White Month

 

     February here is known as "White Month".  Most Buryats hold various celebrations, family gatherings, and attend national concerts during this time.  It is a time of new beginnings.  We like to use this time to pray for the people here and to grow in our understanding of Buryat culture.  On Saturday, we had a time of prayer and celebration for the Buryat people.  It was so cool, as there were people from Russia (Buryats), Japan, Korea, Finland, Germany, USA, Armenia (I think), Romania, and Switzerland represented.  We ate white foods (a Buryat tradition) and enjoyed fellowship with each other.

 



 

     This group meets once a month, and Leif helps to lead the time.  Usually he shares a little something from the Bible before people pray for different regions within Buryatia.

 

 

     The kids played in the kitchen during the prayer time.  I loved these little Buryat dolls that Ella was playing with.  =)

 

     Then, last night the Brubachers hosted a "White Night".  They've been reaching out to a Buryat girl that they met in their neighborhood.  She came over and helped prepare posie (meat dumplings) and explained a lot about Buryat traditions.  Lucky for us, she asked if "Leif's family" was coming, and we got invited, too!  =)

 

 

     Martina made a bunch of white foods, including these cheese cakes, with the Buryat words of celebration for Sagaalgan (White Month).  I asked "E" (this Buryat girl), the meaning behind white food and she said it was a sign of a fresh start -everything being clean and new (and getting rid of the old).  Leif has heard that traditionally in February it's hard to find foods with a lot of vitamins in them, but milk products have vitamins, so people would eat a lot of milk products to try and make it through the winter. 

 

 

     Our little friend, Ilya, was there with his parents and uncle.  Ike always asks to hold him! 

 

 

     We played a game of Yahtzee (here, Leif is explaining the rules).  We had a fun time, and I pray that those who don't yet know God could see the light of Him in our lives. 

 

     While there are a lot of good things with White Month, there is also a lot of evil (people calling on evil spirits, etc).  It often feels very dark to us, and often it is a month when our kids have more bad dreams and seem to be more emotional.  We appreciate your prayers for our family.... for protection and for the light of Christ to shine through us.