I have been searching for Mongolians in the United States for some time now. I know that there are pockets of them. Until today, however, the only Mongolian I had met in America was in Utah. He had comverted to Mormonism in Mongolia and was doing his “mission” in Utah. But that was before I knew much Mongolian.
Yesterday at church some of the members told me about two Mongolians who run a Japanese food restaurant in Fairfield. So today, Caleb, Elsie, and I took a quick trip over to Fairfield. There we met Bat, a common Mongolian name. He did not want to talk about religion and could not comprehend why we would want to live in Mongolia. But we told him that we were Christians and left him with the Gospel of John.
Tuesday, August 28, 2018
Another prayer request for Mongolia
Please pray for the Mongolians to be a witness. The key to the evangelization of Mongolia is not missionaries but Mongolians.
Tuesday, August 21, 2018
Pray for Ganpurev to have work
I am grateful for those of you who are praying for our Mongolian brothers & sisters. Please pray for Ganpurev to have work. The last few months have been very slow.
Sunday, August 12, 2018
Pray for the Mongolians to grow in faith and grace
Mongolias often seem like children when it comes to spiritual matters. Perhaps it is that most Mongolian believers are so young in the Lord. If a Mongolian has been a Christian – and living like one for 10 years – then he is among a handful of Christians who are. I recently met a woman at a church where I was speaking. Her first service in the church building where I was speaking was Easter 1946. She has been attending there ever since. In 1946 most Mongolians still could not read and write. So it is a major difference.
Please pray with me that God would cause the Mongolians to grow in their faith. So many times Mongolians fail to act on the Bible because they do not comprehend how biblical principle works. Take tithing as an example: humanly speaking, if a family is having trouble making both ends meet on their current salary, how is reducing their income by 10% going to make it possible for them to meet their financial obligations. In such circumstances, the Mongolians, lacking faith, just do not tithe.
In an American church if most families did not tithe, the church would find it hard to meet its financial obligations. But in Mongolia most churches obtain primary support from outside the country. It is very possible, even normal, for most Mongolian Christian families to be tippers not tithers giving when they think they can rather than giving by faith. So pray with me that in this area and many others, God would develop in the Mongolians the faith that they need.
Second, pray with me that the Mongolians would grow in grace. Grace is the desire and the ability to accomplish God’s will. Many Mongolians do not ever recognize that they must be seeking God’s will. Rather, they want to know the reason God is not more interested in their will. It is a maddening conundrum at times.
Please pray with me that God would cause the Mongolians to grow in their faith. So many times Mongolians fail to act on the Bible because they do not comprehend how biblical principle works. Take tithing as an example: humanly speaking, if a family is having trouble making both ends meet on their current salary, how is reducing their income by 10% going to make it possible for them to meet their financial obligations. In such circumstances, the Mongolians, lacking faith, just do not tithe.
In an American church if most families did not tithe, the church would find it hard to meet its financial obligations. But in Mongolia most churches obtain primary support from outside the country. It is very possible, even normal, for most Mongolian Christian families to be tippers not tithers giving when they think they can rather than giving by faith. So pray with me that in this area and many others, God would develop in the Mongolians the faith that they need.
Second, pray with me that the Mongolians would grow in grace. Grace is the desire and the ability to accomplish God’s will. Many Mongolians do not ever recognize that they must be seeking God’s will. Rather, they want to know the reason God is not more interested in their will. It is a maddening conundrum at times.
Thursday, August 09, 2018
Another prayer request
As you pray for Mongolia, pray for wisdom for Jason, Chuck, and Bradley as they work to start a genuine Bible college with the government's permission. Starting a Bible institute in Mongolia is no problem. But obtaining permission to start a college or university, much less one that is overtly Christian, is another thing altogether. As Jason and I talked, I could tell that he was burdened to start not merely a Bible institute to train young people but a Bible college with the government's express permission so that he could grant degrees.
There are four things that he desperately needs. First, he will need unusual favor with the government as he pushes forward. The current president of Mongolia is intensely Buddhist. He is also a nationalist. Getting permission for a foreign run college much less a Christian one is going to be difficult. But I believe that God can do the impossible if we will pray.
Second, he will need a building where the college can meet. Perhaps in Africa, you can start out underneath a tree or in a grass hut. But in Mongolia where winter temperature are below zero (below -15 for those of you who deal in Centigrade), you need a warm building and a supply of heat.
