An unexpected phone call

I was awaiting a visit from Gustavo and his wife last Thursday when about 8:30 Gantsetseg called me her voice sounded frantic. Whether because she was frantic or because we were talking over the phone I do not know, but I was unable to understand just what the problem was. Although I was not comprehending the details it was clear that something was bothering her about her husband and husband's family.

She paused as if waiting for me to say something. I hesitated unsure of what she had just said and not sure that asking her to repeat herself was the best thing to do. So I asked if she wanted me to do something in particular or just wanted advice. She then made the first clear statement in the entire phone conversation: she said "Call me in 10 minutes."

I waited ten minutes and then called back. This phone conversation was clearer to me. I understood that he father-in-law had called because there was some problem with her husband. She wanted me to take her from her home to her parents-in-law's home which was some 14 miles away. Not far by American standards but late at night with temperatures below zero, those fourteen miles could be a long, arduous trek. So not completing understanding the situation, I agreed to come to her place, pick her up, and take her to a suburb of Ulan Bator. I took Kevin with me.

When we arrived at her shack north of the city, she was dressed for the weather and putting a scarf on her daughter. I asked again what was wrong. She said that her husband called her and said that her father-in-law had been in a car accident. When she asked what hospital he was in, her husband Erdenesuren told her to come to his parent's house. "I hope he's alive," she said to conclude her explanation of the situation.

We got in the car and drove to a suburb east of Ulan Bator. Traffic was light but the roads were icy in spots so it took some time to get there. I talked with her some, but it was clear that she was unaware of the details of the accident or her father-in-law's condition.

When we arrived at the house where she was heading she asked us just to drop her off. I offered to go in with her or to wait for her, but she declined. So Kevin and I dropped her off, watched her proceed through the gate with her daughter, and then drove back home.

Later, I learned that her father was driving to a town east of the city in the early morning before the sun was risen. The roads were icy and slick when he collided in his small car with a bus. He was killed instantly.

As far as I can tell, all but one member of the immediate family are not Christians. Gantsetseg has no desire to participate in the Buddhist rituals that the family is doing and has planned. Please pray for peace for Gantsetseg, for wisdom for her as she deals with her own grief and the grief of her family, and for the salvation of the family including Gantsetseg's husband.

It's cold

The really cold weather has officially arrived. Preparing to go out at 8 yesterday morning I checked the weather. It was -9°outside.

That evening, I went to visit Togsoo. When I returned to my apartment after 10, I looked at the temperature again. It was -27°. That's cold.

An acquaintance of mine left his diesel LandCruiser out overnight on Monday night. He hasn't been able to get it started since.

Prayer update

There is a bad case of colds and pneumonia sweeping through Mongolia currently. It seems that every family that we know both Mongolian and expatriate is being affected. Our own family has three family members with bad colds. Kristie was seemingly starting to recover after a month of various ailments when she came down with the latest cold. She has not been well since before her parents arrived at the end of September. Please pray for complete healing for her.

Ulzee's mother Aya continues to receive cancer treatment for lymphatic cancer. Physically, she seems to be becoming weaker and weaker. She cannot even perform basic hygiene functions for herself anymore. Ganpurev and Ulzee have experienced a very real peace that passes all understanding during this time of trial. Continue to pray that God would be glorified in their response to Aya's illness. Aya herself has told me that she believes in Jesus and has given up all the Buddhist rituals that she used to observe. Please pray too that she will have a strong testimony of faith in Jesus Christ before her mostly Buddhist extended family.

We heard this week that Ganpurev's nephew Ankhaa has spinal tuberculosis. He is a young fellow in his early twenties with a wife and a son who is not yet a year old. Ganpurev especially has witnessed to his nephew many times, but Ankhaa has always resisted hearing about Jesus Christ. Recently, Ankhaa was in such pain that he could not even talk. He thought he was dying. Ankhaa was living on Ganpurev's small plot; they have since moved away. Please pray for his salvation. Below is a picture of Ankhaa with his wife.


I also found out this week that a lawyer who occasionally helps me with legal matters has been diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (a.k.a. Lou Gehrig's Disease). So that gives you many things to pray about this week. We here in Mongolia need your prayers!

My 400th post

This is quite a milestone to me. Since my first post on June 28, 2006 I have posted 400 posts. There's plenty of material for that book I need to work on.

