The Lord has been so incredibly gracious to us. We were scheduled to depart for Ulaanbaatar this past Monday. It had been a busy week before and then our team served at a 2 day English camp on Friday and Saturday and then services on Sunday. Packing for the Mongolia trip was a joke. We did our packing in the wee hours of the night on Sunday knowing that we would leave for the church at 6am. I couldn't pick my brain up off the floor long enough to know with any level of certainty that we actually had what we would need.
There were still many unfinished details, but alas, the time had come to get up and go. So, we all loaded the bus with boxes and boxes of supplies to take to Mongolia. Our flight was scheduled for 12pm, but they always double-book all the seats so you have to get there early. We arrived at the airport at 8:30am or so and after 2 hours we learned that one of the break pads on the plane was damaged and that another would have to be shipped from Singapore. They originally said it would be a 3 or 4 hour delay, but around 11am they sent us all off to a local hotel. It was a very comfortable place.
That break was so nice. I was able to repack and regroup and get more things prepared for the trip. I even took a trip to Emart to get some cheap bags that we needed. When I was there Will and San managed to lock themselves in a store room while they were under someone elses' watch. They were in there for about 15 minutes trapped and in the dark. Finally someone hear the banging and let them out. Will didn't like that too much.
The next morning we set out at 3am for the airport and we caught the 6am flight. It was a pleasant flight. I think I slept the whole time. The kids did, too.
When we landed at the Chinggis Khan Airport it was decided that the U.S. team would skip the Darhan trip that was previously planned because we had already missed one day, so we travelled to our apartment and had a day to spare and prepare for kids camp. That was yet another blessing of extra time. I'm so glad that the Lord can make changes to the schedule.
Every morning our team reads a devotion together called "Jesus Calling" by Sarah Young. It has been the perfect thing for us. Thank you God (and Sarah!) After devotion we've had kids camp for the past 3 days. We've been ministering from 10am to 5pm everyday to Korean missionary kids. It has really been a privilege to bless and sow into the children of missionaries to Mongolia. We're thankful for the opportunity.
Mongolia seems very heavy spiritually. Even in the natural, people don't smile, they just stare, their live expectancy is half of that in the U.S., they are very aggressive and violent. Good behavior and happy healthy living is not the norm here. Don't get me wrong, these people are precious and this land is beautiful, but there's a definite oppression that you can't deny.
With that being said, I sense a real need to press in to God's presence and kind of break through this barrier that is here. I'm supposed to lead worship, but I've had a terrible head cold, so I'm praying and trusting for God's healing so that I can do my small part on this trip.
Today is day 3 of the camp. We are now done and the camp staff are walking around Ulaanbaatar. I decided to come back to the apartment and type since I'm sneezing my head off and struggling with sinus pain, sore throat, etc. This too shall pass.... Thankfully I packed 1 Theraflu in my dazed effort to be prepared. I just took it.
Tomorrow we'll worship together and prep for seminar on Monday. Monday through Wednesday we'll lead a seminar for 800 - 1000 Mongolian adults. They want to learn how to disciple children and we will train them and minister to them and give them supplies for free. I'll be leading worship for 1.5 hours each day, so I'm praying that I'll be well and that the Holy Spirit will bring the breakthrough that His people need.
Mongolia is only 3% Christian and those that are Christians are "babies" in Christ. The Gospel was first introduced 20 years ago. The positive impact of regeneration is not yet evident in this land. They need it. Even in very practical ways. The city streets are covered in litter and there is violence on every corner. Animals are abused and stray dogs are roasted with a torch and eaten. They need God. They need the fruit of the Holy Spirit.
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law." Galatians 5:22-23
My hope and prayer is that these precious people will experience the reality of God's presence and the power of His Spirit so that they can be the Light to this dark country. It's funny how sometimes people romanticize primitive cultures, but the reality is that there is nothing beautiful about cruelty, hate and violence. We've seen some strange and terrible things here. They need the Gospel. They need the change that God's Spirit can bring.
