Pre-Service Training (PST): Week #1--"True Peace Corps Life" ...kinda

What a week it’s been! On Tuesday, I met my host family for the first time and moved in! I have a host mom (apa), a host dad (ata), and three younger siblings: Aigerim (F), 14; Adilet (M), 12; and Aiturgan (F), 5. They don’t speak any English, and so far I’ve had 3 Kyrgyz lessons, so you can imagine how communication goes around here! Needless to say, it can be quite humorous… I whip out the few words I know, and they jabber on to me in Kyrgyz while I shake my head and repeat “Kaycheraysis” (I’m sorry) about 50 times a day. Another favorite phrase of mine is “Bul emnay?”, which means, “What is this?” So when things get silent, I can use that to try to learn new vocabulary, which is almost hopeless unless I write it down. It is helpful that I speak some Russian because my family also speaks Russian, and just knowing the alphabet is beneficial because Kyrgyz also uses Cyrillic. So while other volunteers are often still struggling with reading, writing and pronunciation, I feel much more comfortable and have been able to focus more on actually learning words and phrases. But I’ve got a LONG way to go!

The first night with my host family, they invited me to go “guesting” with them—a popular Kyrgyz social custom, which can be most closely compared to a dinner party, I suppose. It’s a huge event, and I didn’t expect to experience it on my first night! But I accepted the invitation and went with them to my host dad’s sister’s house, where at least 25 other people were gathered. I walked into the dining area to see something straight out of a dream. There was a table about 15-20 feet long PILED with food. Cakes, breads, sweets, fruits, nuts, candies, meats, salads, and more. It was like a royal banquet! I tried to pace myself, but every time I thought we were done eating, they brought out more food! Then when I was absolutely stuffed, we went into ANOTHER room, where they brought out the sheep! Well, it was cooked and cut into pieces, but I’m pretty sure it was the whole sheep (the head was a good indicator)… So I was forced to eat even more! Around 9pm, we finally went home, and I went to bed, exhausted.

Unfortunately, my rest was short-lived. Did someone once say you’re not a true Peace Corps Volunteer until you’ve bent over a squat toilet in an outhouse throwing up in the middle of the night? Well, if they did, I guess I’m a true Peace Corps volunteer now! Needless to say, it was an uncomfortable night running back and forth between my room and the outhouse, but it was a noteworthy experience in retrospect. Although, it has made me a little wary of future guesting adventures…

Since then, things have been somewhat less eventful, but I’m definitely grateful for that! Peace Corps has broken us up into small groups of 4-6. There are four volunteers in my group (me, Michaela, Matt, & Nick), and we all live in the same village (easily within walking distance) with our “Language and Culture Facilitator (LCF).” Each LCF speaks English and the local language (in my case, Kyrgyz, but I think my LCF speaks Russian as well… most people do), and runs our language lessons and generally takes care of us. My LCF happens to live right across the street from me, which is nice. We have our language classes at her house, just the 5 of us, which is a great learning environment for me. We study language about 5 hours a day, 4 days a week. One day a week we go into Tokmok (the nearest town) with the larger group of volunteers for TEFL training, and one day a week we go to Tokmok for medical/culture/safety & security training. We finish our language lessons by about 2:30 each day, so I have a lot of free time. I often spend that time visiting with the other volunteers nearby, taking walks around the village, hanging out with my little sisters, and reading or studying in my room. I have my own room with a bed, desk, dresser, mirror, and locking door. It’s very comfortable and safe (for any of you who were worried :-) ).

I do miss home, at some times more than others. There are definitely ups and downs, but it is comforting to have other volunteers nearby. I’ve found it’s hardest for me when I start thinking about being here for 2 whole years, and how I’m just at the very beginning right now. So it’s best to just take it one day at a time. Now is the hardest time as far as adapting and learning, so I think it will only get easier as I learn to communicate, which will give me much greater freedom. So please keep the emails and/or letters & care-packages coming! I miss you all a ton, and mail is gold.

Random note in case you were wondering: the time difference from California to Kyrgyzstan is 13 hours (CA is behind). So keep that in mind for all those times you get the urge to call me at 3am :-) . Alright, this is a hefty post, so I’ll sign off for now. Blessings to you all and lots of love!

