WHEN YOU ARE HANDED LEMONS - REMEMBER THEY MAKE GREAT LEMONADE

 CRISIS FAMILIES AND

THE BOY’S PRISON

Matthew 25:35-36  (NIV) 

"For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me."

Today was exceptional.  Our team was first given permission (well in advance of arriving) to all go to the teenage boy’s prison to minister and at the last minute yesterday to find out that we needed a special permission (new) from Bishkek – we had to change our plans once again.

Remember, each time we change plans, we find other blessings.  Today was no exception.  The  new decision - only four Samaritans Feet Team Members were to go to the prison – they did not want women, so only two women were permitted to go. So the team took off with five men and the two women.  The team served about 30 boys and about 10 of the prison guard team, plus the prison director/warden.

AND for the rest of the team, there was a quick adjust to the schedule for the morning – so off to the market where a load of juice was purchased and then a morning visit to the Tokmok baby orphanage.  What a wonderful blessing this turned out to be for the women left behind this morning.  They spent the morning loving on children in all the different units of the baby orphanage.  85 children are living there now – and they learned of the new program for day care and the great success of how it is working – bringing children to the orphanage during the day and helping moms learn to care for their children – sending them home at night – keeping children with their families – and NOT bringing them into the orphanage to live.  Children from 4 – 12 years of age are being served in this program, which started just over a year ago.

The afternoon was spent in Kant, Kyrgyzstan serving 35 crisis family members.  Pastor Sasha and Luda arranged this service and we were blessed once again to see the families come together and allow our team members to serve them. 

One additional wonderful outcome from this week will be the learning that occurred with our volunteers and interpreters, church helpers and our LAMb team.  We see clearly how we can replicate this in the future. The day ended with the two teams coming back together at the dorm and debriefing the day. 

Tomorrow? SERVING ORPHANS! Two orphanages – Orlovka and Chui – expecting to serve just fewer than 200.  HELPING EACH ORPHAN KNOW THEY ARE SPECIAL AND PRECIOUS -  AND GOD HAS A PURPOSE FOR THEIR LIVES!

We will end the day tomorrow - serving all our volunteers and end with a dinner celebration of sashleke!

Prison Gate - Teenage boys.

Preparing to enter the prison - our team.

Serving the Prison Guards as well as the teenage boys.

The guards were served after the boys - no pictures allowed of the boys.

The Warden/Director - we served him as well.  He wants the team to come back,
however it takes a three month advance notice for the authorization to
be given in the future - due to international police checks.

Team Two - Crisis Families in Kant.  Pastor Sasha addressing the group.

Luda - registering everyone to receive their shoes.  Need to get the correct size, etc.
Everyone the same - washing of the feet, new socks, new shoes and
prayer for their lives - praying hope and dignity.

Olga serving this gentleman - hearing his story and his request for prayer.

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IT "AIN'T" ABOUT THE SHOES

THE SHOES ARE ONLY A TOOL

SAMARITANS FEET

BRINGS BLESSINGS

TO KYRGYZSTAN

KEMIN SENIORS  Monday afternoon the team served the seniors at Kemin Senior Home – bringing them into the presence of one team member where they received the gift of being served.  The team washed the feet of 43 seniors, prayed for them and then gave each senior a new pair of socks and a beautiful pair of new shoes.

The softened hearts and gratefulness was all around the home.  One senior later said – she had never had anyone ever serve her in this way and she was very touched.  Another told me how this was just beyond words.  She cannot see, but she knew the blessing and was more than overwhelmed.

CRISIS FAMILIES, CHURCH FAMILIES  With about 100 people coming from the church families, and the crisis families that Katya and Andre work with, the morning was a full time of ministry.  One woman I served just did not want to leave my “station”.  She just wanted to talk and talk – and you know the blessing it is when someone will listen.  She was blessed and she returned the blessing by sharing some wonderful stories of her life.

BEIKUIT, JEREMIAH HOUSE, DAYSPRING We ended the day with the children and staff from the above homes.  After serving them with shoes, we had a very fun photo hunt – creating teams and sending them out to gather 15 different photos.  Will talk more about this at another time. 

Today was an awesome day sharing about His love.  Praying for every person receiving shoes was what we call a very personal day of ministry – one on one prayer with over 150 people today alone!  Thank you Pastor Sasha, Luda, Nasta, Sergae, Annya, Andre, Katya. Costa, Olga and Samaritans Feet Team!

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Team - Samaritans Feet!

Serving the seniors.

Dushenbek - washing of the feet - a blessing to him!

Leaving Kemin - after a wonderful day of blessing others.

Working with crisis families.

Blessing our Dayspring children.

Blessing one of our boys.

And another.

And always a blessing when we can bring our little Genia's brother Losah

JUST AS EXPECTED - THE BLESSINGS WERE IN THE DELAY OF THE SHOES

WAIT UPON THE LORD...

YOU ARE GOING TO WANT TO FOLLOW

THIS DAY HERE, AS IT WAS AWESOME

How amazing was this day! We did the re-do because of the shoes being delayed.  The "shoe" team shot off to Bishkek - ready to deal with the paperwork needed and what ever else was needed to get the shoes.  The shoes were released without a hitch and NO bribes were paid.  All legal and fully receipted!  We praise the Lord for this!

The SM team and support team here on the ground headed to Iskra Home for Disabled Men and oh MY WHAT A DAY..  we are only going to post Iskra here, but after Iskra we headed to Kemin and that is a post to be done alone.
Check out these pictures!

