Building Stability in Central Asia

A title like that suggests that this is a how-to letter and not an informative update. The truth is that this question is something I’m slowly finding an answer to and what I’ve learned and written here fails to answer this dilemma, but it does show that I believe stability can be built here...which hasn’t always been the case. Keep reading. :)

My last post in April is still true now. Living here is hard. Just to “live”. Productiveness, punctuality, efficiency, grocery shopping, paying rent/bills – and the clincher – preparing the documents required (by law for foreigners) every few weeks. Wooo! those can really get you wound up tight!

How do you respond to unforeseen HARD seasons?

At first, not well.

Now, one day at a time…and ask for help!

I think it’s safe to assume that crossing a culture will be hard. What we can’t assume are the additional sources of difficulties that come. Other westerner-born workers, the weather, expenses, bad appliances, mess causing pets, gossip, being caught in the middle of someone’s oversight, sexism and theft – Factor those stressors in and the whole enchilada might look fit to be tossed! “I am so uncomfortable and spent. Is this even worth it? Is this a disaster? What could God be up to?”

I wondered those things. On especially challenging days those questions still return, fear returns and joy is nowhere to be found. Thankfully the good days outnumber the challenging days! My little community here has really come around me and I feel like I’m seeing The Body become more body-like. What a great family we’re in!

Compulsory Int’l Journeys

I arrived here in “Narnia” in December of 2009. My first Visa expired in the middle of March. I took a train to a neighboring country. Anxiously I traveled alone. I had no choice. But thankfully an American friend met me at the train station when I arrived, and she hosted me during my entire stay. And another American friend rode the overnight-train back to “Narnia” with me! These women helped make the trip less impossible for me, and I made it!

My second Visa expired in June. This time there was no translator or friend to accompany me during ANY part of the trip. It was not a good idea to take the train alone out of Narnia (which I had to do in March). I found out (the week my visa expired) that Georgia (the country) ceased issuing my class of Visa. One more option existed: Dubai. At first I couldn’t imagine myself being able to afford Dubai. I mean, anyone who has heard of it knows it’s an opulent tourist town built with oil money in the desert. (“Opulent” being the operative word!) BUT the expat-community here (Americans, Norwegians, Canadians, etc.) hooked me up with an inexpensive place to stay. So Dubai, being my only legal option, was my only hope. Traveling alone is much safer on a plane than a train and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is an English speaking nation! No translator necessary! And I had the chance to reacquaint myself with the legendary Mocha Frappuccino! The trip came with it’s inconveniences and surprises, but Dad included some awesome blessings in the deal.

In March I stayed at a hotel in Georgia. There met a traveling American woman who works with

‘meeting places’ all over the world. She was lively, encouraging and fun! In June while in Dubai she AGAIN happened to stay at the same place as me! Since it was my first time in Dubai it was a real delight to see a familiar face! I guess Dad thought I ought to encounter this same lively, encouraging and fun lady! J

Now in Narnia

These past months I’ve been working as an English teacher. It’s great to see people advance in their knowledge of our language. Because of the difficult “soil” – shaped by the prevalent religion here, seeing them advance in their knowledge of our Friend will show over time. Currently I have not seen significant fruit. But seasoned workers here continue to remind us all that the time we’re spending in this field is not in vain. Please remember this in your next chat with Dad. From time to time they ask me about spiritual things and want to connect with me out of class. It’s really exciting to see this begin happening. Mention this in your next talk with our Dad. :)

Thank you for the wall posts on Facebook, comments on my photos, and your e-mails.

Without your funds, “thoughts” and encouragement, the work here would be unsustainable. Thank you for your obedience to Dad and heart for the world.

Aslan's on the move!

Yvonne Cadena