So things have been fantastic here in Kazakhstan since my last update. The weather in one week has gone from snowing to a balmy 75 degrees on a consistent basis. And it should continue this way up until mid to late april when it will slowly make its way towards the 90's and by the time i leave for home in June it should be in the 100's! So i plan on coming back with a rather nice tan.
As far as my work here goes we have started to do our spring cleaning around the site. and now that the grass is green and the trees and flowers are starting to bloom it is quite a beautiful sight. We received a new shipping crate from Hong Kong last week and uloaded it this past wednesday. It contained boxes of clothes, bags, chars, tables, cabinets, office desks and about 15 beds. All of which will be distributed over the coming weeks and months to the various needy groups here in Shymkent and Kazakhstan. Some of the groups will be rehab centers, two orphanages and community care centers. It is an honor for me to be apart of something that will help so many get things that they need to prosper and help others. My Russian is improving at a good pace as i have been taking lessons twice a week and have been speaking wherever possible. I can now say that i have the ability to survive here on my own with the little russian i know. I can buy food and get around and meet new people and communicate at an ok level. So far the only thing that has been hard for me to get over is the different culteral offenses that they have. Certain things that are completely natural for most Americains are considered quite rude here or are considered to bring bad luck. (this being a very superstitious people group) So actions as simple as crossing one's leg( in the way that men do where the foot rests ontop of the opposite knee as they are sitting) is considered to quite rude as if the person doing it is saying that they are much higher than the other person. The reasoning behind this, i have come to find out, is that to show someone your foot is very disrespectful and on a lesser note just uncomfortable to sit next to someone who is taking up space in such a way. Another thing that has been hard in reguards to superstition is that it is considered bad luck to whistle inside a building, which i love to do. So quite often i either have to stop or get looked at in a distasteful or questioning way. This truly is a bizarre and interesting place though.
In my neighborhood for the past few weeks i have been playing soccer with about 15 to 20 of the local guys nearly every day. I have rose to a posistion of considerable respect among them for not only being a foreigner, but also for being an unshifing and uncomprimising man when it comes to morals and my faith. A good deal of character traits and moral dignity seem to be on the low side here among the younger generation. (21 and younger) Not to say that they are devoid of good morals and the like; but there is certainly a hunger for someone and something which is genuine and won't simply give in and take the easy way just because it requires less stamina and will power. They are looking to follow someone who is true to their convictions. They need good positive role models to follow and take after. I am by no means saying that i am wholey that person. And that i fit the bill of such a person without fail. But i do strive daily to be the type of man that was described above. And it is that striving which they see and are drawn to. Which has given me a unique opprtunity to point them in the right direction and hopefully plant the seeds in their hearts and minds to try and live less hedonistically and focus more on the needs of others. All in all i have been immensly blessed in my time here both physically and spiritually and i can't wait to tell you all about my trip when i get back. Again this is all the time i have for now but there will be more to come. Keep me in your thoughts and prayers as i continue to do work here. May God Bless and keep you safe!
Sincerely,
Carlton (Кардтон)
