Some more updates

I know that many of you are praying for Aya who has cancer. She has been in a lot of pain recently. Doctors prescribed a more powerful pain-killer, but Ganpurev has been unable to locate a pharmacy that even seems aware that the prescribed pain-killer exists. Dashka has been helping him.

Also, Dashka came Sunday without his children. His older daughter had a basketball practice or tournament. His older son had a chess club to attend. His younger son and daughter were both sick. His younger son, however, told him that because he missed last Sunday, he must go to church this Sunday. Keep praying for Dashka to have wisdom as he raises his children.

Kristie and I met with a Mongolian couple who is looking for a Baptist church. It is the first time I remember a Mongolian ever coming to me looking for a Baptist church. They heard about Daniel Elliott through the Internet, and Daniel kindly introduced them to us. We had an fascinating visit with them. They certainly know the Bible well. We have already scheduled a Bible study at their house next Tuesday. Kristie and I would like to see them join Faith Baptist Church and participate in its ministries. Pray for wisdom as we seek to integrate them into the church.

Some pictures from Sunday

We're training them when they are young to sit in the service.

This is our choir preparing for our Christmas music presentation on December 11.

Deans' weekly update

It is officially cold: this morning when I rose it was −22 F (that's -30 C for most of the world) outside, much warmer inside for which I thank our God. Despite my offer to give him a ride, my father chose to take his walk today. It was −18 when he left. So, yes, it is cold here.

We are still making plans for a special Sunday evening presentation of Christmas music by the English service folks at Millie's restaurant. That is a central, well-known location to host such a program. The church is rather excited. Preparing this program has opened up doors of service to several who have not stepped up to serve before. That has been an encouragement to me.

Despite the cold (or perhaps because of it), we had a decent group of Mongolians come out on Sunday. The singing was enthusiastic also.

On a personal note, sometime during our busy Sunday Kristie lost her wedding band. We have been searching both at home and at the church building for the ring, but so far it remains unrecovered.

There are many things to pray about: pray that we can find Kristie's wedding ring. Keep praying for these Mongolians to be submitted to God's work and will in their lives. Also, pray for the Christmas music presentation. Because I will be preaching to many whom do not normally attend our service, I would ask you for wisdom and boldness to preach Jesus the Savior of the world to them.

Thanksgiving with family and friends

We were blessed to spend a Friday with family and friends celebrating Thanksgiving Day. (Don't worry, even though it was Friday here it was Thursday in the United States.) It was the first time that we have been able to spend Thanksgiving Day with family. My parents have been visiting us and been here for more than a month now.

Also there were several other missionaries who joined us—28 in all. 17 of those were children. The picture is my parents with Jason & Becky Muller and their children. 

Quote of the week

"The American dream is not a promise; it is an opportunity. The American dream cannot be given; it can only be achieved. And in America, unlike most of the rest of the world, it is achievable. The only thing standing between any person and the attainment of the American dream is that person himself." —Dave Lister

Some pictures from yesterday

We had a house-warming party at Dashka's new home yesterday. Nearly everyone wanted to hold Ganpurev & Ulzee's baby, Nanda.

The picture below though is my favorite from yesterday. It is Dashka holding his youngest daughter Amii, she's smiling and all is right with the world.

Another note about this month's prayer letter

After sending out my prayer letter, I heard from a supporting pastor. He wrote:

Bro. Dean,

Another sideline to your story, it was the retirement of Russ Frederick that enabled our supporting your family.  We wanted to stay with Baptist World, and we had been aware of your good ministry.  When the Fredericks retired, we contacted you and you allowed us the privilege of partnering with you.

Another thread in the tapestry of God.

Quote of the week

"To have the gospel means we owe the gospel to others." —Clarence Sexton

Deans' prayer letter

“The LORD of hosts is his name; and thy Redeemer the Holy One of Israel; The God of the whole earth shall he be called” (Isaiah 54:5). We serve the God of the whole earth. It is easy for Christians who have grown up in America to think that we are the only ones, that we are the ones who must go to the ends of the earth to bring the Gospel to those who do not know.  If we Americans do not go, who will?