Third, he will need a curriculum. It is possible to take English Bible textbooks and give them to students for whom English is a second (and not well understood) language. It is another thing to give them textbooks in their own language. Initially, someone will be doing much translation.
Fourth, he will need teachers, ideally again, teachers who can speak Mongolian.
So those are some prayer requests for the Bible college project.
There are four things that he desperately needs. First, he will need unusual favor with the government as he pushes forward. The current president of Mongolia is intensely Buddhist. He is also a nationalist. Getting permission for a foreign run college much less a Christian one is going to be difficult. But I believe that God can do the impossible if we will pray.
Second, he will need a building where the college can meet. Perhaps in Africa, you can start out underneath a tree or in a grass hut. But in Mongolia where winter temperature are below zero (below -15 for those of you who deal in Centigrade), you need a warm building and a supply of heat.
Third, he will need a curriculum. It is possible to take English Bible textbooks and give them to students for whom English is a second (and not well understood) language. It is another thing to give them textbooks in their own language. Initially, someone will be doing much translation.
Fourth, he will need teachers, ideally again, teachers who can speak Mongolian.
So those are some prayer requests for the Bible college project.
Saturday, August 04, 2018
Prayer requests
Over the next few weeks, I plan to post some specific ways that you can pray for Mongolia. Bradley Kubik and his family just arrived in Mongolia. Please pray that they would settle in nicely. Also pray for them as they begin to learn the language. Pray too for Chuck Webber and his family as they learn Mongolian.
I remember that learning Mongolian was one of the hardest mental challenges that I ever faced. Certainly, some people learn Mongolian more easily than I did (shout out to Bill Patterson); but for most of us, learning Mongolian is a daily struggle that lasts for the rest of one's life.
I remember that learning Mongolian was one of the hardest mental challenges that I ever faced. Certainly, some people learn Mongolian more easily than I did (shout out to Bill Patterson); but for most of us, learning Mongolian is a daily struggle that lasts for the rest of one's life.
Sunday, July 22, 2018
Sunday update
Sunday is coming to a close, my final full day in Mongolia. I had the privilege and joy of preaching in English and Mongolian again today. I must say that my Mongolian was much improved this week over last. And I certainly felt as if the Mongolians were tracking closely both in my Mongolian preaching this morning and in the adult Bible study lesson.
Something unusual happened in my Mongolian preaching this morning. As the singing was coming to a close, I was contemplating the best way to open the message when a Mongolian saying came to my mind. I realized that years ago, I had been pondering that with a few small adjustments a well-known Mongolian proverb could be made to say, and I paraphrase, "If you will attempt great things for God, He will do great things for you." This was in line with the quote from William Carey that I used when preaching a similar message in English in Oregon, "Expect great things from God, attempt great things for God." The major difference was that Mongolians would easily identify the origin of the saying and, with God's help, remember the main point of the lesson more thoroughly.
I then proceeded to preach the message, weaving the modified Mongolian maxim throughout. The Mongolians responded with interest and much nodding of heads. I must say that it was one of the most well-followed sermons I have ever preached in Mongolian.
The reason that I say this was unusual is that I cannot remember another time when I have added a piece to the message minute before I was to preach in Mongolian and woven it throughout in which it was effective. I know that many of you are praying for me. God in His grace and goodness gave me a proverb on which to hang the message and leave the Mongolians with a memorable quote. To God be the glory!
The church service ended with an adult Bible study. Again, the Mongolians showed much interest. One Mongolian even blurted out an answer after I had called on another Mongolian by name. She was so excited to share the answer that she did not give her Christian brother a chance to answer. That rarely happens in a Mongolian setting. Again, I attribute the deep interest in the topic of spiritual maturity to your prayers and God's goodness.
During my entire time here, I have let Mongolians and Americans alike know that Caleb is planning to return to Mongolia next summer after he completes high school to study the Mongolian language and re-acquaint himself with Mongolia culture. He plans to stay for as much as a year. Considering what he believes God has called him to do, I think this is an excellent idea. I mention it here because Jason Ritchie told the people of Khan-Uul Baptist Church that when I come back next summer with Caleb, he wants me to preach at nightly meetings for a week!
