While we were in Zakamensk (town six hours away) over New Years weekend, we stayed with a wonderful couple. They were an amazing example to us of hospitality and we had a great time getting to know them over the few days we were there. This couple just got married in September, but because of visa issues have already had to be apart for two months. The wife is a "German Russian". She lived in Kazakstan until she was about twelve, but has lived in Germany since then. After their marriage, she had to leave the country to get a visa. This couple took us in (and another girl, Lena), gave us their bed, fed us, and kept us warm by continually stoking the fire. They had no running water and yet hauled water for us...not to mention the sheets they would have to wash after we left. We did get to help one day as you can see in the picture. Besides all of this, the wife had to leave the same day we did for Mongolia for another month to get a new visa. And yet she never complained about having us there as guests, taking time away that she could have had with her husband. This was truly a blessing to us and a lesson in hospitality... and a reminder of what a servant Jesus is. We have so much to learn!
3 comments:
Jamie,
Is teh wife able to get a permanent visa? Or is she only able to get temporary visas again and again and again?
John & Kristen King
Hopefully she'll be able to get a permanent visa... it's strange that she's having this much trouble being married to a Russian.
Hospitality is truly a gifting! I can't wait to come visit someday and experience yours! lol. I will even wash my own sheets. (You have a washing machine and some Tide, right?)
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