A BIRDS EYE VIEW OF KAZAKHSTAN:
a brief overview of what ministry looked like last month!
Leaving from Baku, Azerbaijan (March 8)
Caspian Sea Ferry (March 8-11)
After our full squad debrief ended, we all set sail across the Caspian Sea, from Baku to Aktau via cargo ship. What an adventure! This ferry did not have a set schedule, so after some riveting excitement to get to the port from our hostel in Baku, we unexpectedly spent an overnight in the harbor before getting on the ship. Being on the ship was surreal—open sea, tight coordiors, the opportunity to spend time with the squad and other passengers, sunsets, worship on the top deck. Day two there was some stormy weather ahead so we docked in this beautiful harbor for the entire day. This was such a sweet couple days of prayer, community and processing.
Aktau, Kazakhstan (March 11-12)
After departing from the ferry, Mosaic hopped into a taxi into the city center of Aktau. To our surprise, the hostel we booked no longer existed. We arrived at the address and instead, there were apartment buildings. We went to the reception, where we met the kindest local. He let us stay in one of their rooms for a night (even within our budget!) He also showed us the best place to buy groceries, SIM cards and helped us get train tickets for our first destination. We left Aktau feeling refreshed and met by kindness.
Train to Tobo, drive to Rudny (35hrs, March 12-14)
With our backpacks on and food bags in hand we were ready for our first long-distance train. This train was full of a lot of prayer, quiet time and vulnerable conversation with Mosaic. As we made our way from Aktau to the northern city of Tobo we saw God work in big ways on our team. It was also on this train that I decided to take a train home from Los Angeles when we arrive home in late June… looking forward to you, Texas Eagle 422!
Rudny: (March 14-18)
WOW, this community is on fire for the Lord. After arriving at 4am from the train, we were kindly met by the pastor. Later that morning as we met the church staff, we knew we were in for a special time. In the next days, our schedules were packed with beautiful, Spirit lead opportunities. We shared testimonies with the women’s group, we lead the youth group, we helped with childcare at a special needs event, we served and worshiped in their homeless shelter, we taught english to local students, we encouraged the body through prayer and prophecy. And oh man, did we EAT. Kazakhs love their meat and have incredible hospitality! As I reflect on our time in Rudny, I am encouraged by the body of followers there—so hungry and Spirit led. One young man, specifically, will be in my heart forever. Just 14 years old with the dream of becoming a pastor, his heart is radically transformed and in love with Jesus. Be praying specifically for this congregation, as their vision and kingdom dreams are huge and they are the only church in the area.
Train to Astana (15hrs March 18-19)
Shorter overnight train this time around. We left at night and arrived the next morning. I was on the bottom bunk this time and was it ever a nice time to rest and sleep after a busy few days in Rudny.
Astana: (March 19-20)
This quick stop in Astana was rich. We helped with some english conversation club both nights. During our first night’s class, the president of Kazakhstan resigned. (He had been president since the Soviet Union fell in 1991). What a historic night to be in Kazakhstan! And what a unique privilege to hear the honest reactions of local students and professionals. The next day, we learned that the capital’s name was changed from Astana to Nursultan. During these two days, we stayed at a local hostel. Hostels are the perfect place to meet new friends with lots of different world views. We met some pretty amazing people, shared delicious food, music together.
Train to Atbasar (4hrs, March 21)
On March 21, we left our hostel early in the morning to catch our next train to Atbasar. One of the highlights of this train trip was typing out emails to friends at home and finding out there was a cafe carriage! Chai or 3n1?
Atbasar: (March 21-30)
Upon arriving to Atbasar, we quickly realized Muddy March was no joke. With so much melting snow and few paved roads, we became expert puddle jumpers! I purchased some $3 Kazahk crocs as I called them (pictured below) LIFE SAVERS. Our days here were spent teaching english, dancing with special needs adults, cuddling kittens, volunteering at the local church’s youth program, in our host’s kitchen conversing, encouraging and EATING. In nine days, we ate ten types of meat, including the infamous HORSE. The highlight of Atbasar for me was an English lesson I taught to the older students. We talked about heritage, legacy and the dreams they had. Hearing their hearts dream and do just a little bit to help them believe in their futures was amazing.
Train to Astana (4hrs, March 30)
We then took a quick train ride back to Astana. We needed to get back to the capital in order to get on the train that passed through to Bishkek.
Astana (March 30-31)
One of our friends from the hostel (that we met two weeks ago) offered for our whole team to stay with them for the night because we had about 24hrs between trains. She met us at the train station and we went back to her grandmother’s apartment, where a FEAST was waiting for us. Her boyfriend is very musical and Gina Marie and Haley recor The next morning, I had the opportunity to go Starbucks with her and share how God has changed my life and the love of Jesus with her.
Train to Kyrgyzstan (28hrs, March 31-April 1)
This train ride offered more time of sweet community with Mosaic. We had the entire carriage to ourselves except two other passengers—this is a near miracle! As we crossed from Kazakhstan, we spent a lot of time reflecting together about all the ways we saw God move this past month and also the past five months we have spent together as a team.
Arrival to Kyrgyzstan (April 1)
We arrived at the train station just after 10pm and traveled to a house where most of the squad was staying.
Bus to current location (7hrs, April 2)
After a briefing in the morning for this new month and ministry, we departed. After seven hours of unbelievably beautiful scenery, we arrived! We will be in this mountainous region of Central Asia until the end of this month. We are partnering with the local church and teaching english to both children and adults here.
Of course, from beginning to end and even while we slept, these days were full of encounters, mystery, new revelation, priceless memories, healing, struggle, growth and every emotion on the spectrum. Though I cannot recap all of that in one blog, I hope this gives you an idea of what the activities of day to day life looked like in the last weeks. Kazakhstan was full of transition, favor, new friendship and grace. God is working through all things. Cannot wait to share more specific stories in future blogs! 
(proof of life change: I was absolutely gaga over these three kittens and their mama. So cute!)
