Mongolia Update 6/27/12

Ulaanbadrakh

We had twelve students for English class. The oldest boy is very bright but a bit of a smarty pants. However, he is always willing to help the other students. It has been very gray and almost foggy all day. This afternoon, Kherlan, Naraa, and I went out with some of the girls and picked herbs. We saw some of the area's fast horses being watered by their masters. Fast horses are bred specifically for the incredible endurance races that take place every Naadam. One boy was only four years old and not only was he riding but he was also ponying (leading) three other horses! A band of mares and foals came to water while we were there but the herd stallion was nervous and drove them away.

Tsegii and I discussing the lesson plan

Teaching

I found another lizard!

Fast horses

A six year old boy; he will likely ride in the endurance races this year

The girls picking herbs for supper, just as their people have done for thousands of years

Kherlan

Tonight, Tsogoo and I did a "herder training" in the kitchen for a lady who was cooking for the elections tomorrow, Kherlan, and Naraa. It started raining this evening and while it is basically misting now, there are big puddles everywhere. Naraa stepped in one tonight and said "I not see that." The way she said it was so cute.

The lady who was cooking; she stayed till probably midnight

Tsogoo teaching about parasites

Kherlan mashing potatoes and listening

Teaching about culling

Tsogoo, Tsegii, and I played hours of the card game GOLF this afternoon. I think Tsegii is hooked. Haha.

Mongolia Update 6/26/12

Ulaanbadrakh

Another day of English classes for the children. They learn so quickly; I wish I had that gift for language. It makes me want to work harder though. We played basketball with them again tonight. Something I forgot to mention yesterday was no matter where we played (soccer field, basketball court), teams were picked and then it got pretty quiet as everyone spread out to pick up the glass from broken vodka bottles, evidence of a broken and empty society. After basketball tonight, Naraa and I grabbed our jackets and walked to the ridge north of the village, probably about 3 miles roundtrip. It's something I've wanted to do for about a week. (I think my team thinks I'm crazy for wanting to go on a walk for fun haha). The view was beautiful and I got some great pictures. On the way back, we saw a little lizard. He stopped under a thistle and I was able to get a close-up of him and pet his tail. I would've picked him up but I wasn't sure if he would bite or not. There was a good breeze blowing and clouds were shining and shifting overhead. It all made me think what a grand adventure God has us on in this life. And He has brought some wonderful people into my adventure to share it with me, though some only stay for a season.

Standing on the ridge, looking south toward the village

Facing east

Facing north

Facing west, note the Buddhist prayer pole outlined by the sun

The heavens declare the glory of God

Naraa

Me

Mr. Lizard!

An abandoned building in Ulaanbadrakh

Tonight, we went over to the family from the bath house to pray with them about their car. We had a special time laughing and talking with them and I feel blessed to know them. The mom was playing basketball with us earlier and it warmed my heart to see a mother laughing and playing with the local children.

This picture captures the spirit of who Kherlan is

Kherlan, Me, Naraa. The women are all quite entertained by the size of my skirt

Mongolia Update 6/25/12

Ulaanbadrakh

We held English class for about 12 students today. They are excited to learn and some are quite good. One little girl, Dulguun, had a stomachache. Tsegii asked me to take her aside and pray with her and never have I wished more that I could speak the same language! However, I reminded myself that Jesus speaks Mongolian so when I prayed, I asked Him to speak to her for me. Dulguun sat by me, then eventually I picked her up and held her on my lap. She cuddled up to me and I hoped that she could feel True Love through me. She's such a sweet kid and always calls me name when she sees me; I wish that I could pronounce hers.

Playing "Red Light, Green Light" with the kids outside of the school

English Class

Hard at work

Naraa let me try on the dell from her khantaaz, the traditional clothing of Mongolians

Naraa in her dell. She will wear it on Naadam

Dulguun and I

Naraa playing basketball with the kids

More basketball

 A cluster of ghers just to the southeast of town

Evening sun

This evening, we played soccer and basketball with the kids for a couple of hours. I am so out of shape. But the kids had a great time and we had fun too so that is what matters.
Tonight, we discussed Romans 6-8, 1 Corinthians 13, and 1 Peter before going to bed. Naraa said that 1 Peter 2:13-15 made her think of the school principal and how although she is being difficult, we need to obey her rules whether we like it or not. Chagrined, I said that the passage made me think of the principal too and I really didn't want to read something like that right now! Sometimes, I think submission to authorities is one of the hardest things we are asked to do as Christians.

 **1 Peter 2:13-15  "Submit yourselves for the Lord's sake to every authority instituted among men: whether to the king, as the supreme authority, or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right. For it is God's will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish men."

Mongolia Update 6/24/12

Ulaanbadrakh

I suppose the fact that my cold is worse today is my own fault for going out in the rain last night without a coat on and also because I was up late unable to sleep. Oh well, I got a good nap this afternoon and feel some better now.
The couple who runs the bath house came for lunch and we were able to give them a Bible. They are so open! The woman talked to me a bit via Tsegii and asked me to pray for her son as he has to choose his university July 1.

Back, L-R: Tsogoo, Kherlan Front, L-R: The father, daughter, myself, the mother, and Naraa

The family that runs the bath house and I

This afternoon while Tsogoo, Naraa, and I slept, Tsegii went to visit some school officials. Now the principal is angry with her because we played with the children outside our dormitory the other night. She has forbidden us from playing with the children. Oh that woman! God, remove her please.

Naraa ridding our apartment of flies

Kherlan working on preparations for the next day

Tsogoo, our in-house chef

Mongolia Update 6/23/12

Ulaanbadrakh

Saturday....a day of sleeping in, late devotions, time spend growing together. Enkmaa, Bhynaa's daughter, came by for me to teach her English. This was Tsegii and Bhynaa's idea. Enkmaa is in 11th grade which I believe is Mongolia's highest grade in high school. She seems to be a willing student and is even coming for lessons tomorrow. We played Dutch Blitz for a good hour after lunch. I am still not used to the strange meal times here. Lunch today was a bit before four in the afternoon! Tsegii, Tsogoo, and I went and visited the shower lady this evening. She is going to come for lunch tomorrow and Tsegii said we can give her a Bible!

One of the beautiful sunsets in Ulaanbadrakh

Ghers in the moonlight

Tonight, it is raining a little bit. I saw the most beautiful scene this morning: a large flock of sheep and goats grazing just to the south of us, the herder loping his horse past them to move the stragglers. To me, it was a scene of ancient beauty; one that has hardly changed in thousands of years. Tonight, I can still see the herd grazing in the desert and it makes me think of Biblical Israel. I wish I had taken a picture.

We have canned peaches! Refrigerated, they're amazingly refreshing