Monday, May 3
Please be praying for Leon Heisey. He threw out his back about 6 months ago and worked through it with bed rest and exercise, but this past week he had another episode. A Korean doctor, whose kids go to the same home-school coop, ordered him to have a MRI. The MRI results showed 2 ruptured and 2 herniated discs in his lumbar spine. All the doctors told him that his MRI showed he needed surgery immediately and that he should look much worse clinically. He and Heather are going to Seoul, Korea this fall for a health check-up for Heather, and are praying about whether he should go ahead and have surgery while he is in Korea. They want to do what is best for him long-term.
Tuesday, May 4
It is hard to believe that this is my next to last day here in Mongolia. My time here has been wonderful and the Lord has really worked on my heart. Before coming and even the first week of being here, I had so much anxiety over all that had to be done by June. Throughout the past few weeks, the Lord has really helped me lay everything down at His feet and put on His peace like a mantle around my shoulders. I know that He is a good God and that He will never give me more than I can handle. I know that He is my ever-present help in time of need and that He is so very, very faithful. He will provide and give grace to make it through the crazy month ahead and the best news of all is that I can experience His joy in the midst of it. Sometimes I wonder why I am so stubborn and why He has to bring me across the world to remind me that He is God and He is the One by which ALL is held together. “For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him and he is before all things and in him all things hold together.” Col. 1:16-17
I will definitely miss my brothers and sisters I have met over here in Mongolia, but I know I will see them again. They will be in my prayers and I hope in your prayers as well. I hope they come to see me in the States and that I can treat them to some real Mexican food! They are such a beautiful people and will hold a special place in my heart.
Here is a list of the top things I will miss about Mongolia:
1. The children—they are sooooooo cute!
2. Mongolian worship
3. Relationships with everyone from V.E.T.Net
4. Getting to wear winter clothes—I have a feeling I’m fixing to sweat—A LOT!
5. Large animal farm calls—just one more horse!
6. One-on-one times with the Mongolians
7. Camel riding
8. Cheap waxing
9. Being free of my cell phone
10. Spending time with Kellie
Fun Fact of the Day: It took the Heisey’s 1.5hours to get home today. It was only 3 miles.
Mongolian Word of the Day: Ta haanaas irsenba?—means “Where are you from?”
Wednesday, May 5
Today is ONE MONTH until Beau and I get married! I am so excited. In honor of my return to the States, I am going to list off some things that I have missed from home.
1. COFFEE
2. Turkey Sandwiches
3. Non-crunchy undergarments (ie: clothes dryer vs. air dry)
4. Diet Dr. Pepper
5. VEGETABLES!!!!
6. Orderly traffic
7. Shocks on vehicles
8. Texas wildflowers
9. Apartment-free living
10. Beau Richland Schilling
My flight leaves tomorrow morning (Wednesday night in the States) at 11:50. I fly to Beijing, have a 2 hour layover and then fly to Chicago. I leave Beijing at 4 p.m. on Thursday and arrive in Chicago at 4 p.m. on Thursday! I have a 4 hour layover in Chicago and then will hopefully arrive safe and sound at 11:30 p.m. in Houston. Please pray for traveling mercies and thank you so much for all your love and support!
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Mongolia Update #8
Friday, April 30
Today was by far the most beautiful day—60 degrees, sunny, blue skies and no wind. So much so that the boys (Aagie and Muugii) thought that their very critical patients needed to come out of the isolation ward and enjoy the beautiful day as well. Kellie and I had skipped over to the little store next to the clinic for a quick snack and when we got back to the clinic, we were shocked to see the boys sitting with their patients outside, IV poles and all, and Muugii had taken off his scrub top and had his undershirt with the cut-off sleeves getting a tan. Kellie and I just had to laugh and realized we learned a valuable lesson: Never let work stop you from enjoying the day!