Arrival in Kyrgyzstan!

After a 2 hour drive from Philadelphia to the JFK Airport in New York, a three hour wait in line to check in, a 10 hour flight to Turkey, a 6 hour layover in the Istanbul airport, and a 5 hour flight to Bishkek, I have finally arrived in the Kyrgyz Republic! The past few days we have been staying in a Soviet-style hotel in Bishkek, but today we will be meeting our host families and moving in with them, where we will be living for the next 3 months. I must admit that after 2.5 days in a hotel in Philly, 2.5 days of travel, and 2.5 days in the hotel here, I’m looking forward to settling in to one place for a while and unpacking my suitcases.
Before the flight out here, I felt like I was getting ready to step off the edge of a cliff into ??? (what had I gotten myself into?). I was anxious about how I’d feel upon arrival here, knowing this will be my home for the next 2+ years. But even though I was exhausted when we arrived at 1am on Sunday, I easily found my baggage, walked through customs without anyone even looking at me, much less checking any of my luggage, and exited the airport into a clear, cool, quiet night (what? Aren’t all foreign countries hot and humid when you arrive??), and on the bus ride to the hotel, I felt a peace and a rightness—this is where I am supposed to be and I am happy to be here. I definitely feel a covering of God’s grace for this adjustment so far, because I haven’t yet been unbearably homesick.
Today we began our language classes! Most of you know I was hoping & praying that I would be learning Russian. So when they made the announcement this morning that I was in a Kyrgyz group, I must admit I was a little disappointed. I’m not sure how they made the decision about who would be learning which language, since, in talking to other volunteers, it doesn’t seem to have anything to do with previous knowledge or preference. But as I asked God to open doors to allow me to learn Russian, I also knew that while the situation was out of my control, it was well within His. And I knew I could trust Him no matter the outcome. So my disappointment in the morning slowly switched to excitement as the day wore on. I realized this is an opportunity, not only to learn an obscure language and develop a highly specialized skill, but for me to return to the States in 2 years trilingual! Many volunteers learn both languages during their service, and the Peace Corps will actually pay for me to hire a Russian tutor after my 3 months of Pre-Service Training. If I had been placed in a Russian group, I know I wouldn’t have put effort into learning Kyrgyz after training, but this way, I can use my training in Kyrgyz and my motivation to learn Russian to help me learn 2 languages. I also think knowing Kyrgyz will help me to gain respect from the local people, and to assimilate into the culture. So I see the outcome here as God tabling my personal request to give me what is actually best for me, because He knows I have given Him permission to override my desires when they will not actually accomplish His highest. Now I can see the benefits of this (and the challenges!), even though it wasn’t what I would have chosen for myself. So for the next 3 months, I devote myself to Kyrgyz! J Monolingual-Lisa is about to triple her language skills…
Ok, well I think this is more than enough information for now. Sorry there are no pictures yet. I haven’t taken too many (even though this is a beautiful country), and it’s difficult to post them from another computer in the Internet café. I’ll work on figuring out how to do that… I don’t think we will have much time or freedom to email or use the Internet during training, but I will do the best I can. If you want to write me real letters, I might have more time to respond that way. But please keep in touch! Even if I can’t check my email or write back regularly, it is always so wonderful to receive notes from all of you. Alright, until next time…

Arrival in Philly...

Hello! Here is the first post of my Peace Corps adventure :-) I flew out of Fresno yesterday (my birthday) at 7pm, amidst many tears. I still don't think I can comprehend how long it will be until I see my friends and family again... I spent the majority of my flight to San Francisco in bouts of tears. But then I arrived in Philadelphia about 5:45am, got to my hotel room around 8:30, and got a few hours of sleep before starting "Staging" (orientation) at 1pm. Today has been a good day. There are 66 of us heading out to the Kyrgyz Republic on Friday--a larger group than I expected. It feels like I'm meeting about a million people, but everyone seems really nice and excited to be here. It's hard to imagine who among this large group will end up being a good friend...