"I had a dream last night"

I received an urgent SMS this morning from a young lady who has attended church a few times and whose home Ganpurev, Ulzee, and I have visited. She had a very vivid dream about her mother in the night and wondered what she should do about it.

I quickly called her to ascertain the situation. She was obviously very upset and repeated her story: her dead grandmother appeared to her in a dream that seemed very real. Mongolians take such "appearances" very seriously and usually make an immediate trip to the Buddhists lamas to fulfill some ritual.

Her question was which ritual did the Bible prescribe when a dead relative appeared in a dream. She was very serious about her question. I explained to her that there were no rituals to perform, no need to exorcise any spirits even though her grandmother had seemed so life-like in her dream. I urged her to ask God for peace and pointed out that sometimes dreams can be tools that devilish forces use to upset us.

Her call was a reminder that in this superstitious culture dreams and visions are still taken quite seriously. Even today one can visit a shaman or witch doctor who will try to explain one's dreams. And demonic opposition is very real here too. Pray for these very young Christians that they would grow in their faith. Also pray for these unsaved yet sincerely interested Mongolians to realize their desperate need for Jesus Christ.

Picture of the week: Thanksgiving in Mongolia

A common question that we were asked on furlough is what do we do for American holidays. The short answer is we get together with our American friends and eat! This picture is our Thanksgiving Day spread from last week. This picture does not even include the desserts. There was lots to eat and plenty of good fellowship. We did miss out on turkey. A medium-sized turkey in Mongolia can cost over $100 so we rarely enjoy turkey on Thanksgiving. We did, however, enjoy the bountiful food that God gave us and the opportunity to be with fellow Americans. Some year, maybe you would consider joining us for Thanksgiving.

Thanksgiving Day thought

What can be added to the happiness of a man who is in health, out of debt, and has a clear conscience. - Adam Smith

A man in good health by the blessing of the Father of lights from whom all good things come. James 1:17

A man out of debt, not bound by his covetous passions, living contentedly with what God has given him. I Timothy 6:8

A man blessed with a clear conscience knowing that his sin has been forgiven and the price of his sin paid by the blood of Jesus Christ. I John 1:9

May all of you who read this enjoy a Happy Thanksgiving Day and rejoice in the good things that God has given us.

Pictures of the new rooms

On Sunday there was finally enough room for everyone to spread out. Too bad most people want to sit in the back rows.

Our new entryway so people who come late do not disturb the children's class. Lots of coats mean lots of people.

We have put all the chairs out; now we just need to take the plastic off and wait for Sunday.

Here is Ganpurev working to put up one of the walls. Ganpurev, John, and Kevin were mostly responsible for the walls in the new rooms. Another missionary, Don McIlvain, did all the electrical work for us.

Quote of the day

Let us depend upon it, that nothing but real faith in Christ, proved to be genuine by a holy life, can support us at last. That faith which consists merely in a correct belief of the doctrines of grace and prompts self-denial – that faith which allows us to spend all our days in serving self, content with merely refraining from outward sins, and attending to the ordinary duties of religion – is not faith at all. – Adoniram Judson

Picture of the week

These are four Mongolian men with Roland Gay. Roland spent some years in Mongolia learning the language, translating the Gospel of John, and assisting us at Faith Baptist Church. Health problems forced his family to move back to the States. However, he has such a love and burden for the Mongolian people that he has determined to visit Mongolia twice a year as the Lord allows. During his recent visit he preached some special meetings for us about the Word of God.

The four Mongolians in the group need your prayers. They are from left to right: Bob, Bilgee, Dashka, and Ganpurev. Bob recently made a profession of faith in Christ and now needs to grow. He really struggles with pride and a critical spirit. Please pray for humility and a teachable spirit.

Bilgee is not yet married but has a girl in mind and discussed marrying her. Pray that God would give him wisdom about this decision.

Dashka's wife and four children are not Christians yet. Pray that the Holy Spirit would convict them of sin, righteousness, and judgment. Also pray for Dashka to be a God-honoring husband and father.

Ganpurev's mother-in-law has cancer. Because of the medical system here it is difficult for us to know exactly how well or how poorly she is doing. However, her poor health has been weighing heavily on Ganpurev and his wife. They need your prayers for peace and comfort and strength.

These men represent the core of Faith Baptist Church. Please uphold them in your prayers this week.