Hey everyone! Happy February 20th! Wow, February 20th already! That is positively insane! Ok, i’ll stop talking about the date and start filling you all in on what we’ve been up to in Naryan Mar! So we arrived at this cold, but beautiful place on the February 8. What a miracle it is that we’re still in Naryan Mar. Thanks Helen, for updating the blog with info about that.

here's a picture of our home sweet home. we live in the top right corner.

One highlight for me was Valentine’s Day. We had a very low key day at our apartment, had an encouragement game, etc. and then we all got dressed up for supper! It was no normal supper though, because I was leader that day I decided to include a little team building exercise: We had a yummy reindeer meal (thanks Jung Im!) which we ate with our hands tied to the person beside us! Hehe, ah JOY I tell you! Ok, so it might not have been everyone’s highlight……but I LOVED it!

Valentine's Day table

working together to eat our food!

Another celebration we had was Lenneke’s birthday this Sunday!! Our little girl’s all grown up!

The beautiful birthday girl!

Going back a couple of days now, on February 15 we were able to go out into the tundra and visit a Nannet tourist thingy (that’s the best word I can think of) we all put on our warmest clothing, took a taxi ride out of the city, then got picked up by a snow mobile, and arrived at a little tepee. We ate traditional Nannet food, tried on their clothing, took little joyrides on a reindeer sleigh, and hung out with the people. It was a really cool opportunity to see the way that the people used to live. We all got a little cold by the end, but what a great opportunity.

the team ready to go out to the tundra!

Lenneke, Leivur and Cherob dress to impress

The next day we were invited to visit a children’s home. We were told by the people that we had ½ an hour there and that we were not allowed to play with the kids. So, we decided we would just go in there pray, and hope to get invited back again if we behaved ourselves. This children’s home was for kids from infant to 3 years old. We talked with the director for about ½ an hour, and then went into the play area where there were about 10 children, who were maybe 2 or 3. Right away one of the little boys ran up to us with open arms…and we then spent the next hour playing with the most precious children. They stole our hearts. A lot of the children were abused by their parents before they came to the home, and man, it was just heart breaking to hear some of the stories. They were such beautiful children. We got invited back to play with the children outside one day when it’s not to cold. I haven’t heard of a date when we’re going back, but I’m really hope that we will be able to see them again.
Last night Cherob and Bex had a chance to show off their English speaking skills and teach an English lesson! It went so well that they got invited back again on Saturday!
I think that’s all to update for now. We’ve been learning a lot here in Naryan Mar, as individuals and as a team. God has been so faithful to us. Bless you all.

Love, Mel (and everyone else)

p.s. just in case you guys are curious, Schnitzel (Cherob's cockroach) is still alive!