Benjamin Franklin's Investment

When Benjamin Franklin died in 1790, his estate was valued at about $250,000; in today's dollars, he was a multimillionaire. In a codicil to his will Franklin wrote that he wanted "to be useful even after my death if possible." He then bequeathed 1,000 pounds to both Boston, Massachusetts and to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with the instructions that from that money loans were to be given to entrepreneurs of good standing and moral character. The low interest loans were intended to give these young people a start in business. The interest would collect over the years and expand the program.

Benjamin Franklin calculated that by 1890, 100,000 pounds could be subtracted from the funds and spent on various transportation projects, and there would still be enough funds to continue the loans to entrepreneurs. So he directed that one hundred years after his death 100,000 pounds was to be taken from each fund and used on such things as roads and bridges.

He must have had great faith in American character and the American system of government that he helped found because he further directed that after 200 years the remaining monies in the trust funds were to be divided between Boston, Philadelphia, and the states of Massachusetts and Pennsylvania. So in 1990, a total of 6.5 million dollars was divided between these four governments. All from an investment of 2,000 pounds.

We too are investing our lives. Only eternity will show the results of the investment that we have made for Jesus Christ. Only then will we watch with agony the wood, hay, and stubble burn and watch with amazement the building that God has made of our gold, silver, and precious stones.

So many have invested in me over the years that, excepting my parents, it would be foolish for me to mention them all. But I have been conscious of their efforts and wish to take their investments in me and re-invest it in others.

When it comes to missions, I am reminded of something Nate Saint, the famous missionary killed along with Jim Elliot by Auca Indians in the jungles of Ecuador. He once said, "People who don’t know the Lord ask why in the world we waste our lives as missionaries. They forget that they too are expending their lives … and when the bubble has burst they will have nothing of eternal significance to show for the years they have wasted." To some, it may seem as if the missionary is wasting his life. But to those whose eternity has been changed by the arrival of a preacher of righteousness, that life certainly does not seem wasted.

Just as Benjamin Franklin, we can invest for the future or allow our lives to be frittered away on so many unimportant things. Except that unlike Benjamin Franklin our investment will not only continue to for several hundred years, our investments by God's grace will continue forever. So how about you? What on earth are you doing for heaven's sake?

Sunday's attendance

We were blessed with 12 Mongolian adults and 10 Mongolian children for a total of 22 Mongolians on Sunday morning. While preparing to take a picture, I took this one to warm up and then my camera batteries were dead. Of course, I had not contemplated bringing more batteries. Still, in this picture you can see nine of the twelve Mongolian adults and Roland Gay, our current partner here in Mongolia.

On the far left is Enkhamgalan (if you are interested in a brief history: initial meeting and latest information) and next to him with his head behind the girl in a camo jacket is Mandaa. Please be praying for the salvation of both of these men.

Mandaa and Bayambaa update

I had a chance to spend some time with Mandaa and Bayambaa today. This young couple is just a few years younger than us and has two children. Bayambaa was led to our Savior by another missionary who is no longer in the city and began to attend our church last year. This last June she gave birth to their second child.

Mandaa is not a very talkative fellow and his job as an artist requires him to work long hours. Interestingly, as an artist he has been involved in making statues of false gods, of literally making idols. He claims no religious affiliation. Between his long hours and his reluctance to speak, I do not feel as if I have had much of a chance to get to know him.

Today Bayambaa told me that Mandaa has been reading a Bible that she has. Please pray for his salvation.

Mongolian language help

For those of you that are interested, I stumbled across an interesting site that offers free tutorials in classic Mongolian. Check out Lingua Mongolia. Have fun!

Enkhamgalan update

I met with Enkhamgalan last night. He had some things that he wanted to translate and two questions about the Bible that he wanted to ask me. He wanted to ask about the meaning of Ephesians 5:16 and Luke 18:27. We finished his question from Ephesians quickly and moved into the translation which took some time.

Then it was time to deal with Luke 18:27, "The things which are impossible with men are possible with God." I pointed out that the context was salvation because the rich man has asked what he had to do to inherit eternal life. Jesus was teaching his disciples that doing good and keeping certain rituals was not the way to eternal life. Still not clearly understanding Jesus the disciples responded, "Who then can be saved?" At which Jesus responded that it was only possible with God.

This was just the spiritual lesson that Enkhamgalan needed regarding salvation. Like the disciples, he did not understand why Jesus thought that salvation was impossible for men to do without God. I took the opportunity to again stress that the way to [peace with] God is faith in Jesus Christ.

Enkhamgalan however by his own admission is looking for proof that God exists and that Jesus is the only way to God. But incontrovertible truth and faith are mutually exclusive. As one man wisely said, "Were there no room for doubt there would be no room for faith either." So I challenged Enkhamgalan to have faith in God.

