Our time in Asia is coming to an end in just a few weeks – actually 44 days, but, who’s counting? We’re experiencing a variety of emotions as we look at concluding our work here and transitioning into full-time mission work based in the States. There are projects we have to finish – I’m scheduled to do a series of classes on Philippians this week at a local church. There are decisions to make – which direction the school ought to pursue as the need for a license persists and the acquiring of one seems as far off as ever. And, there are preparations to make – for the transition of leadership at the school and personally for our move home.
We completed a trip to the capital city last week where we had meetings
to determine the likelihood of obtaining a license. Besides those meetings, we had a wonderful time with a local pastor and his family in their one-room flat. There was a kitchen and one other room used for meals, daily living, and sleeping. It wasn’t too crowded since all their five children were never there at one time. The city is rather new. Fifteen years ago it was a small city in the north of the country. The decision was made to move the capital and tremendous growth has occurred. The center of the city is a monument to what man can do apart from a Creator. (I was reminded of the Tower of Babel and Nebuchadnezzar’s garden.)
We’re still struck by the people of Central Asia. Beyond the difference in appearance from “White Westerners,” there is a large gap in ethics and mores between the two cultures. The longer we’re here, and the more people we speak with as we analyze the differences, the clearer it is that the communist system of years gone bye damaged, and perhaps nearly destroyed, the indigenous cultures of Central Asia. As difficult as it is to bridge normal cultural differences, the extra mix of communism and the Russian culture has made reaching these people with the gospel especially difficult. There was a great openness to the gospel shortly after the fall of the Soviet Union. That period has passed and the work here is hard and progress is slow. The need for leadership training which deals with biblical content and a Christian lifestyle is great. Discipleship activities that lead to changed lives are absolutely necessary – just as in the States.
We’re definitely in Spring, though the temperatures fluctuate widely. Last week we were in short sleeves. (I say “we” because we were the only ones. There were still many people as bundled up as during the depth of winter.) This week has been kind of rainy and cool. That’s not a problem, though the fact that the city turned off the central heat has made our flat a bit cool. During the deepest part of winter the temperature in the flat was a constant 68 degrees. In the last month the temp rose to 75-78 degrees round the clock. (I got out a pair of shorts for lounging at home.) Last Sunday morning we awoke to discover our batteries (radiators) cold and the temp around 70. The last couple days has been cooler. We began today at 64 and have seen the temp rise to 66. Of course, we have lit three candles to assist.
It has been great to find out that walking is a pleasant experience. We’re tying to get in about five miles a day and accomplish that or more most days. We’re interested to see how our walking practice transitions as we go home. We’ve never walked to the store like we do here. Since we have to carry everything home, we never use a shopping cart. We do use a basket, but we find we have to make more trips to the “magazines” (the local stores) than we do when we’re home. We might carry on this practice if we locate reasonably close to shopping. (“Reasonably” being defined as less than a couple miles.)
So, here we go into another transition. Who would have thought it “at our age?”
We completed a trip to the capital city last week where we had meetings
to determine the likelihood of obtaining a license. Besides those meetings, we had a wonderful time with a local pastor and his family in their one-room flat. There was a kitchen and one other room used for meals, daily living, and sleeping. It wasn’t too crowded since all their five children were never there at one time. The city is rather new. Fifteen years ago it was a small city in the north of the country. The decision was made to move the capital and tremendous growth has occurred. The center of the city is a monument to what man can do apart from a Creator. (I was reminded of the Tower of Babel and Nebuchadnezzar’s garden.)We’re still struck by the people of Central Asia. Beyond the difference in appearance from “White Westerners,” there is a large gap in ethics and mores between the two cultures. The longer we’re here, and the more people we speak with as we analyze the differences, the clearer it is that the communist system of years gone bye damaged, and perhaps nearly destroyed, the indigenous cultures of Central Asia. As difficult as it is to bridge normal cultural differences, the extra mix of communism and the Russian culture has made reaching these people with the gospel especially difficult. There was a great openness to the gospel shortly after the fall of the Soviet Union. That period has passed and the work here is hard and progress is slow. The need for leadership training which deals with biblical content and a Christian lifestyle is great. Discipleship activities that lead to changed lives are absolutely necessary – just as in the States.
We’re definitely in Spring, though the temperatures fluctuate widely. Last week we were in short sleeves. (I say “we” because we were the only ones. There were still many people as bundled up as during the depth of winter.) This week has been kind of rainy and cool. That’s not a problem, though the fact that the city turned off the central heat has made our flat a bit cool. During the deepest part of winter the temperature in the flat was a constant 68 degrees. In the last month the temp rose to 75-78 degrees round the clock. (I got out a pair of shorts for lounging at home.) Last Sunday morning we awoke to discover our batteries (radiators) cold and the temp around 70. The last couple days has been cooler. We began today at 64 and have seen the temp rise to 66. Of course, we have lit three candles to assist.
It has been great to find out that walking is a pleasant experience. We’re tying to get in about five miles a day and accomplish that or more most days. We’re interested to see how our walking practice transitions as we go home. We’ve never walked to the store like we do here. Since we have to carry everything home, we never use a shopping cart. We do use a basket, but we find we have to make more trips to the “magazines” (the local stores) than we do when we’re home. We might carry on this practice if we locate reasonably close to shopping. (“Reasonably” being defined as less than a couple miles.)
So, here we go into another transition. Who would have thought it “at our age?”
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