Weekly update

It is interesting this week that we have received news from Mongolia of the missionaries there enduring hardship. As you know, Kristie herself has been in some need of physical healing for some time. We believe that she is recovering slowly. Pray for us to have wisdom as we seek God's will in treating her illness.

In Mongolia, Marcy Patterson has been suffering from migraine headaches for much of the last week. In the past, she has dealt with migraine headaches; however, she is not accustomed to having them this frequently.

Also, Joann Gay, whom I mentioned was having some health issues, recently passed out, fell on her face, and broke her nose. This only compounds the problems that she is having. Since the Gays returned to Mongolia, Joann has been ill. Please pray for her and her husband Roland as they face these discouraging circumstances.

Speaking at Northland Baptist Bible College

It was my great privilege to speak recently three times at Northland Baptist Bible College's Missions Conference. Two were workshops to students and one was a general session with the students, other missionaries, and mission board representatives in attendance.

Although my public speaking probably went well, I consistently finished ten minutes early. I would be told that I needed to be done at 10:25 because the next session was scheduled to start at 10:35. I would then file away in my mind, "Must be finished ten minutes before 10:25." I would dismiss promptly at 10:15 only to realize within minutes of dismissing that I could have taken another ten minutes.

I did that in my first workshop. I looked at my watch, thought my time was winding down, took a few questions, and finished my workshop having only presented about half of my material. I packed up my items, turned in my microphone, and walked across campus to the gymnasium was the general session was scheduled next. Very few people were around; I checked my watch and then my conference handbook and realized that I had dismissed ten minutes early.

The next day I was given the privilege of speaking in the general session. Here was my chance to speak to nearly all the students at once. Again, I was asked to conclude my message by 10:20. "No problem," I thought, "I'll be sure to start my last point ten minutes before I must be done. Then I will be certain to be done on time." Again, my mind was working too hard. Rather than beginning my last point at 10:10, I looked at my watch, saw 10:00, and decided I needed to move to my last point. I guess that shows that I am human.

The result is that I gained a reputation for being a short speaker. I'm not sure that is all bad. After all, one famous orator said, "If you haven't struck oil after five minutes, stop boring."

Quote of the week

"Rome was not built in a day, nor will the work of building up a strong, well-instructed body of Lisu Christians in the Tengyueh district be the work of a day either … God has brought me to the point of being willing for it to be in His time as well as in His way. I am willing … not to see the fullness of blessing in my lifetime." – James O. Fraser

I talked to a young man recently who had been into the hill regions of China recently. He mentioned that he had held in his hands the song books that the Lisu people were using. Written in those song books was the name "James Fraser." These were the songs that Mr. Fraser had translated for the Lisu people to sing. Today almost a century later, they still use those books.

It is amazing to think that the efforts of Christian missionaries long ago still have an impact today.

April prayer letter

I have not forgotten about all of you who pray for us. Nearly every day I am reminded that you are praying. And while I realize and admit that God in His sovereignty blesses His people, isn’t it good to know that you all through prayer can join with God uniting your hearts to see His will done on earth as it is in heaven. The items of interest that I write about are the results of God’s grace and gifts, but you have united your hearts in asking for these blessings to be poured out on us! Think about that.

I thank God publicly for blessing us so richly. The blessing that encourages me the most is to hear that male members of Faith Baptist Church are bearing their responsibilities with eagerness and perseverance. Ganpurev and Dashka especially have been a great blessing to Faith Baptist Church in Ulan Bator.

Imagine a child who wanders into the kitchen expecting to be fed. Young children will say to their mother (or father), “What can I eat?” What they are really asking is, “Give me something to eat.” Spiritually, the Mongolians have always come to a church service or come to my home saying, “Give us something to feed on from God’s Word.” But now they are like teenagers who have learned how to prepare food for themselves and others.

In Mongolia this week, some of the men will prepare spiritual food to feed themselves, their families, and other Mongolians. As a spiritual parent I am so glad to see this growth. As John said, “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.”