This afternoon when the clinic was a little bit slow, Bayaraa showed me pictures from her wedding, of her family and of her recent trip to the States. It was so fun looking through them with her and hearing about her family. Her dad and her husband’s dad both passed away from alcoholism. She shared that they wouldn’t have normally spent a lot of money on a wedding, but only in the case of a wedding could they have everyone together in a big group. Her wedding was the first Christian wedding in her family and their desire was to present the Gospel at the wedding. What an amazing idea, as Christian marriage really is all about Him. God is slowly capturing the hearts within her family. One thing I have been really challenged by during my time here has been the boldness and zeal with which the Mongolians share their faith. It is awespiring. Most of the Mongolian Christians are first generation and their families are very involved in Buddhism or Shamanism. Pray that they continue in their zeal for the Lord and that He would continue to send people to disciple them in their faith.
Tonight on the way to dinner I saw something that broke my heart. Richard had told us not to step on the metal covers over the entrances to the sewer, as many people live down in the sewer and they are often very loose. Well, tonight as we walked by one where the cover had been removed, I saw a man sleeping down there. When you hear about something it is one thing, but when you see it with your own two eyes, it is another. We live in a world where it can be so easy to get caught up in your own little life that you often forget about the poor, the destitute, the widow and the orphan. In fact, if we are really honest, we often get bothered by them because they get in our way or maybe they smell, or maybe even worse, we stop noticing that they are there. It made me realize that there are so many broken and hurting people out there. Some wear rags and some wear three piece suits, but the issue is the same. They are in need of some Jesus with skin on—someone to reach into their world and offer them what they truly need, the life-changing love of the Lord. I pray today that our hearts will not grow calloused to the needs around us, but that we would look for opportunities to reach out. “For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.” 2 Cor. 4:5-6
Fun Fact of the Day: Mongolians drive on the right side of the road (well . . . most of the time), but the cars are a mix between the steering wheel being on the left or right depending on where they bought their vehicle.
Mongolian Word of the Day: sookh (pronounced soo)—means “sit”
Saturday, May 1
So Kellie and I had spied a little bakery that appeared to have some “real” coffee. We decided that we would walk their today before heading to the clinic. I think perhaps we had our hopes set a little high. Two very sweet ladies made us what was probably the best latte in UB, but we decided there is just no comparison to home. A good cup of coffee is on top order when I get into Chicago!
I remember being in Alduba, Ethiopia with Trent and Tabby Cox and getting the revelation that while foreign influence to bring the Gospel to unreached tribal groups is great and even necessary initially, revival will break out from within each people. Well, as the Lord brought this to my memory, it made me realize the role that God has us in over here in Mongolia. We are primarily mentors and pouring into the staff at V.E.T.Net, helping them to grow in both their knowledge of veterinary medicine, but most importantly, their faith. As we pour into their lives, they take that growing seed and then pour into the lives of the people they directly touch through the different facets of their lives. It is a ministry of multiplication and I feel so blessed to be a part. One thing I am pretty sure of though, they have blessed and impacted my life far more than I have theirs.
Today Aagie’s wife came to the clinic and brought his little boy who is 9 months old. He is sooooooo cute and just the happiest little thing. He looks identical to Aagie. He let me hold him and he even got upset when I had to leave the room. His wife just graduated this past Wednesday from vet school. YEAH! She is unsure where she will work just yet. Mary shared with us that she was the first Believer through the student Bible study. So cool!
Fun Fact of the Day: Cereal like we eat in the States is $15 a box!
Mongolian Word of the Day: khewt (pronounced hefty)—means “lay down”
Sunday, May 2
This morning we went to church and lunch with Tseegii and Tsogoo (a teacher and large animal vet respectively). They met in 2007 and just got married this past October. Their wedding was the first Christian wedding in both of their families. They did not have any alcohol, which is so counter-cultural here. I think the Lord has really given this new generation a boldness to walk out their faith despite the lack of support of their family. So encouraging. Tseegii did an amazing job translating for us in church. She shared with us that they really wanted to have us for lunch in their ger, but her sister has cancer, is undergoing chemo and is not doing too well. Please be in prayer for her sister Amara. She has some type of nasal tumor I believe.
Today was a first—the first sign of GREEN! Get excited! We were walking outside and did a little double-take. There in front of us were a few tuffs of green grass!
Fun Fact of the Day: The State Department store is the only one of its kind in Mongolia. It is sort of a mall in one store. There are 6 floors that include everything from a supermarket to clothes to a workout gym to kitchen ware.
