Sunday update

Let's be frank: not every Sunday is spectacular. Today had its share of foibles. First, I have been struggling with allergies. Today, my eyes seemed to be having trouble focusing on the page in front of me. Because the print in our Mongolian hymn books is rather small, I was having trouble reading the print. More than once, I sang the wrong words when I was trying to read the songs.

But I was not the only one; Ganpurev was reading a verse, accidentally turned an extra page, and kept reading as if he were on the right page. The verse became rather silly when he did that. He paused, looked back at the previous page where he had been reading and realized what he had done. "Let's start reading again from the beginning," he said and was re-read the verse, correctly that time.

But we also had a new thing happen. Togsoo came early and asked if he could lead the congregation in singing one of the songs. I was stunned. I had never had someone approach me and ask if they could lead the congregational singing, even for one song. I happily said yes, and it turned out rather well. Perhaps Togsoo will lead congregational singing while I am gone on furlough.

Good Bible studies

Ganpurev and I have been leading basic Bible studies with two families: Bysaa and his wife Ganchimeg, and Togsoo and his wife Gantuya. (For those of you trying to keep track of family relationships Ganchimeg and Gantuya are sisters.)

All of them have been diligently doing their assignments. Gantuya made a profession of faith last spring and was baptized. The other three recently made professions of faith and will be baptized this month, if the Lord enables.

It is encouraging to me to see young couples united in our Savior and studying the Bible together. Please pray for their spiritual growth.

From the steppes of Central Asia

I guess I should no longer be surprised at the depth of man's depravity or the abundance of God's provision. But I still am! Though I cannot share with you the details of the most recent example of man's depravity, I can share with you the abundance of God's provision.

As I was pouring over the details from August's financial statement, I discovered that someone from a town in Canada that I have never visited sent us $2,850 (Canadian). I looked at the name and could not recall ever meeting someone with that name even though the name was a memorable one. I had not solicited anyone for funds. God just sent it in. I have determined to use the money in the building project.

The building project continues to be blessed with protection from injury and good speed. I believe that by the end of this week they will be prepared to lay the pre-formed slabs on the second floor. After that it will be a matter of finish work in order to seal the building against the coming winter. To completely finish the building this year is beyond my current financial resources. However, I believe that God in His time will provide the money that will be needed for interior walls, floor coverings, a permanent heating system, plumbing, and electrical.

Pray that God would give each Christian involved in Faith Baptist Church a hatred of sin and a hunger & thirst after righteousness.

Losing my dinner

I had taken Kristie out to dinner. It was one of those "hole-in-the-wall" restaurants that you would never go into unless someone took you there. (It was the Enjoy Cafe for those of you who have visited us in Mongolia).

It is an inexpensive place with good steaks. You can buy a thin steak at that cafe for about three dollars. Add a drink & salad and the price will still be less than $5. It is within walking distance of where we live on a nice fall evening. We took a walk there while a babysitter watched the kids. Kristie ordered a bowl of soup; I asked for a steak. (If you ever come to Mongolia and go to Enjoy Cafe, get the steak not the soup).

I had eaten a salad and about half of the steak and found myself pleasantly full. I thought I would take the rest of the steak home because Caleb really enjoys the steaks at Enjoy Cafe. Kristie and I were conversing and enjoying the evening out. Suddenly a drunk man staggered into the cafe. Public drunkenness is not an unusual spectacle in Mongolia; we did not think much of it.

The waitresses quickly confronted him. But it turned out that he just wanted the two liter coke bottle that he was carrying filled up with water. They waitress was kind enough to put water in his bottle as he swayed at the counter. He was on his way out the door when he came by our table. I try to avoid eye contact with drunks as they sometimes get violent with foreigners. Since we were the only foreigners in the restaurant, I thought it would be best to just ignore him.

So I really was not paying attention as he traveled by our table and napped the half of a steak that was sitting on my plate. The waitresses were aghast. One of them hurried over to our table and offered me another new steak. I declined because I was already full. Kristie and I both laughed over the incident. We were shocked that the drunk man purloined my sirloin.

Pray for Bob

Some of you know some of Bob's background. We really need to pray for him and the family. He has told his family again that they cannot attend church. He has also been drinking a lot again. I have not seen him for about a month. I will make a point to see the family this week.

Quote of the week

"The foundations of our society and government rest so much on the teachings of the Bible that it would be difficult to support them if faith in these teachings should cease to be practically universal in our country." – Calvin Coolidge

Family seminar

Faith Baptist Church had a family seminar today. I was a little surprised at the light attendance, but this is only the second time that we've tried a seminar on a Saturday. Also, many Mongolians work six and seven days a week. One man could not get Saturday and Sunday off, so he took Sunday off and sent his wife to the Saturday seminar.

Weather in Mongolia

I was recently reading an update from a pastor who mentioned that it was 106〫F where he was. Here in Mongolia, in late August we reached a low of 32〫F one night. Thursday (Sept. 3) the high temperature was 77〫but Friday's high was 45〫

I don't even want to think about what the low will be tonight—and it's only the first week of September.

Weekly update

First, let me say a big "thank you" to those of you who pray for us. We need it! Just because there is not a crisis going on at this time does not mean that we don't need your prayers. We do need them … all the time.

When you pray, keep in mind Tonga. She is out of the hospital having completed her first round of chemotherapy treatments. She still has at least four more rounds of chemotherapy treatments. Pray that God would strengthen her body before her next round of treatments to enable her to endure them. But mainly, continue to pray for her salvation!

Ganpurev and I have started another home Bible study. However, this one combines nearly three families. I have been excited about their earnest study. Each of them has been diligent in doing their lessons and faithful to memorize the verses. They even agreed to meet at 8:00 in the morning to enable one of the students to attend the home Bible study before work. He gets off too late at night to do the lessons then. Pray for their spiritual growth.

Most of you know that we have a furlough coming up in November. That means that there are many loose ends to tie up before we leave. Pray for wisdom to prioritize our time correctly and pray for servants to serve in our place while we are away.

Sunday update

We had a decent turnout yesterday in the despite the fact that about half a dozen people were missing because of illness that they reported to me. Allergies, colds, etc. - a veritable litany of illnesses. We had two people come for the first time though neither was new to me. I had met them before. They both said they would be back; one is a step-father of one member and the other is a friend of another member. Pray that they will return.

Dashka's wife is out of hospital still. She goes back in about two weeks for another round of chemotherapy. Pray that these next two weeks will see her body strengthened in preparation for the next round of chemotherapy. Also, continue to pray for her salvation. Kristie and I intend to see her at her home soon.

Tomorrow morning (Tuesday) I have an early Bible study. One of the men has work at 11 AM. So he suggested that we meet at 8 in the morning. I was glad to see his eagerness to be at the Bible studies and the other people's willingness to be up early to study God's word! Pray for their growth.