Sunday update

We almost doubled our attendance from last week's low. We also had our first visitor ever come from seeing out sign. It was quite a Sunday for us!

Halfway through our service a lady came in and seated herself. People were polite but subdued because it was an unusual time for a visitor to come in. As soon as the service was over, I introduced myself, and the Mongolians began to talk with her. I was excited about the way that our regular folks just began to chat with her. In the past I have often felt that the regulars were unsure about the way to treat newcomers. I understood from the conversation that she was walking past our church's meeting place on her way home from her regular church's service when she saw our sign and decided to check us out. I was glad that she came in.

Our number's were so down last week that our attendance could only go up. Still, it was gratifying to see so many come.

Ganpurev was scheduled to preach in my place. We have been working together the last few weeks to make sure that he was prepared. He did just fine and just needs to continue to prepare and deliver sermons. He does a good job of explaining the text; his weakness seems to be in making application. We will be working on that.

Ganaa did not come today. Kristie talked with her some this past week and believes her to be struggling with discouragement. She started a private kindergarten so that she could stay with her two-year-old son all day. But the private kindergarten has not been very successful and is a lot of work. Now she mainly works with young elementary students as a tutor which is not very profitable. Her husband Bob continues to be antagonistic towards Jesus Christ and works to discourage her. She needs our prayers.