Tuesday, January 29, 2013

Life as a Foreigner

Yesterday Anya and Tanya had to return to school, so we were unable to see them until about 4pm.  Since Ruslan is also napping until that time, we stayed at the apartment and played catch-up on a few things.  Jenny got Jaden & Kellen back into a more routine schedule of schooling, as well.  Thankfully our apartment has a mini conference desk that works well for their schooling away from home.  You can imagine they were "thrilled" at the idea of getting back into the rhythm of their education!

They certainly have had great opportunities to learn about another culture, language, customs.  That has been invaluable for them, but will likely be very helpful for Anya's adjustments as she will have the comfort of knowing that her siblings understand where she has come from.  When she speaks of where she grew up, they will understand. She won't be totally alone in her experience.  Thank God for His "little" mercies.

Jenny was also able to do some of the routine things of life, as well.  She got our laundry caught up even though it's a little tricky.  First, finding the right detergent in a different language has it's own challenges.  Secondly, everything must air-dry, so clothes get hung wherever we can find space, but we are very thankful to have a washing machine & hot running water!  Our accommodations are very nice and comfortable.



Yesterday was the first day that we did not really venture out much.  We stayed home except for one little errand to change out some currency.  It is interesting how every people group seems to have their own characteristics.  Here the folks have been pleasant, and some have even been very hospitable.  In general, however, there aren't too many cordial greetings or interactions, not to mention common courtesies, between strangers...no stopping to allow others to go first through a door, smiling on the street, or even gesturing a "hello".  It seems to be "every man for himself".  In fact, we have been warned that if we don't press our way on and off the bus, we will get the door shut in our faces even if our kids are on the other side of the glass!


Snow removal is non-existent with exception of hand shovels and brooms, so there is snow-pack ice and rutted roads everywhere.  Somehow the taxi's seem to navigate it all just fine while making good time weaving in and out of traffic.  There is a flow to the traffic that is hard to understand.  It seems chaotic to our eyes, but cars & buses swerve in and out while vehicle & pedestrian traffic just keeps flowing.  There are hardly any emergency stops.  You just get used to a trip across town being a string of "close calls", and it all begins to seem so normal.



God has truly blessed us with some new friends here!  We have been able to spend quite a bit of time with the Newsome's who are adopting Anya and Tanya's best friends.  Since they are staying within walking distance to the orphanage, we have been sharing meals & some great encouraging conversation.  John is an AMAZING chef, and it is so good to have friends in a foreign land!  It certainly provides some perspective on how to pray for our missionaries overseas.  They love their family, friends, and familiar surroundings in the states just as much as we do, yet sacrifice it all for the sake of following Christ and making him known.



We all have our role to play in God's family.  Some have been called to minister to the spiritual needs of people far from home.  Others have been called to reach the neighbors they have known all of their lives.  May we all be faithful to that which God has called and equipped us.  Let us never shy away from our joy-filled work because we might feel "uncomfortable" or can't see the outcome of our efforts.  God is faithful always, and His joy is the blessing of our faithful obedience.

Please pray:
-For the Newsomes and our paperwork to be processed in time for us to have our 
          scheduled court hearings (theirs is Jan. 31st, ours is Feb. 7th).
-We may have more opportunity to encourage and love on all of the children at the 
          orphanage.
-That we continue to grow in our unity and love as a new family.
-That Jenny regains energy and recovers from some of the exhausting portions of the 
          journey thus far.
-Thanks to God for His foresight in providing for all of our needs!

Thank you for your prayers!

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