Let The Games Begin!

The sports square is completed! This is a picture from our window when it was near completion (all except for cement underneath the basketball hoop).




This is Leif and two guys from the church, laying cement. From the beginning, they decided that cement was the best surface to hold up in the winter months. It was quite the process, as the two cement trucks came at different times. At the end of this month, they will add one more layer to make it smoother. The surface now is totally acceptable, though, and hasn't stopped anyone from playing on it!



On Thursday, there was an "opening ceremony" for the sports square. The radio station and newspaper reporters were there, along with city officials. They had a special ceremony for kids in the neigborhood.




Also at the opening, there were a couple of soccer games between youth from our neighborhood and youth from the next neighborhood over (two age groups).



Here's an action shot.



The winners of the games were presented with cakes and a soccer ball and volleyball. This sports court accomodates hockey, soccer, volleyball, and basketball.



Leif has already connected with several guys (different ages) from our neighborhood. And he gets good exercice in the process! The square has only been completed a few days, and already more people come up and shake Leif's hand whenever we're walking somewhere. It's really cool. I had to take this picture on the sly, so it was hard to get a really good shot.

The Induction of the Sports Square

These cute girls danced in celebration of the opening of the sports square. There were also clowns, other dances, a tug-of-war competition, songs, and speeches. Our whole neighborhood gathered for this grand event.

The Recipient of Endless Gifts

I had to give Anneka equal opportunity and post a little "mama" video. She kept trying to grab the camera, so it was a bit tricky to catch her face before the image was hidden behind her little hand. She's been saying "mama mama" constantly the last few days and is endlessly raising her little hands for me to pick her up. Oh-so-cute, and oh-so-impossible to get anything done. Speaking of which, I'd planned on making dinner ahead of time this morning during her nap because we had guests coming this evening, but the electricity was out. It's funny because I'm reading a book about how to get more done in less time... but the author obviously never lived in Siberia. Many times each day I plan to get something done and it just doesn't get done because of circumstances beyond myself. (ex: the bank machine broken, the store closed, the water off, my phone not working, etc.) I'd say that I'm becoming a very flexible person.

You may wonder about the title of this post. Anneka is the recipient of endless gifts. Wherever we go, people love to give her gifts. She's received candy, money, a bouquet of flowers, an entire cake, and countless other treasures- from complete strangers! A man on the train last weekend gave her a tomato. Of course, I've read up on what foods you can give your baby when, and I happened to know that tomatoes were on the "after a year" list. I also didn't know if this tomato was clean or not. But I held all of these worries inside and said a quick prayer (after all, God is way bigger than food allergies and germs). And Anneka was the happiest baby on the planet. She was thrilled with her tomato! She always wants to take huge bites out of apples, but I don't let her because of the choking hazard. But mama let her take huge bites out of the tomato! She was hilariously ecstatic. She doesn't take after Leif or me with that one. We eat tomatoes only if we have to.

Siberia family conference

We just got back from a week near Krasnayarsk, another Siberian city that is a 26 hour train ride to the west of us. It was a great conference where we were challenged to remember that the theme of the Bible is the glory of our great God! To put anything else ahead of that is wrong. I was particularly challenged by how I want to do that, but in my own strength I cannot do this. I can only bring glory to God through Him working in and through me. I am so glad that He is gracious and merciful, quick to forgive and full of love. In addition we were reminded about God's desire for all nations to love and praise Him, and that this has been His desire from the beginning of time. It is a challenge to put our focus on the whole world and not just on the little things that we are doing here. Please join us in praying for all that God is doing across the globe and not to put what He is doing locally above the rest.

We Lure Her With Vegetables

As we have heard from other parents, it can be difficult to get your children to eat certain foods. Vegetables tend to be a particular problem, but Anneka seems to be like the rest of her family and is a little bit on the odd side. We actually will use vegetables to tempt her to eat other foods. In particular, she likes small chunks such as a pea, kernel of corn, or part of a green bean. She will turn her head in disgust at different types of cereal or pureed foods, but as soon as you put one of these small vegetable chunks on top, it turns into a delightful gormet meal for our little girl. Yes, that is correct, we use vegetables to tempt our baby to eat. In other news, the sports square is coming along great. It should be completed within the week. The only things left are painting, putting hoops on the backboards and a cement slab for the basketball hoop that is outside of the enclosed area. It is exciting to see how things are progressing. We're looking forward to using it and building relationships in the community as we enjoy this facility with our neighbors.

Updates

The day camps are continuing this week, but in a different neighborhood (10 minutes from here). Leif feels like his lines for the skits are more ingrained in his mind after having a week to stir around in his brain. This summer has been a huge language stretch for Leif (in a good way). It amazes me how he always steps up to the challenge.

Last Friday, I met two ladies at the day camp and we sat and talked for a long while. I know that God opened up that opportunity and gave me the courage to go and sit by them. That morning I'd prayed that He'd bring me people to talk with and He answered!



These are the main 4 men who are working on the sports square. They eat lunch here every day, and lately I've been making it for them. Inka and Elisabeth have made lunch a couple of days, too. So nice. These guys work hard and it's nice for them not to have to worry about buying/making something.



