Take a deep breath and hold on tight

We're five months into this new adventure, and at a point of wonderment: what are we doing here!?! Everything's so strange; and by the look on faces of the hoi poloi staring at us, so are we.

Now's not the time to weary of being a foreigner & stranger in the land. Now is the time to begin to enjoy it, realizing that God created diversity, not us, we are merely participating in this eternal truth.

And so begins a three week interlude from life in Afghanistan to the land of Mangoes with Sticky Rice, or at least so it is for the sugar-deprived Seigies'!!! If this tantalizes you, catch the next plane to Bangkok, OR, pick up some mangoes and head to the nearest Asian store for khao niaow (sticky rice), then check out http://www.importfood.com/recipes/khaoneeomamuang.html or

http://www.thaitable.com/Thai/recipes/Mango_on_Sticky_Rice.htm

After transiting through New Dehli and Bangkok, we landed on Koh Samui (Thailand) in the midst of a passing morning tempest. Inhale. Sweet aromas of plumeria & gardenia mingled with a gentle seabreeze pleased the nose, tickled the skin, and curled the hair.

Eight days on Koh Samui, so what to do? With a surprise attack, Montezuma landed on the shores of Chaweng Beach and made his revenge on Ann. After a couple of days of recuperation, we hit the beach, frolicked in pools & under waterfalls, fought the tide in a kayak, scoured the hills on the back of an elephant, bumped around a farm in an ox-pulled cart, adventured from beach to sandy beach, and had a gastronomically delightful remainder of the week.

Even though we had only been in Afghanistan for 8 weeks since our previous trip, we were a bit weary, and were grateful for the relaxing accommodations, complete with Christmas decorations & nostalgic songs, such as "Here Comes Santa Clause" and "Silent Night". The plethora of poinsettias and angelic creatures actually had a pleasant effect on our psyches, as they made us feel a little closer to home.

Second stop was in Luang Prabang, Laos, where we spent Christmas with friends who have been working there for the past 1 1/2 years. It was a very special treat for us to spend this special time of year with such precious friends, days of being encouraged and blessed. In addition to the cherished time of visiting & having fun with the kids, they took us on scenic tours around LP: a journey over the Namkhan River on a rickety bamboo bridge to a rice paper village, a longtail boat ride up the Mekong River to a textile producing village, and a picnic in the mist of a picturesque waterfall.

With sad reluctance, we left LP to head to Bangkok for a week in materialistic mania. We took our part in the mania, as we stocked up on hard-to-get goods, such as chocolates and dried mangoes, went to some great restaurants, and spent an afternoon at the Siam Discovery Ocean World (a fabulous aquarium in the lower level of the Siam Paragon Shopping Centre). During our stay in the land of Siam, we took the essential tours of the King’s Royal Palace, the Summer Palace in Bang Pa-In, and the Buddhist ruins of Ayutthaya for the requisite induction into the rich history and the progressive future of Thailand.

Bangkok was a reminder that we are living in an era of globalism, where difference between peoples and cultures are diminishing (for better & for worse). And it served as a reminder that being a foreigner is actually a common occurrence, and a pinch of kindness and courtesy is able to soften the stares, and turn grimaces into grins.

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.

Kabul Afghanistan: Seeking Hope in the Face of Adversity

Once a sprawling pine forest, this valley situated in the central-eastern portion of Afghanistan is now a dry and dusty city of approximately 4million inhabitants, with only traces of yester-year's glory. Years of conflict have left pock-marks around the city, ruined buildings, denuded mountain and hilllsides, and a continued lack of potable water. And yet there are glimpses of hope. Businesses are investing in real estate, foreign nations are supporting many industries and the building of mosques and madrassas, and families are throwing a life-time's savings into the construction of new homes.

Vestiges of former days are evident throughout the city. All that defied the ruling power's sense of Rightness was subject to demolition, particularly places such as theaters and cinemas. Daily, thousands pass by this bombed out cinema, likely forgetting its existence. But for us, it is an eerie reminder of the volatility of this place. These are passionate peoples, with hearts that long for a Motivator and who are compelled to follow those who represent the greatest power or offer the most compelling promises.

Power. Rulership. A drive around Kabul erases any doubts about the existence of the current tension. Strongholds have been rebuilt. Armored vehicles and armed soldiers are ever-present.

--wimper-- Even we have been consigned to traveling in a heavily armored truck.

As the capital city of Afghanistan, governmental ministries abound. Police guards line the road front and gates of ministry compounds. Such men as these are most often the target of suicide bombers. It burdens our hearts to think of the sacrifice of these men, most of whom were very young. Our friends here long for peace, for security, and for the opportunity to be able to pursue their dreams and live in hope. And so, we ask our readers to Remember the people of Afghanistan, for the Hope of lasting peace.

And so, we continue our journey through Kabul...

Enterprising Afghans have set up small "snack shacks" lining street fronts, selling sodas, juices, cookies & crackers, dried fruits & nuts.

Tires are big business here, as many of the roads are washboard warped and are dotted with craters, and occasionally scattered with all kinds of rubbish. The Toyota Corolla is by far the most popular car on the road, and second in popularity is the Toyota Land Cruiser/ForeRunner!