Recently, I also heard from Mongolia that Enkhee, who is Ulzee’s older brother, was severely injured in an electrical accident. Enkhee made a profession of faith in Christ back in 2005 before we left on our first furlough. Spiritually, he grew for a while. But at some point he became more interested in working than in following Jesus as his Master. Perhaps this recent accident will remind him that life is short and that his allegiance should be to Jesus Christ.

Weekly update

Five hundred and eighty five miles in one day—I have more respect for over-the-road drivers since driving 585 miles on Monday. I drove all the way from south of Missoula, Montana to our home in Beaverton, Oregon. I think I have driven enough for a while; I plan to fly to my next meeting which is in Denver, Colorado.

I had many wonderful opportunities to speak with students about Mongolia and issues in missions at Northland Baptist Bible College's Missions Conference. Several serious-minded students talked to me about the ministry possibilities in Mongolia. Several others asked me what I thought was the best "cultural metaphor" for Mongolia.

I continue to hear good things from Mongolia about Ganpurev and Dashka stepping up and assuming appropriate responsibility within Faith Baptist Church. To me, this seems to be the best by-product of our time in the United States.

Keep praying for Kristie's health. We would be happy to see her health completely restored. As long as I am mentioning health needs, let me mention Joann Gay. Roland and Joann helped us in Mongolia from 2006-2008 and then returned to the U.S. to seek treatment for Joann's poor health. They returned this past February and have been ministering to Faith Baptist Church since their return. Joann has been ill with a variety of ailments since their return. Please pray that she too would return to complete health.

Pray for Enkhee

Some of you may remember Enkhee (Ink-hay' with the emphasis on the second syllable). He is Ulzee's older brother. He is an electrician by trade and was recently electrocuted at work. He lost consciousness for a while and has had problems with his eyesight since the accident. Please pray for our great and merciful God to draw Enkhee closer to Himself through this trial.

Enkhee made a profession of faith in Jesus Christ about six years ago; however, he has not grown much because he puts work before all else. Perhaps this will cause him to consider his eternal future and his life now.

This is a picture of Enkhee on the left with Ganpurev on the right.

Weekly update

Today I find myself at Northland Baptist Bible College (NBBC) for their annual missions conference. Has God ever put you in a place where you thought you knew what you were getting into but then later realized that God had planned for more than you were expecting? But leave that for now ...

I asked you to pray last week for Kristie's health. Every time we think that she is beginning to feel better, she seems to relapse. (Perhaps she is allergic to feeling better.) She certainly is not back to complete health yet so please pray for a complete recovery. Long-term it is important for Kristie to be well when we return to Mongolia. The stresses of living overseas and home-schooling the children are enough without the added burdens of ill health and the associated fatigue.

Among the chapel speakers at this conference are Bob Jones III, Matt Recker, and one Scott Dean. Wow! These are people with much more wisdom and life experience than I have. I am truly awed to be counted among their company, a junior member, of course. Please pray as I will be preaching the college chapel tomorrow.

I am so glad to know that you pray for us. Pray for Kristie's health and my preaching this week.

Interesting information

I found this interesting information from Operation World recently and wanted to share it with those of you who pray. You can read the whole page here.

Notice what it says about the Church [sic] of Mongolia and its challenges: "b) Age-imbalanced congregations – most are comprised of youth with a few old folk, but the churches need to reach more working-age people, especially men."

Pray for the men of our church to be the leaders that they ought to be.

Quote of the week

"The things that we are willing to make sacrifices for reveal what our idols are."

Sea of Galilee

The Sea of Galilee is a blue jewel lying almost 700 feet below sea level in between the Golan Heights and the mountains of Galilee.

Personally, I found it to be a beautiful lake but was surprised that it was not larger. I guess from childhood I had also imagined a large lake. The water seemed clean without many contaminants.

This picture is taken from the west side of the lake at about its mid-point. The place is called the Cliff of Arbel. Capernaum would be to the left. Tiberius is just over the hill slightly to the right. Behind me several miles would be Nazareth positioned in the hills of Galilee. Across the lake would have been the country of the Gadarenes mentioned in Mark 5 and Luke 8.

