each one I hold close to my heart especially on the days that the great needs all around me can seem a little overwhelming. Thank you, dear friends, for joining me and Interlink to care for the least of these.

To use well the time I have been given and to finish well the race before me takes preparation, discipline and the support of my dear friends who carry me through with their prayers. I am ever so thankful for each one of you.

Since arriving in Richmond, Virginia, I have been checked head to toe by my regular doctor, GI guy, eye specialist and a neurologist. The Neurological doctor made me laugh with his dry "Well, if it was a brain tumor making your pupils fixed and unequal for this long, you would be dead. Since you are sitting here, I'll assume you aren't dead!" That was a good thing. So, no brain tumor, though he did do a through examimation. My blood work does show a predisposition to having auto immune issues which bilateral Iritis is, but otherwise my report was good. With eye drops the pressure in my eyes are within normal range so, all in all, I'm good to go.

The nutritionist I've been seeing identified some food allergies and reconfirmed the need to eat food that is truly good for me. Range feed meats, eggs from chickens that have run free, raw non-pasteurized milk, fresh veggies and fruit from locally grown sources that don't use chemicals and pesticides, whole grains soaked and not processed, no processed foods, no artificial sweeteners and very little sugar is the basic diet. In other words, eating like our ancestors did. What is put into the body makes such a difference to how it is able to heal itself and run properly. It is amazing how much money is spent on drugs and running to the doctor yet people don't want to spend on food that is actually good for them. If the body is feed well, it can preform well and medical cost would be lower.

Well, that is my little soap box lecture for the new year. I never have eaten much processed food but have now identified with the nutritionist's help a few foods that I'm allergic to. With the changes in diet I am feeling so much better.

I am excited about this new year and all it holds. I know I am blessed and have much to be thankful for -- no matter what! I will rejoice in all things because rejoicing is a choice not a feeling. I will count my blessings even in the midst of storms. I will cling to the dear friends I have been given and not hide during the times life seems overwhelming.

I am truly thankful for each one of you who are joining me on my "Epic Adventure," whether it is for a short walk on the trail or for a long haul. Each one of you is a treasured and most valuable gift.

Happy New year, dear friends.
Love,
Vicki

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Posted in General

No Bake Cookies - so much fun!

Posted November 19, 2009

Making cookies at Saramoldiva from Victoria Charbonneau on Vimeo.

The week before I left for the UAE because of my eye emergency, our team here took Tim and Walter (here from Virginia visiting their sponsored children) to Saramoldiva Orphanage to do an activity with the youngest children. After I came back from the UAE, our team here went to Ulan Orphanage. At both orphanages we did the same activity - making no bake cookies. It was such fun each time! It was also a little chaotic because this was a new activity for the children, but all in all it went well. We have started introducing themes with the activities planned around the day's lesson. The no bake cookies activity was to introduce basic cooking along with the idea of taking turns, sharing, identifying what the children have to be thankful for and learning to give to others. So, the children ate some of the sweet treats they made and they also gave some of the treats to their teachers and caregivers.

They took turns dumping the sugar, butter, vanilla, and evaporated milk into a pot and then stirring it until it melted. Once melted, the heat was turn off. Then the children helped mix in peanut butter, rolled oats and cocoa. They then spooned out dollops of the mixture onto wax paper. The children had never had this kind of opportunity. Their faces showed their excitement. My heart loved seeing them experiencing this simple activity. I wish they each could be in a loving home getting to do these kinds of things on a regular basis.

While the cookies hardened, we had the children decorate two paper bags. One was for them to keep and one to give to one of their caregivers. We spent time talking about all their caregivers do for them. It is always easy to see what we each don't have in our lives. Learning to be thankful for the things we do have helps us develop an ability to enjoy life more fully no matter what storms roll through. We wanted to start showing the children what they do have to be thankful for. It is easy to see all their lives lack, but they could be in far worse places. Many of them have come from very bad situations and are in a much better place now, even though I wish for them so much more.

Everyone enjoyed the sweet treat when all was finished. It was fun to see their joy and excitement doing something my children grew up doing all the time. Helping me in the kitchen and learning life skills are treasured memories for us. My desire is for activities like this to build life skills into the children here, life skills they will need once they are out of the orphanage. Hopefully, these activities will also give them some treasured memories to store in their hearts. It is fun to hear other groups at the orphanages ask when they get to make cookies.

Though the time was a little chaotic, it was fun and the staff were pleased to receive their little bags of cookies. The staff also expressed their thanks for our focus on what they do for the children. Oftentimes the staff is not acknowledged for all the hard work they do.

