Bayambaa's baptism

Here's a video of Bayambaa's baptism for those of you who'd like to see it. Since you probably won't understand the Mongolian, I've included a voiceover with some information about Bayambaa.

In other news ...

I visited Aya in the hospital on Saturday. As mentioned in previous posts, hospital visits in Mongolia often involve extended treatments. Some common treatments while Mongolians are in the hospital include injections of vitamins, massage therapy, and plenty of rest. Strangely, the public hospitals that make up the Mongolian national system do not feed their patients. The families of patients bring in food.

Aya went in with high blood pressure; a very sore, arthritic knee; and ear trouble that was preventing her from hearing well. When I visited on Saturday she was already feeling better, and her blood pressure was lower. She expects to leave the hospital on Thursday.

We probably had our last day until next spring with temperatures above freezing on Sunday. Sunday's high was 37° F. A cold front moved in during the evening bringing a little snow and a low of -9° F. Somehow are bedroom window was left partially open, and I awoke in the night very cold and shut the window.

The forecast says that temperatures will go even lower the next few days. Of course, the Lord has blessed us with a warm apartment - warm enough that someone opened a window when it was hovering near zero outside. Several of our families though live in shacks or gers (Mongolian tents). The price of coal has doubled since last year making heating expenses go through the roof for these families.

Baptismal service

We had our baptismal service on Sunday. There were seven baptized including my ministry partner's daughter Julia. In the picture above you see from left to right: Roland Gay, my partner in ministry; Bilgoon, Ganpurev & Ulzee's son; Chimgay, Buren's middle daughter; Julia, Roland's daughter; Nyamkaa, Ganpurev & Ulzee's daughter; Bayambaa; Tsenday, Bayambaa's father; myself (you do recognize me, don't you?); and Uchkaa, Buren's youngest daughter.

It was exciting to Tsenday baptized. He is older than the others and often the elderly here in Mongolia have a hard time accepting the truth. His daughter Bayambaa became a Christian through the witness of a Mongolian and then began attending our church services last year. A rough pregnancy prevented her from coming for several months, but recently she has begun to attend again faithfully. She began to bring her father early this year. He showed much interest in the Bible and Jesus Christ but years of Buddhist beliefs hindered his understanding. Gradually, as he continued to attend and heard the Gospel multiple times, he realized his sinful heart and his desperate need for Jesus Christ. It was actually during the summer while I was in the States that he told Roland and Bilgee that he had become a Christian. Please pray for Bayambaa's husband Mandaa to be saved. He has heard the Gospel a few times but claims to be irreligious.

Another blessing of the Lord was that we had a good turnout. There were seventeen adults who attended the baptismal service. Roland did a good job of preaching and the Gospel was clearly given. I would say that about half of those that attended were not Christians, many of them Ganpurev's family members who came to see his children baptized. Also Buren was there to see his daughters baptized. There were several who were under obvious conviction during the preaching. I would like to get out and visit them this week with Ganpurev. Please pray for opportunities to do that and for more chances to preach Jesus Christ to these people.

James Fraser and prayer

James Fraser came to realize in a greater way the importance of prayer by watching D. E. Hoste who was general director of China Inland Mission at the time. Although CIM had hundreds and hundreds of missionaries spread throughout China, Hoste spend huge amounts of time in prayer, both individually and praying with other missionaries. Fraser was amazed at the length of time that Hoste would spend in prayer. Hoste quickly pointed out to Fraser that his time and energy were always saved by prayer and wasted without it.

It reminds me of another quote I once wrote down: "Everything vital to the missionary enterprise hinges upon prayer." Think on these words.

a James Fraser quote on prayer

James Fraser is a missionary whom I encourage everyone to read about. A good student with prospects as an engineer, Fraser left England to work in China and eventually ended up with tribal people in the mountains of south China. People whom I know personally have had the opportunity to visit these tribal people and witness their continued Christian testimony. Like Adoniram Judson in Burma, Fraser left behind a lasting ministry with results that continue to this present day. Even though he ministered before international telephone service and instant e-mail, James Fraser believed that keeping people in England informed was a worthwhile use of his time. He would write detailed letters to his supporters that might take months to arrive but that assured him that they would be praying intelligently for him and specifically for the requests that he would mention.

He once said referring to I Corinthians 3:6-7, "Paul may plant and Apollos water, but it is God who gives the increase, and this increase can be brought down from heaven by believing prayer, whether offered in China or in England" (emphasis mine). I too believe that people who live in North America and pray for us have a direct impact on our ministry here in Mongolia. That is why I take time to update the blog and why I include the names and pictures of individuals. We need your prayers!

