Camp? by Mama Irene

What a day! It started out simple enough Linda and I (the two grandmas) got up, ate breakfast and read until about 10am. Then we called the kids and went over. Anneka just finished a nap, so we got a little “baby (lya-lya)” time before we had to leave. Leif and I were headed off to camp help with a children's day camp in Zakamensk, a town about 6-7 hours from Ulan-Ude. Jami, Linda and Anneka walked us down to the bus which came right away. We got to the marshrutka that would take us to Zakamensk and waited about an hour and took off. We made a few stops on they way including here by a lake.

After about 6 hours on the road we came to the check point. We all got off and they took Leif and my passports. It was taking so long the marshrutka took off to a café about a quarter mile down the road. We waited and finally the guards came and told us we could not enter the next region without some papers we could only get in Ulan Ude. Just a few days earlier Leif and Shannon (another missionary from their team) called to see what we needed to do to go into this region and through the check point and were told we would just need to fill out papers at the check point. The soldiers insisted we needed to go back. Our marshrutka driver brought back our backpack and duffle bag and we sat on the bench praying for a kind person to bring us home. There were no marshrutkas going back to Ulan Ude until the next morning and it was after 7pm. It was miles to the next settlement or any homes. All we could see was farm fields and rolling hills. Leif’s phone was in a “dead zone” so we couldn’t let the other campers or Jami and Linda know what was happening. The bugs were beginning to swarm us. We got out bug spray and some snacks and waited about 10 minutes. A spirited Buryat man and his extended family drove up to us in a Honda step wagon. He told us to get in and he’d take us to the café, but the soldiers were not allowing that. Then he said he’d go back and get documents and take us to Ulan Ude as they were headed for a wedding there anyway. About 15 minutes later he drove back and they rearranged themselves in the wagon so we could fit in. There were two sisters and I in the middle seats. In back was one of the sister’s husband, three little granddaughters and another older lady. Leif and the other husband, Sergei our driver were in front. Sergei and Leif talked for hours as we rode. They included us sometimes and I found out that his wife Dora who sat by me was also an elementary teacher and had taught over thirty years, too. We stopped for gas and I was happy to help. We also stopped for spring water and I thanked God I had my bottle with the filter. Then we made a stopped at Gusinozyorsk which was about 100 km before Ulan Ude. They said come meet our son and his family for tea. There we met the son, his wife, their 9 month old, Erdeni, plus the wife’s mother and some sisters (I think). They were so gracious. We shared a small meal of fried fish, sausage, veggie salad, bread with butter and fresh raspberry sauce, chocolates and of course the tea-a nice green tea cooked with milk. We took pictures and I talked with the daughter in laws mom who knew a little English from college.

We got back into the car and stopped at a house just before Ulan Ude. Everyone got out with bags and packages except Sergei and Dora. We suggested we could call a taxi and get home, but they insisted on driving us right to the door of the apartment which was another 20-30 minute drive for them. We were all very tired from our long day. As I got back into the apartment that Inka and Elizabeth so graciously allow us to stay in for our visit I was struck with the parallel of the story Jesus tells about the good Samaritan. Sergei and Dora and their family (by all signs Buddists) were surely our good Samaritans, and I thank God for delivering us from such an adventure that could have turned out much differently. I know He just has different plans for us this week.