If you ever want to come join us in our fun here, you are most welcome. There are usually two trips a year for those who sponsor children through us. If you don't sponsor a child yet and just want to come see what we do here, you can still join one of the trips. Go to Interlink's web link on the right side of this blog to find more information. If you are interested in coming to work full time, you can also find more information there or you can contact us here in Taraz.

It is almost Thanksgiving, a time when we focus more on what we have to be thankful for. I am incredibly thankful that I have the privilege to work with these precious children here in Kazakhstan. I will miss Marc and Sarah terribly this first Thanksgiving and Christmas that we will spend apart, but I am comforted by the fact that I know being here is the call on my life.

Thank you, each one, for joining me on this incredible journey.
Love,
Vicki

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Posted in Saramoldiva Orphanage

Tagged as ulan orpanage and saramoldiva

An unexpected trip!

Posted November 5, 2009

Dear Family and Friends,
This is an unusual post. The stories I usually share are about people here in Kazakhstan. However, during the last couple of weeks my life was turned upside. I know there is a bigger plan in all that happened even if I don't understand it all.

On the 18th of October I journeyed to Abu Dhabi in the UAE - and it wasn't planned for or for a vacation. Why did I go? Well, because between the 7th and 17th of October I visited 5 different doctors at 5 different clinics trying to get a diagnosis as to what was happening to my eyes. I woke up Wednesday morning the 4th with both eyes red, sore, and sensitive to light. By Saturday the 7th, the pain was worse so I went to see a local doctor in Taraz. She said I had a cold or virus in my eyes. I did have a pretty bad cold so that made sense to me and my eyes did get some better with the medication.

An American team arrived on Sunday the 11th and I was the coordinator for their time here in KZ. On Wednesday the 14th I was showing the team Ulan orphanage. During the visit I kept cleaning my glasses - especially the left lense - thinking there must be something on the glass to blur my vision. About the 20th cleaning I decided to look at the glass to see what could possibly be there that wouldn't clean off. That is when I realized my glasses were actually clean and something was seriously wrong with my eye. I finished out what we were doing, knowing we were scheduled to go back to the office.

Upon arriving at the office, I looked at my eye more closely. What I saw was my left pupil wide open while the right eye was constricted. I was in a bright room. My heart sank. This didn't seem like a good thing, especially because my vision had been deteriorating during the morning. The film I thought was on my glasses was really a loss of vision in my left eye. We were suppose to be leaving for Shimkent in a hour. There were two stops along the way - one for lunch in a Kazakh's home in a village and the other at the orphanage in Vanovka. I didn't want to delay any of this, but my heart was filled with a sinking feeling. Things were much worse than I had previously thought.

I went to Beth, our director, and asked her to look at my eyes and tell me what she saw. Her face let me know immediately that things weren't good. Thankfully she is a very calm, take care of business kind of woman because at that moment I began to cry. I don't cry often but the pain that had been there for a week and the exhaustion from being sick with a cold hit me. Beth went into action and within 30 minutes I was in another eye doctor's office here in Taraz. After much examining, the doctor said it wasn't glaucoma but the pressure in my eyes, especially my left eye, was very high. He gave me different drops and sent me on my way. He said it was no problem to go to Shimkent and to come back in a week to check the pressure. Okay! I still wasn't sure why the vision was blurry and why my eyes hurt so much, but hey, a doctor said I was okay. The doctor's visit put the schedule for the delegation's trip an hour and a half behind schedule so, as soon as I returned to the office, Beth, Walther, Tim and I hit the road for Shimkent.

I trudged through that day trying to convince myself things were fine. I knew I would be seeing Dr. Lori, an American general practitioner in Shimkent. She handles the medical needs of our teams when they arise. Beth had called her on Wednesday and she agreed she'd like to see me Thursday morning. After an exam she wanted me seen by a eye doctor in Shimkent and she mentioned I might need to leave the country to seek medical treatment. This idea didn't excite me, but I certainly wanted to get my eyes treated properly. She was thinking, because of the high pressure in the eyes, I had developed Acute Onset Closed Angle Glaucoma. I knew about regular glaucoma but nothing about this kind. I didn't like the sound of it.

