Weekly update

Time goes by so quickly anymore. It seems that I hardly finish one project when two others come due.

Kristie and I thank the Lord for the chance we had to be with our mothers on Mother's Day this year. It is only the third time this century that I have had the opportunity to be with my mother on that special day. Both our mothers and fathers as well as Kristie's brothers gathered together after church at Kristie's parents' home.

I talked to Ganpurev today. He reported that so far the renewal of my company's business certificate which I called a re-registration of my company in last week's update is progressing smoothly. Thank you for your prayers.

I know that many of you have been praying for Tonga's salvation. She is the lady who underwent stomach cancer surgery this past summer. Her husband Dashka is a member of the church and a part of the Bible translation team that Bill is assembling. She continues to experience some health issues though I do not know whether they are related to her cancer or not. Please continue to pray for the salvation of spouses of church members.

Also, Kristie will be speaking at our church's Ladies' Missionary Fellowship meeting this Friday evening. Many of you are probably aware that Kristie does not enjoy public speaking. I know that she will do well and communicate effectively, but am sure that she would appreciate your prayers.

Quote of the week

"Worldliness is departing from God. It is a man-centered way of thinking; it proposes objectives which demand no radical breach with man's fallen nature; it judges the importance of things by the present and material results; it weighs success by numbers; it covets human esteem and wants no unpopularity; it knows no truth for which it is worth suffering; it declines to be 'a fool for Christ's sake.'" — Iain Murray

Weekly update

A prayer request and an answer to prayer—the verse that is on my mind today as I write this is: "And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me." One reason that we pray is that when our prayers are answered God receives the glory.

So I ask you this week to please pray for the re-registration of the company in Mongolia. This is a yearly requirement, and every year the bureaucrats who are responsible to re-register the company claim that it will be difficult to re-register my company. It is not that the company has any problems; I follow all the laws and pay my taxes. Each year for the last three years it has been re-registered. Let's pray that the company will be re-registered this year, and then praise the Lord when it is accomplished.

I am confident that God wants the company to be re-registered because He is providing the money that is needed to complete the building. Money has been coming in steadily. At a recent church, after expressing some interest in the building program, a man gave a significant amount of money toward the completion of the project. Then a church mentioned that they would like to be a help. Because the completion of the building is dependent upon the re-registration of the company, it seems to me that the Lord must have a plan. Let's align our prayers with His will and then praise Him for His working.

Urgent prayer request

I know that many of you read this blog to know how to pray for us. Our good friends, Roland & Joann Gay, have worked with us since 2006. Some of that time they were in the United States dealing with difficult health issues.

Even while they were away, Roland would return to Mongolia to assist in church work and Bible translation. To the right is a picture of Roland preaching during a series of special meetings that we held in November of 2008.

The family returned to Mongolia in February having made some progress on the health issues. However, since their return Joann, in particular, has experienced one health problem after another.

Last week, Joann passed out, fell on her face, and broke her nose among other injuries. The Gays have decided that it is necessary for Joann to temporarily return to the States for medical attention. I can imagine how difficult this decision was for them. Please pray for Joann as she travels and Roland as he manages the family in her absence.

Our family continues to do well. We have a full schedule of meetings in May except for Mother's Day which we will spend with our parents. It seems like our time in the States is quickly drawing to a close. Continue to pray for us as we travel.

Kristie's health seems to be improving. Thank you for your prayers for her.

Quote of the week

"Our young men are going into professional fields because they don't 'feel called' to the mission field. We don't need a call; we need a kick in the pants!" — Jim Elliott

Weekly update

It is interesting this week that we have received news from Mongolia of the missionaries there enduring hardship. As you know, Kristie herself has been in some need of physical healing for some time. We believe that she is recovering slowly. Pray for us to have wisdom as we seek God's will in treating her illness.

In Mongolia, Marcy Patterson has been suffering from migraine headaches for much of the last week. In the past, she has dealt with migraine headaches; however, she is not accustomed to having them this frequently.

Also, Joann Gay, whom I mentioned was having some health issues, recently passed out, fell on her face, and broke her nose. This only compounds the problems that she is having. Since the Gays returned to Mongolia, Joann has been ill. Please pray for her and her husband Roland as they face these discouraging circumstances.

Speaking at Northland Baptist Bible College

It was my great privilege to speak recently three times at Northland Baptist Bible College's Missions Conference. Two were workshops to students and one was a general session with the students, other missionaries, and mission board representatives in attendance.

