Lives of Contrast: Part 2

Some things are certain. The earth continues to revolve around the sun to bring us into new seasons, and rotates on its axis to give us night unto day. As for the number of our seasons, the substance of our days and nights, these are ever-changing. Boredom is for those who cease to consider the opportunity inherent to change.

And so we seize the opportunities at hand. Once again, we transversed the Atlantic and stepped into the highlands of Central Asia, into the heart of this hope-seeking land.


Upon returning, we found ourselves in a flurry of activities. A project initiated in September commenced a few days after arriving. Several of the second and third year students got their hands dirty and had sweat dripping off their brows while preparing this field for winter wheat variety trials.

They built borders around each plot and dug irrigation channels, then planted 30 varieties of wheat and irrigated the field. Hopefully, we'll be seeing green in the coming days.

Not long after the field was planted, an opportunity for students to work in a sheep feeding trial was made available. Several students jumped at the opportunity and have spent the past three weeks waking up early to feed 10 sheep and monitor the effect of each feed type on the sheep's appetite and digestion. Here is one student collecting the results of one sheep's digestion.

It's not just the guys getting their hands dirty, the girls, too, have been found out standing in their fields. On several occasions, we've gone out to the nursery to demonstrate different plant propagation methods and put knifes and pruning shears into students hands. They've had great fun and learned much through these times, and even some of the professors have come out to assist in the demonstrations.

As of last week, classroom instruction is completed, and students are heading to the fields to memorize their lessons. This field on the right is spotted with students walking through the field reading & reciting, a scene repeated throughout the campus. Many students hole-up under trees in what looks like make-shift housing, but what is truly their "study-dens".

The rubble here is a recent addition to our walking path, making the journey in each day a bit treacherous! We have yet to understand its purpose.

Goodbyes are a common occurrence here. In recent weeks, we've said goodbye to a number of friends. Dave, pictured with the cake, had been working on our project since June, and was living with us, as was Sebastian, in the background. Now, the guesthouse is a quiet place, with just 4 of us gathered around the table for meals.


kase ke qadr-e yak sEb-a na-fAma qadr-e bAgh-a na-mEfAma
One who doesn't appreciate the apple, won't appreciate the orchard. (meaning: appreciate the small things so that we can better appreciate the big things)

Lives of Contrast: Part 1

Living in the 21st century has provided us with tremendous opportunities of being able to live on the opposite side of the earth from our loved ones, yet continue to be personally involved in the affairs of their lives.

And so, we left our home in Afgh. on Friday, 12 Oct., and arrived the afternoon of 13 Oct. to the comfort of Mom & Pop's home in NY and the pleasant joy of being with Aunt Heide visiting from Germany.

What busy fun those 3 days held: an auspicious visit from a friend, outings with family, and even a trip to The Cheesecake Factory while finalizing items for our winter wardrobe.

By the 17th, we found ourselves basking in the coastal Georgian sun, and soaking up the love and smiles of family & friends, familiar & new, from far & wide. The occasion? A marriage was to commence, families to be united, a celebration to be enjoyed!

A weekend of activities was awaiting. The Bridal Breakfast (above: Grandma, Aunt, Mom, Sisters, Niece & Bride), The Groom's Dinner (below: Groom with Uga's German Chocolate Cake)
Some fun under the Georgian Sun (below: Mike with Eden & Alex),

To the making two people one -

the newlyweds walking the beach.

As quickly as these days past, the pictures serve as a reminder to us that we are connected to a body of people beyond ourselves with whom we have a history, and because of whom we also have a Hope and a glimpse into the future (below: us with Grandparents, the newlyweds, parents, & sister's family).

And so we rejoice in the goodness yet in this world, the grace and answer to prayers that allowed us to participate in these days of being with our many of our family members and friends, and to experience the happiness that is present when love blossoms into marriage.