Just Thinking about Siberia

Well, it's true. I know since I live over in Eastern Europe, I probably should think often about the FSSU and the current events, etc. The fact is, I only started to think more about Siberia because of a friend. My friend and her family of soon to be 7 (they are adopting soon) are going to live and work among a reindeer herding tribe. I can't give much more information than that, but suffice it to say, the tribe speaks another language other than Russian! This family has lived in our city, here in Ukraine, for the past year and 6 months studying Russian and will be leaving this July. I'm so thrilled for them and the work they will be embarking on, but I'm also a little sad. You see, I went on a week long trip to the very location in Siberia where they will be living. It's not the best of situations. Even Russians and Ukrainians ask them why they would do that to themselves and their family. There is no sun for several months out of the year.. In the summer, the sun never goes down and the mosquitos are huge. Alcoholism and depression are huge problems in the city and surrounding villages. There is hardly any produce at the market for sale, unless it's been imported, but then it's extremely expensive. One more thing: they will be the only native English speakers in the entire region. Everyone will know 'the foreigners.' There are no big trees and green fields...this is on the edge of the world, the edge of vegetation!
While we were there, we searched for a movie theater, they had one, but it was broken down; we searched for community functions, something fun to do, they had a concert hall, ice skating rink, and a video game hall. The one internet cafe was closed and the main museum is only open a few months out of the year.
Oh, one more thing. The main dish there is fish. They all eat tons and tons of fish, and if they don't have any fresh or frozen they eat sardines out of the can. We learned that you are not hospitable unless you offer fish.

Well, I have to say that I'm very proud of them. They know they will need encouragement and support, they know they will be battling with isolation and depression. But, then again, they have already counted that cost. They will be a very warm bright light in the cold darkness.

Anyways, I will miss them, but I know this is the work that God has for them. No one else has been willing to go. So, I'll let them go.
It's all cool, I'll see them in heaven. :)