Joe Ragan

Wow, today truly felt terrific!  It really felt like an early spring day.  While the temp probably reach 40 degrees, the sun was shining brightly and it “felt” warmer.
I traveled to Temirtau to check on some things there and the drive over (about 20 miles) was spectacularly clear.  Most of the snow on the east [...]

[Read more →]

With the time change in the US, I am now 1o hours ahead of Eastern, 11 ahead of Central and 13 hours ahead of Pacific time zone.  If you call me, please keep this in mind…

[Read more →]

On Tuesday, I had the opportunity to visit one English class and a linguistic institute.  I know two students from the school and they invited me to speak to their class.
I asked them what I should prepare and they told me speak on Texas… well, I think I can do that!!!
I had a [...]

[Read more →]

The weather here is in that in between period.  It’s not spring and it’s not winter.  One day it is above freezing, the next day snow.  It was warm (above freezing) this am.  When I went to the kitchen to fix coffee, I heard the rain hitting my ledge.
They say it may turn to freezing [...]

[Read more →]

This past Wednesday Max and Alex came over for practice their English.  After our time together, Max stated that he was going to his parent’s house for a Russian celebration called “Maslenitsa.”  I had never heard of this celebration so I found some information on the internet.
Here’s what I found:
Maslenitsa is a purely Russian holiday, [...]

[Read more →]

Growing up in the US, I knew it would happen twice a year. We even learned a “cute” little rhyme so that we could remember.
While in junior high or high school I remember one spring that it was so dark when it was time to catch the bus to school that they changed the [...]

[Read more →]

Saturday is International Women’s Day.  Never heard of it???  Most of us in the US haven’t.  However, I have been aware of it since 1994 during my first year in Lugansk, Ukraine.
It is a huge holiday in the former Soviet Union (fSU).  It was very evident today.  I went shopping to purchase something mentioned in [...]

[Read more →]

I have hesitated in purchasing one of these for more than 4 years.  I have never really missed one.  However, there were a couple of times I thought about buying one in Kyiv.  However, I had a balcony there and so it was so much needed.
Moving to Karaganda where winter is 5-6 months long and [...]

[Read more →]

This past Monday and Tuesday a meeting was held in Karaganda with several ministry partners.  It was the first time we were able to get together for edification and prayer.  David spoke on the need of balancing ministry and family and we had a lively discussion concerning the topic.  Then, Don led a discussion on [...]

[Read more →]

The last few days have seen the temps hover around 32 degrees. With the warmer temps brings melting snow, then overnight temps mean refreezing to ice. However, I have really enjoyed the sun and watching things begin thawing out. Yippee!!!

[Read more →]