Joe Ragan

As most of you know, the only English news channel I get is CNN International.  The channel shows Anderson Cooper’s show live and it comes on in Kazakhstan at 8 a.m.  So, if I am not busy I watch it from time to time.  I watched it this morning (Saturday) which would be Friday night [...]

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I have a dear friend, Vitaliy, who is a pediatrician.  He and his wife live in Karaganda with their young daughter.  Recently, Vitaliy was given the opportunity to accept a new position in the Women and Children’s Medical Center in Astana.
It is a fairly new facility located in the new capital region of the city.  [...]

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It is called the Encyclopedia of Kazakhstan.  It has some interesting facts, however, some of the scenery is spectacular.  Makes me want to find these places…

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Did you know that Lenin’s statue is the view from my kitchen window?  While it’s not the most photographic, here is a shot taken tonight.  Notice the moon… CCR’s song is still playing in my head… Don’t know who CCR are?  Google them…

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Baptist churches in the former Soviet Union observed Holy Trinity on Sunday and Monday.  Usually during any church celebration, the choir sings lots of songs, lots of poems are read, along with the usual 3 sermons.  Here are a few photos from the Sunday am service.  I sat in the balcony, so the photos are [...]

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I often have said that if God hadn’t so clearly called me to the former Soviet Union, I would have moved south of Texas to Mexico!  The several mission trips I made to the border area made a lasting impression on me to this day.
I love all things Mexican, especially Mexican food.  I guess it [...]

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Saturday found me, along with several interpreters, enjoying a day in the park and having a picnic.  The temperature got up to almost 90.
We had lots of food!  For the first time, I prepared pull pork BBQ and I must admit, hesitatingly, that I enjoyed it tremendously.  It is hard for a Texas boy who [...]

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Last Sunday, Sakina and Anya were able to receive some practice in interpreting before the church.  Here are a couple of shots…

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Recently a team from Arkansas arrived in Karaganda with lots of SlipDisc freesbies.  We went to a local park and had a BLAST!  It was incredible to see all the people who stopped their walks in the park to throw the disc.  Usually after a few tries people were able to throw it with ease.
Here [...]

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I took this photo while returning from our Baptist camp nearby.  These horses roam freely and had just crossed the road (and of course I stopped!)…

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