Wheels at last

It’s a happy day in the Ivanyenko household, because finally, finally their new car is here from Germany!

I’m sure you remember the flood this summer, which wiped out one of their vehicles and numerous appliances. Pastor Ilya’s work in the region was totally crippled by his lack of a reliable car.

Here's the old car, which was eventually totally submerged

The ruined interior

Thanks to all of you who donated, we were able to help get the Ivanyenko family a new car. They got a used Nissan SUV from Germany (you can see the German plate still on it!) that is ready to handle the rough Russian roads, and will hopefully last the family a long time.

Here she be, ready for the road!

Notice the German plate

It already proved itself on a long trip back from the town where they bought it

Thank you again to all of you who contributed!

As for myself, I’m still getting used to the fact that my brother is gone and camp is over. What an amazing time it was having him here! Myself and my friends were so sad to see him go, and they’re already asking when he’ll be coming back. It was such a joy to have him with us!

Do you have an interest in volunteering at one of our English camps? All native English speakers of all ages are welcome! The next camp begins June 13^th, and it’s not too soon to start preparing. If you are interested, please email me at j_blevins_mt@yahoo.com and I’ll get you the details. We’d love to have you there!

Пока ребята,

Russian Jane

My brother in Novorossyisk!

What a crazy few weeks its been! I can hardly believe all that's happened since I went back to America mid-December.  Here's a quick recap!

My time in America was very good, but very busy.  I had trouble getting my visa, and Wyatt had trouble with his, so we were biting our nails until the last second waiting for them to arrive. But thank God, they arrived and we were able to leave on time.  This visa drama did not, however, spoil a wonderful Christmas with my family.

My grandmas Patty (Mom's mom, right) and Lois (Dad's mom, left)

My dear family, and no, we didn't plan to coordinate

My beautiful mama

Papa and I

Not too long after Christmas, on the 29th, Mom and Dad took Wyatt and I to the airport and we began our journey to Novorossyisk.  Sitting here now, with Wyatt a few feet away from me snoozing on the couch, I can still hardly believe that it happened. But it did happen; Wyatt went to Russia with me!

Our flight to Novorossyisk was without any problems.  We were met at the airport by Masha and Ilya, who drove us from the airport in Krasnodar back to Novorossyisk. It was about a 2 hour drive, and Wyatt had the pleasure of sitting in the front seat of the vehicle, which happens to be right-hand drive, meaning that Wyatt was the one facing oncoming traffic. It was dark, the road is full of potholes, and Russian driving is not what I would describe as "gentle". Wyatt thought that after that experience, nothing would scare him.

We spent a day with the Ivanyenko family (I'm so happy to be reunited with them, by the way) before packing up and heading to camp.

What to say about camp? There's so much to tell! In short, it was phenomenal. It couldn't have gone better.  The children were enchanted by our Narnia theme, the team of Americans I had with me (8 in all) were a fantastic help and great addition to the camp, and there were no unhappy incidences with the kids.

Photo by Anya Pinkova, taken in the conference hall

Wyatt was the star of camp. He was the only American on our team not currently living in Russia, so he not only spoke the least Russia but was the most foreign of them all, and he loved it. Everywhere he went he would scream "America!", so that the kids started referring to him simply as America.  I was proud of him though, he handled the language barrier very well and was great with the kids. He was able to have full conversations with people who spoke very little English and has picked up not a few Russian words.

Everyone rushed in front of the camera! Photo by Anya Pinkova

He's definitely caught the camp bug, and is already planning to return this summer for our 10-day camp. Unfortunately, he's literally caught some kind of camp bug, and he's not feeling too hot, but hopefully he'll perk up tomorrow. We have plans to go fishing in the Black Sea, tour the former Soviet flagship that sits in the bay, and tour the marketplace. 

I can't put into words how well camp went, and how happy I am to have my brother with me. He really means the world to me, and I know we're going to remember this trip for the rest of our lives.

When my brother leaves, I'll be sure to update you on all our adventures! Goodbye until then!

Пока ребята, Russian Jane

It's the holiday!

As the end of the semester approaches, I've been seeing a lot of chatter online from my friends who are still studying about the stress and terrors of finals week.  What a blessing it is to be done with school!  My days are certainly full of activity, but I remember the feeling of days that were overflowing with activity and I'm glad those days have past.  Good luck on your finals, everyone!

