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