Local Time: Athens
среда, сентября 06, 2006
Turkmeni refugees and monti
Monti is one of the best kept secrets of Turkmenistan, and the southern republics actually. It is like a larger version of the ravioli, with very thin dough wrapped in twists and turns over a hunk of meat (and I do mean hunk). It is very rare outside of southern republics to taste the ‘real’ recipe, but tonight Natasha Kazimirova and I had the opportunity.
It all came about during crafts on Saturday at Helping Hands. A woman walked in with her 6 month old daughter and told me in halting Russian that her name was Makraban. As we began to chit-chat, she began to open up and tell me her story. The most touching aspect was when she told me the story of how she prayed to have a child, after many years of disappointment. She firmly believed that praying is what brought success. Now Makraban is a Muslim, but she comes to the Christians because she knows that they will help her (based on past experiences as you will see). When she and her husband first arrived in Greece by little boat (which was Russian by the way) from Turkey, they had nothing but the clothes on their backs. Their little boat had been tossed about in the waves, and many of the other boats had capsized. Most people she knew on the trip died trying to get to Greece. She and her husband Zahra survived. They faced countless hardships, and even had to run from crocodiles at one point in the journey!
Yet when they arrived in Greece the only help they could find was at Helping Hands, where they were given clothes and food for the first bit of time. This first help was what keeps Makraban coming back, as she sees that this attitude of helping others is essential to the heart of any believer. She also comes back because of relationships, and the truths that the girls tell her.
All this lead to being invited over for dinner to eat monti and chat in Russian. For as it turns out, Makraban loves the Russian language! She thinks she has forgotten her words, but over dinner it was apparent that her desire to communicate overcame any shortcomings in her language. The dinner in and of itself was amazing, but the conversation around the table lead to some ‘international’ style communication. Makraban spoke Russian to us, which I then translated into English for our Helping Hands staff member Susan Pearson. Then Makraban would translate into Turkish, and then he would translate into Farsi for their visiting girlfriend Zahra. It was quite entertaining.
During pre-monti tea, a question arose about heaven and the way to heaven. Natasha, being a truly gifted evangelist (which is why she was chosen to go to visit actually), pulled out her written explanation and Evangel cube and began to tell the story. It was so natural and intriguing, and lead to a lengthy discussion of other related salvation issues. By the time the dinner was done, it seemed that we had been able to not only leave this family with some Russian chocolate and good memories. We had also left them His truth and encouragement.
The meal was lovely. But what I will never forget, is seeing a rather forlorn refugee who had been robbed of 8 houses, a thriving business and the comfort of family in Turkey laughing out loud at our language antics. Our true goal in accepting this invitation was to provide an opportunity for Helping Hands to continue a relationship with this family. But what was also accomplished was that we were able to be the feet of those who bring good news and just downright laugh-out-loud joy.
Makraban and Karicha her husband might have to leave Greece soon. Their little daughter Rabiya does not have documents in Greece, and will not be able to get them. So they are considering leaving for Italy in the next months. It was humbling to think that after going through so much they were still not able to relax and build a stable life. Yet it was also encouraging to realize that despite the language challenges, our presence was a sign that there is a Higher Power, and that God is involved in their lives. And it was a huge privilege to be a part of that.
It all came about during crafts on Saturday at Helping Hands. A woman walked in with her 6 month old daughter and told me in halting Russian that her name was Makraban. As we began to chit-chat, she began to open up and tell me her story. The most touching aspect was when she told me the story of how she prayed to have a child, after many years of disappointment. She firmly believed that praying is what brought success. Now Makraban is a Muslim, but she comes to the Christians because she knows that they will help her (based on past experiences as you will see). When she and her husband first arrived in Greece by little boat (which was Russian by the way) from Turkey, they had nothing but the clothes on their backs. Their little boat had been tossed about in the waves, and many of the other boats had capsized. Most people she knew on the trip died trying to get to Greece. She and her husband Zahra survived. They faced countless hardships, and even had to run from crocodiles at one point in the journey!
Yet when they arrived in Greece the only help they could find was at Helping Hands, where they were given clothes and food for the first bit of time. This first help was what keeps Makraban coming back, as she sees that this attitude of helping others is essential to the heart of any believer. She also comes back because of relationships, and the truths that the girls tell her.
All this lead to being invited over for dinner to eat monti and chat in Russian. For as it turns out, Makraban loves the Russian language! She thinks she has forgotten her words, but over dinner it was apparent that her desire to communicate overcame any shortcomings in her language. The dinner in and of itself was amazing, but the conversation around the table lead to some ‘international’ style communication. Makraban spoke Russian to us, which I then translated into English for our Helping Hands staff member Susan Pearson. Then Makraban would translate into Turkish, and then he would translate into Farsi for their visiting girlfriend Zahra. It was quite entertaining.
During pre-monti tea, a question arose about heaven and the way to heaven. Natasha, being a truly gifted evangelist (which is why she was chosen to go to visit actually), pulled out her written explanation and Evangel cube and began to tell the story. It was so natural and intriguing, and lead to a lengthy discussion of other related salvation issues. By the time the dinner was done, it seemed that we had been able to not only leave this family with some Russian chocolate and good memories. We had also left them His truth and encouragement.
The meal was lovely. But what I will never forget, is seeing a rather forlorn refugee who had been robbed of 8 houses, a thriving business and the comfort of family in Turkey laughing out loud at our language antics. Our true goal in accepting this invitation was to provide an opportunity for Helping Hands to continue a relationship with this family. But what was also accomplished was that we were able to be the feet of those who bring good news and just downright laugh-out-loud joy.
Makraban and Karicha her husband might have to leave Greece soon. Their little daughter Rabiya does not have documents in Greece, and will not be able to get them. So they are considering leaving for Italy in the next months. It was humbling to think that after going through so much they were still not able to relax and build a stable life. Yet it was also encouraging to realize that despite the language challenges, our presence was a sign that there is a Higher Power, and that God is involved in their lives. And it was a huge privilege to be a part of that.
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You need to re read the first paragraph about Macraban's husband's name ... you mention that his name is Zahra ... and that is the name of their Afghani friend who was visiting.
Had so much fun with you guys ... thanks for coming along.
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Had so much fun with you guys ... thanks for coming along.
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