On the drive, you begin to ask yourself, "why people would live this remote from the rest of the world?" Upon arrival, as the beautiful mountains speckled with small farm shacks greet you, you begin to relax unknowingly as you are swept away by the simplicity and beauty of this existence. There are crops growing, flocks and herds being tended, children running down the path to see what visitors have come. As you step out of the vehicle, you are met with the cool, fragrant air. All the stress of the long, treacherous journey is suddenly snuffed out as every sense is suddenly caught up in delight. It is impossible to be annoyed any longer.

The only common building is the tiny church. It was very sad to see a lock on the door because it is currently not in use. Even with all its beauty, the people of Siberia are unable to keep a pastor or a school teacher.

A meal was prepared for us in the kitchen of a local woman. The men were served first. They would not let me help and wanted me to sit and eat with the men. Sharon and I found something else to do to look busy and waited to eat with the women. It is probably good that I did not help because the meal was prepared on an open fire fueled with small sticks of wood. I might have burned down the kitchen.

After the meal, we had a wonderful service. The little church was bursting. There were 39 children in the service, not including the babies. They were taken outside and taught a scripture and a song that they later presented with great enthusiasm to the rest of us.

The families that work with Joshua Projects (Americans and Mexicans) donated clothes and money for beans and rice. We were able to bless every family in the church with food and clothes. The clothes and shoes were laid out and the women came through very orderly choosing things for her own family as well as offering up items for others when they thought they applied.

The people of Siberia seemed to really love their home. I was asked more than once if I thought it was beautiful there. As we were leaving, a young girl came running after the van with a sack full of fresh-picked apples. We stopped to receive this precious gift from a child. The apples still had their leaves on them. Sharon had never seen a "real" apple before. She was thrilled. I have never seen such a remote place with such a "real" need for ministers. The people of Siberia made this need known to us and our hearts remain heavy with the burden.