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!)