Although my public speaking probably went well, I consistently finished ten minutes early. I would be told that I needed to be done at 10:25 because the next session was scheduled to start at 10:35. I would then file away in my mind, "Must be finished ten minutes before 10:25." I would dismiss promptly at 10:15 only to realize within minutes of dismissing that I could have taken another ten minutes.

I did that in my first workshop. I looked at my watch, thought my time was winding down, took a few questions, and finished my workshop having only presented about half of my material. I packed up my items, turned in my microphone, and walked across campus to the gymnasium was the general session was scheduled next. Very few people were around; I checked my watch and then my conference handbook and realized that I had dismissed ten minutes early.

The next day I was given the privilege of speaking in the general session. Here was my chance to speak to nearly all the students at once. Again, I was asked to conclude my message by 10:20. "No problem," I thought, "I'll be sure to start my last point ten minutes before I must be done. Then I will be certain to be done on time." Again, my mind was working too hard. Rather than beginning my last point at 10:10, I looked at my watch, saw 10:00, and decided I needed to move to my last point. I guess that shows that I am human.

The result is that I gained a reputation for being a short speaker. I'm not sure that is all bad. After all, one famous orator said, "If you haven't struck oil after five minutes, stop boring."

Quote of the week

"Rome was not built in a day, nor will the work of building up a strong, well-instructed body of Lisu Christians in the Tengyueh district be the work of a day either … God has brought me to the point of being willing for it to be in His time as well as in His way. I am willing … not to see the fullness of blessing in my lifetime." – James O. Fraser

I talked to a young man recently who had been into the hill regions of China recently. He mentioned that he had held in his hands the song books that the Lisu people were using. Written in those song books was the name "James Fraser." These were the songs that Mr. Fraser had translated for the Lisu people to sing. Today almost a century later, they still use those books.

It is amazing to think that the efforts of Christian missionaries long ago still have an impact today.

April prayer letter

I have not forgotten about all of you who pray for us. Nearly every day I am reminded that you are praying. And while I realize and admit that God in His sovereignty blesses His people, isn’t it good to know that you all through prayer can join with God uniting your hearts to see His will done on earth as it is in heaven. The items of interest that I write about are the results of God’s grace and gifts, but you have united your hearts in asking for these blessings to be poured out on us! Think about that.

I thank God publicly for blessing us so richly. The blessing that encourages me the most is to hear that male members of Faith Baptist Church are bearing their responsibilities with eagerness and perseverance. Ganpurev and Dashka especially have been a great blessing to Faith Baptist Church in Ulan Bator.

Imagine a child who wanders into the kitchen expecting to be fed. Young children will say to their mother (or father), “What can I eat?” What they are really asking is, “Give me something to eat.” Spiritually, the Mongolians have always come to a church service or come to my home saying, “Give us something to feed on from God’s Word.” But now they are like teenagers who have learned how to prepare food for themselves and others.

In Mongolia this week, some of the men will prepare spiritual food to feed themselves, their families, and other Mongolians. As a spiritual parent I am so glad to see this growth. As John said, “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.”

Recently, I also heard from Mongolia that Enkhee, who is Ulzee’s older brother, was severely injured in an electrical accident. Enkhee made a profession of faith in Christ back in 2005 before we left on our first furlough. Spiritually, he grew for a while. But at some point he became more interested in working than in following Jesus as his Master. Perhaps this recent accident will remind him that life is short and that his allegiance should be to Jesus Christ.

Weekly update

Five hundred and eighty five miles in one day—I have more respect for over-the-road drivers since driving 585 miles on Monday. I drove all the way from south of Missoula, Montana to our home in Beaverton, Oregon. I think I have driven enough for a while; I plan to fly to my next meeting which is in Denver, Colorado.

I had many wonderful opportunities to speak with students about Mongolia and issues in missions at Northland Baptist Bible College's Missions Conference. Several serious-minded students talked to me about the ministry possibilities in Mongolia. Several others asked me what I thought was the best "cultural metaphor" for Mongolia.

I continue to hear good things from Mongolia about Ganpurev and Dashka stepping up and assuming appropriate responsibility within Faith Baptist Church. To me, this seems to be the best by-product of our time in the United States.

Keep praying for Kristie's health. We would be happy to see her health completely restored. As long as I am mentioning health needs, let me mention Joann Gay. Roland and Joann helped us in Mongolia from 2006-2008 and then returned to the U.S. to seek treatment for Joann's poor health. They returned this past February and have been ministering to Faith Baptist Church since their return. Joann has been ill with a variety of ailments since their return. Please pray that she too would return to complete health.