Hello friends and family,
It has been ages since I have written. There is a reason for that.....you know the old saying, "If you don't have something nice to say, don't say anything at all...."!!! I have been taking that advice, as I didn't want to sound too discouraged or negative. About a month ago our family found ourselves in the downward spiral. Have you ever been there?!?!? No matter how hard I wanted to or how hard I tried, I just couldn't stop the negative thoughts, actions, and words of myself or the kids. Praise the Lord! About a week ago we were able to put the breaks on and I think we have averted that terrible descent.
I think there are many reasons for our near demise...
First, there was such a phenomenally emotional build up to this move. The preparations, and planning and delays, and frustrations were very trying and stressful. Second, talk about culture shock! Central Asia is just not America ...not that we expected it to be. In fact, I thought we were very well prepared for a drastic change, and embraced it wholeheartedly upon our arrival. That being said, change is still difficult. Third, although, we all knew Joe's job would be demanding, there is always an adjustment to a new assignment. It takes awhile for me to determine what I can and can not expect from him at home. He is busy, and although, he enjoys his job, it is demanding and he has very little time for us. Fourth, it took about four months for our household goods and car to arrive. In many ways, that was good because that is about the length of time it took for me to feel like I could drive here. There is a glaring lack of identifiable traffic rules and that is very difficult for a first born rule follower! In that time, we also learned that we will not starve here, even without Cheerios or peanut butter or fish crackers!!! Fifth, we have so missed the support and encouragement of friends and family and a wonderful church home. Although the people are very friendly and hospitable and we have seen evidence of the light of Christ, this is a dark country.
Now, onto the good stuff....
The girls are especially happy here. They have been blessed with being a part of a large expat community of 12-20 year olds. We actually had 15 girls spend Friday night last week at our house!!! Those of you who know me well, know that kids in large groups are really not my thing. These girls were fabulous! They arrived from several villages and from Dushanbe on Friday afternoon. I made tacos, refried beans, corn bread, chips and salsa and nacho cheese dip, and brownie sundaes!....they loved it!!! The girls were from Germany, America, South Korea, Holland, etc... although, some have really never lived in their home countries. They had a wonderful time doing puzzles, watching movies, snacking, talking, taking pictures, etc....They also had the opportunity to do a girls Bible study, lead by one of the older girls. On Saturday, they met up with the boys group and spent some time playing games, going to a yucky swimming pool, and fellowshipping. With this group of girls, Taylor and Emma will be going to a nearby Uzbek community and teaching English for the month of June. Taylor has also been asked to team teach a girls Bible study for 10-12 year old girls for the summer. Great ministry and community service opportunities for them. They are currently in the process of taking finals and finishing up a few subjects for the year. Both of them are taking online summer school courses and continuing with Russian and music lessons (they have added piano to their violin study). We will also be starting a weekly English class at our house for our neighborhood kids after their June course. We have found that the only English these kids know is
really, really, really bad words from
really, really, really bad movies.......
They boys and I are plugging away at school. I hate to say it, but I don't foresee being "done" anytime soon.....we began our summer schedule about a week ago and will probably continue at about 1/2 speed for awhile. We all need the break. The big news for Matt, Luke and Grace is that they have started going to Russian school three days a week! Grace goes from 10:00-12:20 and Matt and Luke go from 1:00 until 4:40. Everyone is in a different class and they are the only English speakers, so it is sink or swim for them!!!! Only the English teacher who is there one day per week speaks English. Grace and Luke openly LOVE it and can't wait to go. Matt secretly likes it, but would never admit it. I think his biggest struggle is that Nate is not there. It is good for him. The school only goes to age 7, and although Matt is 8, they gladly took him because of our desire to develop his language. They have exercise class, music/dance class, art class, drama/story class, encyclopedia class (where they learn about nature or math, learn to play chess, etc..), and English class. We are also a bit like celebrities there. It is so nice being in a country were America is still seen by most people as a great country of opportunity. The kids and I are asked weekly by perfect strangers how to get to America. The boys are also continuing with Russian lessons at home everyday. Joe hopes to add Judo for the boys soon. AHHH!!!
I have been able to run again. There are actually quite a few runners in the international community. I have seen two Tajik women running and several men as well. I go at 5:30 in the morning and keep my head down (both to prevent falling in a hole or tripping and to avoid making eye contact with anyone). It is a nice way to start the day and prepare to fight the good fight again! We have the opportunity to meet the physical needs of many people everyday. Several people come to our gate daily for food, money, clothes, etc.... it is a tremendous blessing to be able to help, even just a bit. It is our hope that as the language skills of the kids develop, we will also be able to meet their spiritual needs as well. Although, we do not have what I would call a direct ministry here, we are able to support the work of many others. Joe has been asked by a great Tajik guy that works for him why he doesn't swear, or get angry or yell at work, etc.... Joe was able to tell him it was because he is a Christian. There are doors open and small windows of opportunity. The girls and I just attended a class on purity at a local cafe originally opened by Christian Americans and now run by Tajik women. We were the only foreigners there and the room was filled with about 20 Russian speaking Tajik women and daughters hearing about their worth in the eyes of the Lord and protecting their hearts for their future husbands. I just read that 50% of Tajik women will be abused physically, sexually, or emotionally by their husband or men from their family during their lifetime. It is a huge problem here and we are involved with a family that has been in Dushanbe for 15 years ministering to these women. They have several successful projects going including a cafe, a coffee roasting company, and a peanut butter making company. These places provide work opportunities for the women who are left to support themselves. They also have a shelter and counseling services. They have outgrown their current location and are looking at expanding the shelter. It this is something you are interested in learning more about, you can contact me.
So, that is about it. We are beyond survival mode are back in the game of being able to minister to those outside our own family. We have survived another bump in the road and all of us will be the better for it. Now that I have something nice to say again, you can expect to hear from me! I haven't called anyone for two months or more......so sorry.
This blog is really a chronicle of our life in Tajikistan. Sometimes we are writing to record events as much for ourselves as we are for you.....just skip over the boring parts!
I love and miss each of you. Thank you for not giving up on me and continuing to pursue me, even when you don't hear back from me for weeks......Jen
