The Doubs

2010-06-23T12:14:00.000-07:00

As most of you know. We have now left Bishkek and have returned to work at a Bible College in YOrk, England. We are hoping to spend our time here praying and seeking the Lord about what is next for our family. We still have a gret desire to plant churches, and be involved in Missions, so please keep us in your prayers during this transitional phase. jonathan will be teaching at the Bible college and I will be leading some worship here and there...fun fun fun!!! We are totally excited for this new phase in our lives and can't wait ot se what's next! OH....and come and visit us..pleeeeeeeaaase! Yes YOU!! :) We have room to put you up!

Nikita

2010-01-09T00:27:00.000-08:00

Before Bathtime

2009-11-25T21:18:00.001-08:00

For Family

2009-11-19T22:06:00.000-08:00

The next posts are mainly for family to catch up with Jackson, but we will shortly be posting about life and ministry here...stay tuned!

I was amazed one day when reading to Jackson that he actually was turning the pages himself. In the right direction. He does this every time we read a book, so it's not coincidence. Right now eating his toes and turning pages are he favorite activities!

Jackson

2009-11-19T21:54:00.000-08:00

I love my blankie form Nana

This is my friend Theo

I love all the attention!

Playing piano with Tracy

Hanging out with Abigail! (BFF)

First winter outing!

Basketball...kind of

2009-11-06T03:34:00.000-08:00

So Jonathan and two guys on our team (Paul and David) are playing on a professional basketball team called 'Akbars'. They have really enjoyed getting to know the guys on the team and it has been a great way to reach out to some locals and keep in shape playing a game they all love. Last weeks game was quite interesting and took a definite vostochni (eastern) turn when the opposing team started to fight and the referees changed the rules mid-game. It got a bit tense for a while there but our team ended up winning by 1 point anyway and Jonathan only came away a little bruised! All us wives and kids were there cheering on our spouses and people from church even came a long and helped us think up a chant to keep our players feeling supported (although the only thing Jonathan said he heard was Jackson crying at one point when he was taking a free throw..oops!).

Deborah and Abigail Markey with Jackson and I

Melanie and Titus Billings

Tilek Billings

Go Akbars!

Baby Milestones!

2009-10-01T08:13:00.000-07:00

This morning Jackson woke up deciding he wanted to grab things. He's never done this before so quickly. We're so proud of him!!

2009-09-29T14:44:00.000-07:00

This is Jonathan's Grandad. Gilbert Doub. 89yrs and still going strong!

Some ramblings!

2009-09-29T14:21:00.000-07:00

We are heading back to Kyrgyzstan in a week or so after another stop off in England for Katie's Mum's birthday and a friends wedding. We love visiting family but we're definitely ready to get back.
It's hard to explain to strange feeling of not having a home, but I (Katie) am feeling it quite acutely right now. Having Jackson away from Kyrgyzstan was quite an experience seen as we moved around about 8 different places while in York. It definitely shook out of me any possibility for 'nesting'. Then being in the US has been nice because we've been located at the same place, but we're always so aware that this is not 'home' either. (I actually had to leave 'bed, bath and beyond' the other day because I was getting a bad attitude about all the stuff I would like and possibly will never have). And finally we don't feel like we are going 'home' either. The church in KG is our family too and we love ebing there, but we are foreigners there more predominantly than in the UK or US, however if feels more like home than the latter...what am I trying to say?? I guess that I'm only comforted by the fact that the Lord is our 'home' and I feel very strongly the 'longing' for a heavenly home... Isn't this what we should always feel? Wether we have thousands of pounds (or $'s) in a property or not? Wether we have lived in the same little village for our entire lives or spent most our lives travelling from one side of the globe to another should we really find any comfort in being at 'home' here? Or should we let this lives uncertainties and inconsistancies mold in us a greater desire and longing for eternity? Where we will forever rest in his arms. Speaking of rest..I think that verb is gone from my vocab for a good few years now.

Jackson Thomas Doub 26/06/09

2009-08-03T11:11:00.000-07:00

Sooo, for those of you who don't have facebook here are some picture of Jackson Thomas Doub! He was 8lb 10oz, born 26/06. We'll post some more soon!

