His Hands and Feet

Nettie and I, on a morning prayer walk. 
We had to stop and take a picture with the only deciduous tree in the village!

Several weeks ago, Nettie and I went on a prayer walk through our neighborhood, and one of our prayers was that God would help us to be his hands and feet to the people here. It's so neat, because the very next day, God started answering, and almost daily since then (and sometimes more than once a day)  He continues to give opportunities for us to show love to neighbors.

A major plus, is that God is opening doors at times when we are available!  Our schedule is often very busy, but He's had people come at moments when we are free to help.  Here are just a few examples...

Our elderly neighbor needed gas for their stove but didn't have a car.  He asked if I could drive him to the gas station.  It turns out the place that has the special kind of gas he needed was on the exact road (and it's a dirt road with nothing around!) where Anneka has her horse lessons, and it was right at the time when I needed to pick her up.

Another neighbor's well broke and she was home alone with her three small kids.  She desperately needed water and asked if we could come and take their barrel to the local well and fill it.  She wrote at the exact moment that Leif was already gathering ours and Nettie's barrels for our own drinking water!

A different neighbor owns a store and the engine in their car is broken.  They needed help buying products for their store.  Originally she asked me to come when I was busy.  I was prepared to change my plans, but then she called and said that the next morning was actually a better time... and it's when I was free!

Another neighbor was in the hospital with her baby and needed diapers.  She wrote me when I was already in the city and able to easily come to her.

People have been so grateful and amazed that we would help them so readily.  I am so grateful to God for how He shows His love for us, and He also knows what is too much for us.  In His kindness He is making it so that helping others hasn't been a burden but instead a joy and seamlessly works into our days.  I pray that we can shine his Light here.



     One of Anneka's new friends from the summer was in the hospital with pneumonia.  We visited her a couple of times and brought her home on the day she was released.  Her family doesn't have running water, so it was nice for her to come over to do laundry and take a shower after a couple of weeks of being in the hot hospital!

There are many more stories, and of course, I'm not taking pictures when we are doing these things.  But I want to write this as a reminder of how good God is in showing His care for others and for us at the same time.

Special Holiday for the Elderly

     This past Saturday, our neighbors got together and planned a special celebration for the elderly in our village.  It was a great way to serve, meet new people, share a little bit of why we are here, and enjoy a great day!  Leif and the kids went the evening before and helped burn weeds and pick up garbage. Ella and Ike helped decorate (this banner is just made from the pages of an old magazine!).

     The neighbors collected money to buy meat and ingredients for rice pilaf, and everyone brought something to share, too. At first, only the elderly sat at the table. Everyone shared will wishes with them and honored them with songs, poems, dances, and kinds words. The older generation were asked questions about their childhood, too, which was interesting to hear their answers. After they had gotten their fill, the rest of us took turns sitting at the table.

This lady danced a beautiful traditional Buryat dance as a gift to the elderly.  

Everyone enjoyed listening and watching!

     I didn't get any still pictures, so I took a screen shot of a video.  Leif, Nettie, Ella, and I sang "I'll Fly Away".  Leif shared the meaning of this famous American song.  He also shared about how we can have hope beyond this life and total freedom while we are here, despite our circumstances.

     People danced, too.  I thought it was so cute how this lady grabbed Nettie and danced around with her.  =)

     The kids had fun running around everywhere and playing with other kids.  (and in the dirt, of course!)

Anneka met a couple of girls her age.

 

Ike and Ella enjoyed flipping over the bars.

Such fun!

     I thought it was so interesting how they made the tea.  They used this samovar that had a hollow place in the middle for wood and fire.  Then around the tube, the water heated up.  Genius!

 

     Once it was hot, they brought it over to the table for people to pour from.  When it was empty, it didn't take long to heat up a new batch.

     Here's a picture of most of us at the end (minus some people that had already left and several of the kids).  We really enjoyed this celebration and appreciate how the older generation here is valued and respected.