Frustration and Tragedy

Ok, so last night we couldn't sleep a wink.....I think it was because we knew we had to wake up at 4:40am for our ride to the airport. We get up, get our things together adn get our ride to the airport. After being dropped off by our translator and driver, we stand in line for 30 minutes to find out that our flight has been cancelled and there is NO flight they can put us on!- until tomorrow (Wednesday)!!!!! First of all, I cried because now I would be missing Seth's birthday and we are just so homesick from the boys....and second of all, we are on our own because our translator and driver have left! We have given them our cell phones, etc... The airline siad they would put us up in a hotel. SO we go to find a taxi and they proceed to try to charge us "an arm and a leg".... we were furious and done! Shane let them know we were NOT paying more than 2,000 tenge (which is already too much), but they were trying to charge us 4,000 tenge for 3 miles! We get to the hotel and it is a complete dump! We then get stuck in the elevator. Now, in the USA it is scary to get stuck in an eleveator, but in KAZ its REALLY scary because you would die in it before anyone here knew how to get you out! Thankfully, we got out on our own.

I think the worst part of the last few days and what has made us want to leave the most is that someone we know was brutally murdered here in Kaz this past Sunday night. Jackie and Clint are the Americans we have been hanging out with....well their housekeeper's name is Tuani. Tuani and her girls were spending the night at Jackie's house this past Sunday night for them to go away for their Anniv. We were going to do it for them, but Jackie felt like Tuani could use the extra money. Tuani and the girls went home on Monday morning to find their husband/Father had been brutally mudereded in their home over night. If Tuani and the girls would have been there, then you know what would have happened. Tuani is a stong Beleiver and is one of the most sweetest women I have met. She has a beautiful heart and this is such a nightmare for them. Tuani is also one of the most poorest people I have personally met. They live in literally a SHACK....one room, one lightbulb, they literally sleep in their clothes and use their coats as blankets....they have no pajamas- that is a luxury. Jackie and CLint have given them blankets and had just purchased a wood stove so that it could keep their shack warm. Now, Tuani has NOTHING- the only blankets she had are covered in her husband's blood. Thankfully, Clint's company is putting Tuani and her girls up in a temporary hotel until everyone can figure out where they are going. Personally, we feel a huge burden for this family. Please pray for this family- I don't know what to tell you to pray, just pray!!! Please! Thank you.

We will see you soon,
greta and shane