Leaving Past Traditions, Finding New Horizons

 

My name is Tyson Hardcastle.  I am 22 years old living in Salt Lake City.  A year ago I returned from serving an LDS mission in Samara, Russia.  In all, I spent about two years serving Russians in the cities of Orenburg, Balakova, Talyatti, Samara, Saratov and Marks.  My time spent there was and still is a meaningful and important part of my life. 

As a missionary for the LDS church, my focus was to help people improve their lives through developing faith.  However, we were also involved in humanitarian efforts and I anxiously took the opportunities given to serve the wonderful people in whatever way possible.   Through these efforts, I saw individuals who were at first strange and foreign become my very closest friends and even family.  Although I spoke very little Russian to begin with, and with only moderate improvement as time passed, the efforts of love and service between us allowed a strong bond to form which has forever changed my life and hopefully improved upon theirs as well. 

I can remember my first thoughts and feelings as I entered Russia.  A strange mixture of influences had created both a fascinating and interesting environment.  Among the plain, simple and very often dull architecture and appearance of Soviet-Union-era buildings and vehicles, there were glimpses of the culture which existed when Czars had power.   Ornate designs were visible on homes of humble artisans and hard workers that represented a time when feelings were more free and expressed openly.  In all, I found the contrast between the two very intimidating and an attempt to fully understand the history was only possible first-hand. 

In all of the cities where I served, there were always three main areas.  First, the city housed most of the commercial structures and government facilities and large apartment buildings, and was always busy with people going to and from work, the movies, stores and other interests.  The second was a section of dirt roads, some of which were or became during the snowy months usable with only rugged four-wheel drive vehicles where individual family residencies were located.  The last was even further from the center where families possibly had a dacha, a small shack-like structure used only in the summer months.  In the latter two areas, these families had often if not always, beautiful and incredible gardens.  Neat rows of vegetables were admired as my companion and I traveled through these areas.  It is often the case in America that such gardens are the result of a hobby or an attempt to avoid unhealthy pesticides in commercially grown produce.   In Russia, these gardens exist for survival. 

It was my blessing to assist a dear friend early in 2011 with his garden.  Sascha was a polite and hard-working bachelor living on his own about a half hour from the center of the city.  He had a large playful dog that would always jump on us each time we visited.  Over the course of several months, I came to know Sascha on a personal level and I can attest to his bright and friendly attitude despite the well-known prosperous circumstances I had come to him from.  This was the case in most of my relations with those who I came to know very well in the country. 

On that day early in 2011, my companion and I spent no more than an hour or so turning the soil in his garden, preparing it for the vegetables that would soon need a rich and firm place to grow.  Our efforts were minimal in the grand scheme of gardening but the experience was irreplaceable.  It felt good helping a friend who I knew would soon rely on that garden.  It felt good receiving the warm thanks and friendly smile from Sascha. 

I guess it’s too easy to get lost in the world of material goods.  Especially when we have it all.  Pursuing the latest technological release and keeping up to date with entertainment today can distract us from realizing how blessed and fortunate we are.  It’s good to enjoy life.  But to use one’s life to enhance the lives of others by sharing the resources we often take for granted is paramount to every other experience we can have.

Stilettos to Hiking Boots

When I was presented with the opportunity to join the Ascend Team in 2005, I was energized by the opportunity to fulfill my desire to help others.  After learning more about the organization my excitement grew, however, I was not enthused about the idea of trekking to a third world country on expedition.  I was content serving others from the comfort of my familiar surroundings in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Although I began to grow fond of the adorable, smiling faces in the photos that were regularly sent to the Ascend office from the South American and African staff and expedition participants, I still had a fear of scabies, lice and well…dirt.   I could not imagine a week with out my stilettos and designer hand bags.
After a few months, Carolyn Dailey, Ascend’s CEO, who has participated in countless expeditions, had me talked into going on an Executive Oversite Expedition to Peru.  For a girl that had never been out of the country or even camping for that matter, this was a monumental commitment.
I purchased a new pair of hiking boots because the only other flat shoes in my closet were my pool flip flops and my gym shoes.  Those not so pretty, very comfortable and practical hiking boots lead me on the adventure of a lifetime.
Peru is a beautiful country with beautiful people.   I had the opportunity to serve in urban and remote rural villages.  The tremendous need of the Peruvian people is undeniable.
Tears fill my eyes as I reflect on the opportunity I had to teach Peruvian children the importance of hygiene and hand washing.  I had the blessing, despite language barriers, to wash and paint the fingernails of tiny hands that had not been cleaned in weeks or longer.  My purell obsession and scabies phobia disappeared as I became acquainted with the smiling faces that surrounded me.
I was not qualified to prescribe medication or provide dental care as others on our expedition were able to do, however, my insignificant contribution may help keep some of those little people healthier this year.
Experiencing an expedition is truly a life changing experience.  It is not a vacation at a lovely spa, however, it was the best vacation money I ever spent.
My fondness for fabulous clothes and five star hotels has not diminished, however, after my brief time in Peru, I have a renewed commitment to use my talents and abilities to help others.  I look forward to another expedition in 2007.
Rachel went on an expedition to Ecuador in 2007. We are so happy to have her part of the Ascend team.