Kara's Blog

Tuesday, May 18, 2010

FABULOUS to be back!!!!!!!!!!!!

HELLO FROM A SIBERIAN SPRING!

It is FABULOUS to be back in Siberia . . .for Easter,

for the turning off of hot water for a week

or so to clean the pipes for the year,

for the melting of Lake Baikal,

for all the sunshine, and to reconnect
with all my friends and teammates!!!

Thank you all for your kind sendoffs! Many of you sent kind, encouraging notes and emails . . . what a great way to go out!

I actually had 3 seats together from Seattle to Moscow, so I got a bit of shut-eye. Now I am in Ulan Ude, preparing to teach youth ministry, waiting for a summer intern to come help with camps on Baikal, looking for a place to live, and getting ready to do a quick run on the border for one of my last visa runs ever.

I have applied for temporary residency that will allow me to remain in Russia for 3 years without interruption. I should hear something around October 13 . . . please pray!

Please look for a Newsletter (click the "Newsletter" link on my home page) from me soon!

For Siberia,

Kara

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Up Up & Outta Here

Seattle to Houston to Moscow . . . 16 hours

Drive across Moscow to the other airport . . . 3 hours

Flight to Siberia is ALWAYS an overnight flight . . . 7 hours

These 30 hour + trips are just nasty!

Awwwww, the mountains of home!

Nice shoreline of Lake Baikal

Ulan Ude . . . my stop!

Hey, ALL–

I had quite the wait for all the right documents, but 2 days ago, I got my visa in Seattle in 40 minutes . . . that’s incredible! And now, in about 4 hours & 29 minutes, I fly back to my other home!!! It has been so fun to see everyone, and I’ve made many memories in this year of itineration. Bottom line, God is VERY good! And you are a terrific support community! Thank you!

Look for me to communicate again when I get settled back in Siberia!

For Siberia,

Kara

Monday, February 15, 2010

Goodbyes & Moving Days

Goodbyes are just hard . . .
gotta get in lots of hugs (my nieces, Bri, Dani, & Sam).
Love you guys!

Thank you, to everyone who gave me Starbucks gift cards this year!
Methinks I shall be able to sustain my habit in Siberia just fine!!!

Last visit, for this time, to Starbucks @ The Pike . . .
GREAT to spend it with an old friend Monica!

All 3 of our families moved at the same time!!!
Crazy!!! LOL! But it was quite the garage sale.

My nieces, Samantha & Danielle took turns in "the dancing box"

Sunday, January 3, 2010

Siberia . . . It's a Done Deal!!!

Hello again to all –

On Thursday, December 31, 2009 @ 12:25 pm, I received this message from my leadership . . .

“Dear Ladies and Gentlemen: Kara Cusic has received final clearance . . . her target date for departure is January 30, 2010. Thank you.”

What an incredible moment!!!

I was officially over the 101% marker point early that morning, and by the end of the day it was more like 102%. Early December, I was still at 82% but felt such a certainty that I was to be finished and back to Siberia in January. God spoke a strong word to my spirit, and I am in awe of how His supply has come thru steadily, unpredictably, and crazy timely.

Every week during the 35 Day Countdown (Nov 28 – Jan 1), at some point in that week, I found that the numbers were marking EXACTLY where I should be for that week. How incredible to see such a large sum come together in such a short time. I know HE is God, and I somehow feel I should not be surprised, but I confess that this week will become a lifetime memory of the faithfulness of God.

Thank you for being such a steady team . . . you pray, you encourage, you give . . . THANK YOU!!! Tonight, I have sent the request for my visa process to begin in Siberia. Please pray for favor and timeliness with documents!

For Siberia,

Kara