Yurt, Dirt, and Hurt : Part 1

Hello, lovely people of the blog!

 

I am excited to give this loooonnnggg overdue ministry/life update!

 

I would like to sincerely apologize to all of you who have followed along on my journey for leaving you in the dark for the past few months. I’m very sorry for not being faithful to keeping you all updating and sharing the WONDERFUL things the Lord has done over the past few months. Without any more hesitation, I’d love to walk you through what the last few months of my life have looked like. Here is part 1 of my 2 part blog update!

 

Kyrgyzstan. 

A land filled with brisk, snowy days, beautiful mountains, delicious noodles, and …. horse milk?

Yes, you read that correctly. Horse milk, otherwise called “Kumis” is a fermented treat of the beautiful Kyrgyz people. It was one of the most interesting tasting things I have ever drank in my life, given to me as a gift during my friend’s father’s 70th birthday party. One of the most extraordinary things about the Kyrgyz people is that they truly outdo one another in showing honor. Like how I was an honored guest at a birthday party for a man I had never met before and fed a 10-course meal. I am not exaggerating. 

This is my friend Gulzina! It was her father’s birthday. This is the table set BEFORE the food came out. 

 

The night consisted of a HUGE feast, traditional singing, and lots of questions about American culture hahaha.

 

Kumis: fermented (alcoholic) mares milk. If I had to describe the unique taste, I would compare it to blue cheese dressing mixed with vodka, although kumis is truly incomparable. 

Elina and I ministered together every day! It was such a sweet gift to have her by my side as we went out two-by-two. 

 

 

We had the sweet opportunity of sharing the gospel with many young Kyrgyz women during our stay. One of my favorite interactions was with a young woman who heard about the Holy Spirit for the very first time!!! Thank you, God! 

One of my friends, Caela, led a young woman to Christ while we were out just getting coffee from the local shop! I love that the Lord uses everything, even our time running errands, to meet others with His incredible and wonderful Love. With a “yes” in our spirit and a willingness to be interruptible, I believe the Lord does mighty things. 

 

 

Kyrgystan is simply stunning!

 

 

Our squad got to go to a yurt camp! Yurts are the traditional housing of the nomadic Kyrgyz people. They are huts made of animal skin that are heated by a wood-burning oven inside.

 

 

I got to lead worship for my squad at yurt camp! I would happily live in a yurt for the rest of my life. 

 

Overrall, my experience in Kyrgyzstan was marked by meeting many incredible people, so much beauty in the mundane moments of life, and the simplicity of saying “yes” to the Lord in every moment. I’m so grateful I had the opportunity to go and that the Lord used my time there to deepen my heart of love for the lost and outcast. 

 

 

(Part 2 will be out momentarily.)