By going to Skimkent I missed some of the activities scheduled for the team visiting in Shimkent but Beth was able to fill in when I was away. My eyes seemed to be getting worse and the pain was increasing. The eye doctor in Shimkent said I did have Closed Angle Acute Onset Glaucoma and possibly needed surgery to lower the pressure. That didn't sound very good. I prayed and trusted God would take care of what ever problem I had. Thursday evening Dr. Lori said we needed to start calling and see if I could be seen by a doctor in either the UAE or Turkey, the closest places to find American doctors for this issue. My heart sank for I couldn't imagine how I could figure all that out much less pay for it. This all was just not in my plans. As I went to sleep that night, I prayed for God's comfort and wisdom for what to do.

On Friday when I woke I could barely open my eyes and the pain had doubled. Crying, I called my dear friend and mentor Edith. It was 4:30 am my time but I needed some advice because I couldn't figure out the next step. I couldn't think clearly any longer. I was a mess. I had been sick for three weeks and struggling with my eyes for over a week by this point.

I love Edith for many, many reasons and one is her totally efficient manner. A "small" detail of her life was put in place long before I even came to Kazakhstan. Edith and her husband Rip lived in the UAE for several years and still have many friends there. In my current situation, this is not a coincidence. When I mentioned where the doctor said to go, she picked up the ball and ran with it. I was in the office in Shimkent, Beth came in wondering how I was doing. I couldn't handle any more of anything so turned my computer over to her and laid down on the sofa. These two women are amazing in administration and efficiency. During the rest of the morning, through emails and calls all kinds of arrangements were made while I laid on the sofa listening to worship music in order not to focus on either the intense pain or the despair sneaking into my heart.

It was all quite amazing - Edith started emailing her large network of friends in the UAE. The response is a testimony to the friendships she has and their commitment to show God's love. Edith's friend, Linda Clark, is the head of operations at the Cleveland Clinic in Abu Daubi. She contacted Dr. Chris Cummins who agreed to see me Monday at 1 pm. Linda arranged for me to be met plane side and escorted through the airport to a waiting car. Janie Garrett, a friend of Edith's, agreed to host me. Beth and Marina Tsoy made all my travel arrangements from Taraz to Almaty then to Dubai. Heather Lewis agreed to host me in Almaty. It was absolutely amazing how all these people from Kazakhstan to America and then back to the UAE all came together to get me the medical treatment I needed. When Dr. Lori first said I needed to go out of the country, my mind could not even begin to process how I would figure all of that out. When she said the UAE, I thought "Well, Edith use to live there and knows some people there who may be able to help." What are the odds of knowing anyone in the place Dr. Lori suggested. Not very likely.

Edith and Rip moved to Richmond Virginia about 4 years ago. Edith was assigned my mentor for my application process with Interlink Resources. We became fast friends. All those years ago the foundation for what would be needed here and now were laid. We just never know what series of events will lead. All this was an ordained time and place.

Beth, Walter, Tim, Katie and I left Shimkent Friday afternoon heading for Taraz. We arrived around dinner time. After dropping Tim and Walter off at the team house to enjoy Pizza with Ken and an American family adopting their second child from Kazakhstan Beth took me to Adilya's house were I was staying to repack my bag for my trip. I actually could do very little so Beth pretty much did the work then took Katie and I to the train station to catch the night train to Almaty. Katie is part of the English center in Shimkent and was on her way back to America for a planned furlough. She actually wasn't planning on going to Almaty till Tuesday but agreed to escort me there so I wouldn't have to travel alone. So many people going out of their way. Thank you Katie.

We took a taxi the Saturday morning to Heather's apartment. Dr. Lori had gotten me an appointment at the Eye Institute in Almaty which has the top doctors in the country. Heather who speaks fluent Russian agreed to take me there and translate. Dr. Lori had gotten me a 10 am appointment. I still had the flight out but was still thinking if I could be treated in country that would be best. After many many eye examinations with many different pieces of equipment the top doctor said I did have Acute Onset Closed Angle Glaucoma and needed surgery right away. He was the only one who could do it but he was going on vacation for two weeks so I would have to wait. Wait... that didn't seem like a good idea. He said it probably would be alright and not too much permanent damage would be done. Well, that pretty much determined I would fly to Dubai to seek medical treatment. Heather hosted Katie and I for another night and Sergey who does a lot of work for Interlink in Almaty took me to the airport on Sunday.

I flew out of Almaty Sunday 18 Oct and arrived to Janie Garrett's apartment about 1:30 am Monday morning. Linda Clark had arranged to have someone meet me plane side to escort me through the airport on one of those little carts and a driver to take me from the airport in Dubai the 90 miles to Abu Dhabi. Janie welcomed me with open arms and showed me to a comfortable bed where I collapsed. Edith has the dearest friends and I enjoyed getting to know them, as well as Janie during my time there. Janie drove me all around after taking me to the doctors that Monday to see the many beautiful sights of Abu Dhabi as well as some the harsher realities of how this beauty is built and by whom.