The reality is that God is working through many people in many countries. I have to tell you this story because it reveals one amazing thread among the millions who make up God’s tapestry.

One of my friends in Mongolia is Bolderdene. I have known him ever since language school. For the entire time that I have known him, I have been aware that he was a Christian. For some years, he tutored me in my language studies and helped me translate various Bible study tools and other items into Mongolian. Along with Ganpurev, he has been my cultural advisor, particularly on topics relating to biblical application to Mongolian society.

Bolderdene was saved by Jesus Christ. The man who baptized him and mentored him is Jurgen Kuhlman. I met his wife, Rita, on several occasions. She is the famous linguist who wrote the grammar book on the Mongolian language. I think I remember meeting Jurgen on one occasion. I have heard Bolderdene talk about Jurgen many times, especially about Jurgen’s role in discipling him and teaching him the Bible.

While at Baptist World Mission’s Annual Meeting, I met Russ Fredrick. He was a missionary in Germany for 41 years. Now retired, he was back for the annual meeting. He told me that he had baptized and discipled a German fellow, who later went to Outer Mongolia as a missionary. He told me the man’s name was Jurgen.

I had heard so much about Jurgen from Bolderdene that I had to ask, “You mean Jurgen Kuhlman?”

“Yes,” he replied, and asked if I knew him. I responded that I met him only once, but knew much about him from my friend Bolderdene.

So the Word of God goes out from the United States to Germany. God moves in the German’s heart to go to Mongolia, where he plants a church and disciples believers. One of those believers is Bolderdene, who has been a help to me over the years. The thread of Russ’s ministry is woven over the string of Jurgen’s ministry. The line of his ministry is running past the thread of Bolderdene’s life. After being impacted by Bolderdene’s friendship, I trace the line all the way back to Russ, revealing just a small measure of God’s wisdom and sovereignty in His work around the world.

Deans' weekly update

There is a new program that we are trying out. Jason Ritchie is helping Faith Baptist Church's English service prepare some special music for Christmas. On December 11, we plan to host a Christmas music special. Our desire is for many people to attend who normally would not attend our service. To this end we are making plans to hold the service away from our normal meeting location and gather at a place that is more convenient for visitors. Please pray for God to bless, for the musical ensemble to be well-prepared, and for wisdom as I prepare a sermon on our Savior.

There is a significant amount of illness going around in our city. It came to our house last week and has been with us since then. It started with Kristie and then was passed to Elsie. Charissa was the next to be sick. The following day was my mother's turn; and today was my turn. Emily, Caleb, and my father still remain untouched by "the plague" as I am affectionately calling it. I find it comforting to know that all the uncontrollable circumstances that God allows in our lives are designed to conform us to the image of His Son.

Quote of the week

"Blessed is he who has learned to laugh at himself, for he shall never cease to be entertained."

Old family picture

I found this family picture from about ten years ago.

Some pictures from Sunday's fellowship

Ganpurev with his new daughter, Nandinbileg.

Ulzee participating in a Bible trivia contest.

Tsegii participating in the Bible trivia contest.

Three of Dashka's children from left to right: Hobo (yes, like traveling on rails hobo), Ankhmaa, and Amii. On the right is Baysaa's daughter, Hulan.

Enkhtuul's daughter, Ankhiluun.

Thank you to my beautiful wife Kristie for these great pictures.

Update on Aya

Many of you have been praying for Aya. My parents, Kristie, and I went to visit her this past weekend. She is having trouble walking; her doctor told the family that it is because her cancer is beginning to effect her legs. She remains in good spirits despite her increasing disability.

She was recently able to attend an extended family gathering. At first she did not want to go because of her fragility. But Ganpurev and another family member talked her into going. She so enjoyed herself.

Every time that I visit Aya I am encouraged. Despite becoming weaker and weaker as her body succumbs to cancer, she remains cheerful. Every time I go over, she has a testimony of faith in Jesus Christ to share. My prayer for Aya is that her strong testimony of faith in Jesus Christ will have a lasting impact on her relatives.

