You Decide - 2008

In keeping with the political season I thought I'd let my blog viewers decide what new look I should have this coming winter. As some of you know it can take a while to grow a deent beard so I need to know now what look suites me best, in your humble opinion, of course.

So please take your time and look at these three pictures. Let me know if you like the "Full Beard" look. (bottom left) While it makes me look older, it also gives me some character - don't you think? A full beard also helps keep the cold Kazakh winter wind from scorching my face.

The second look - the "Goatee" (top right) which we all know only looks good on certain men. I've had one in the past and some hated it and some liked it. But in this election year You Decide 2008, I want your opinion.

Thirdly - In the top left photo, I have the plain "Mustache" but with a little extra. Giving that sorta Oriental spin. Though I'm not in the orient I am in Central Asia, and this is as close as you get. So now that you've looked at all three you can make your first vote, in this election cycle, a vote that will determine my look for winter 2008! I'll also accept any and all commentary.

Sorry if the pictures are not clear enough, I have only 5 days of facial hair to work with.

Just keeping you involved.
Hope all is well in your part of the world.
Mayny blessings,
Ken

Just Hanging Around

I went to the Internationsl airport in Almaty to help the Savva Delegation get on their way home. After they left I met up with friends of mine, Dave Knauss and his family, to enjoy the sights. As we went to the park there was a man outside with this large Python snake so some of us had our picture taken with it.

He was quite large and really, pretty heavy.

The Savva Orphanage Delegation had a great time here and the children absolutely loved having them visit, teach English, play games, celebrate parites, play sports and much, much more. Later I'll be posting several pictures and go into more detail about our time there.

Have a great 4th weekend.
I will be celebrating with American friends and some folks from work.
All for now
Ken

Full House

Friends, David Knauss and his family (Theresa, kids: Jenae, Natalie, Daniel and Caleb) are here for the month of June. They arrived last week and we have enjoyed some fun times as well as many meetings. We went with Dave's family to the Savva orphanage to celebrate their 90th Anniversary last friday. Saturday the Youth Department had a swim/picnic party with the Saramoldaeva orphanage children.

Sunday we went to the mountains for a time in the word, music and picnic. It was a picture perfect day under the shade of a large tree. We also did some hiking and climbing. Here I am horsing around with Caleb and also pictured with a pretzel nose ring. I know, how cute and mature!

It's been a very busy but enjoyable week since my friends arrived. I also went from being a loner of an empty nest to a "Full House". Suddendly competition for the innernet, TV and everything else became a reality. Still it is better to have visitors, especially long time friends, share this home!

I'll try to post more pictures later.
All for now
Ken

Looking for GOLD!

Actually, I'm not looking for gold in this photo. While my primary job is working and caring for orphans, we are called, on occasion, to do odd and difficult jobs. We are in the midst of remodeling our office spaces on the first floor and here, in the Maintenance/Security office, I needed to squeeze between the office inner wall and the building outer wall to get at some telephone and computer cables. I've done this on other occasions but this time the fit was more than tight!

The Youth Department teamed up and painted all 4 office spaces, hung new and job related photos and it looks GREAT. Ember has spear headed the renovations with her artistic flair. Sorry there is not room for pictures of all our spaces. I guess you'll have to come and see it for yourselves :)

I trust all is well on your end.
Serving Him with gladness,
Ken

Never a Dull Moment

I went with Sara, my co-worker in Taraz, to the near by city of Shymkent. Interlink has a second office there where some of the same work is continuing. There we have a phone system that my friend Andrew and I installed some time ago. They were having some difficulties so Sara and I went. Sara handles the tech portion of phone work while I handle the wiring and other needs.

As it is with working overseas, there are many aspects to our jobs. This phone system is not common here and most local telephone workers simply have never seen anything like our digital Panasonic telephone system.

In any case we were able to accomplish the work in good order and also got to see some great scenery along the way. These mountains are plentiful in these parts and this camel, well, we just happened by and decided to steal a shot. Later others went for a closer look and actually were able to pet him.

There is never a dull moment here in Kazakhstan and it is one of the reasons why I love living here. Now back to the regular work of caring for orphans. This is never dull nor do I tire of it :) All for now.
PS. just so you know my girlfriend and I decided to break things off. Tks for your much encouragement and many pr.s

We're Baaaaaaaaaaaaaaack

Our first trip to the Savva orphanage in Merke after my vacation to Thailand was a great reunion. Because of annual summer English camps we have the best relationship with the children, staff and Administration at this orphanage.

Celebrating birthdays, playing with the small children's group with play dough and Bingo, and just hanging out. They love hand clapping games, Uno, making crafts and simply spending time together.

In this photo by: Ember Mumaw; we were celebrating all the B-days from March. We have snacks, cake and soda, take many pictures, play games like Musical chairs, hot potato or 4 corners. We also bring gifts for all of them and give good wishes to all the children.

There are also letters to exchange both from the team here and American sponsors back home. They love our visits and ask when will the American Delegation come that hosts the English camp. They will be here the middle of June. It's a week of fun activities, English classes, sports, crafts, skits etc.

Ulan Orphanage

As our relationships grow so does the time we spend with orphans. One of the local Orphanages "ULAN" has nearly 170 children ages from 4-17 who are primarily Kazakh speakers. We go weekly on Thursdays. In the mornings we visit the little children. They love the set of Hot Wheels we bring, puzzles, coloring and Bingo. You should see how they receive us with shouts of joy and open arms.

In the afternoon we visit the older children. This week we gave out pictures, enjoyed coloring, played Uno, basketball and had other sport balls. It was a beautiful afternoon to enjoy this time with the children.

Before we go they always ask us when we'll be back to visit them. It is our delight and pleasure to visit them in the future.
(photo by: Ember Mumaw)