Joe Ragan

Da svedanya is goodbye in Russian. Tuesday morning at 4:00 our friends from the west boarded a train to go home. They will travel more than 3 days to get home.
We had a wonderful time of praising and worshiping our Lord Monday night as we reflected on their trials and successes. I [...]

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Yesterday was a difficult day in more ways than one.  First of all, our tour of Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan took a long while on Saturday.  I didn’t return back to the apartment in Karaganda until 4 a.m. on Sunday morning.  I got up by noon and then drove to Temirtau to be in [...]

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It is so comforting to be a part of God’s family.  Many of you have written words of hope, comfort and blessing to me in the last 24 hours.
Thank you for remembering us during this time.  It is time of sadness but at the same time to know that the Heavenly Father awaits one of [...]

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My mom’s health is such that I have decided to travel home to spend some time with her.  I will leave Thursday morning early from Astana and arrive at DFW 20 hours later.  Thanks for praying for our family during this time.

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I received some not very good news about my mom this a.m. (Saturday).  It seems the doctors think she may not have pneumonia.  They have given us some ideas but I will wait for further test results before I share them.  Please continue to pray…

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Thursday turned off cooler and Friday stayed in the upper 50’s and lower 60’s. People were wearing their jackets. Someone commented that it felt like fall already…
It is Saturday morning here and the temperature is 59 with clouds. We are supposed to go to Astana for sightseeing today. I looked at [...]

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In 1980, I was not too politically savvy. I grew up in a Democratic home. Most of my friends’ parents were Democrats as well. I lived in an industrial city in east Texas.
I did not vote for Reagan in either election that he won. I was not a fan of his [...]

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I received an email from my mom’s pastor.  My oldest sister had been trying to call me to let me know that they had taken my mom to the ER on Thursday a.m.
Of course, reading the email caused me to wonder what was going on and gave me some restless moments as I tried to [...]

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On Tuesday I filed for a tax number. It allows me to purchase big ticket items (such as a car), open a bank account and pay certain bills (like when I renew my visa). When the tax office personnel told me that it would be ready on Thursday, July 26, I didn’t believe [...]

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The past two days have been gruelingly, long days…
Monday, I got up early to travel by bus to Astana to go car shopping with my supervisor. We looked at some Hyundais and Skodas. James Kim and I then drove back to Karaganda, arriving at 6:30 p.m.
Then I met with one couple returning to [...]

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