His response was very indicative of his spiritual condition: "I have faith," he said.

"Good," I said with joy expecting something like the Philippian jailor - now what must I believe to be saved - or at least the cry of the father of the demon-possessed son - I believe, please help my unbelief. Instead his followed up with the rhetorical question, "Now where's my proof?" So I can see that he still does not have the faith that is the evidence of things not seen.

Continue to pray for Enkhamgalan. Pray that God would give him faith, saving faith.

Sunday update

We had a decent Sunday for us. There were fifteen Mongolians in attendance about half of whom were children. I still wish that the Mongolians would sing with more enthusiasm, but they are making progress. I am feeling more and more confident in my Mongolian.

Enkhamgalan called me unexpectedly today. Although he had been in attendance the previous two Sundays, yesterday he was absent. He says that he has something to talk to me about and something to ask of me. He even said that he would come across town to meet with me which surprised me. I guess I'll see what he has to say. Please pray for Enkhamgalan.

Also, pray for Bilgee. He is facing some important decisions and needs God's direction and grace to make the right decisions.

Saturday, October 6 - First Snow

We woke up this morning to find snow on the rooftops and grassy areas and tops of cars. Its snowing now as I post this. The snow isn't sticking to the blacktop but you can see it on the roofs and tops of cars in the picture. Either way, it means that it was cold last night but not cold enough for the snow to build up.

The weather had been warm up until two days ago. Yesterday was rather cold. It should warm up briefly and then the temperatures will go below freezing and stay there for four or five months.

Printing press update

Just an update on the printing press that was sent to Mongolia last year. It is up and running full time, currently printing tracts in Mongolian. Here is a picture of the press and some other equipment in the shop.
There are three Mongolians who are currently being trained to run the press. My job has been to provide moral support. I did help a little when they were setting up the press by helping them find needed items and translating for the Americans and Mongolians who were trying to work together initially setting up the press.

Update on search for a Mongolian pastor

"The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that He will send forth labourers into His harvest." This words from Matthew's gospel are a reminder to us of the importance of prayer in the raising up of workers for the salvation of human lives and the establishment of churches around the world. This also frames the prayer request that I have for you.

In January I realized that I would be traveling to Oregon for our church's 25th anniversary. I determined that I would prepare our little group of believers as best as I could for our absence and trust that God would use our time away from Mongolia to strengthen our young believers and perhaps raise up a Mongolian man who would recognize God's call upon his life to lead the church. Towards that end, I spent many weeks during the spring preparing Ganpurev to teach a series of lessons while I was gone. I wondered if God might use this experience to reveal to Ganpurev His call to pastor this Mongolian church.

While I was gone Ganpurev did an admirable job preaching. The Mongolians seemed to respond to having a Mongolian preaching. Of course, he speaks Mongolian better than either Roland or I do. I was encouraged by these reports.

I had a chance to sit down and talk with Ganpurev recently and discovered that he felt relieved that it was over. Rather than the opportunity giving him a greater desire to preach and teach, the opportunity seemed to show him the difficulties of it. My hope was that upon my return Ganpurev would say to me, "I believe that God has called me to pastor this group." Instead, he seems to be saying, "I'm glad that's over. I'd rather not preach again." Certainly, I expect that he will preach again; it is my job as his spiritual father to help him grow and mature. However, it seems that God has another way of supplying the need for a Mongolian man to pastor this church. Please pray that the Lord of the harvest would send us some men to be the leaders of this church.

Inflation notes

Just some notes on prices in Mongolia for those of you who are interested. During the previous year previous the exchange rate for dollars to togrogs had been relatively stable, about 1160 togrogs to the dollar. We returned from our two month trip to the States to find that the dollar was stronger than when we had left; it is trading at 1185 togrogs to the dollar (this favors us).

But although prices in Mongolia had been relatively stable last year, in the two months that we were gone prices rose significantly. Here are some examples. Eggs had been 120 each (10 cents each); now eggs are 160 and more each (13 cents each taking the new exchange rate into account). Cheese was 6500 togrogs a kilogram or about $2.55/lb ($5 for a two pound block of cheese isn't bad). Cheese is now 8000 togrogs a kilogram or about $3.06/lb ($6 for a two pound block of cheese at the new exchange rate). Gas prices are about the same as they were before we left (around $3/gal.).

Because prices had increased during the time we were gone without a corresponding increase in salaries, I asked Buren what the poor people were going to do. He said, "Grow thin and starve." Our budget is such that price increases just take a little discretionary income. We won't have to skip meals or anything. But I know that my missionary friends in Europe are truly struggling as the dollar grows weaker and weaker against the euro.