August is usually a slow month for us. I would be dissembling to say that there are many things to tell you.
Ulzee had her baby girl Tuesday night by Caesarean section. Pray for her recovery and the health of her newborn. Aya had a catheter installed to allow her bladder to empty because the cancer has completely blocked her urinary tract. Since having the catheter placed, Aya seems to be doing marginally better.
This past Sunday there were three people who arrived early to the church meeting. All three of them were men, and all three had children with them. One was a widower, and the other two had wives that were indisposed. Despite excuses to not come, all three were there; and all three helped out with the service. As the prelude began to play, one of them bowed his head and spent some time in silent prayer. A missionary longs to see nationals develop a relationship with God that is vital and consistent. Here were three men that are doing that, I believe. Pray with me for more men to be saved and willing to be disciples of Jesus Christ.
I listened to a sermon last month that encouraged me to thank God for the pressures of life that conform me to the image of His Son. Rather than become discouraged or cynical, I have been attempting to thank God for the many pressures. Please do not misunderstand as I share these pressures with you and do not feel pity for us. We are in the middle of God's will, doing what He has asked of us, and amazed that He uses us. But we do need your prayers.
This past Friday morning facing a multitude of difficulties, I reached out to some dear friends for help and wrote, "the pressure is too great for me today." But it was not a cry of despair but rather an admission of weakness. Because God is teaching me that in my weakness and inadequacy, being yielded to His Holy Spirit brings strength.
It seemed to me that I lacked the time and energy to meet the demands placed on me for Friday. But as I did each task and focused on what was next, God opened up a way. This past weekend, I accomplished all that God gave me to do. All the glory goes to Him because I did not think that it was possible. So first, thank God with me for His goodness, mercy, and grace on this past weekend.
A few prayer requests: Aya's body continues to weaken at the same time that her daughter Ulzee comes closer and closer to delivering her baby. The fleshly response of fear would tell me that Ulzee's baby and her mother's passing would occur at the worst possible time. But I have no fear. All circumstances are in God's hand. He controls them and will only allow those that we are able to bear by His grace and those pressures that will conform us to the image of His Son. God is good all the time.
Kristie has still not completely recovered from her recent illness. Please pray for her to have strength and energy. My allergies have become an impetus for more prayer and Bible reading. That is a good result. Charissa's pain turned out to be an abscessed tooth. That has been treated. However, the dentist is now recommending that we have her wisdom teeth removed soon. Please pray for wisdom as we seek the right oral surgeon in Mongolia to perform this task.
Let me begin by saying: may the Lord be praised for His goodness and His wonderful works to the children of men. The burdens are heavy upon us but the Lord's grace is sufficient for every need.
First off, Aya is not doing well. She has not been eating or sleeping much of late. Ulzee, who is preparing to have her baby any day now, is properly concerned about her mother. Ganpurev is doing all he can to be a help. But at this point there is only so much they can do. Their daughter Nyamkaa is struggling mightily with allergies.
Second, Ganchimeg has still not recovered from the recent birth of her daughter. She has been walking with a funny gait. She saw the doctor today who told her she needed to have an X-ray to make sure that her bones were undamaged.
Our family has also had some health struggles the last few weeks. Kristie, Charissa, and I in particular have been sick or in pain for one reason or another. We are hoping to have Charissa's wisdom teeth removed as soon as possible, Kristie needs your prayers, and my allergies which seemed nearly gone last month are back and very troublesome. Pray that we will rest in God's grace as we deal with our physical ailments.
Pray for wisdom as we interact with missionaries both new and old in Mongolia. Our desire is to be a blessing to them and encourage them in their service for the Lord.