I think it has helped the anxiety just to get started and to meet everyone. A few less unknowns :-) One piece of good news, for those of you who have joined me in praying for someone to pray with: I met a Christian couple today and we discussed praying together periodically throughout training at least. I don't know them very well at all, but this is a huge encouragement, and gives me faith that God will continue to answer my (and your) prayers.

Ok, I think I'm kind of tired, so I'm going to sign off for now. Just wanted to post a note now while I can. I have a wireless connection here at the hotel; not sure how things will be once we arrive in KR. Love and miss you all! Please keep in touch!

Countdown & Send-Off Party

Well, I've had a fantastic summer resting and relaxing at home, catching up with friends, and trying to stay cool :-). But now the countdown is really on with just a little over a week before my departure with the Peace Corps! I leave on September 13--which also happens to be my 25th birthday--for Philadelphia, where I will have 2 days of orientation with the Peace Corps. Then on September 16, I will fly out to Kyrgyzstan with the rest of the volunteers! It's hard to believe the time is almost here. I feel almost as if I'm in some form of denial. I've done my best to mentally prepare for this huge transition, but have come to the conclusion that I will never be able to fully grasp the magnitude of it. So basically I've stopped trying to grasp it, and have decided just to accept all the emotions as they come. Around the 3 week mark I had one of what I call my "freak-out moments," when I realized my departure was in the very near future. Since then, I feel like I have just been going with the flow of preparations with a fair level of stability. We'll see how I feel when the 13th rolls around :-)

This next week will be full of practice packing runs, final preparations, and time spent with my closest of friends and family. I feel like there is a fair amount left to do, but I'm not overwhelmed at the moment. As long as I continue managing my time well, I should be ok!

Last Saturday, my best friend Kristen and her husband Joel hosted a Send-Off (& early Birthday Party) for me at their house. It was a great time! Thanks to all the people who came; it was so good to see everyone and to say goodbye with a celebration. We had a great time together with lots of food & activities, and I was blessed to be prayed for by everyone at the end. I feel very supported and loved by some wonderful people; your love, support, and prayers will uphold me while I'm gone. You can enjoy some pictures from the party below!

Finally, I want to post my address while I am in training my first 3 months in Kyrgyzstan (September 18-December 9, 2005). I should have fairly regular internet access, but if you want to write or send packages, they can be sent to the following address:

Kyrgyz Republic
722140, Kant City
Mailbox #23
97 Linina Street, RUPS
Lisa Freeman

I hear mail takes about 6 weeks on average... Once I know where I will be living after training, I will let everyone know as well.

Ok, well, my next post may well be from Krygyzstan! I will keep this updated as much as I can while I'm away. The Next Great Adventure soon to commence....

Kristen (my best friend) and Bekah (Kristen's little sister, and therefore my little sister) posing in the kitchen. Bekah was the "barista" for the evening, using her Starbucks employee skills to make the Italian Sodas. Thanks a bunch little sis! 

Friends outside holding candles (25), which would later be lit and require me to run around like a mad-woman blowing them all out. Believe me, I had NOTHING to do with this idea!! :-) 

Randy (my "other" dad)--the MC of all MCs--doing what he does best: talking loudly :-) Thanks for running the show! 

Doing skits in the backyard. Each group was supposed to come up with a one-minute skit illustrating one of my characteristics. This group skillfully incorporated my planning-obsession, RISK, and my penchant for assessing others' personalities. Way to go! 

Joel, working hard to set up the video presentation. He made it so we could project a video from my cousin's computer on a large screen. I'm not that tech-saavy, so I appreciate him setting it up! 

Friends making notes of encouragement at the note-of-encouragement table :-) People were so creative! Thanks to everyone who made something. Those notes will be invaluable to me in Kyrgyzstan. 

Me & Joanna! Joanna was one of my roommates during my DTS with YWAM in 1999 (Go Room 88!). I hadn't seen her in 4 years because she lives in Hawaii, but she came to my goodbye party from San Francisco, where she's been living for the past year. 

Punkin, the Psycho-kitty chillin' in a shoe box. 

Punkin--he looks harmless in these pics, but appearances are deceiving!! He can really be a little terror!