This is the first test to see if this blog works? ...
Traveling is always a crazy experience, people everywhere speaking all different languages, going from hot in the airport to cold on the plane, lugging around heavy luggage and very swollen ankles is all a part of this experience. Thankfully our (Alison's and I) flight to KZ was for the most part very smooth. Our bags came a little late but only a day and we were greeted very warmly by our new friends!
Ariving here was very sereal. It did not seem like I should be here already or that I will actually be living here! The city we are in is bigger than any I have every lived in (transition). The new part of the city is beautiful! There is such amazing architecture and many sites to see! The city has giant malls to little fruit stands on the corners. There is a river that runs through it as well separating the old part and the new.
We were able to spend time getting to know our supervisors and they are amazing! They have four wonderful little kids that allowed me to have a since of comfort umong all the unfamiliarity! I look forward to being able to serve them in different ways.
We moved into the dorms (or hostile as locals call it in english) and the biggest challenge for me thus far is figuring out how to shower with out flooding the bathroom (transition)! There are some students left here but most are returning to their homes for the summer. We have made some friends that will be here for the summer and we are going to help them with English and they will help us with our Russian!
The overall population in KZ have a very cold and hard exterior. I often try to smile at people when we walk by them and no smiles in return (transition). This is because the culture is very stern (soviet influence) but mostly when you make an effort to meet them they are so friendly and very very willing to help with direction or understanding.
There are many transitions a part of this journey but I am continually reminded how this experience is a beautiful gift from the Father! The biggest thing is trusting that and realizing this is more then "an experience of a life time" but a simple moment for the kingdom. So far He has often reminded me not to fear because He is my strength. So new-ness and the many many transitions are ways for Him to reveal to me and Alison completely new parts of Himself! And on top of all this we are able to befriend new people and live in community in a very real and genuine way. This is the gift of being a part of a glory much bigger then myself or this city or the world and I am overwhelmed (in a good way) with thankfulness and awe.