Mongolian Word of the Day: zogs—means “stop” or “stay”
(In case you haven’t caught the theme, the past three days are commands you can teach your dog or if you are really adventurous, your cat!)
Today was by far the most beautiful day—60 degrees, sunny, blue skies and no wind. So much so that the boys (Aagie and Muugii) thought that their very critical patients needed to come out of the isolation ward and enjoy the beautiful day as well. Kellie and I had skipped over to the little store next to the clinic for a quick snack and when we got back to the clinic, we were shocked to see the boys sitting with their patients outside, IV poles and all, and Muugii had taken off his scrub top and had his undershirt with the cut-off sleeves getting a tan. Kellie and I just had to laugh and realized we learned a valuable lesson: Never let work stop you from enjoying the day!
This afternoon when the clinic was a little bit slow, Bayaraa showed me pictures from her wedding, of her family and of her recent trip to the States. It was so fun looking through them with her and hearing about her family. Her dad and her husband’s dad both passed away from alcoholism. She shared that they wouldn’t have normally spent a lot of money on a wedding, but only in the case of a wedding could they have everyone together in a big group. Her wedding was the first Christian wedding in her family and their desire was to present the Gospel at the wedding. What an amazing idea, as Christian marriage really is all about Him. God is slowly capturing the hearts within her family. One thing I have been really challenged by during my time here has been the boldness and zeal with which the Mongolians share their faith. It is awespiring. Most of the Mongolian Christians are first generation and their families are very involved in Buddhism or Shamanism. Pray that they continue in their zeal for the Lord and that He would continue to send people to disciple them in their faith.
Tonight on the way to dinner I saw something that broke my heart. Richard had told us not to step on the metal covers over the entrances to the sewer, as many people live down in the sewer and they are often very loose. Well, tonight as we walked by one where the cover had been removed, I saw a man sleeping down there. When you hear about something it is one thing, but when you see it with your own two eyes, it is another. We live in a world where it can be so easy to get caught up in your own little life that you often forget about the poor, the destitute, the widow and the orphan. In fact, if we are really honest, we often get bothered by them because they get in our way or maybe they smell, or maybe even worse, we stop noticing that they are there. It made me realize that there are so many broken and hurting people out there. Some wear rags and some wear three piece suits, but the issue is the same. They are in need of some Jesus with skin on—someone to reach into their world and offer them what they truly need, the life-changing love of the Lord. I pray today that our hearts will not grow calloused to the needs around us, but that we would look for opportunities to reach out. “For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.” 2 Cor. 4:5-6
Fun Fact of the Day: Mongolians drive on the right side of the road (well . . . most of the time), but the cars are a mix between the steering wheel being on the left or right depending on where they bought their vehicle.
Mongolian Word of the Day: sookh (pronounced soo)—means “sit”
Saturday, May 1
So Kellie and I had spied a little bakery that appeared to have some “real” coffee. We decided that we would walk their today before heading to the clinic. I think perhaps we had our hopes set a little high. Two very sweet ladies made us what was probably the best latte in UB, but we decided there is just no comparison to home. A good cup of coffee is on top order when I get into Chicago!
I remember being in Alduba, Ethiopia with Trent and Tabby Cox and getting the revelation that while foreign influence to bring the Gospel to unreached tribal groups is great and even necessary initially, revival will break out from within each people. Well, as the Lord brought this to my memory, it made me realize the role that God has us in over here in Mongolia. We are primarily mentors and pouring into the staff at V.E.T.Net, helping them to grow in both their knowledge of veterinary medicine, but most importantly, their faith. As we pour into their lives, they take that growing seed and then pour into the lives of the people they directly touch through the different facets of their lives. It is a ministry of multiplication and I feel so blessed to be a part. One thing I am pretty sure of though, they have blessed and impacted my life far more than I have theirs.
Today Aagie’s wife came to the clinic and brought his little boy who is 9 months old. He is sooooooo cute and just the happiest little thing. He looks identical to Aagie. He let me hold him and he even got upset when I had to leave the room. His wife just graduated this past Wednesday from vet school. YEAH! She is unsure where she will work just yet. Mary shared with us that she was the first Believer through the student Bible study. So cool!