Deans' weekly update

Sunday we held a fellowship after the service. The entire church invited folks out and prepared food. We had plenty of food but not any visitors. The fellowship was enjoyable. Ganchimeg had prepared Bible trivia questions and hosted a contest. The people had fun answering the questions and giggling at each other's lack of Bible knowledge.

We recently renewed our residency permission. In the past we had some concern about renewing our residency permission. At this time our residency permission must be renewed once every six months. Each time we meet with the bureaucrats we collect seemingly reams of paperwork and answer various odd questions in an effort to renew the permission we receive from the Mongolian government to live in Mongolia. Often it takes me several days of errands to prepare everything. However, I found an assistant, Bolormaa, who has been most helpful. She collected all my paperwork, organized all my applications, had documents translated, and spent two mornings going to the immigration office on our behalf. The end result is another six months of residency permission, this time without much hassle. So thank the Lord with us for His help.

Pictures of the newest children

These are the newest attenders at Faith Baptist Church. The top picture is Ganpurev holding his daughter Nandinbileg. The other picture is Haliun which is Baysaa and Ganchimeg's daughter.

Quote

"I have learned from experience that the greater part of our happiness or misery depends upon our dispositions, and not our circumstances." —Martha Washington

From Germany by God's hand

American Christians in particular need to remember that we serve the God of the whole earth. It is easy for Christians who have grown up in America to think that we are the only ones who truly have God’s word. Sometimes we hear preaching that seems to say that if we Americans do not go, who will?

Reality is that God is working through many people in many countries. I have to tell you this story because it is such an amazing reminder of God’s work throughout the world.

One of my friends in Mongolia is Bolderdene. I have known him ever since language school. For the entire time that I have known him, I have been aware that he was a Christian. For some years, he tutored me in my language studies and helped me translate various Bible study tools and other items into Mongolian. Along with Ganpurev, he has been my cultural advisor particularly on topics relating to Biblical application to Mongolian society.

Bolderdene was saved by Jesus Christ. The man who baptized him and mentored him is named Jurgen Kuhlman. I met his wife Rita on several occasions. She is a famous linguist who wrote the grammar book on the Mongolian language. I think I remember meeting Jurgen on one occasion. But I have heard Bolderdene talk about Jurgen many times especially about Jurgen’s role in discipling him.

While at Baptist World Mission’s Annual Meeting, I met a Russ Fredrick. He was a missionary in Germany for forty-one years. Now retired he was back for the annual meeting. He told me that he had baptized and discipled a German fellow who later went to Outer Mongolia as a missionary. The man’s name was Jurgen he told me.

I had heard so much about Jurgen from Bolderdene that I had to ask, “You mean Jurgen Kuhlman?”

“Yes,” he replied and asked if I knew him. I responded that I met him once but knew much about him from my friend Bolderdene.

So the word of God goes out from the United States to Germany. God moves in the German’s heart to go to Mongolia where he plants a church and disciples believers. One of those believers is Bolderdene who has been a help to me over the years. From the United States to Germany to Mongolia—and then I met Russ in Chicago.

Deans' weekly update

Did you read the news this weekend? Seven billion people—the United Nations declared Monday to be the day that the world's population passes seven billion. It was only a decade ago that the world's population passed six billion. When I was born there were about four billion people alive on the planet. It appears that in my lifetime alone the population of the planet will more than double. Are there twice as many missionaries today as there were when I was a boy?

A godly Christian pastor once said to a group of which I was a part that he was praying for the Lord to return quickly. He explained that the world's population was growing far more quickly than the number of missionaries. Therefore, people in the next generation were actually less likely to hear the message of the Gospel than the people of this generation.

I do not share his pessimism. I have seen God at work in many unexpected ways during my time in Mongolia. But I will say that we will not reach the world if we primarily rely on missionaries to preach the Gospel. All of us have a crucial part in spreading the Gospel to our families, our co-workers, our neighbors. What have you done this week to get out the Good News?