I look forward to beginning the long trip home tomorrow. I have much of Monday in Mongolia and will use it to encourage Ganpurev and meet with the missionaries here. Please pray for more of God's grace and assistance for my final day in Mongolia and for the trip home.
God is certainly at work in Mongolia! Thank you for your prayers.
Something unusual happened in my Mongolian preaching this morning. As the singing was coming to a close, I was contemplating the best way to open the message when a Mongolian saying came to my mind. I realized that years ago, I had been pondering that with a few small adjustments a well-known Mongolian proverb could be made to say, and I paraphrase, "If you will attempt great things for God, He will do great things for you." This was in line with the quote from William Carey that I used when preaching a similar message in English in Oregon, "Expect great things from God, attempt great things for God." The major difference was that Mongolians would easily identify the origin of the saying and, with God's help, remember the main point of the lesson more thoroughly.
I then proceeded to preach the message, weaving the modified Mongolian maxim throughout. The Mongolians responded with interest and much nodding of heads. I must say that it was one of the most well-followed sermons I have ever preached in Mongolian.
The reason that I say this was unusual is that I cannot remember another time when I have added a piece to the message minute before I was to preach in Mongolian and woven it throughout in which it was effective. I know that many of you are praying for me. God in His grace and goodness gave me a proverb on which to hang the message and leave the Mongolians with a memorable quote. To God be the glory!
The church service ended with an adult Bible study. Again, the Mongolians showed much interest. One Mongolian even blurted out an answer after I had called on another Mongolian by name. She was so excited to share the answer that she did not give her Christian brother a chance to answer. That rarely happens in a Mongolian setting. Again, I attribute the deep interest in the topic of spiritual maturity to your prayers and God's goodness.
During my entire time here, I have let Mongolians and Americans alike know that Caleb is planning to return to Mongolia next summer after he completes high school to study the Mongolian language and re-acquaint himself with Mongolia culture. He plans to stay for as much as a year. Considering what he believes God has called him to do, I think this is an excellent idea. I mention it here because Jason Ritchie told the people of Khan-Uul Baptist Church that when I come back next summer with Caleb, he wants me to preach at nightly meetings for a week!
I look forward to beginning the long trip home tomorrow. I have much of Monday in Mongolia and will use it to encourage Ganpurev and meet with the missionaries here. Please pray for more of God's grace and assistance for my final day in Mongolia and for the trip home.
God is certainly at work in Mongolia! Thank you for your prayers.
Friday, July 20, 2018
My fickle heart
Today is one of those days when I wonder why I ever left Mongolia. I open my mouth, and words – Mongolian words – come tumbling out. Mongolians remark on how well I am speaking the language. One says to me that you must have a Mongolian to speak with in the United States because otherwise how do you remember the language so well when you only come once a year. Traffic flows, and I can get from one place to another quickly and without fuss. I walk into Millie's Café and order a coffee. The barista whom I have known for years hands a coffee to me and as I reach to get out my Mongolian togrogs to pay for it says, "Don't worry about it. This one is free."
I visit Ganaa; and she says, "Now that you are back, I will attend church." Later in the conversation as we are discussing my job change, she says, "Why don't you come back to Mongolia and pastor a church?" Keep in mind that Mongolians often are wary of foreigners in positions of leadership. And now one of them says to me, "Come and be a pastor here." Bright days, indeed.
It is hard to say no. But I did. I have no doubt that the Mongolians are sincere when they say such things to me. But I also know that the Mongolians do need to lead! The Mongolians do need to serve! And, as I told Ganaa, there is a church in the United States that needs me to shepherd them.
And then there are days like yesterday when it took me an hour to get across town. Selfish drivers block streets, horns blare, taxis run up on the sidewalk in a vain attempt to create a new street, pedestrians risk their lives to cross the road. Or my taxi driver this afternoon who asked me if I ever visited Dari Ekh before where Ganaa lives. I had no idea what he was saying, and told him so. Later, when he tried to take a wrong turn, I said, "Keep going straight," in at least passible Mongolian because he swerved back into traffic and headed straight. He said to me, "I thought you didn't know where you were going!"
"I'm sorry, I didn't understand you," I replied sheepishly.