Fun Fact of the Day: Cereal like we eat in the States is $15 a box!
Mongolian Word of the Day: khewt (pronounced hefty)—means “lay down”
Sunday, May 2
This morning we went to church and lunch with Tseegii and Tsogoo (a teacher and large animal vet respectively). They met in 2007 and just got married this past October. Their wedding was the first Christian wedding in both of their families. They did not have any alcohol, which is so counter-cultural here. I think the Lord has really given this new generation a boldness to walk out their faith despite the lack of support of their family. So encouraging. Tseegii did an amazing job translating for us in church. She shared with us that they really wanted to have us for lunch in their ger, but her sister has cancer, is undergoing chemo and is not doing too well. Please be in prayer for her sister Amara. She has some type of nasal tumor I believe.
Today was a first—the first sign of GREEN! Get excited! We were walking outside and did a little double-take. There in front of us were a few tuffs of green grass!
Fun Fact of the Day: The State Department store is the only one of its kind in Mongolia. It is sort of a mall in one store. There are 6 floors that include everything from a supermarket to clothes to a workout gym to kitchen ware.
Mongolian Word of the Day: zogs—means “stop” or “stay”
(In case you haven’t caught the theme, the past three days are commands you can teach your dog or if you are really adventurous, your cat!)
Mongolia Update #7
Tuesday, April 27
Today I was dragging after the late night we had with the emergency surgery. When we got to the clinic this morning, Roxy was resting comfortably. Karen had stayed with him overnight because we had him on a morphine/ketamine CRI (constant rate infusion). He would have periodic breakthroughs with pain that we controlled easily with ketamine and valium IV. He definitely has reason to be sore though!
Tonight we went and ate with Enkgchimeg and Saikhnaa at a Chinese restaurant. It was so funny when the waitress brought 2 forks and gave them to the Mongolians. Kellie and I were thinking “do we look like we are good with chopsticks”?!!! We had some really good conversation. Enkgchimeg was telling me that the student ministry at her church was not really growing in numbers. I encouraged her that maybe this is a time where the Lord is wanting them to pour in and disciple the young believers that are currently coming, deepening their faith. Yes, evangelism is a beautiful thing, but so is discipleship.
Fun Fact of the Day: Mongolia won their first Olympic gold medal in Beijing in wrestling.
Mongolian Word of the Day: nakhoi (prounounced na-hoy)—means “dog”
Wednesday, April 28
Today I went with the large animal guys to do a uterine infusion on the mare we cultured last week. It was much warmer than the previous week—PRAISE THE LORD!!! I definitely think that perhaps the weather in Africa more readily fits my bodily need for warmth! We researched the procedure and had everything ready to go. It all went without problems and hopefully the mare will clear the infection and be able to get pregnant. We had another horse that came because it had bloody noses and difficulty breathing during exercise. Tsek used the endoscope and looked up the nares for possible causes. Turns out that this horse has pharyngeal lymphoid hyperplasia. He was letting the owners look through the scope so he could explain the disease process whenever the power went out. We had 2 more horses on the books to radiograph, but after waiting over 45 minutes for the power to come back on, we decided to call it a day. This was the first time of going with the large animal guys where I would get to have any lunch! And I had come prepared with a FiberOne bar!
We got back to the office around 3:30 and so there was no point in me going to the small animal clinic only to leave to come back to the office for the student Bible study. I asked Mary if she needed anything done and so she gave me a list of library books and asked me if I would catalog any new ones since the original list was done and organize them. Guess who was the one who started the original list—my great friend, Audrey!!! Sometimes I really enjoy such tasks as they are a break for my mind.
Each Wednesday they have dinner, worship and a Bible study for the students at the veterinary school. We eat dinner together at 5 and just fellowship. Then after we are finished we move into one of the classrooms where they sing a few songs and someone gives a devotion. Mary was the one teaching today. She taught on the lost coin in Luke 15. She had hid a quarter in the room and asked everyone to help her find it. She then shared a story about a man that came to her church. He was obviously homeless and smelled bad and would often come to church late. Everyone was always kind to him. He started to come in each Sunday and sit closer and closer to the front. Then they noticed that he no longer smelled. The love of God through His servants had been what had changed that man and now he is a Believer. She talked about how the angels of heaven rejoiced just as much over this homeless man coming to know Jesus as Lord and Savior as they would over the President of Mongolia. We are all that special to Him. Many students come to this Bible study to practice their English, and many of those who come originally for that purpose are now walking with the Lord. Please be in prayer for the students being impacted through this facet of the V.E.T.Net ministry.