Weekly update

From the church in Mongolia we continue to hear good things. The best news that we have had is that several of the men are shouldering their responsibility. Because the Mongolians must realize that this is their church such news is encouraging to me. It was one of the reasons that we felt our furlough was necessary at this time.

In general, however, Mongolia is experiencing an extremely difficult winter. Many animals have died leaving some herders without a viable means of support. Each winter already draws thousands of new Mongolians to Ulan Bator in search of work; this winter should see an increase in the movement of people from the countryside to the city.

We arrived back in the United States from our trip to Mongolia late last Tuesday night. Kristie became sick on the trip home and has been sick ever since. Please pray for her to make a complete recovery. I have a busy couple of weeks coming up with meetings in Wisconsin, Montana, and Colorado before I head to California for meetings. It would be great if Kristie and I and the entire family were healthy.

Harsh Mongolian winter

These pictures that I have posted are from a Mongolian friend.

In Mongolia this winter has been particularly cold. Millions of animals have died leaving some Mongolians without a livelihood.

Here is another article from USA Today reporting on the Mongolian winter.

Resurrection Day

It seems appropriate on this day that we commemorate our Savior's resurrection to post some pictures and content related to that great event.

In Jerusalem is a place not far from the Damascus Gate that has been set aside to celebrate our Savior's resurrection in a less commercial style. Called the Garden Tomb and owned by an association from Great Britain, it serves as a place to remember our Savior's death, burial, and resurrection.

We cannot know for certain that Jesus died and was buried on that spot anymore than we can know for sure that his resurrection happened on April 4. But we can use the quiet spot to remember our Savior's great love for us.

"He is not here: for He is risen, as He said"

The Garden Tomb is set in the midst of a beautiful garden. Imagine the women coming early on in the morning on the first day of the week, wondering how to roll away the stone, and finding the stone rolled away from the tomb.

An angel announced to them: "He is not here: for He is risen, as He said." I like that last part especially, as He said. It reminds me that the Resurrection of Jesus was not an afterthought, something that God tacked on to His plan when He realized the magnitude of the finality of His Son's death. God always planned it with the Resurrection in mind. The Old Testament prophets testified to His resurrection. (see Luke 24:24-27 and John 12:34). Jesus told His disciples about the Resurrection well before His death (see Matthew 16:21). They just refused to believe.

"declared [to be] the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead"

And then when Peter and John entered the tomb later that day they found it empty without any bars or gates (like the Garden Tomb has). Well, it was not completely empty: they saw Jesus' grave clothes wrapped together neatly and lying there.

His Resurrection reveals to us His deity and His power.

"But for us also, to whom it [righteousness] shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead; Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification."

But all this should not simply be intellectually acknowledged. We must understand and believe that Jesus death, burial, and resurrection was for our sake. Without it, there would be no justification, no sanctification, no hope.

So rejoice with me today that He is risen, as He said!

Many prayer requests

It seems like all is filled with bad news this week. From Mongolia I heard news that Byambaa has an unexpected crisis the details of which I cannot share. Pray for Ganpurev and Ulzee as they counsel her and for God's grace to be evident in her life. She is emotionally distraught at this time.

The Gays need our prayers too. Roland & Joann were forced to come back to the U.S. for almost two years because of poor health. They returned to help Faith Baptist Church and assist the Bible translation project. However, Joann has been sick ever since they arrived in mid-February. I know that there will always be opposition to God's work; but it is difficult to watch close friends go through difficult circumstances.

Perhaps most dire is the news that our friends Daniel & Lydia Elliott lost their six-year-old daughter Esther to cancer on Friday. Please pray for God's comfort, grace, and love to be evident in their lives. In our times of distress let us turn to the God of all comfort and the One who knows our infirmities.

Model of Jerusalem

One of the highlights of a trip to Jerusalem has to be visiting the model of Jerusalem during the Second Temple period; in other words, during the time of Jesus the Christ.

Here is a picture from that famous model.