These are the times when I am glad that I do not live here. When my friends remind me that it is -40 in the winter. Is that Celsius or Fahrenheit, you ask. It does not matter. At 40 below Fahrenheit and Celsius are the same.
Our hearts are so fickle. It is important to follow God's lead and not one's feelings. As Martin Luther said,
Feelings come and feelings go,
And feelings are deceiving;
My warrant is the Word of God–
Naught else is worth believing.
Though all my heart should feel condemned
For want of some sweet token,
There is One greater than my heart
Whose Word cannot be broken.
I’ll trust in God’s unchanging Word
Till soul and body sever,
For, though all things shall pass away,
HIS WORD SHALL STAND FOREVER!
But for today, I will thank the Lord for blessed visits with grateful Mongolians.
I visit Ganaa; and she says, "Now that you are back, I will attend church." Later in the conversation as we are discussing my job change, she says, "Why don't you come back to Mongolia and pastor a church?" Keep in mind that Mongolians often are wary of foreigners in positions of leadership. And now one of them says to me, "Come and be a pastor here." Bright days, indeed.
It is hard to say no. But I did. I have no doubt that the Mongolians are sincere when they say such things to me. But I also know that the Mongolians do need to lead! The Mongolians do need to serve! And, as I told Ganaa, there is a church in the United States that needs me to shepherd them.
And then there are days like yesterday when it took me an hour to get across town. Selfish drivers block streets, horns blare, taxis run up on the sidewalk in a vain attempt to create a new street, pedestrians risk their lives to cross the road. Or my taxi driver this afternoon who asked me if I ever visited Dari Ekh before where Ganaa lives. I had no idea what he was saying, and told him so. Later, when he tried to take a wrong turn, I said, "Keep going straight," in at least passible Mongolian because he swerved back into traffic and headed straight. He said to me, "I thought you didn't know where you were going!"
"I'm sorry, I didn't understand you," I replied sheepishly.
These are the times when I am glad that I do not live here. When my friends remind me that it is -40 in the winter. Is that Celsius or Fahrenheit, you ask. It does not matter. At 40 below Fahrenheit and Celsius are the same.
Our hearts are so fickle. It is important to follow God's lead and not one's feelings. As Martin Luther said,
Feelings come and feelings go,
And feelings are deceiving;
My warrant is the Word of God–
Naught else is worth believing.
Though all my heart should feel condemned
For want of some sweet token,
There is One greater than my heart
Whose Word cannot be broken.
I’ll trust in God’s unchanging Word
Till soul and body sever,
For, though all things shall pass away,
HIS WORD SHALL STAND FOREVER!
But for today, I will thank the Lord for blessed visits with grateful Mongolians.
Thursday, July 19, 2018
Wednesday update
I have thoroughly enjoyed my trip to Mongolia. My goals for this trip included encouraging Mongolian Christians. I have eaten meals with six families and have several more scheduled. Additionally, I have several families yet to schedule. Many Mongolians have confided problems to me, and we have been able to look into God's word to find answers, comfort, and hope.
One of these was entirely unexpected. Tuesday I went to visit Chuck Webber and his family. They arrived in Mongolia in October and are still learning the language. To learn the language they often have Mongolian guests to their house. Tammy Webber fixed us a delicious meal which we shared with five Mongolians! One of those Mongolians was Monkhuu (pronounced monk•oo). At the age of two his hip was damaged in an accident. He later had a series of surgeries performed to increase his mobility. But instead of increasing his mobility, the surgeries left his hip locked into socket. His hip no longer moves at all. He admitted that although he is a Christian he sometimes becomes depressed by his physical condition. Along with other encouraging words, I shared with him Romans 8:35-37. I was not even planning that visit with Monkhuu but merely met him incidentally in the course of my day.
I also came to assist with the Mongolian Old Testament translation work. The past two mornings, I have met with the translators. They have done the work, but I have had the opportunity to hear what they have done and give advice in solving some of the riddles the translation team has encountered when they bring the Bible from Hebrew to Mongolian.
I had the opportunity to preach on Sunday, once in English and once in Mongolian. After that I led a Mongolian adult Bible study. We looked at what it means for every man to be swift to hear (James 1:19) and how we can be better listeners. Already this week in my visits people have shared with me how they are implementing that lesson. Tonight I am preaching in Mongolian again-this time I will preach that God is worthy of our praise. Often our prayers are filled with requests; we certainly have much for which to pray. But we must take time in our prayers to worship God for His incredible, awe-inspiring attributes and thank Him for His innumerable good gifts.