"For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes." Romans 1:16
Salvation is not the adoption of a set of beliefs or the conversion of a human to a set of empty rituals or ideas. Salvation is the dramatic, life-changing transformation of the human soul that can only come through God's own power, mercy and grace. It is available to all who will simply receive. Help them, Lord...
There were still many unfinished details, but alas, the time had come to get up and go. So, we all loaded the bus with boxes and boxes of supplies to take to Mongolia. Our flight was scheduled for 12pm, but they always double-book all the seats so you have to get there early. We arrived at the airport at 8:30am or so and after 2 hours we learned that one of the break pads on the plane was damaged and that another would have to be shipped from Singapore. They originally said it would be a 3 or 4 hour delay, but around 11am they sent us all off to a local hotel. It was a very comfortable place.
That break was so nice. I was able to repack and regroup and get more things prepared for the trip. I even took a trip to Emart to get some cheap bags that we needed. When I was there Will and San managed to lock themselves in a store room while they were under someone elses' watch. They were in there for about 15 minutes trapped and in the dark. Finally someone hear the banging and let them out. Will didn't like that too much.
The next morning we set out at 3am for the airport and we caught the 6am flight. It was a pleasant flight. I think I slept the whole time. The kids did, too.
When we landed at the Chinggis Khan Airport it was decided that the U.S. team would skip the Darhan trip that was previously planned because we had already missed one day, so we travelled to our apartment and had a day to spare and prepare for kids camp. That was yet another blessing of extra time. I'm so glad that the Lord can make changes to the schedule.
Every morning our team reads a devotion together called "Jesus Calling" by Sarah Young. It has been the perfect thing for us. Thank you God (and Sarah!) After devotion we've had kids camp for the past 3 days. We've been ministering from 10am to 5pm everyday to Korean missionary kids. It has really been a privilege to bless and sow into the children of missionaries to Mongolia. We're thankful for the opportunity.
Mongolia seems very heavy spiritually. Even in the natural, people don't smile, they just stare, their live expectancy is half of that in the U.S., they are very aggressive and violent. Good behavior and happy healthy living is not the norm here. Don't get me wrong, these people are precious and this land is beautiful, but there's a definite oppression that you can't deny.
With that being said, I sense a real need to press in to God's presence and kind of break through this barrier that is here. I'm supposed to lead worship, but I've had a terrible head cold, so I'm praying and trusting for God's healing so that I can do my small part on this trip.
Today is day 3 of the camp. We are now done and the camp staff are walking around Ulaanbaatar. I decided to come back to the apartment and type since I'm sneezing my head off and struggling with sinus pain, sore throat, etc. This too shall pass.... Thankfully I packed 1 Theraflu in my dazed effort to be prepared. I just took it.
Tomorrow we'll worship together and prep for seminar on Monday. Monday through Wednesday we'll lead a seminar for 800 - 1000 Mongolian adults. They want to learn how to disciple children and we will train them and minister to them and give them supplies for free. I'll be leading worship for 1.5 hours each day, so I'm praying that I'll be well and that the Holy Spirit will bring the breakthrough that His people need.
Mongolia is only 3% Christian and those that are Christians are "babies" in Christ. The Gospel was first introduced 20 years ago. The positive impact of regeneration is not yet evident in this land. They need it. Even in very practical ways. The city streets are covered in litter and there is violence on every corner. Animals are abused and stray dogs are roasted with a torch and eaten. They need God. They need the fruit of the Holy Spirit.
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law." Galatians 5:22-23
My hope and prayer is that these precious people will experience the reality of God's presence and the power of His Spirit so that they can be the Light to this dark country. It's funny how sometimes people romanticize primitive cultures, but the reality is that there is nothing beautiful about cruelty, hate and violence. We've seen some strange and terrible things here. They need the Gospel. They need the change that God's Spirit can bring.
"For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes." Romans 1:16
Salvation is not the adoption of a set of beliefs or the conversion of a human to a set of empty rituals or ideas. Salvation is the dramatic, life-changing transformation of the human soul that can only come through God's own power, mercy and grace. It is available to all who will simply receive. Help them, Lord...
No comments:
Post a Comment