EASTER

2009-04-20T19:32:00.000-07:00

Easter Sunday

We had a wonderful service, in which some of our youth performed a skit (exceptionally well for only a few practices), the choir sang and the band played...not always simultaniously (we'll be working on that!), and Jed only preached for 15 minutes. The building was packed out and we didn't have enough seats for everyone unfortunately. Afterward we had a great time of fellowship and a meal in the park by church..Of course we ate plov..YUM! Here are some pics..

This blog is for Jake...and Conor.

2009-01-27T21:51:00.000-08:00

Usually, it would be inappropriate for a missionary to gloat and boast about having access to such delicacies as "salsa con queso" and "spicy nacho Doritos." But somehow I feel it is necessary to keep the memory of my irritating tendencies fresh in the minds of some of my dearest friends.

Rule Brittania!

Rahat

2008-10-05T20:31:00.000-07:00

For those of you who have been praying, this is Rahat. Her Son was attacked by a dog 1 week before her husband commited suicide. Thank You for your prayers, we have been holding a Bible study at her house for the past month and the Lord is really doing some neat things in her family!! OH and she has the cutest kids!!

Our 1st Anniversary

2008-10-05T20:20:00.000-07:00

So, Jonathan and I celebrated our 1 Year anniversary last week. It doesn't seem like it's been a year already, but at the same time I feel like we've been married for years. We had a lot of fun going to art exhibitions and hiking in the mountains..then we ate Turkish food....yummmmmmy!!! Jonathan is my best friend and I'm so blessed to be serving the Lord with him here in Kyrgyzstan! Oh and does anyone have any Idea what this footprint is from?

2008-10-05T20:16:00.000-07:00

We've been travelling to a lake in the mountains to do a Bible study there. Here are some pics from a Baptism we did last night! It was freezing. Jed (of course) went for a swim!

If you like Sheep come to Kyrgyzstan

2008-09-26T19:35:00.000-07:00

These are some photos I took on the way to a village yesterday.

Our friend Tom

2008-07-23T08:23:00.000-07:00

A dear friend of ours was killed in a cycling accident on saturday. His bike went out of control as he was coming down hill and he hit the guard rail. he was killed instantly. Jonathan has returned to the states for his funeral which is today. Please pray for his family and friends during such a tragic loss.

Childrens festival at the Cancer hospital!

2008-07-23T08:20:00.000-07:00

Yarik and Lonya

2008-07-23T08:10:00.000-07:00

These boys have practially become a part of our family. And as you can see this makes for an interesting life!! Here they are practicing being clowns for the kids festival at the cancer hospital..I think they did a marvelous job!

For those of you who love T-racer

2008-07-23T08:06:00.001-07:00

She loves her flannel graphs!

2008-06-16T00:25:00.000-07:00

I'm am sooo sorry! We haven't posted in a long time. there are many reasons for this;
1. We have been very busy in Bishkek
2. we moved apartments and it took a while to get the internet hooked up
3. I am lazy

The church is doing great, we have seen the childrens minstry grow a great deal these past couple of months and we are very excited about wha the Lord is doing with the kids. I have no photos, so I suppose I should stop writing as about 90% of people reading this wil stop reading around about now if there is now visual stimulation.

Bye, oh and we are at the foundations conference in Hungary right now,

it' lovely!

Baptisms!!!!

2008-04-03T20:01:00.000-07:00

This Sunday after the service we went to a local park and had baptisms. 4 peolpe got baptised, a few more wanted to but it didn't work out that day, so we'll have some more later on. We are very excited about all the Lord is doing here!

York Bible College Outreach

2008-04-03T19:54:00.000-07:00

We have had an outrech from york this past week. They have been helping with the cancer hospital remodel, english club and also some other practical things.

Noorus

2008-03-24T06:09:00.000-07:00

This last week we celebrated the Kyrgyz New Year called Noorus. We went down into the centre square where we saw lots of traditional Kyrgyz dances, food and games. One game in particular we thought very interesting. Men stood in a wide circle in the centre of the circle there were three rings all with money in them with a small sheep bone on top. The men paid 5 som (about 10 cents) and then they got to throw a larger sheep bone at the money. If they hit the money, they get to keep it. However we watched for quite some time and never saw anyone get anything.

2008-03-19T19:27:00.000-07:00

Here is the few from our balcony window!

Are you jealous?