Continue to pray for me as I finish my visit to Mongolia next Monday. Tomorrow, I will have a chance to see Dashka whom I have not seen in several years. In previous visits he has been busy or in the countryside. I suspect that he is not going to church anywhere. I want to exhort and admonish him as a Christian brother. Pray for me.
Scott Dean
One of these was entirely unexpected. Tuesday I went to visit Chuck Webber and his family. They arrived in Mongolia in October and are still learning the language. To learn the language they often have Mongolian guests to their house. Tammy Webber fixed us a delicious meal which we shared with five Mongolians! One of those Mongolians was Monkhuu (pronounced monk•oo). At the age of two his hip was damaged in an accident. He later had a series of surgeries performed to increase his mobility. But instead of increasing his mobility, the surgeries left his hip locked into socket. His hip no longer moves at all. He admitted that although he is a Christian he sometimes becomes depressed by his physical condition. Along with other encouraging words, I shared with him Romans 8:35-37. I was not even planning that visit with Monkhuu but merely met him incidentally in the course of my day.
I also came to assist with the Mongolian Old Testament translation work. The past two mornings, I have met with the translators. They have done the work, but I have had the opportunity to hear what they have done and give advice in solving some of the riddles the translation team has encountered when they bring the Bible from Hebrew to Mongolian.
I had the opportunity to preach on Sunday, once in English and once in Mongolian. After that I led a Mongolian adult Bible study. We looked at what it means for every man to be swift to hear (James 1:19) and how we can be better listeners. Already this week in my visits people have shared with me how they are implementing that lesson. Tonight I am preaching in Mongolian again-this time I will preach that God is worthy of our praise. Often our prayers are filled with requests; we certainly have much for which to pray. But we must take time in our prayers to worship God for His incredible, awe-inspiring attributes and thank Him for His innumerable good gifts.
Continue to pray for me as I finish my visit to Mongolia next Monday. Tomorrow, I will have a chance to see Dashka whom I have not seen in several years. In previous visits he has been busy or in the countryside. I suspect that he is not going to church anywhere. I want to exhort and admonish him as a Christian brother. Pray for me.
Scott Dean
Sunday, July 15, 2018
Sunday update
Sunday is coming to a close in Mongolia. Thank you for praying for my trip.
I preached in English and Mongolian this morning. After a Mongolian meal, I led an adult Bible study in Mongolian. Speaking in Mongolian for prolonged periods of time as when one preaches is a chore. But God gave me grace. After the message a Mongolian lady who has been saved since our departure remarked that my messages were interesting.
I have already begun to work on the book of Ruth in Mongolian. It has already been translated into Mongolian; I am checking the translation for accuracy.
Please pray for Ganpurev and his family. I need to have a heart to heart talk with Ganpurev. Sometimes people just need to be prodded in the right direction, encouraged to know that their work matters, and given a fresh vision for what God has for them.
Jason Ritchie and his family have been sick, and then the church meeting place flooded. There has been a significant amount of rain here but not so much that the building would flood. It is probably a good thing that he did not need to preach today. This week I will lead two more Bible studies, meet with the translation team, visit and encourage Mongolian Christians, and converse with some new missionaries. Keep praying for me.
I preached in English and Mongolian this morning. After a Mongolian meal, I led an adult Bible study in Mongolian. Speaking in Mongolian for prolonged periods of time as when one preaches is a chore. But God gave me grace. After the message a Mongolian lady who has been saved since our departure remarked that my messages were interesting.
I have already begun to work on the book of Ruth in Mongolian. It has already been translated into Mongolian; I am checking the translation for accuracy.
Please pray for Ganpurev and his family. I need to have a heart to heart talk with Ganpurev. Sometimes people just need to be prodded in the right direction, encouraged to know that their work matters, and given a fresh vision for what God has for them.
Jason Ritchie and his family have been sick, and then the church meeting place flooded. There has been a significant amount of rain here but not so much that the building would flood. It is probably a good thing that he did not need to preach today. This week I will lead two more Bible studies, meet with the translation team, visit and encourage Mongolian Christians, and converse with some new missionaries. Keep praying for me.
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