Radio Active Artist Exile
Later this year I’m heading out on a mission trip. Not sure why I’m going, except I saw the call sent out from my Dad’s church and said YES. I’m doing what I can over the next few months to learn about their culture and language so that when I go, I can be the most useful and of service.
Semipalatinsk, Kazakhstan. Former U.S.S.R. Other wise known as Semey. It’s far. Really, really far from home – and quite literally in the middle of nowhere. The closest major city is Almaty. Never heard of it? Me neither. My reading is turning up all sorts of tidbits. Semey was built around an old Buddhist monastery in 1718. It grew a bit as a trade town between the growing Russian Empire and the nomadic peoples of Central Asia. Very little history is written (in English anyway) on this part of Asia, partly because it was closed up until recently to Westerners.
Other tidbits? Unruly Russian artists and musicians were sent to Semey regularly, including Dostoevsky. Heh. Also - there was a nuclear test site in the area in the middle of the last century and the fallout continues to cause birth defects and illness to the locals. I’m going to help where I can with physical labor and take tons of pictures to share with our community.
I’ve just ordered two used books on Amazon about Central Asia and the appropriate phrase book is next. Taking this trip will be difficult on the Semrads because it will mean at least two weeks with no income. I’m planning a few low-key fundraisers among friends in the coming months. If you’d like to be included, please email me.