Kids

2008-03-14T06:40:00.000-07:00

Today we went to visit some children in a village near Bishkek. We go to the orphanage every week. Today I remebered to take my camera with me. These kids are amazing, they grow thier own food and help around the home. We have fun talking with them and singing and sharing stories with them.

Janabek and his Family

2008-03-10T00:46:00.000-07:00

Here is a family from our church. Thay are actually from a city called Narin, but they moved here to find work. Janabek knew no Russian when he moved here and only spoke Kyrgyz. Now he is understanding a lot more. If he needs help, his wife, Lola will translate for him. They have 2 children and just this sunday Janabeks father came to get some medical help here in Bishkek. He was so shocked by life here in Bishkek as he is from a small village and when we drove past the white house he ranted about how many vegatables could be grown on the land they used for thier fountains and trees. His next adventure will be this week when Lola will take him to a local mall and introduce him to an elevator. Please pray for the Lord to raise up more Kyrgyz believers to lead the church here. And also that jonathan and I would be able to learn the Kyrgyz language quickly as many people in the villages don't know Russian.

SUMMER..well at least for a british girl!

2008-03-08T04:51:00.001-08:00

I am delighted to announce that Summer has come to Kyrgzstan..."No, no Katie!" you say, "you're mistaken , surely you mean spring!" Well for the Kyrgyz, maybe this +17 weather and constant sunshine is known as spring. But to a homegrown British girl who spent most of her adult life in Ukraine, where the snow doesn't melt until late March, who also walked to school in pouring rain almost everyday in her childhood, to whom summer meant a rainstorm almost everyday with erratic bursts of sunshine and phenominal rainbows...THIS IS SUMMER. Infact, today I was hot. My feet were hot when we were walking outside. Oh the joys of living in Kyrgyzstan.

Today we went with our youth group to help clean a place where believers feed homeless people. It was a great time and we are so encouraged to see the believers in our church grow in serving. We have a big soviet holiday today also. "Women's day" Is far bigger than Christmas (not suprising in a muslim country) but even as I speak people are all over the city, in restaurants and in parks celebrating women. The flower sellers use this day to monopolise on the love sricken boys, whilst women all over the post soviet union are enjoying this day of recognition.

Our Car

2008-02-17T19:30:00.000-08:00

Well, a couple of weeks ago we were blessed with the finances to buy a car. Because of the pot holes everywhere here and the mountainour terrain, we thought it best to get a suv. Here is our car, we are so blessed to have it. We pray that the Lord would use ot for his glory!

Also, for 7 days now both Jonathan and I have had this devil flu...Paul, titus, timothy, Natasha and Michelle have both had it too....It's rediculous, so we've passed our time with lisenening to bible studies and playing rummy!

Cold Nights = Great fellowship

2008-02-05T05:31:00.000-08:00

IT's been pretty cold here and so most of our evenings are spent inside. We have had a lot of opportunites to share the word with young believers and have a lot of people over for dinner. Some of our more permanant guests are two brothers, Lonya and yarik. Lonya came over tonight and asked Jonathan a lot questions about Abraham. I personally was really encouraged. I love those spontaneous moments when believers just gather and fellowship. I was so blessed I even took a picture...ha ha..not quite sure why...

SNOWBOARDING IN KYRYGZSTAN

2008-01-21T00:15:00.000-08:00

Paul and his siter Wendy, who is visiting for a while, invited Jonathan and I to go snowboarding with them at a local resort here near Bishkek. We've both skied before, but this was our first time trying this sport. Needless to say, we had a lot of fun, but the next day neither of us could walk all that well and it took a long time getting the feeling back into our fingers and toes. Brrrr..
Obviously being in a central asian country there are a lot of different dynamics that go into snowboarding that would maybe seem, let say absurd in any other country. Take for instance, the army training unit who hapened to also be training thier new troops out on the the very same slopes we were using, or perhaps the local villagers who bring thier horses up and charge people who are too tired to use the drag lifts to take them and thier skis or snowboard up to the top of the mountain. This is a thriving business as the lifts are very dificult for snowboarders to use and once of twice going up the mountain almost leaves you with no energy to come back down.

All in all we had a great day!! I look forward to going again soon!

WOOHOO!!!

2008-01-20T23:48:00.000-08:00

One of my closest friends friends from Ukraine came for a suprise visit this last week. we had a lot of fun catching up, laughing eating al kinds of good food and drinking hot chocolate..Oh and seeking the Lord for what he might have for her in the future...we'll keep you posted!!!

