I once heard a co-worker comment that sometimes we need to be "brought DOWN to speed" in order to pursue the growth and development of whole people. So here I am in a brand new place - the Kazakh town of Hovd - SLOWLY building relationships and listening to the dreams and challenges people are facing here.
This is the ger (yurt) of Jalhishbai, who is working to organize local herders in order to deal with the major issues of rural roads, pasture rotation, and diminishing access to water. To the left is Aijoldis, who assists in the Womens' Association and dreams of establishing a sewing shop and developing a handicrafts cooperative. To the right is Amanbol, a young man who participates in the Youth Association which we will soon be partnering with on a basketball court...
Hard-working people with ideas to gather others and improve life in this cold rocky land, simply in need of Hope and a little encouragement. May they be grounded in God's will and set free in the authority of Christ!
We found that the Youth Association in the town of Hovd has both organization and initiative, so let's get to work! They were already prepared with two ideas - 1) an internet center for their town (which we asked them to start by finding a room and preparing 1/3 of the cost themselves), and 2) a basketball court surrounded by benches and new trees... 
These young men will prepare the ground themselves, fence off a 30x50 meter courtyard, plant trees and build stone benches. Then, when CAMA assists by delivering the cement and a pair of backboards, these guys will go to work on the 15x28 slab. Here we are out taking measurements near the local school. Then it was straight to the huddle to draw up the plans. Perhaps we will even be able to partner with the Elders' Association to build a gazebo or two!