This is the progress on the sports square. Actually, today it looks even better, but I don't have a picture. You'll see it soon, though.

"Papa!"

Oh, what a wonderful thing that has started in our house! I (Leif) was laying Anneka down for an afternoon nap on Saturday and although she seemed tired, she didn't seem to want to sleep. I was just about to leave the room and let her "cry it out", when she said in her sweet little baby voice, "papa". Well, as you can imagine the thoughts of letting her "cry it out" suddenly went away and I sat there with her rubbing her back trying to both encourage her to go to sleep and continue saying papa. As with some of her other milestones, she has taken off with this one. As she's playing, waking-up, going to sleep, or sitting in her high-chair she will babble away saying, "papa, papa." We have tried to encourage her to say, "mama," which you may remember she screamed out a couple of months ago but seems to have given up on. She does sometimes manage to get out, "mapa." It is evident that her language skills are going to grow qickly as she is decifering sounds. Also, it is cute, she loves to sing with her mama. Maybe we can get a video with that at some point here :).

Special Request Granted

My aunt, Claudia, wanted to see a video of Anneka crawling, so I took a little snippet before her nap today. Be sure to read about the day camp below, as I posted close together.

Day Camps

This week our church is putting on a day camp right in our neighborhood! (the next two weeks will be in nearby areas). Leif's role is the "sport's instructor" and he's in a few skits. My hope is to get to know more people from our ring of apartments. It's a great way to connect. Each day starts with games (also Leif's role). The kids were divided into four teams and did various relays. In this one, they had to run around an area without breaking the toilet paper. Russian toilet paper is pretty tough, though! haha.



After the game/sports time, the kids had a choice of a different "station" to go to: drama, art, music, or sports. In this one, Leif is teaching the kids flag football.



The art, drama, and music groups share what they've done/learned with the rest of the kids. Each element fits into the program.




At the end, Sasha ties everything together for a talk about Jesus and how much he loves each person. 40+ kids were there yesterday, and hopefully more will come today and tomorrow!

Sports Square Construction

We ate breakfast yesterday to the sound of a big tractor outside... and when we looked, we saw that it was a bulldozer, preparing the land for the long-awaited sports square! Hooray! Leif has been out there yesterday and today, helping to dig posts for the fence that will surround the soccer field.



They need to dig 30+ holes and many of the spots have huge rocks in the way. When I went out to take this picture, the guys were discussing if there would be a way to get electricity and a jack hammer for the job. I sure hope so! Leif's hands were SO blistered after yesterday, and they had only done 4 holes and 2 half-holes. Already, many people from the neighborhood have come and asked what is going on. And the location is perfect! It's right in the center of a ring of the apartment buildings in our neigborhood. We'll keep you posted on the progress. Leif, especially, is very excited, as this is the beginning of his dream coming to fruition.

We'll miss you, Baba and Grandma!

We just saw "Baba" and "Grandma" off at the airport. It was sad to see them go, as we had a wonderful time with them.







Goodbye, Baba and Grandma! We love you!!!

A Trip to Lake Baikal

We just returned from a little trip to Lake Baikal with the mamas. We rode on the electric train to get there and enjoyed a nice time together.


The weather was nice and we went out on a paddle boat.


We played ping pong, and this sweet Buryat lady LOVED playing against us. She was so good!



We enlightened our moms to the "banya" or bathhouse/sauna. Don't worry, we didn't take Anneka in the super-hot part.



We had to eat some crab chips as we sat by the water.
If you come and visit us here in Siberia, we'll plan a trip to Lake Baikal!

A Happy Birthday

I had a nice birthday yesterday. Anneka and I dressed in matching Buryat dresses. Irene made me a cake that we brought to church and shared with everyone after the service. Then we had a leisurely afternoon, where my mom made me macaroni and cheese (my birthday favorite since I was a little girl) and yummy caramel brownies. I opened fun presents and we watched an episode of the Cosby Show (one of my presents). I love the Cosby Show, by the way. Then Leif and I went bowling with Chingis and Ksusha in the evening while our moms watched the two kiddos. It's been so nice to squeeze in dates and have time with each other. Thanks for a great birthday!

Linda's Siberian Impressions

Finding beauty in a place of ugliness

As us grandmas were pushing adorable Anneka in the stroller, we were looking at all the filth and garbage. Irene with delight said, “Oh look at the flowers!” It tickled me as, yes, here the morning glories were pretty, but back home they are an obnoxious weed.


When Jami, Anneka and I went downtown I thought I just might be a grandma to a 13 year old. Svetlana was hungry and dirty. We fed her and learned that she had no place to sleep. She told Jami that she wanted to go home with her and live, and compassionate Jami wanted to take her home. She called a friend who worked for the city, and he said that Leif and Jami could lose their residency if they took her in. We directed her to a place where she could get social assistance. It was hard for Jami, but we just couldn’t take her home with us. We prayed for Svetlana.