First the doctors wanted to entertain us - especially my mother.  Everyone
was shocked to see TWO Ruby's.

Zamir is riding his new "legs" a gift from a Bishkek charity.

Pastor Joey from Abu Dhabi shared a beautiful message to the men. 

As one can see, hearts were touched and men joined in as they felt led.

And we always wondered who would take Eldar's place as the men's
pastor - well - here he is and so focused - Dustin!

Worship... that we should never leave without the clear message
of why we are there!

Gifts to the team - made by Zamir!

And everyone wanted pictures with my mom!

The team had a skit and songs.  The church choir of babushkas came too and sang - Pastor Sasha gave a message and we had a wonderful time by ending and serving apples to all the men!  Just wonderful.

Our church babushka choir - with old time hymns!

Pastor Sasha blessing the men.

And the doctor insisting on escorting momma to the car!
Oh my!

SERVING AT CHURCH AND MEETING CHILDREN

NO SHOES?

NO PROBLEM!

The Word says for us to make our plans and God will direct our steps.  Such is the case for the Samaritans Feet Team here with LAMb.  When customs saw 20 huge green amy/military bags, they just had to make a statement here - off the shoes went to cargo and the team carried on to Tokmok without the main tool for the ministry of their time in KG - which is just one week.

SO....re-do!  Chang the schedule and get to work!  Sunday we had a fabulous church service where Teresa shared the ministry of SM and then Jennifer from Abu Dhabi shared a touching story of her journey from her early teens to coming with the team.  Lynn shared the message and then we were off to see some of the culture and serve the kids in the LAMb projects of Jeremiah House and Dayspring.  

Our day:

1.  Church  

2.  The ancient city of Balasagun - and Burana Tower.

3.  Jeremiah House

4.  Dayspring

Today - Monday?

1.  Part of the group heading to Customs with all new paperwork, passports and covered in prayer.

2.  The main group heading to Iskra Disabled Mens Home - ministry with a skit, songs, fruit.

3.  Then heading to Kemin Seniors - serving them with hand massages, skit, songs and then serving them with a  beautiful chicken and mashed potato lunch!  We have prepared the food and the team will serve this to our seniors.

And our return to Tokmok?  

LET THE SHOES ARRIVE AND LET THE SORTING BEGIN - OVER 600 PAIRS OF BRAND NEW SHOES.

In Church early - seated and waiting.  Our Samaritans Feet team!

The team receiving prayer for the release of the shoes and blessings for the
week.  The church is our main partner on the ground along with two other ministries
Lepta Plus, which is operated by Annya and Sergae and the ministry
for crisis families operated by Katya and Andre.

The team at Balasagun - and the tower.

Jeremiah House - home to teens who are in transition from orphanage
care to interdependent living....with the boost and help of LAMb though
Jeremiah Project. 

Hearing from our Jeremiah teens...lots of laughs and good stories from them!

Captured by the teens at Jeremiah House.

Loved his story of  Omerbeck getting his brush cut - as he had to register for the military -
required!

Then off to Dayspring - skits, songs and we shared dessert together!

WHEN SOMEONE REALLY SERVES AND THOSE RECEIVING ARE BLESSED

WHAT A BLESSING TO SEE THE FACES

CHILDREN RECEIVING FROM MOM

THE GENUINE ACCEPTANCE AND APPRECIATION THEY SHOWED

AND THE GENUINE GIFTING FROM MOTHER

Mom spent hours and hours thinking of the kids in advance - she made them beautiful new pillow cases, jewelry and doll dresses.  She brought them gifts that were so personal and just made or purchased for them.  Jeremiah House and Dayspring were blessed by her generous and loving kindness of serving.

Amid the joy however, there was disappointment when we arrived - THE SEWING ROOM IS NOT COMPLETED - and it has been such a long journey to get it done - winter being the biggest barrier up until recently.  Vlady (our handy man and main construction person) found out the wall on the side of the neighbours barn was badly deteriorating on the outside (which we cannot see, as it backs within inches to the neighbours barn) had severe water damage and was "mushy."  Seems the neighbour slanted his roof into the area between the two buildings.  The condition needs repaired and the neighbour has NO MONEY to rectify the roof.  What to do?  Vlady said we need to fix it to save our building.  Of course this will require more funds - and funds NOT budgeted into the work.  But we believe.

The girls and boys are still wanting to sew, so we will have to find another batch of dollars to repair and get going.  We know when we face a "wall" He has the plan AND the resources.  Praise God - soon you will see the provision we are certain.  

Vika - thrilled at her new jewelry belt.  And she is getting ready to start
sewing and also a part time schooling she can start immediately
learning how to  do nails and hair....all while still in cook school.
MOTIVATED!  AND NO LONGER IN THE ORPHANAGE!

Another thrill...Altanyae gets her jewelry belt....with lots of awes and oohs.
Also found out she had serious dental problems.   $400 - $500 of work for some serious
rotten teeth for this lovely little gentle daughter of the King.

Mom gives out the pillow cases - Mark is sitting with his cars design.  He and the
girls loved the gifts.

Mom in about tears as the children are saying thank you.

Kensia, Yulia and Mark with smiles of their gift from mom.

Then the photo thanks for the pillow cases, and the beautiful new doll dresses
that MOM MADE.

Mom gave the girls their dolls over a year ago - along with clothing for them
she has continued to  make dresses for the dolls so they have change
for their play.  Yulia's doll is Alicia.

Dasha really has taken good care of her doll....but sporting a little bruise
herself from running into her bed when getting up recently in the middle
of the night and now wanting to turn on her light to wake
her roommate.