Fun Fact of the Day: Mongolians use 2 tub washers to wash clothes and then air dry everything on these nifty drying racks.
Mongolian Word of the Day: ukher (pronounced oo-ker)—means “cow”
Thursday, April 29
This morning after devotion, Karen dropped us off at the Mongolian National History Museum. It was 3 floors and documented their history since about 7-8,000 B.C. One of my favorite rooms had the authentic dress of the different tribes throughout Mongolia. They had a room dedicated to the “Communist Era”. It was very interesting to see the complete control the government had over the people. Even though this type of government is super controlling and destructive, one really good thing that they did was improve literacy from around 15% to 96%.
We got back to the clinic around lunch time. Roxy had been taken off all pain medications and fluids and he even started eating and drinking on his own! He was doing so well, we decided he would do best at home. His owner, a Cameroonian man, came and picked him up and Roxy could not get out of the clinic fast enough. I sure do hope he does well.
Tonight Kellie and I went to dinner with Narra (the teacher from previous entries) and Uuganna (pronounced “Ulna”). We decided on a Hot Pot restaurant. It was so much fun cooking our own food and they thought we were crazy for ordering the spicy soup and for putting in extra hot peppers! We told them that Texans really like hot and spicy things (and Kellie and I are really craving Mexican food). Narra told us the neatest story over dinner. Zulaa is a veterinary technician at the small animal clinic. Narra shared that on one of her trips to the countryside she met a young boy who was staying in a school dormitory. He told her that his parents had divorced and left him and his sister and that his sister was living with another family as a servant/slave. During V.E.T.Net’s trip to that county that summer, Narra inquired around about Zulaa. She found her and she came to the summer school and after praying and talking to Gerald Mitchum (founder of V.E.T.Net), they decided to bring Zola back to UB. They put her in school and provided her a place to live and now she works at V.E.T.Net and continues to grow in her faith and heal. This story just touched my heart so much. I cannot imagine the abandonment and hurt she experienced, but the Lord loved her so much to send these Godly people to find her and give her truth and agape love. Isn’t our Lord amazing!!!!!
Fun Fact of the Day: The boys at the clinic are really obsessed with Michael Jackson’s “We Are the World” song. They play it so much that it quite often gets stuck in my head!
Mongolian Word of the Day: guij baina—means “Please”
Today I was dragging after the late night we had with the emergency surgery. When we got to the clinic this morning, Roxy was resting comfortably. Karen had stayed with him overnight because we had him on a morphine/ketamine CRI (constant rate infusion). He would have periodic breakthroughs with pain that we controlled easily with ketamine and valium IV. He definitely has reason to be sore though!
Tonight we went and ate with Enkgchimeg and Saikhnaa at a Chinese restaurant. It was so funny when the waitress brought 2 forks and gave them to the Mongolians. Kellie and I were thinking “do we look like we are good with chopsticks”?!!! We had some really good conversation. Enkgchimeg was telling me that the student ministry at her church was not really growing in numbers. I encouraged her that maybe this is a time where the Lord is wanting them to pour in and disciple the young believers that are currently coming, deepening their faith. Yes, evangelism is a beautiful thing, but so is discipleship.
Fun Fact of the Day: Mongolia won their first Olympic gold medal in Beijing in wrestling.
