Please, Take a Look...

Mrs. Beaver:

I'd like to call your attention to the blogs of dear friends.

The first blog is called Matches and Dynamite, shared by the mom whose children Jaynie taught during her first four months in Central Asia during late 2011. The family traveled to America for the birth of their fourth son, but they have just recently moved back to Central Asia. The tranistion has been more difficult for them than they anticipated after living in the country for several years. The wound on the face of the oldest boy is a dog-bite. Jaynie says the woman holding the baby several photos later delivers their milk three or four times a week.

The other blog chronicles the adventures of the family whose children Lissie will be teaching during the coming school year in yet another Central Asian country. You can get a peek at what Lissie's life will look like by reading In All Things.

Both families are so driven by their love of God that they've been willing to give up the myriad comforts and conveniences of life in America to serve the people groups amongst whome they live. Please pray for both families. Pray for strength, endurance, God's grace, and impact in their locations.

109 Days

Mr. and Mrs. Beaver:

Our family had the joy of picking up Jaynie at the airport tonight, bringing to a close her 10-months of living and serving in a central Asian country. Jaynie had a break back here in the states over Christmas, but has spent the past 109 days in a vastly different culture for the sake of Jesus' name.

Happy, happy Cassandra

Natasha and Jaynie

Descending the escalator while sharing stories of her wild adventure

We praise God for Jaynie's safe return from a dangerous place. His eye is on the sparrow, and He's kept our "little" girl safe while also sanctifying and stretching her in so many ways. Now we're excited to see what He has in mind for her future, as we're sure she wants to continue serving Him.

One Hump or Two?

Mrs. Beaver:

Jaynie will be returning home from living amongst a people she's grown to love in early June. Today she a had an adventure worthy of finishing eight months of living in Central Asia. Jaynie got to visit a camel farm.

Not only did Jaynie get to see camels, she got to ride one! Here she is in the burka she wears whenever she is outside the walls of the "compound" in which she lives. A compound is a high-walled enclosure of a building or several buildings in which a family, extended family or multiple families live, cook, etc. (think outdoor plumbing).

"That's my baby on that camel!!!"

Yielding = Joy

Mrs. Beaver:

One of things Mr. Beaver and I have observed in our daughter, Jaynie, as she lives and serves in a Muslim culture in a central Asian country is a blossoming of deep joy in her life.

This week I moved a number of books in our home, and as I did so I ran across a quote I'd underlined 11 years ago. At that time the two of us were in the throes of wrestling with the decision of whether to adopt three older siblings from Russia, Jaynie, Cassandra and Mark:

"When we trust God and exercise our faith, then we can yield ourselves completely and experience the by-product of joy. The ability to surrender our whole selves to God with complete trust and childlike faith is the key to possessing the abundant life filled with the fruit and gift of the joy of the Lord." (Lindsey O'Connor, If Mama Ain't Happy, Ain't Nobody Happy, 115)

Great news -- Jaynie's Arrived!

Mrs. Beaver:

With deep gratitude to the Lord, we share the news that Jaynie has arrived back at her "other home". We're so pleased to report that all went well on 96-hour journey for Jaynie and the family with whom she traveled. Thank you for your prayers! We've already been able to talk to her on the phone and Skype with her.

Just before we arrived at the Omaha Airport on Tuesday, Jaynie requested we listen to Matt Maher's song, "Christ is Risen." The song is a family favorite, really that's too weak. The song is more of a theme for our family.

After Jaynie requested the song once and we all sang along heartily, she requested it again...and again.
Then Jaynie quietly said, "That's why I'm going back." I looked back to the seat behind me to see tears rolling down her checks. I squeezed her hand. No matter how hard the good-bye...no matter how much we all will miss each other, Jaynie went to live her faith.

Jaynie's Departure

Mrs. Beaver:

We went to sleep early last night, thinking we'd be rising before the sun to take Jaynie to our local airport for a 7 am flight. Despite the early hour, we all planned to see her off (with the exception of Mr. Beaver who had an unavoidable business meeting in Florida).

However, about 11:30 Mr. Beaver got a call from Delta Airlines telling him Jaynie's first flight on her long trip had been cancelled. Mr. Beaver scrambled with the agent and was able to get her on a flight out of Omaha in the early afternoon, that would still allow her to connect in Atlanta with the family with whom she's traveling. She'd also still make her connection to her flight to Dubai in the United Arab Emirates, where she'll stay for a couple of days before heading on to her final location. Mr. Beaver got a very groggy wife when he called me to tell me of the change, but I went back to sleep grateful to God that the travel glitch had been no worse than a slight inconvenience.