Dr Chris Cummins, an American doctor living and working in Abu Dhabi, diagnosed my issue after a through exam. His diagnosis: Iritis NOT glaucoma. Iritis is the third leading cause of preventable blindness in the world. Without proper treatment, it does cause blindness. Usually iritis occurs in only one eye. Rarely are both eyes affected, but that's exactly what's happened to me. Iritis results in an increase of white blood cells in the eyes and inflammation, which is painful. Because my condition has gone on for so long the iris have started to deteriorate, sluffing cells off the iris which, in turn, caused my eye ducts to clog and, as a result raised the pressure in my eyes mimicking glaucoma. If the pressure hadn't been addressed it would have damaged the optic nerve but, thankfully, there is no damage now. The dilation of the iris is due to the infection. The doctor prescribed a daily drop to unclog the ducts and then a steroid drop every hour during waking hours to help decrease the inflammation of the iris. It will take time for the infection to clear - about 4 - 6 months. This is definitely a serious eye condition but very treatable and in the long run preferable over glaucoma. He needed to see me Wednesday to make sure the medicine was working. After my Wednesday visit he did think things were improving thankfully. My next appointment is 6 December.

My heart is full of thankfulness to God's faithfulness and all HIS provisions for this entire trip. I was so cared for by Edith and Rip's wonderful friends. I was humbled by their generousity and my heart touched by their kindness. It was a difficult situation yet I have come away feeling refreshed and relaxed. Everyday, no matter what storms rage about me, I am blessed beyond measure and deeply thankful.

My time in Abu Dhabi resembled a vacation. Below are sights from my time there. Because my eyes are so sensitive to light, I didn't make the beach scene but there are many other beautiful things to see in Abu Dhabi besides the beach.

Some of the behind-the-scenes aren't as beautiful. I will not focus on those issues today. Enjoy the beautiful sights.

Workers who are brought in to do all the manual labor for little monies.

Shaikh Zayhed Grand Mosque

Every detail is beautiful

The Royal Grand Palace Hotel

High Tea with Janie and Linda, both dear friends of Edith, who helped with details of my trip.

Thank you, Janie, for opening your home and your heart. Thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to show me some of the sights in Abu Dhabi and pampering me at a time I truly needed such.

A beautiful mural in the Hotel. The horses represent the seven colors of sand in the area.

Getting to say thank you to Linda Clark for all she did to organize my trip to Abu Dhabi. We were at Mug and Bean at the Abu Dhabi Mall. I was in culture shock. They had Krispy Kream Dounuts and Starbuck Coffee. Just amazing.

Thank you, Linda, for all you did put all the pieces together.

Thursday morning I had the great joy of going to Shaikh Mohammed's Royal Stables and riding one of his horses. Oh! how this was pure joy for my heart and soul. After a difficult several weeks, this was just what my heart needed - to be on the back of a beautiful horse filled me with great joy.

I had a personal trainer for an hour, a sweet Brit who was raised in South Africa now working in Abu Dhabi. I enjoyed her very much. The next day I remembered her when I awoke with sore legs. After a time of training I got to ride a trail on the grounds. As I rode, I marveled at how blessed I am, what wonderful friends I have, and how faithful God is.

I'm not sure if you can notice my smile in the pictures below. I was beyond happy with this unexpected treat. I went at 7 am and so the sun wasn't too bad for my eyes on the trail. My time training I was in an inside ring which couldn't have been better for my eyes. What a treasured gift.

The horses name is "Link." I am amazed at how many links were in place to get me to the doctor to accurately diagnose my iritis.

I am so thankful for each link on this "side" adventure! I am thankful God worked out all the details and had everything in place long before this event occurred. I am thankful for all my family and friends who were praying as soon as they heard from Edith and Beth the struggle I was having. I am thankful for all Edith's friends in Abu Dhabi who rolled out the red carpet to make me feel welcomed and comforted during my stay.

Thank you, Beth and Trish, for taking me back to the airport in Dubai and for showing me the sights. I can't believe I didn't get pictures of you two.

I am blessed beyond measure with dear, dear friends whose friends take care of me when need be. I am thankful to be home in Taraz. I was gone five days and had a great time but also missed my home here in Taraz.

Blessings to you each, my friends. And a special thank you to all my new friends in Abu Dhabi.

Love,
Vicki