Deans' weekly update

The family has been finishing up school and begun to put away all the school things. I have been busy with my Bible institute class on the Life of Christ. I have enjoyed putting the class together. Church attendance has been down because there have been many people sick.

We praise the Lord that Aya is still with us. She grows weaker bit by bit. But every time that I go to see her she has a good attitude and sweet spirit. I know that her poor health weighs on Ganpurev and Ulzee. God has been so good to give that whole family grace for every need. Keep praying for them.

Quote of the week

"The great difference today in the world is not between the liberal and the fundamentalist. But the great gulf fixed today is between the evangelical rationalist and the evangelical mystic. … We have evangelical rationalists who insist upon trying to reduce everything down to where it can be explained and proved. The result is, we have rationalized faith and we have pulled Almighty God down to the low level of human reason. There are some things human reason cannot do." —A. W. Tozer (1897-1963)

Deans' weekly update

Let me give you an update on the family this week. Last week I asked you to pray for Kristie. I’m glad to report that she is feeling somewhat better. However, her root canal that she had done in January needs to be re-done. She has an appointment Thursday to start that work.

Caleb was also sick much of last week: a nasty cold and occasional fever. Kristie and he were trying to get his schoolwork done this month. He continued to make progress on his schoolwork as he was able, but I think he has been delayed.

Charissa and Emily have been working hard to finish their school year. I think both of them have completed several subjects already. All the children are looking ahead to summer.

We had two visitors from Inner Mongolia at our service on Sunday. Afterward, they asked to meet with me. They wanted to tell me that they realized that Turks, Mongols, Maygars, Koreans, and Japanese are the descendants of Jacob’s son Benjamin. The conversation ranged from the Mongolian spot to ovoos to the shape of gers. It was an interesting conversation if not a particularly profitable one. It was also a reminder of the susceptibility of young believers to be blown about by every wind of doctrine. Please pray for Faith Baptist Church to be strengthened in faith and stable in doctrine.

Picture of the week

Our youngest church attenders

Quote of the week

"A worldly church cannot and will not reach the world. The church must be distinct from the world to reach the world. We must set ourselves apart to God if we hope to reach the world. In a word, the only hope for us and the lost world is a holy church." —Kent Hughes

Deans' weekly update

It is imperative that we praise God for His blessings as much as we beseech Him for those blessings. There are two specific items for which I would like to ask you to praise the Lord this week.

Many of you have been praying for Ganpurev for years. It was over nine years ago that I returned to my house rejoicing that Ganpurev and Ulzee had become children of God. And it has been a joy to watch them grow and watch God bless them. Now, I am thrilled to report that Ganpurev is growing into his role as pastor of Faith Baptist Church. This past week, someone remarked to me how Ganpurev seemed to be growing more confident in his position as pastor. I, too, have noticed the extra efforts he makes to lead Faith Baptist Church. By God’s grace, Pastor Ganpurev will continue to lead Jesus’ church in Ulan Bator for many years to come.

You also prayed with us last week about the renewal of our residency permission. I am glad to report that all was accomplished with few complications. We were, as usual, missing a single document. But that was easily gathered and duly turned in. We should pick up the residency permission cards on Thursday of this week.

Kristie has not been well: candida has sprung up again. Pray for her to regain some strength and energy. We know God is always in control and that His lovingkindness never fails. So we thank Him that even in sickness He is guiding. But we also find it easier to face life and the duties to which God calls us when we are healthy.

Look for another update next week. What a blessing it is to serve the Living God!

Mongolian hearse

Deans' weekly update

It’s simple: without residency permission we are unable to stay in Mongolia. For the past eleven years we have received regular and frequent (maybe too frequent) extensions of our residency permission. Sometimes we have been told that we were near the end of our residency; but the bureaucrats have always extended it.

This month we must renew our residency again. I have been waiting to write a weekly update until after I received word whether our application to the immigration office for the extension of our residency permission had been accepted. This is the last hurdle to receive a renewal of our residency permission. The paperwork once accepted and the extension fee is paid is an indication that the residency renewal is granted.

We thought that we would submit that paperwork today. However, we have been delayed from submitting the paperwork. The plan is to submit the paperwork the first thing tomorrow morning. Pray for the paperwork to be accepted. We do not anticipate any problems, but we should not wait until we have a problem to begin to pray.

We remain grateful for your prayers and know that God uses prayer to align our will with His. Please continue to pray for these Mongolians to grow in faith and in steadfastness.

Picture of the week

I find that I take more pictures when I carry a camera with me. This week's picture is a small traffic jam within a stone's throw of our house. These happen almost daily when people selfishly refuse to yield and instead block traffic thinking that they will get somewhere a few seconds more quickly if they stick their nose into traffic.

Hot weather

The weather is getting hot in Mongolia. It's a little earlier than normal. In previous years we have experienced snow as late as the first week of May. Today the temperature is 84 F or almost 30 C. Still, the heat is on in our building. The Mongolians like it hot; but also, the standard day to turn off the heat is May 15 whether the heat is needed or not.

I talked to one of building managers today and asked him when the heat would be turned off. His reply, "May 15 just like every year."

Thought of the week

Reading the Bible aligns our thoughts with the word of God; praying to Him aligns our desires with the will of God.

Deans' weekly update

There are many pressures on me this week. That's not a complaint; it's a statement of fact and a request for you to pray for me as I make decisions and lead people. Here are some specific requests.

Enkhtuul had a court date Monday because her husband is seeking a legal divorce. To encourage Enkhtuul, I asked another lady from the church to attend the court case with her and sent them both with some verses of encouragement. The verses I sent seemed especially sweet to both of them. Strangely, it was a part of the verse that I did not intend for them to notice.

The verse was from Psalm 146: "The LORD preserveth the strangers; he relieveth the fatherless and widow: but the way of the wicked he turneth upside down." I wanted her to focus on God's preservation. It seems though that her husband was delayed in traffic and called the court to ask for a delay of the proceedings. We also expected the judge to summarily grant the divorce; however, the court delayed their decision for another ten days. Finally, a friend of Enkhtuul's talked her husband into paying for her past six month's rent. So the two ladies saw all these set-backs for Enkhtuul's husband as a fulfillment of the second half of the verse, "The way of the wicked he turneth upside down." Keep praying for reconciliation!

Our residency permission is up for renewal this month. I keep hearing stories of others who are struggling to reside in Mongolia. We hope that God will cause our residency permission to be renewed without extra work. I already have a blessing to share with you in that regard. As part of the process, I have to have my status at the Foreign Investment and Foreign Trade Agency (FIFTA) renewed. (This is before I renew my company documents so that I can renew my residency permission). I have a competent lady who is helping me with this process. Today she took my card into FIFTA. They told her that there would be two fees. Then they took a look at my card.

"Oh, that's 'Scott,'" the man said, "I know him so I'll waive the second fee."

How is that for an encouraging start to the renewal process? The entire process will take about two weeks, and there are still numerous obstacles to hurdle. Please pray for more treatment like today's at the FIFTA office.

Picture of the week

Ever wonder how extreme the weather can be here. Notice that earlier in April, we had a day with a high temperature of 73 followed by a cold the next day of 9. That's extreme to me.

This was just a forecast. It didn't turn out to be that extreme on the days expected. Friday the low was 9 (that's below freezing). The Sunday following the one listed here, it was an actual 72. And the Wednesday following that, we were back down to 9 degrees for a low with snow.