Instead of writing up essays and preparing for exams, I'm spending my time writing up lesson plans and preparing for camp.  It's so exciting, and it's just around the corner! Personally, this holiday season is going to be fantastic for me.  I get to go home for Christmas (I leave in ONE WEEK!) and then I get to come back and go straight to camp. As if that wasn't exciting enough, guess who's coming back with me?

Wyatt and a sheep. Why? Bleats me!

That's right! My one and only beloved little brother Wyatt! If everything goes according to plan, he'll be coming back with me at the end of the month (THIS month, it's all happening so quickly!) to help at camp and meet my friends and family here.  Little does he know (and he won't know until he gets here because he admittedly doesn't read my blog, that bum) that he's going to be Peter Pevensie, High King of Narnia.  It's pretty exciting, let me tell you.  Here's our camp poster:

Our official camp poster, courtesy of Madi

When Wyatt and I arrived, after a day or two of recovery, we'll head up to the base on the 31st to celebrate New Years.  In Russia, their biggest holiday of the year is New Years Eve, instead of Christmas, but there are many similarities in the ways they celebrate, like having a tree, putting up lights, Santa (Father Frost over here), presents, parties... The Christians here celebrate Christmas, but it's a very private family holiday without all the above-mentioned accoutrements that we find in our American Christmas. 

New Years Eve on the base will be excellent; most of the people volunteering as counselors and helpers are my dear friends, and I can't think of anyone else I'd want to spend the holiday with.  I also will be spending this New Years with someone special; we're not quite ready to shout it from the rooftops, but I think it's fair to let you know that I've been going on a lot of long walks with a certain someone.  One day I'll write about the perils of dating in the conservative Church culture here, suffice to say that it's very very different from our way of doing things. But enough on that subject, I'm still shy!

Christmas, camp with my brother, New Years with my friends. In short, this is going to be an excellent Russian Christmas.

Пока ребята, Russian Jane

What a weekend!

Normally for the weekend after Thanksgiving, the Blevins family heads up to their cabin, chops down a Christmas tree, and finishes off the Thanksgiving leftovers.  This year of course was different.  The parents stayed home over the weekend, and Mom and Wyatt or going to buy a tree together this year.

I love this cozy weekend at the cabin, and look forward to it every year.  While I was disappointed to not be headed into the woods this last Friday, I can't say that I sat home and moped.  This was a weekend to end all weekends.  Tima came home after a year in the army.

Tima and Masha

Tima is the Ivanyenko's oldest son. After graduating from a two-year technical school at the age of 19, he packed up and headed off to the army for a year, as all Russian men from ages 18-27 must do.  I remember when I got here in June, Tanya said to me, "Only four more months and Tima comes home!" and suddenly, it's here.

And let me be clear, this was Tanya's day.  I can't imagine what it would be like to have your child gone for a year.  He was serving not too far from us, but the army doesn't give the soldiers leave.  Tanya saw him once or twice while he was serving, and that's a miracle.  Fortunately, he was working in an office on a computer during his service, so he could Skype the family often, and what a blessing that was to them! But enough of that, Tima's home.

Friday was pretty quiet, but on Saturday things started shaking.  He was coming home that evening, so we planned a big party at the church for him, and what a party it was!  I'll spare the details, but suffice to say Tima has a lot of friends who are thrilled that he's home.

Tima and a buddy at the church party

The next day, our youth group went paint-balling, Tima included (to the delight of many).  I spectated and took photos, because my brother Wyatt is crazy about paintball and I've seen far too many welts and bruises to willingly subject myself to that kind of torture. But a good time was had by all! Our youth group is mostly guys (really, we have two girls who come) which as many of you know is rather unusual for youth groups or churches in general.  This was a great activity for some male bonding (and female bonding for Katya and Anya who clung together through the whole thing, but they were great sports!)

Tima, Kai, Roma, Senya, ready for action

Anya and Katya, you go girls!

This creepy abandoned building was perfect for paintball

Our fearless leader Vasilev (with paint on his nose)

Go Red Team!

Since Saturday everyone in the house has been in a cheery mood, especially Tanya and Ilya.  I'm looking forward to getting to know Tima (who is right now outside working on installing a heater in my room, bless him) and I'm as happy as ever to be part of the Ivanyenko clan.

Пока Ребята, Russian Jane

Thanksgiving - Part Two

Considering the circumstances, I don't think I could have asked for a better Thanksgiving.

Firstly, everything turned out.  Nothing burned, nothing was dry, nothing tasted weird.  That alone was a holiday miracle.

