Sent: Monday, June 05, 2006 3:49 AM
Subject: More from KZ


 Well hello again.
  So I am getting used to living in karaganda and I am beginning to miss 
 some things about being home.
 1. there is no air conditioning anywhere
 2. I can't read Russian and so eating out anywhere is highly stressful 
 (you NEVER know what you are getting)
 3. there are no public toilets
 4. my feet are always dirty
 5. when the bus is full, they cram 20 more people on it!

 But out with the negative. All of these things just make for a more 
 interesting time here. I have adapted the attitude of laughter whenever I am tempted 
 to complain. Jokes always help to ease the stress of being away from America.

 On Saturday I was able to experience the culture in a whole new way. If 
 you remember anything about Rome and the Roman baths, well, they have that 
 here as well. It is called the BANYA and I think it would be best if you would 
 look up the details on your own!! (very HOT sauna. Very COLD pool.)HAHA. It was
 extremely fun and relaxing and I plan on going every week on our day off.
 I am beginning to make some friends with some of the nationals here. My 
 friend Soosha has been spending lots of time with me and taking me all over the 
 city.
 She knows a lot of local places to buy things and eat. She is super fun 
 and spiritual conversations are always part of our time together. I am excited 
 to see how DAD is going to use me with her. I have also maet with 4 other 
 girls from my English club. They love to talk about America, but they have such 
 a warped sense of what it is like. They think that Americans are always 
 happy, and therefore that life is perfect. We all know how imperfect life is 
 here!!
  I am learning a little more Russian, and we also had a lesson where we 
 learned a worship song in russian needs more practice, but the main problem is I 
 just can't sing). We also attended a Russian orthodox church on Sunday which 
 made me very sad. So much tradition without any joy. We had to wear coverings on 
 our head and we looked much like Babushkas (google it).
 We have had rain here the past two days and the temperature is very cold. 
 The biggest problem is that there is no drainage and that everything is DIRT. 
 If only I had brought my rain boots to slosh around in.
 Last Sunday was probably the most incredible night here when we met with 
 the believers that are part of Student Life. It was amazing to see them 
 worhshiping the same dad in both the Russian and kazak languages. Our Dad is so big. I
 could not help but cry. We also had the chance to have church with some 
 east Asians and here them worship in their native language. 4 languages in one 
 day all with the same heart for the same Dad.
 I am learning how weak that I am as a person and in order to fulfill my 
 call here, I must lean hard on Dad for strength and encouragement. Being in the 
 word has been extremely important and essential to getting through each day 
 here.
 Without the power of the spirit our ministry here would not be what it has
 been.

 Many blessings,
 Thanks for all of the encouragement.

 Jordan

 For the JOY of the LORD is my strength...
 "For God so loved the world that He gave his one and only son, that 
 whosoever believes in Him, shall not perish but have eternal life!" John 
 3:16