Yurts or Mine (Kyrgyzstan)

We started our journey on February 20 flying from Salt Lake to Paris(2 hr layover) then on to Turkey. Bill had to check his carry on(all the clothes to wear in Turkey and medications) with Air France going to Turkey because they said it was to big. We landed in Turkey on February 21 with 4 other volunteers 3 serving in Turkey and one in Kazakhstan. As we arrived at the luggage carousel we got all the bags except my carryon they had checked. Went to lost and found and after 45 min they told me it would be here the next day on the 6pm flight and that they would call when it arrived. They never called so Bill called them several times with no results. Then they said that the 6pm flight was cancelled that day and said it would be on the next day flight(Feb 23) at 6pm. We were flying out that next day at 950pm to go to Kyrgyzstan. The President ordered a van to take us to the airport after it arrived it had mechanical problems so we had to order another one. The airport is about 45 min away...

We were so blessed to spend 12 days in the MTC learning our duties as Humanitarian and Welfare Specialists for Kyrgyzstan ( Kyrgyzstan , country of Central Asia. It is bounded by Kazakhstan on the northwest and north, by China on the east and south, and by Tajikistan and Uzbekistan on the south and west. Most of Kyrgyzstan's  borders run along mountain crests. The capital is Bishkek) . We fly out February 20 to Turkey and spend 2 days for orientation and then report to Kyrgyzstan on the 24th, We already have an assignment to serve in Osh (about an hour plane ride or 10 hour car ride) to facilitate the arrival of wheelchairs in the area. So it looks like we will get right to work.

The first week went by so fast! On Monday we toured Welfare Square in Salt Lake City which included the cannery, the bakery, DI, the Cheese factory and employment center. It is amazing how much they provide for the needy. We studied Welfare and Humanitarian principles and regulations for 3 days at the Missionary Training Center in Provo, Utah. We will study P M G all next week and fly out on the 20th of February to Istanbul, Turkey where our mission office is. We will be there for 2 days of orientation then fly to Kyrgyzstan and arrive on the 24th of February and start our 18 months volunteer service. Can't wait to get started!!!

OFFICIALLY Volunteers 8PM 2/4/18

We enter the  Training Center on February 5, 2018 for 2 weeks. We will be learning Humanitarian/Welfare principles and the does and don'ts in foreign countries the first week, then we will learn PMG for the next week and fly to Istanbul on Monday the 19th. Hope to be in Kyrgyzstan around the 22nd.