Secondly, the people; there was my family (Uncle Ilya and Aunt Tanya, Masha, and Kostya), my dear friends Senya and Andrey, and our friend Nastya.  They fully embraced the spirit of Thanksgiving.  Ilya read a psalm and said the blessing before the meal, and afterwards we all listed the things we were thankful for and said prayers of thanksgiving.  I was overwhelmed with thankfulness for the wonderful people I have here in Russia, and I really don't know what I would do without them.

Today, I'm taking it easy.  I've been cooking for two days straight and think it's about time to cool my heels.  Besides, tomorrow is a big day; one of the things the Ivanyenko family is so very grateful for is that their oldest son Tima returns from the army tomorrow!  It goes without saying I think that we're going to have a fantastic "welcome home" party.

Here are a few photos from this Thanksgiving.  I hope that God has blessed you this year as richly as he's blessed me, and that this holiday season is a time for celebration and joy, not stress and well...stress.

The bird, a 5k (11lb) beauty, probably raised in someone's backyard

They shut off our water all day yesterday

A girl and her bird

I gave Senya the honor (chore?) of carving the bird

Our holiday table

He was no match for the post-turkey coma

Pouring tea for dessert because hey, this is still Russia

The hero of the night: Andrey, who did most of the dishes

Пока ребята,  Russian Jane

Thanksgiving - Part One

Personally, I'm crazy about Thanksgiving.  Nothing beats Christmas, but for me, Thanksgiving runs a close second.  So am I going to let being halfway around the world stop me from celebrating? You bet I'm not. (Note: the municipality in Madi's neighborhood abruptly shut off their water, so Thanksgiving at their home was impossible).

I've got the turkey (yes, I found a whole, beautiful 10lb turkey at the market), the potatoes, the pumpkins, the green beans; true, I have to make everything from scratch, but it should be a pretty traditional meal.  I'll celebrate with my family here and a few of my closest friends, and I'm really looking forward to it.

What's different this year, aside from the location obviously, is the multitude of big things that I have to be thankful for.  Don't get me wrong, God has blessed me and my family abundantly, but this year, having made such a big transition in my life, it's easy to see God's hand in everything.

So, what am I thankful for?

I'm thankful for the wonderful family and friends I have in America, and the wonderful church where I grew up, who are all supporting me in this new adventure (that includes all of you who keep up with me here!).  I'm thankful for the family I live with now; I couldn't have found better people.  I'm thankful for my new job, and the people I get to work with.  I'm thankful that I've always had the visas and documents I needed to stay in Russia.  I'm thankful that we have running water and electricity, especially after so many people lost so much in the flood this summer.  I'm thankful that God takes care of my every need in a foreign country where so many things could potentially go wrong.

Me and my grandmas, Thanksgiving '09. No, the matching outfits weren't planned.

For people preparing Thanksgiving dinner, for people traveling to be with family, I know these next few days will be hectic to say the least.  And though it sounds trite, I'd encourage you to take a moment and remember what you're thankful for.  It can change your whole outlook on things.

Пока ребята and God bless you this Thanksgiving,

Russian Jane

Narnia and the Real World

As much as the camp team and I are trying to live in fantasy land as we plan for Narnia, last Sunday we were interrupted by an extremely unfortunate accident.

Our camp director, Andree Slabiy, was doing some construction work on his home when he accidentally gouged himself in the eye with a drill.  A few days later when the dust settled, it was determined that A) he would have to wait four months before going to see an eye specialist in Krasnodar because of the swelling and B) there is a 1-2% chance he will see out of that eye again but C) he will not lose the eye.

Andree at this summers English Camp

But let me tell you what kind of person Andree is: he's dedicated and determined.  Three or four days after the accident, he was already making phone calls about camp, and the Thursday after it happened we even had a camp meeting around his hospital bed (I was unable to attend, but someone said he's staying positive and even making jokes about a pirate theme for next camp).

Needless to say, we're all praying for a miracle, and I'd like to invite you to pray as well.  We're praying that he'll be able to see out of his eye again, and that this won't hinder plans for camp.

Aside from the accident, things have begun rolling.  We are planning camp in earnest, and it's very exciting.  I can't wait to begin decorating and assembling costumes!  For my part, I'm assembling the work books and trying to get my brother over here to volunteer at winter camp.  It's all beginning to happen, and I'm very excited!

Пока ребята, Russian Jane