I was overjoyed to see her!!

Christmas concert

2007-12-27T05:04:00.001-08:00

So, Today we went to a local orphanage and we were able to do a Christmas concert for them. It was a lot of fun and although it was all a little last minute and we actually practiced the skit about a hour before leaving everyone seemed to have fun. including Jonathan who got to be dress up as Santa to hand out manderines.:) The worship team have been working on Christmas songs in Russian and Kyrgyz and last night we had a carol service. It was a lot of fun. We met at Paul and Mel's and everyone brought some food. Although the electricity cut out no-one seemed to mind and it just meant we could have a candle light service. Ill try and put some pictures up soon.

It's around -20 right now. Brrrrr...but at least our first Christmas together was a white one:)

We hope you all had a great Christmas!!

In Kyrgystan!

2007-12-15T01:00:00.000-08:00

Hi Everyone!

We just wanted to write and let you all know that we have arrived in Bishkek safely. It’s taken us a few days to get set up with the internet, but now we’re up and running.

The Trip
We had a lot of extra baggage on our trip. We were allowed only one piece each with the airline we flew and we had 2 guitars and 3 bags. Calvary Chapel York wrote us a letter to give to the airline explaining that we were coming out here to live and will be needing these things. We also had to pay an extra $180 for changing katie’s name on the ticket and for our date change. Well, praise the Lord the airline didn’t charge us for anything. We were so encouraged by the Lord and got to bring all our baggage for free too!

Our Visa’s
After having our visa denied in the UK we decided to go to the border and apply there for a 1 yr multi-entry visa. We had no inviting letter and so technically we should have been granted a 3 month long tourist visa. However, after a bit of questioning by the consul we were granted a 1 yr multi-entry visa!! PRAISE THE LORD!

Thank You for your prayers

Jonathan and Katie

GIVE THANKS!

2007-11-22T04:10:00.000-08:00

I've never really celebrated this holiday before (except in Ukraine where I always felt like I was being made fun of..ha ha) ...but today I am. We have been invited by some friends here 'The Cambra's" To join them for a Thanksgiving meal. We're very excited. Note: Jake, Mike and Danny, this doesn't make me an American!But I do love Americans! Especially my husband, he's wonderful!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING ALL!

York

2007-11-16T09:27:00.000-08:00

We are currently in York, England, awaiting our visa's. The Kyrgyz embassy called us yesterday and have asked for extra documentation before they will issue our visas. Please pray for the Lord's will and provision!

Jonathan shared in church on sunday morning and I've had a lot of opportunity to lead worship whilst being back, so we're having fun, but still are preaying that the Lord would get us back to Kyrgystan quickly!

Honeymoon pics

2007-11-08T10:57:00.000-08:00

Here are some of our honeymoon pics. We did lots of fun things, encluding Kayaking, putt putt golf and tubing! WE went to Hilton Head Island SC. Click on the picture to see more!

Honeymoon

It was so beautiful and practically deserted!

PICTURES OF KYRGYZSTAN!

2007-11-01T10:02:00.000-07:00

Lots of people have been asking us to put some pics up of Kyrgyzstan, hope you enjoy these. We love this country and hope to get back soon! If you click on the link you'll be able to see the album.

Visa's, prayer requests and corn schucking!

2007-10-24T08:02:00.000-07:00

So, we're spending some time in states with Jonathan's family before going back to Kyrgyzstan in November. We'd really appreciate your prayers as our passports and visa's got stolen at Charlotte airport. So we are currently reapplying. Hopefully this won't set us back any longer than we had expected. We are eager to return to the church in Kyrgyzstan.
However, the time here in the states has been wonderful and we've been able to spend time wth lots of friends and family. We took Jonathan's grandad (87 yrs old) to a corn shucking festival this weekend. It was definately a culture shock for me...

Our Wedding

2007-10-24T07:56:00.001-07:00

We were married in York, England on September 30th 2007. It was the best day of our lives and we are so blessed that we got to share that day with so many of our dear friends and family. We are excited to go back to Kyrgzstan and serve the Lord together. We will be in the states until the middle of November and then we will be headed back to Bishkek, Lord willing.

We hope to soon have more photos to put up on the internet we will let you know when and where...!!