Almost everyday there have been friends come to Jami and Leif’s. It is customary to invite them for a meal. When we had friends over for lunch they brought their wash with them. We learned that the couple with their baby live in an 11 square meter home with no running water. To think about going to an outhouse in -50 degree weather is hard to imagine. It was encouraging to see though that even though their life is hard, they have the joy of Jesus in their hearts. To see beauty in people’s lives even though there is little beauty in Siberia is an encouragement.

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.

Sharing Our Lives With The Mamas/Babushkas

It's been fun introducing our moms to friends here and showing them around Ulan Ude. Today we had friends over after church and our moms made lunch. It was really nice to be able to sit and relax and talk with guests. Also, today was the first time that I've been able to sit through the whole church service since Anneka was born. My mom sat with her outside while she slept, which was SO nice. She's recently taken a liking to her stroller and will fall asleep in it. The only problem is that since camp, she doesn't fall asleep (on her own) very well in her bed. Sigh. It'll take 3-10 days of training to get her back on track. I'm hoping it's closer to three!

The picture above is from church today. One of the ladies gathered some of us together and posed us. Tomorrow Leif and Irene will go to a small city 6 hours away to be a part of a week-long day camp. Mom and I won't have a lack of things to do, I'm sure!!

Anneka has two little Russian kercheifs that she wears now that it's summer. I love them. You can't see it too well in this picture, but it's super-cute!

English Camp

We had a busy/fun/cold/tiring/exciting week at camp. This was our little "home" while we were there. The students stayed in yurts (traditional nomadic homes).



I found that being at camp with Anneka was busier than I'd anticipated. She was my only "responsibility", but with a crawling baby and no place to put her except on the sand or dirt, I found myself carrying her a lot, and this gang (and more!) of children followed me around wherever I went. There were times when I was SO ready to have my space, but overall I enjoyed the kids. I also connected with some of the workers and students in ways that I wouldn't have if I'd been tied up with other responsibilities.



Every evening, a Russian speaker shared about the "key to life" and got the students thinking about important questions, such as why we are here. Here, some Americans are leading a worship song in English. Most of the songs were in Russian, but as an "English Camp", we sang English songs, too.



Anneka LOVED the sand and loved to eat it. She was so quick!



This is one of the kitchen workers, feeding Anneka. The camp is owned by the deaf church, and the staff was SO WONDERFUL in welcoming us and serving without complaint. There was a mixup and the staff didn't know we were coming this week. They were so gracious and flexible- it was amazing. Such a reminder of how we really do shine like "stars in the universe" when we don't grumble or complain.



Leif was SO busy at the camp. He was the sports instructor, and this included leading exercises in the morning, pre-planned games in the mid-day, lifeguarding at free time (or leading other sports when it was cold), and leading organized games in the evening. Many students said that this was their favorite part of the camp.



During the English lessons, Leif often helped in the kitchen. Here he is with Zhenya and Sveta, peeling carrots with sharpened table knives.



a picture of our little family



On the second-to-last evening of camp, the speaker shared about the hope that we can have in Christ and gave the students opportunities to give their lives to Jesus. Eight of them publically decided this is what they wanted to do. (these are two of them). Others of us lit candles as a declaration that we want God to shine through us.

For many weeks before the camp, there were only 6 students signed up. At the very end (the last two days!) many more signed up (maybe 40? I don't even know how many). Things seemed so scattered and overwhelming. It was amazing how God was the one who put the camp together. We are so thankful for the prayers of many and for a wonderful week!

Baby Swap and Welcome Moms!

Both Leif's and my moms arrived this morning to visit us for a few weeks. We thought it would be funny to play a little joke on them at the airport and hold someone else's baby. Our friend, Adriana, met us at the airport and gave us baby Kristina and she took Anneka out of sight. I was a little worried that they wouldn't think it was funny, but my mom laughed and laughed as soon as she saw the baby. Irene said that she thought something seemed a little strange because the baby didn't smile, but she also said she's not very visual and didn't want to say anything. But quickly, they were reunited with their granddaughter. Adriana even dressed Kristina in some clothes that I'd given her of Anneka's. haha.

We look forward to a fun month together! We still will post a blog about camp. We have so many pictures that we need to sort through them first.

Jeannie Cross

Late yesterday we arrived back from a week on the shores of Lake Baikal where we saw God work amazingly in the hearts of people who joined us there for an English camp and we will share more details about that, but we were also greeted with some very sad news as we returned. Our dear friend Jeannie Cross has been taken home by our Lord. We are grieving from here with those who know her, and in particular our hearts are heavy for her husband Scott and daughter Malia (11). We have shared with many of you about the battle with a very unusual cancer that Jeannie has gone through. There were many emotional ups and downs as hope was repeatedly given and taken away regarding her physical well being. Even as she went through this struggle, she was able to love many people and touch lives of people on her way. A piece of scripture that God impressed upon me this last week was Galatians 1:24, “And they glorified God because of me.” This is regarding Christians who praised God because of how He worked through another person. This has been true for us with Jeannie. We praise God because of her and how He has worked through her. We love how she and Scott have always taken time with us and for us. She was so full of joy and loved life and those in her life. She prayed diligently, sought deep relationships, laughed sincerely, strove for honesty and cared with all of her heart. She has been such a blessing to us and we will miss her so much! We love her and ask that you would pray for her family.