In the coming weeks I hope to post a few more of James Fraser's quotes and thoughts on prayer. I know that many of you pray diligently for us and for those to whom we minister. May God bless you for your faithfulness in prayer.

Sunday update

Last year in November, we finally started to grow. This year in November, it seems as if the group we have is static. After our return, each week our attendance seemed to grow with a total of 20 Mongolians several Sundays ago. Since then we have had a basic core group of Mongolians come but few visitors. I've included in this post a picture of the people who regularly attend our church here in Mongolia. There are others who come some of the time. But the picture includes almost all of the people who come regularly.

Ganaa is the Mongolian lady whom we are trying to train to teach the children. She is an excellent teacher. However, her husband Bob is unsaved and not very supportive of her teaching. However, because she really wants to help with the children we have been working with her. On Saturday, Ganaa told Kristie she would be unable to come on Sunday.

Then on Sunday morning, Joann - Kristie's missionary partner here in Mongolia - called to say that she was sick and unable to come. So Kristie went from having someone lined up to teach the story and provide the children with a craft while she led singing to being responsible for everything herself.

Next week we will be baptizing people. It will be the first time in a while that we have baptized, and there are six that are prepared for baptism with another two who are possibilities. Please pray that there will be no hindrances to these being baptized next week. I hope to post pictures here next week of the baptisms so come back next week to see them.

Ministering to neighbors

Wednesday night about 9 PM our neighbors showed up to trade recipies with Kristie. You can see the plates and cookbook on the table. In the middle is Badma with her son Tsogdoo who lives next door to us. On the right is Zaya with her daughter Khuslen. They live two floors below us. Zaya spent some years in Germany. The recipie that she brought was for a German cake. It was good.

We have had the opportunity to talk of our Savior with Badma and Zaya. Badma come to our church service on Easter once. Please pray for the salvation of our neighbors. Also, it is easier for Kristie to get together with the ladies than it is for me to get together with the men. Please pray that I would have opportunities to be a witness for Jesus Christ to our neighbors too.

Prayer update

I have two requests that I would like to mention this week. One is wisdom, grace, and strength for us as we have opportunities to interact with Mongolians every day. Some days, Kristie and I do not really feel like interacting with Mongolians. (We would much rather type e-mails in English to loved ones back in the U.S.) But we want to have a vision to minister to Mongolians, the motivation to do it with joy, and the wisdom to minister effectively. Monday night a neighbor came over and heard the Gospel; Tuesday night a neighbor came over, heard more about our services on Sunday, and received a Gospel tract; Wednesday night a neighbor is scheduled to come over; and Thursday night Mongolians friends are to visit.

The second request is this: pray that Bilgee would be eager to follow God's path instead of his own and be willing to repent. I cannot say more than that presently except that Bilgee has made some decisions to continue in sin and seems unrepentant. Of course, if he continues he faces church discipline which would not be pleasant for anyone. But we believe that God changes hearts through prayer, and I would urge you to pray for Bilgee this coming week.

Prayer update

This week I would ask for your prayers for some of our Mongolian friends. Ganpurev and Ulzee are doing well enough, but their son Bilgoon (the one with the eye trouble) and Ulzee's mother Aya are both suffering this week. Last week something like a boil developed on the back of Bilgoon's head. When the boil-like bubble was lanced, pus and blood came out. His parents expected him to make a swift recovery; unfortunately, pus and blood continue to drain from the lanced boil nearly a week later. The school nurse looked at it and sent him home. Currently, Bilgoon is taking antibiotics and resting at home.

Aya is probably in her 70's although I have never asked. (I am one of those who firmly believes one should never ask a woman's age or weight). One of her knees has developed a problem that is painful and makes it impossible for her to walk without assistance. She has been to see the doctor, and they have ordered some tests. However, I do not hold out much hope that Aya will have the treatment she needs in Mongolia's national health care system.

Most of all, Aya needs to recognize that Jesus Christ is her Savior. Virginia Powell has been praying for her salvation for some time. Would you please take any opportunity you have this week to pray for her salvation? I dearly enjoy seeing Aya make a public profession of faith in Christ before it is too late.

Sunday's attendance

I must admit that yesterday's attendance was a little bit of a disappointment to me. We had been steadily growing by one or two each week. Yesterday, we had eight Mongolian adults come but only two children. Last year at this time, eight adults would have been a great turn-out.

I am planning to use my free time this week to do some more visiting. Please pray that it would be profitable.