Village Day 7 and 8

Village Day 7 (July 14)

                Today began bright and early. Everyone was so excited for the big tournament. Phillip’s team got to play in the championship game... and WON!! The kids did so great this week at learning a new sport. We had a closing ceremony with candy, cookies, and juice. The kids got a certificate, pictures, and sun glasses. The 1^st and 2^nd place team got to keep their gloves and got a ball. They were all SO excited and are already for next year. I don’t know specifics but if you have or know of someone that has used kids bats (t-ball), gloves (10 inch), and t-balls they are willing to donate, donations for the coming years are welcome and would be greatly appreciated!

                After some rest time we joined our host family as they prepared the lamb for our first Bishbarmak “five fingers”. A Bishbarmak is a celebration that takes place up in the mountains on someone’s jilow (pasture or grazing land). A lamb is butchered and then prepared for the celebration. Both are normally done on the same day but to save time we butchered the lamb tonight.

                We blessed the lamb and then the host butchered the entire thing from start to finish. It was an interesting thing to be part of, but difficult to think this wonderful family doesn’t really understand the semblance of a true sacrificial lamp. Please pr*y for them. Pr*y for the workers here to continue to share with them. For Father to strengthen their relationship to open more doors.

Village Day 8 (July 15):

                We got up very early to drive out toward the host father’s land for the Bishbarmak. The drive of course was beautiful through the mountains and by the river. The pride and honor for the host was evident and I am so pleased we could honor him in joining the celebration.

                The place we stopped was nice and shady people (including Hope and I) took naps, the kids played baseball and catoshka, and a couple of family friends who were grazing their livestock showed up and we rode their horses. Lots of pictures were taken. Overall, it was a great day!

                We ate a ton of food, 3 big courses. First up, bread, friend donut things (yum), deer meat and potatoes, and tea. Followed by duck kabobs (shaslick) and the lamb. The anticipation of eating the lamb was overwhelming. Eating certain parts is an “honor” so we were all a bit scared of what we would have to eat. I still couldn’t tell you exactly what we ate but I know we had the large intesting stuffed with meat and rice. It was really good, small intestine that you just swallow- not chew with broth (that taste like soup), a piece of fat (gross), and some part of the head that you just grab out of a bowl, take a deep breath, and swallow, followed by lamps meat off the leg. Wash it all down with shredded lamb and noodles- that  you eat with your five fingers (hints “bishbarmak).

                Then you thank your Father for literally raining down showers of blessings and ending the meal before 2nds could be passed around. Overall none of it was bad and it was a really neat way to spend the last day with the team. They are headed to the big city for a few days before returning to the states. Phillip, Hope, and I will be staying a few more days to help with a few things. We’re pretty excited about it.