Rainy Days Don't Get Us Down

Big News! It's been raining in Doha.  So here is the standard, overdone foot shot..My view from my garage.  :)  The funny thing is, despite the fact that with an inch of rain roads all over the place  fllooded, and everything was a mess, we still all love it. The trees get washed down. The sky turns clear blue and for just a bit everything sparkles.  Robert was anxious to get home from school and enjoy it as well.

Here he is. Headphones and book, relaxing after school.  

The rain is gone. I don't think we will get anymore this spring but we certainly enjoyed our day in it. I hear the wind picking up outside. I think we are gearing up for a sandstorm. There goes the clear skies and the green palm trees. But it was nice while it lasted.  

 

Good For the Sole.

It takes me awhile to process things after a trip like the one I just took to Kyrgyzstan.  I have been blessed to travel on several trips where I joined others in serving people in various countries. God never fails to teach me a whole lot as the teams I have been with have joined with others, and with the Lord, in what He is doing in these different places. I'm so very thankful for these opportunities.  It's always in layers that are slowly revealed, that I see His work. I loved serving God in Tokmok, Kyrgyzstan.

Our team mostly came from Abu Dhabi.  We left sunny, warm UAE early, early Saturday morning and landed in snowy, dark Bishkek about 5 hours later. A shock to our systems but we were up for it. This trip was a cooperative effort between Samaritans Feet, International, the church in Abu Dhabi-ECC, LAMb, International in Kyrgyzstan, and a wonderful church in Tokmok, Kyrgyzstan. We delivered over 600 pairs of new shoes to orphans,staff,  families in crisis, senior citizens, and residents and staff of a boys prison.

The work was hard but so sweet.  Orphans in this country must leave the orphanages at age 15 but are not allowed to work until 18.  Two thirds end up in drugs, prostitution or prison.  With our shoes we delivered a message of hope. We prayed for each recipient and as there are already wonderful people who serve in each place we visited, we know that the seeds that were planted will be watered.  Honestly, that was one of the best things to me. To see that our new friends from the church in Tokmok already have relationships in every place we visited.. That was the best.  Ruby and Lynn Johnston, the couple who started LAMb(Leadership Activation Ministry) work hard to bring hope, education, truth and inspiration to the people of Kyrgyzstan. They motivated and challenged everyone of us on that trip...  A perfect example of not growing weary of doing good. I pray for a similar passion and purpose.

Here are some pictures. Enjoy!  And if you ever get a chance to join Samaritans Feet on a trip. I highly recommend it. Please check out their website.  Samaritansfeet.org   Also Ruby has a great blog where she chronicled our story way better than I can.  lambinternational.blogspot.com  I hope each of you will take a look at both of these websites.  They are worth a look. :)

Here we received gifts from the Mens' Disabled Home.  A dark place being transformed by a mother and daughter who love God and are being helped by LAMb. 

This little guy captured my heart. Never said a word but I pray her heard me as I told him of a  Man a long time ago who washed His friends' feet because He loved them And He loves you, too. 

This young lady hid her shoes as she waited for her turn to receiver her new shoes. Her shoes were in tatters. She was so embarrassed. The smile says it all.

The first thing we did when we arrived at any distribution location was figure out where and how we would set up. In this case, we used the stage in the small auditorium at the orphanage. 

Part of us got to serve at the Boys' prison.   

The Commandant at the prison. 

Our last night.  A celebration dinner. We ate Shashlik..Which is shishkbab marinated in vinegar and onion and grilled outside. Delicious!  So blessed to have met all these wonderful people.
It was an amazing week!