So, this morning we got to sleep later than we anticipated. Then, however, we had to make rapid the preparations for a full day traveling to and from Omaha. We arrived there with plenty of time to spare. When Jaynie checked in, God was gracious to us, and the airline over looked the extra three pounds in each of Jaynie's suitcases.

After we ate lunch, I asked the kids for a group photo--the last one that would include Jaynie for four months.

We then headed to Jaynie's gate, all of us experiencing heavy hearts at the thought of the goodbyes that were now inevitable.

Before the individual goodbyes began, we dropped our belongings on the ground and joined together in a prayer huddle. God blessed Jaynie "above and beyond all we could have asked or thought" (Ephesians 3:20) on her previous trip to that dangerous corner of the world. We pleaded with Him once again for mercies in her life.

After the prayer huddle, many hugs took place and a few tears.

Just before Jaynie made her way down the ramp to the security line I asked our first trio of older Russian adoptees for a photo. When we celebrated their tenth anniversary with us last September, Jaynie was gone and the photo op was impossible.

Mark (16), Jaynie (18) and Cassandra (17)

Then it was time.

Jaynie couldn't resist turning around a couple of times as the distance between us grew.

When she did, we loudly yelled, "We love you, Jaynie!" Okay...I loudly yelled that, but I'm sure the others were feeling the same sentiment!

In some ways the photo below captures what I will miss the most while Jaynie's gone--her enormous grin that gives evidence to a heart filled with peace and joy.

She's not the same child we adopted 10 years ago. That little girl was sullen, distant, rebellious, and even belligerent at times. God has truly healed her orphan hurts. When we adopted her she was in serious need of love. Now she's fully ready to pour out love among the least of these. God is so good.

As the rest of us headed back the way we'd come, we saw Jaynie's plane arrive.

Her siblings watched the jet with sober faces.

After the plane rounded the corner, we continued our march through the airport, knowing Jaynie was going exactly where the Lord was calling her--a central Asian country which is poor in so many ways.

For those of us left here, we had to redefine family yet again.

Give Us Strength, Lord!

Mrs. Beaver:

Tomorrow at 7 am Jaynie begins her long trip back to the Central Asian country where she serves as a home school teacher to two American families, who serve in aid jobs. While there, Jaynie will also be teaching English and Art to a group of street children between about 7 and 11 years old. What a long way this former orphan has come as she seeks to impact her remote corner of the world! Now she's a Pied Piper with an incredibly open heart for children whose families suffer heart-wrenching poverty.

Jaynie loves the local people, thrives in her work and truly adores the family for whom she will be teaching (the other family is in the US to give birth to their fourth child.) Mr. Beaver and I are utterly confident that she will be exactly where the Lord her. As we've prepared for her departure, we've been blessed once again with the "peace that passes all understanding."

Jaynie will be traveling back with the family for whom she will teach, and they have a wonderful way of keeping her laughing. I know the Lord will sustain her, but tonight Jaynie's tears have already begun flowing over having to say good-bye to her family. She just crawled in bed with me, and we cuddled and talked and cried for quite a while. But its hard knowing this will be our last opportunity until June.

These photos were taking at the airport when she left last August. Please pray for all of us as we separate tomorrow!

She's Going back

Jaynie's visa arrived last week. She's eagerly looking forward to returning to the central Asian country in which she served two American families as a home school teacher from August to December. With nearly her first step on the dry, dusty soil of that nation, Jaynie fell in love with the people of the area. She was especially enchanted with the local children, and enjoyed spontaneous opportunities to teach them English and drawing. Some of these children's families are so impoverished they live in the city's dumps.

Here are some photos as she transitioned in August to the country in central Asia in the company of her dad and brother, John. This hotel would be the last bit of anything approaching luxury and even comfort they would see.

Hotel in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates on the Persian Gulf

The Arabs love their Arabian horses and statues of them were all over the hotel grounds

Before night fall, Jaynie, Mr. Beaver and John would have entered the capital of Jaynie's new country. All signs of civilization would have disappeared.

The first morning Jaynie was required to purchase and don a burqa. At first John helped her navigate because she lost her peripheral vision. All the women in the city in which she lives are required to wear a burqa as soon as they leave their own compound (walled area around their home). Within their own home and in the homes of friends and relatives, the women are required to keep their heads covered with a scarf.

Jaynie will be returning to Central Asia in mid-February, traveling with one of the two families she has been serving there. We will miss her dearly, but know that she is going where the Lord wants her. We will look forward to her return in early June, Lord willing.

Home Safely

Thanks to those of you who've prayed for us. Our whole family is grateful to God that Mr. Beaver and Joe are home. Joe is already tucked in bed after they just made it in time to urgent care before it closed. He has a double ear infection so the decision to drive the last leg rather than fly was a wise one.

