THE KAZAKH PULSE By :\ddison llul'st Four women made the trek to Central Asia to be the first Harding students to experience a summer internship in Kazakhstan. Through the Global Outreach missions program, seniors Brooke Kehl and Lauren Heffington, junior Anna Lowe and sophomore Abbygale Garrison spent their summer in Almaty, Kazakhstan. The four women interned with the youth group at Light of Jesus Church and worked with missionaries Sasha and Eugenia Metso. "It gave us a good idea of what a real overseas missionary might have to go through in a new country," Lowe said. "Going somewhere that no one you know has ever been before is challenging, but it caused us to rely on God for everything." Some of their main goals as interns were to form personal relationships with the congregation, prepare a weekly devotional with the youth at the church orphanage, the Lighthouse, immersethemselves in the culture, plan youth group outings and lessons and prepare an outreach camp for non-Christians. After the camp, the interns saw significant growth within the youth group. Not only did the interns form relationships with the youth but also with the youth mentors - workers who dedicated their time to helping the youth group and working with the orphanage. "That was one of the biggest things I took away from the internship and the church," Heffington said of the youth mentors. "Seeing how involved these youth workers were gave me motivation to want to dedicate my time and to be loyal to something that is bringing people to God." Kazakhstan was part of the former Soviet Republic, making it a relatively young country. The people in Almaty spoke mostly Russian and Kazakh, meaning the four native English-speakers had to find other ways to communicate. "The biggest culture difference for me was learning the value held in a smile," Kehl said. "It was uncommon to find people smiling at each other in the city. Friendly gestures such as smiles were saved for family and friends. A smile was never thrown away, but treasured and trusted." This was the first time Harding students participated in this specific internship. The women tested the waters for the new program and paved the way for future interns. Harding students and Kazakhstan locals join toyetherfor a en/or fiyht at Camp Pulse in .July. !fording interns took part in pla1111i11y and nrnniny the camp for the youth in /he area. I Photo co11l'tesy of Anna Lowe
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