Mongolian Word of the Day: nakhoi (prounounced na-hoy)—means “dog”
Wednesday, April 28
Today I went with the large animal guys to do a uterine infusion on the mare we cultured last week. It was much warmer than the previous week—PRAISE THE LORD!!! I definitely think that perhaps the weather in Africa more readily fits my bodily need for warmth! We researched the procedure and had everything ready to go. It all went without problems and hopefully the mare will clear the infection and be able to get pregnant. We had another horse that came because it had bloody noses and difficulty breathing during exercise. Tsek used the endoscope and looked up the nares for possible causes. Turns out that this horse has pharyngeal lymphoid hyperplasia. He was letting the owners look through the scope so he could explain the disease process whenever the power went out. We had 2 more horses on the books to radiograph, but after waiting over 45 minutes for the power to come back on, we decided to call it a day. This was the first time of going with the large animal guys where I would get to have any lunch! And I had come prepared with a FiberOne bar!
We got back to the office around 3:30 and so there was no point in me going to the small animal clinic only to leave to come back to the office for the student Bible study. I asked Mary if she needed anything done and so she gave me a list of library books and asked me if I would catalog any new ones since the original list was done and organize them. Guess who was the one who started the original list—my great friend, Audrey!!! Sometimes I really enjoy such tasks as they are a break for my mind.
Each Wednesday they have dinner, worship and a Bible study for the students at the veterinary school. We eat dinner together at 5 and just fellowship. Then after we are finished we move into one of the classrooms where they sing a few songs and someone gives a devotion. Mary was the one teaching today. She taught on the lost coin in Luke 15. She had hid a quarter in the room and asked everyone to help her find it. She then shared a story about a man that came to her church. He was obviously homeless and smelled bad and would often come to church late. Everyone was always kind to him. He started to come in each Sunday and sit closer and closer to the front. Then they noticed that he no longer smelled. The love of God through His servants had been what had changed that man and now he is a Believer. She talked about how the angels of heaven rejoiced just as much over this homeless man coming to know Jesus as Lord and Savior as they would over the President of Mongolia. We are all that special to Him. Many students come to this Bible study to practice their English, and many of those who come originally for that purpose are now walking with the Lord. Please be in prayer for the students being impacted through this facet of the V.E.T.Net ministry.
Fun Fact of the Day: Mongolians use 2 tub washers to wash clothes and then air dry everything on these nifty drying racks.
Mongolian Word of the Day: ukher (pronounced oo-ker)—means “cow”
Thursday, April 29
This morning after devotion, Karen dropped us off at the Mongolian National History Museum. It was 3 floors and documented their history since about 7-8,000 B.C. One of my favorite rooms had the authentic dress of the different tribes throughout Mongolia. They had a room dedicated to the “Communist Era”. It was very interesting to see the complete control the government had over the people. Even though this type of government is super controlling and destructive, one really good thing that they did was improve literacy from around 15% to 96%.
We got back to the clinic around lunch time. Roxy had been taken off all pain medications and fluids and he even started eating and drinking on his own! He was doing so well, we decided he would do best at home. His owner, a Cameroonian man, came and picked him up and Roxy could not get out of the clinic fast enough. I sure do hope he does well.
Tonight Kellie and I went to dinner with Narra (the teacher from previous entries) and Uuganna (pronounced “Ulna”). We decided on a Hot Pot restaurant. It was so much fun cooking our own food and they thought we were crazy for ordering the spicy soup and for putting in extra hot peppers! We told them that Texans really like hot and spicy things (and Kellie and I are really craving Mexican food). Narra told us the neatest story over dinner. Zulaa is a veterinary technician at the small animal clinic. Narra shared that on one of her trips to the countryside she met a young boy who was staying in a school dormitory. He told her that his parents had divorced and left him and his sister and that his sister was living with another family as a servant/slave. During V.E.T.Net’s trip to that county that summer, Narra inquired around about Zulaa. She found her and she came to the summer school and after praying and talking to Gerald Mitchum (founder of V.E.T.Net), they decided to bring Zola back to UB. They put her in school and provided her a place to live and now she works at V.E.T.Net and continues to grow in her faith and heal. This story just touched my heart so much. I cannot imagine the abandonment and hurt she experienced, but the Lord loved her so much to send these Godly people to find her and give her truth and agape love. Isn’t our Lord amazing!!!!!
Fun Fact of the Day: The boys at the clinic are really obsessed with Michael Jackson’s “We Are the World” song. They play it so much that it quite often gets stuck in my head!
Mongolian Word of the Day: guij baina—means “Please”
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