More to come on the adventures going on in our family...

God is good and does good,
Mrs. Beaver

A Sad Parting... and a New Beginning

Continuing to catch up after the fact...
August 22, 2011

Mr. Beaver:

Today is the day... the day when I leave my sweet 18 year old 'baby' behind in a foreign land. The feelings have not changed - I still feel like someone has punched me in the stomach - but God is giving both Jaynie and me the grace to move forward anyway. And Joe is providing strength to us both. I can't imagine how Jaynie feels, but she is being very brave and cheerful... most of the time.

After one last breakfast together, we packed the car and prepared for a trip to the local airport. No overland journey this time. Due to the local holidays, Jake judged a charter flight was the only reliable way for Joe and I to head toward home.

Joe, Jaynie and I just before leaving for the airport

We drove out about 20 minutes beyond the end of town toward the local 'airport'. I put 'airport' in quotes because it's nothing more than a landing field in the middle of the desert. In fact, we missed the turn and had stopped to ask directions at a rare roadside stand when we saw the inbound plane fly over. We scurried back into the car and gave chase, finding the road by watching where the plane landed.

We had to drive about a kilometer off the main road to get to the landing strip, and, ironically it was a guarded landing strip. We were stopped by guards at a gate about 1000m from the plane. I think they stopped us for something to do. They put on a big show of not allowing us in, explaining to Jake (who understands the language) that theirs is a serious business as they guard about $180 million in airplanes. Ironically, the animated guard pointed to an old crashed jet as evidence of the value of the planes he is guarding.

Apart from our charter airplane, this was the highest value plane around

He made Jake get out of the car and take every bag out of the trunk. He searched each bag before finally letting us go. Meanwhile, Joe and I were watching the clock as we had no backup for missing our charter flight.

Eventually, the grumpy guard was satisfied and waved us through. Jake drove at car-destroying speeds over the remaining, rut-filled dirt road to help us catch our flight. The grumpy guard and the bumpy road also left us relatively little time for parting with Jaynie... perhaps a blessing in disguise.

Our charter plane was a real blessing

After a culture-bucking embrace with my dear daughter, Joe and I climbed into the plane and watched with interest as the pilots quickly and professionally prepared for take-off. We waved goodbye to Jaynie and Jake as our plane taxied out to the runway. Then the engines roared to life and we streaked down the runway to a perfect lift-off.

The Swiss pilots were very professional and congenial

The fun, new experience for Joe helped distract him from the moment of 'goodbye'

I will always, always remember the site of Jaynie and Jake standing there waving as we streaked by on take-off. As our plane quickly streaked into the sky, something else streaked down my face.

Joe and I were on our way home... and so was Jaynie... in a different direction. Jaynie will always be our precious daughter, but we have to admit she has begun something new now. This parting is the beginning of a new chapter that God has already written in Jaynie's life... and in our lives. We will take each next step, one-by-one, in simple faith, knowing that God works all things together for good to those who love Him, to those who are called according to His purpose.

We will always love you, Jaynie! We will always be here for you! We are so proud of you!

Love,

Papa

Please Pray for Mr. Beaver and Joe

Mrs. Beaver:

Mr. Beaver and Joe are now on their way home after escorting Jaynie to the families she will be serving in Central Asia for the next several months (see posts below this one for more info).

I just talked to Mr. Beaver from Dubai (their connecting city in the Middle East). Both he and Joe are ill...fever, aches, chills, etc.

After resting in a hotel for a few hours, they are now on their way back to the airport for the 14-hour flight to the U.S.

Please pray that God will heal my men. Please pray that our Heavenly Father will lift the symptoms that would make such an incredibly long flight MISERABLE.

Thank you, friends near and far. As we have said before, your support means so very much to our family, and that sentiment is that much truer in the extreme circumstances we are currantly experiencing as we seek to serve our beloved Lord.

God is good and does good,
Mrs. Beaver

Blessed Be Your Name

(Note from Mr. Beaver - The next few posts will be post-dated, as I had limited internet access while in Jaynie's new town. I'll try to space them a bit, but still felt them worth sharing.)

August 18-19, 2011

Mr. Beaver:

Blessed be Your Name in the land that is plentiful

Where Your streams of abundance flow

Blessed be Your Name

And blessed be Your Name when I'm found in the desert place

Though I walk through the wilderness

Blessed be Your Name

This is one of my favorite praise and worship songs... and it took on a whole new meaning to me today. Though the explanation is long, please bear with me while I try to explain why this praise song struck me so deeply today.

Last night (8/18) we ventured onward, adding more air miles to our journey toJaynie's new temporary home. When we landed we were immediately greeted by about a 15 degree hike in the already high temperatures we had faced. And the ground was so dry we kicked up our own dust storm walking from the airplane to the parking lot.

