The ultimate marshrutka experience

Imagine playing Twister in a moving minivan in 90 degree weather and you've got a pretty good picture of what Bishkek marshrutka rides are like. I pay 8 som (around 20 cents) to get a ride around town with 20-25 other people. Yes, that number is over the capacity of what it should normally hold. Since this is Central Asia, older ladies have seating priority and depending on who is getting on and off of the marshrutka, the ride also becomes like a game of musical chairs. Well, maybe not because that would mean that seats would be removed...Anyway, the drivers install hand rails from the van ceiling and we just hang on for dear life along with everyone else and off we go. I did attempt to take a photo, but it's hard to do it justice.

Oh the places you will play

You never know who you will meet and what it will lead to. Through an expat acquaintance at church, I was hired to play piano at the US Ambassador's 4th of July party here in Bishkek. It was quite fun to be background music for diplomats and military personnel as they shmoozed. At one point, the French delegation decided that the piano was the coolest place to hang out and there was excited dialog drowning out the Brahms. Maybe they have something against the German composer. I played some Ravel in their honor afterwards. Cara Denney was hired to sing the national anthem, hence the photo of me at the gig. A good time was had by all, and the only disappointment was the extreme amount of blue food coloring that they added to the decorative cake which turned all the guests' teeth and lips a frightening hue. Since I didn't eat till after the party, I was able to somewhat avoid the aggressive frosting. It did dye my fingers when I was putting the cake on my plate though. Conclusion: I now understand why people used to have cupbearers.

The Americanization of everyone's favorite Brit

Katie is quite musical, as we all know and we've been working on some piano lately. She's doing a great job and wanted to share a little recital with you all. She actually asked me to edit out the last little outburst that you will hear- but as I am technically challenged, I just included the whole clip here. Enjoy. I think Jonathan might be proud. 

tagged

So, I was tagged by Anya Knotts and I'm supposed to write 7 random facts about myself. I enoyed reading Anya's. I hope you are mildly entertained by mine. Here goes: 

1) I'm a word nerd. Thinking about word roots, learning new words and pondering how definitions evolved is fun for me.

2) I would rather have 7 snacks in a day v. 3 meals.

3) Chicago is my favorite American city and I love recommending fun places to eat and visit to those who plan on going there.

4) I get depressed after about 4-5 months of living without a piano.

5) Books make me happy. Looking at a big bookshelf crammed with books brings some kind of inner satisfaction. Reading them is relaxing and discussing them is invigorating.

6) I love hot weather. I must be part gecko.

7) Putting another book on top of the Bible makes me feel uncomfortable, but resting a pen on top of it does not.

Who Would Have Thought?

It was a year ago this week that I came to visit my friends here in Bishkek quite unsuspecting that God would call me to join them here. Yikes. Who would have thought? Well apparently my mom and Chris Zurbach knew. I for one did not and am amazed by God's gentleness and faithfulness in leading us. I've been pondering that verse from 1 Thess 2 lately that this is God's will for us: our sanctification. Year by year, He takes us into deeper waters, urging us to cast our net out into the deep and surprising us with the abundance of joy that comes with obedience. So, here's to God's goodness and trustworthiness as we follow Him wherever He would lead us.

Ode to a piano

Hi there, Yes I am possibly the most pathetic blogger amongst you. So since I've last blogged, I have eaten dog at a Korean restaurant, filmed a short movie for the Chernigov church in which I was very silly, nearly broke my tooth on a huge rock that was in the beans I cooked and shopped for pianos. Shopping for anything makes my head hurt, but shopping for a piano is especially difficult. First there is tracking down the pianos in ads and such, then the phone calls and then the visits. Maybe it could be compared to buying a car except that once you buy a car you can drive away with it and don't have to coordinate 5 of your strongest friends to help lug the item up three flights of stairs. Anyway, I remembered my good ol' piano in Chernigov - pictured here. Jake and Anya, I hope you are using it and letting Maia and Gavin play it :)

Since I'm actually posting, I just want to take the time to say to my friends in Ukraine that I really miss you and love you all. Pray that I can visit in May/June. Also, pray that I can get a new piano soon. 

Inductive Bible Study Seminars

 Last week, we had some guests from Russia come to teach the inductive Bible study method to the church. It was a great encouragement to see people growing throughout the week in their desire to read and study God's Word.  The main teacher, Igor, emphasized the goal of drawing close to God and hearing from Him through His Word. In conversations with people during and after the seminars, it was clear that they have a new excitement about the Bible. Many people come from churches where they made outlines of Sunday sermons and yet never read the Bible themselves. Starting this Wednesday evening, people will have an opportunity to practice what they've learned by teaching for 15 minutes through a section of scripture. Pray for our church as they grow in the Word, that they would rely upon Jesus, His Word and the Holy Spirit.