More Random Things

Another beautiful day in the Caucuses. Yesterday I had a Russian lesson, spent time with the Germans (always), and went to Din and Inna's for the rest of the day. They live in a little apartment on the fifth floor (elevator? what's an elevator?), and are busy with some renovations. Inna's asthma is still bad, but better than before she went to the hospital. She's allergic to her apartment, the city, most houses, the church...so when she goes to the orphanage with me, we will have to take the kids outside. Same with Sunday school. Tomorrow I'll be helping with Sunday school since last week I stayed in the service. I think I might switch off, or maybe just do Sunday school. Not sure. I'm excited to see everyone at church, though. It's the coolest thing - there's about an hour before the sermon where people share news, stories, whatever with each other, in between worship songs. Very community oriented, like everything here.

Seriously, everything. Tea time like every two hours and it lasts an hour, while we talk. I think I'm becoming addicted to caffeine. I think I'm going to be having tea time every couple hours in my dorm room now. And everyone has to come and sit and talk with me, ok? :)

So the current plan (which isn't really a plan, because things change every moment around here) is to stay at Sasha and Nadya's until Nadya leaves on Tuesday. Then I'll go to Din and Inna's. It's been a big dilemma for me, because everyone wants me to stay with them, and it's hard for me to know how to be polite in this hospitable culture. Nadya told me last night that they would like me to stay the whole two months with them. But Din told me last night that he has lots of ideas of what I could do when i stay with them...the state orphanage, for example, and some church outreach stuff in the city. And I want to do it all. I love all of these people! Haha. So anyways, the plan is to stay here till Tuesday then go to Din and Inna's. Then I'll go day by day. I would come back here after a week or two, but all of the Germans are leaving, Nadya and Sasha and the kids are leaving, and so it would only be Slavik and Tanya's family here. Who knows. We'll decide as it comes.

The orphans have been doing stuff the past couple of days...I don't know...but we haven't been able to go. Today we will. Yesterday I planned out the schedule for the next couple weeks. Every day we will do our songs in Russian, one in English, then Bible reading (out of Luke), then memory verse (new one each Saturday). I'll have them make booklets where they add a drawing of the day's Bible story along with the memory verse each time. Then we'll do a craft or science experiment out of Natasja's books. I'm excited! I just need to learn their names...

Ok so I am finding myself able to understand most of what is being said around me, which is encouraging for me and for them. However, the whole speaking part is coming a lot slower. Please pray for me. I'm trying, but my English tongue cannot make some of these crazy sounds. Plus I have to think about the whole feminine/masculine/neuter rules before I say anything. Sheesh. So I can listen to what they say to me, and have Natasja translate my reply :) But I'm only a week in. 7 more weeks of practice.

I'm getting excited about the family camp already! It will be so great to be able to talk to the team AND be able to talk to the Russians (Lord willing).

But what's going on at home? Send me emails or facebook messages!! Or comment on here. I want to hear from all of you...ask me questions or tell me what you're praying for. And tell me about your life! I want to pray for you too!

Madison? Anna? Tori? Courtney? Morgan? Mom? Sarah?? Providence Community people??

Much love,

J