It was not unusual to have to shake the dust off of everything, especially our shoes

From there we went straight to a birthday party that was being hosted by several of Jake and Kristen's friends in the area. I didn't actually count, but I would say there were at least a dozen kids there age 10 and under. They were laughing, singing and having a fabulous time... not because of how elaborate the party was, but because of how good the fellowship was. Likewise, the adults were enjoying each other's company, truly drawing strength and refreshment from each other simply because the fellowship is so precious in this land that is far from home.

At that party we met a woman who had grown up working with her mother who did short-term volunteer work every year for an orphanage in the Bryansk region of Russia. That's the region in which we adopted Jaynie 10 years ago.  They were amazed when they found out Jaynie was from Bryansk... and drop-jawed when they found out we had 5 other kids from Bryansk as well. An impossible connection made possible because God had connected us across the miles and the years!

We also connected with a couple who had occupied an apartment which was later occupied by some very dear friends of ours. Not that amazing, right? Wrong! The apartment we're talking about is in a remote part of Central Asia! And we ran into these people here at a children's birthday party! How amazing is our God, and how kind to provide these evidences of His providence in the midst of taking Jaynie to live thousands of miles away for the next several months.

As the party broke up we were taken to the house of a couple who has been here about 10 years. They had previously lived in Colorado Springs, not far from where Mrs. Beaver and I grew up! They graciously housed and fed us along with Jake and Kristen's family... no small task!

We awoke this morning (8/19), showered in cold water (actually a blessing), ate breakfast, fellowshipped and then hit the road to our final destination.

We packed 8 people and all our luggage plus a driver into a non-air-conditioned mini-van and headed out on a 2 hour cross-country trek... across the desert. Before we left town, Jake had to make one final security check to see that the road was safe, and off we went.

We saw many things we have never seen before: herds of camels, ancient mud city-walls, armed police check-points, a variety of hot-weather crops and eventually, dry, hot sandy dessert. Lots of dry, hot sandy dessert.

We started the trip at 8:45am to avoid the worst of the heat, but it was a truly hot, sweaty ride. At times we had to ride with the windows up due to dust, but we couldn't keep them up for long due to the temperature in the car. Jaynie and Kristen also had to endure head covering for the entire trip because we were out in a place where they would be seen by local men. However, it was a safe ride, and for that we give thanks!

As we finally neared our destination, we passed the last armed check-point and quickly arrived at Jake and Kristen's home. We were greeted by their local helpers and quickly set about unpacking and settling in.

Joe and Jaynie in Jake and Kristin's home

After a brief rest, we ventured around the block to the home of the other family (the W family) that Jaynie will be serving while here. Kristin had phoned ahead and asked C (the wife / mom of the W family) to prepare lunch for us. Here you have to plan ahead... you can't just phone for pizza or head out for fast food.

When we arrived at the W's house, we were greeted by Mom (C), daughter (G), Jaynie's new house-mate (H) and other people who work with Jake and Kristen in this area. The meal was a traditional Central Asian lamb with rice dish which was a very welcome and tasty way to facilitate our fellowship.

Joe escorting Jaynie as she navigates fully covered for one of her first times out

Jaynie got a tour of her new living quarters, which are practically luxurious!

After lunch we spent the afternoon mostly resting and talking to avoid the most intense heat of the day. But as the heat waned, Jake took us for a drive to see the town. This is a totally different world! But as you look into the eyes of these people you see the same desires you would see at home: the desire for happiness, for the welfare of their children, for the opportunity to work and have a decent life. Despite our many cultural differences, at the core our wants and needs are really very similar.

The rickshaw-like vehicles with a motorcycle on the front and covered area in back are common way to get around

We ended the day with a relaxed picnic on the porch, as it was still very hot inside. Power comes in very unreliable spurts here, making fans welcome but spotty relief from the heat. Today we had a power outage for most of the afternoon, so the house was very hot. Fortunately, as you might expect in a desert location, the temperature started to fall quickly when the sun set.

After we cleared away the dishes we all went inside where we joined in praise, worship and prayer to end the day. Kristen has collected dozens of great praise songs and plays the guitar beautifully. We ended our day singing Blessed be Your Name, which brings me back to my opening comment.

While the hymn writer probably meant something quite different, I was particularly struck by this song today because of the analogies I had experienced throughout the day.

Today and throughout this trip, I have seen places of amazing abundance... and I have seen (quite literally) the "desert place". And in both places I have had reason to say "Blessed be Your Name!" God is good in ease and comfort, but He is also good in the midst of hardship. He is good in the place of plenty and in places of want. In all places and in all circumstances let us acknowledge His goodness by rising up to Bless His Name!