International Women's Day Party

Thursday, March 8, was International Women's Day here. Everyone tells me that the holiday is to honor women (there is no Mother's Day in Mongolia). However, most unsaved Mongolian acquaintances that I know use the evening to drink. The men go out with the men and get drunk, and the women go out with the women though not necessarily to drink.

In an effort to change the way that Mongolians we know interact on Women's Day, we held a party last night at our house. We told the couples that they had to come to the party together. At the party we provided food and entertainment. We had a contest to see which husband knew the most about his wife. The men went to one room, and I asked them nine questions. I also recorded their answer. Then we went back out to the living room where the women were and compared their answers. It was pretty hilarious at times. Two of the men in particular like to be witty.

We also played Pit for an hour or so. If you have never played Pit, it is a great party game. Our neighbors probably wondered what all the shouting was about.

To understand the best part of the evening you must know something about the people whom we serve. Dashgaa was saved several years ago, but his extended family is quite antagonistic to Christianity which they see as a foreign religion. His wife Tonga has never gone before with Dashgaa to anything involving Christians. But last night she came! I hope that she had a good time. She is rather quiet and reserved - Kristie says that Tonga reminds her of herself. Maybe some of you women can take it upon yourself to pray for Tonga's salvation.