Sunday greetings from Mongolia

We had a decent Sunday. We had a small group in Sunday morning even though we had planned a fellowship after the service. Some of the men made a traditional Mongolian meat dish: хорхог. Some of the ladies brought salads and we shared it all.

Sunday night we had a large crowd out with at least seven visitors: some family, some friends. It was a good group. We will probably need to start setting out more chairs again.

My family is all well. Several wives were quite sick today.

Quote of the week

"To the ancient the question was, 'how do I conform my soul to reality?' the answer was, 'by virtue and discipline.' To the modern, the question is, 'how can I reconfigure reality to accommodate my passions?' and the answer is, 'by technique or technology.'" — Ravi Zacharias

Weekly update

The dog days of summer they call them. That time of the year when it is hot outside and not much gets done. Many Mongolians are gone from the city, resting in the countryside, drinking fermented mare’s milk, and eating yogurt. But I am happy to say that God is never on vacation. He is always at work, sometimes slowly, sometimes quickly working His will to its ultimate completion.

I have not sent an update on Bob in some time because there has not been much to say. I met with Bob after my return from furlough. He made it clear to me that he no longer sees himself as a Christian or believes the Bible to be true. So for some time, I have not reached out to Bob.

I heard last week, however, that Bob had damaged his ankle in a soccer game. Thinking that his recent injury might be an opportunity to talk about the Lord, I went to his house to visit. We had a pleasant visit. He needed a ride to meet some people on business but unable to drive because of his injured ankle, he asked me if I would drive him around. I agreed to drive him around.

If you were hoping as I was that his ankle injury would cause Bob to think again about his relationship to his Creator, you will be disappointed to learn that it has not. Bob and his family did come to the church service on Sunday for which I am grateful. However, they came because Bob needed some money to enroll his son in school. He wanted to ask me for that money. We will see if he comes again this Sunday.

We will be having a fellowship after the service eating the standard Mongolian cooked meat: хорхог. In the summer, Mongolians like to cook хорхог in the countryside similar to the way Americans like to eat food grilled outside in the hot months. The church is working to invite people out for this Sunday. Please pray that we have a good crowd and that many people will join us.

Ulzee's baby

Ulzee's baby was born Tuesday, August 16 weighing about 8 1/2 lbs. Mother and baby came home from the hospital on Sunday. They both seem to be doing well.

I finally heard the baby's name yesterday. Ulzee named her little one Nandinbileg which means "precious gift" in Mongolian.

Quote of the week

"For so precious to God is the mystery of simple, naked faith that there are times when it is within His purposes to isolate it drastically, so as clearly to demonstrate that faith can stand all by itself, cut off from every visible authentication of its worth." — Mike Mason in The Gospel According to Job

Deans' weekly update

August is usually a slow month for us. I would be dissembling to say that there are many things to tell you.

Ulzee had her baby girl Tuesday night by Caesarean section. Pray for her recovery and the health of her newborn. Aya had a catheter installed to allow her bladder to empty because the cancer has completely blocked her urinary tract. Since having the catheter placed, Aya seems to be doing marginally better.

This past Sunday there were three people who arrived early to the church meeting. All three of them were men, and all three had children with them. One was a widower, and the other two had wives that were indisposed. Despite excuses to not come, all three were there; and all three helped out with the service. As the prelude began to play, one of them bowed his head and spent some time in silent prayer. A missionary longs to see nationals develop a relationship with God that is vital and consistent. Here were three men that are doing that, I believe. Pray with me for more men to be saved and willing to be disciples of Jesus Christ.

Noah and Jonah

Noah was a preacher of righteousness for 120 years and only saw his immediate family saved. Jonah ran from God and argued with God; he preached for three days and saw a city come to repentance. Understand always that the sovereignty of God has a part in history and do not expect to know this side of eternity all that God is doing.

Ulaanbaatar

the city where we serve

Quote of the week

"Your final reward will be determined by your faithfulness not by public applause."

Want to sample some Mongolian food?

I found a slide show that shares pictures of real Mongolian food. I've never been able to take these pictures. See them here http://www.slate.com/slideshow/life/a-traditional-mongolian-feast#slide_1

Deans' weekly update

I listened to a sermon last month that encouraged me to thank God for the pressures of life that conform me to the image of His Son. Rather than become discouraged or cynical, I have been attempting to thank God for the many pressures. Please do not misunderstand as I share these pressures with you and do not feel pity for us. We are in the middle of God's will, doing what He has asked of us, and amazed that He uses us. But we do need your prayers.

This past Friday morning facing a multitude of difficulties, I reached out to some dear friends for help and wrote, "the pressure is too great for me today." But it was not a cry of despair but rather an admission of weakness. Because God is teaching me that in my weakness and inadequacy, being yielded to His Holy Spirit brings strength.

It seemed to me that I lacked the time and energy to meet the demands placed on me for Friday. But as I did each task and focused on what was next, God opened up a way. This past weekend, I accomplished all that God gave me to do. All the glory goes to Him because I did not think that it was possible. So first, thank God with me for His goodness, mercy, and grace on this past weekend.

A few prayer requests: Aya's body continues to weaken at the same time that her daughter Ulzee comes closer and closer to delivering her baby. The fleshly response of fear would tell me that Ulzee's baby and her mother's passing would occur at the worst possible time. But I have no fear. All circumstances are in God's hand. He controls them and will only allow those that we are able to bear by His grace and those pressures that will conform us to the image of His Son. God is good all the time.

Kristie has still not completely recovered from her recent illness. Please pray for her to have strength and energy. My allergies have become an impetus for more prayer and Bible reading. That is a good result. Charissa's pain turned out to be an abscessed tooth. That has been treated. However, the dentist is now recommending that we have her wisdom teeth removed soon. Please pray for wisdom as we seek the right oral surgeon in Mongolia to perform this task.

Quote of the week

"In my experience, 95 percent of believers who face the test of persecution pass it, while 95 percent who face the test of prosperity fail it." — heard by Randy Alcorn from a leader of a persecuted church in Romania

Deans' weekly update

Let me begin by saying: may the Lord be praised for His goodness and His wonderful works to the children of men. The burdens are heavy upon us but the Lord's grace is sufficient for every need.

First off, Aya is not doing well. She has not been eating or sleeping much of late. Ulzee, who is preparing to have her baby any day now, is properly concerned about her mother. Ganpurev is doing all he can to be a help. But at this point there is only so much they can do. Their daughter Nyamkaa is struggling mightily with allergies.

Second, Ganchimeg has still not recovered from the recent birth of her daughter. She has been walking with a funny gait. She saw the doctor today who told her she needed to have an X-ray to make sure that her bones were undamaged.

Our family has also had some health struggles the last few weeks. Kristie, Charissa, and I in particular have been sick or in pain for one reason or another. We are hoping to have Charissa's wisdom teeth removed as soon as possible, Kristie needs your prayers, and my allergies which seemed nearly gone last month are back and very troublesome. Pray that we will rest in God's grace as we deal with our physical ailments.

Pray for wisdom as we interact with missionaries both new and old in Mongolia. Our desire is to be a blessing to them and encourage them in their service for the Lord.