Fighting their way through the city streets are flocks of fat-tailed sheep and long-haired goats. These flocks belong to the nomadic people, Kuchis, who bring their flocks into the city for sale. What can flocks eat in the streets of Kabul? They can be found scavanging through heaps of rubbish, eating whatever they can find, from melon rinds to paper, and bleating with joy at the rare patch of grass.

With nearly every piece of level ground owned, new city inhabitants have begun to build on the side of the hills. These homes are in the shadow of the ancient City Wall, visible along the ridge of the hill. From the roof of the Sofi Landmark Hotel, one can basically trace the route of the City Wall around half of the city.

Through all of this, we have great comfort in the knowledge that we are well defended, even though the wall is seemingly in ruins and the enemy roams like a lion, seeking whom he may devour; that faith is the assurance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen; and that the people of Afghanistan are known by their Father, and He has good things planned for them.

Havens in a Weary Land

Salom, salom alaikum! Peace, peace be upon thee!
Shumaa khub hasteen? Are you well?
Bale, khub asteem, tashakur. Yes, we are well, thank you.

With a moment's notice, we were whisked out of a haven of peace to be planted into a weary land, where peace is a far-off ideal for which they so desperately yearn.

For the coming two or so years, we will be calling this building our office, and the people who go in and out of these doors our colleagues and students. What we will be doing for them remains a bit unclear, and in this, we have some trepidation about being able to contribute meaningfully.

Because of our Maker's kindness, we find ourselves situated in the richest green spot in Kabul, the university campus. Through the years of turmoil, this area was not as heavily bombed, the trees not as clear cut, nor the vegetation as chewed down by wandering flocks of sheep, goats, and cattle.

Kabul University remains a sort of haven in center of Kabul's metropolis. Folks from the neighboring communities come to walk through the campus for a bit of fresh air and shade, not to mention the enjoyment of the more relaxed dress code and ensuing relaxation of one's "guards".

Adjacent to the Faculty of Agriculture lies extensive plots of arable land (a fraction of which is pictured here), technically referred to as the Faculty of Agriculture Farm. Our hope is to work with the faculty to make this farm operational.

To the north and east of the university are hills densely dotted with "squatter's" houses. For the most part, these houses on the hillsides are without running water. To get water, neighbors pool together to hire a water-carrier who treks up and down these slopes daily (talk about a work-out!).

Our living accommodations are very nice, indeed! One room with a desk, double bed, wardrobe and bathroom, is sufficient for most of our needs & purposes (for now :-) ). Actually, we have seen much more of the inside of our room than desired, as the food here has not agreed with us, resulting in fatigue and other unpleasantries. A saving grace is that our room looks out on this rose lined courtyard, from which we can see the mountains on the north and east. Another haven in which we partake!

Step outside, and one sees the real Kabul, hustling and bustling with cars, road-side kiosks selling things such as soda and snacks, to services, such as the repairing of tires of bikes or cars. Currently, we have concern about going out too much, as the city is in a state of heightened security. More next time about Kabul from our perspective!

If you are curious about what our employment is to be, a former colleague documented his stay in a blog http://zaraat.blogspot.com/

Waiting in New York

The Mule, as we affectionately refer to our reliable Subaru, logged 3,800 miles in this return trip, via Purdue and Atlanta, ending in her former parking spot in Middleburgh, NY. She’s covered quite a bit of ground these past few years, and is ready for rest & rejuvenation while enjoying the beautiful vista (pictured).

On June 19th, we finished packing The Mule, and set our bearings eastward. By June 23rd, we were celebrating Ann’s parent’s 40th in Georgia. It was a tremendous blessing for us to be there to partake in this special event, as well as having the time to be with Ann’s family. Over the next couple of days, we took advantage of the flexibility in time to visit other friends and family – long overdue and deeply enjoyed! Our next destination stood 15 hours northward.

Since June 28th, we have been in Middleburgh, New York, sorting, packing, recreating, waiting, and enjoying the opportunity to be with Joern’s folks.

These past few days we have been able to spend some time further preparing ourselves [spirits, hearts, minds, bodies, and belongings] for what lies ahead. God has showered us with kindness and gentleness, giving us peace in the midst of fears, and faith through the weeks of uncertainties. We continue to wait for the final approval of our positions, which has been “any day now” for quite some time. Our goal is now to be in Kabul within two weeks.

Signing off until we get the final word.

Leaving Davis, CA

The hurried procession has begun. After bidding "Adieu", we have taken leave of our home of 32 months, Davis, CA. Our final weeks in Davis were a flurry of activity; so much so that we regret not having paid personal visits to all of the people we were blessed to have gotten to know (we love you all dearly and will miss you). This leg of our sojourning was a rich time of growth for us, spiritually, relationally, and vocationally. The reality that this beautiful stop is now behind us is a sobering realization, as the times are always too short, and the relationships not mined to their fullness. And yet, we must move on.

Sojourners in this Land

"...they confessed that they were strangers and
pilgrims on the earth. For those who say such things declare plainly that they seek a homeland. And truly if they had called to mind that country from which they had come out, they would have had opportunity to return. But now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them." Hebrews 11:13b-16.