Sedores in Mongolia
Update: 2009 July 24
8+ months in Mongolia and 5 months in US
Genesis 21:22-23 At that time Abimelech and Phicol the commander of his forces said to Abraham, "God is with you in everything you do. … Show to me and the country where you are living as an alien the same kindness I have shown to you."
Two weeks ago we returned to Mongolia. The journey was long and the farewells were difficult, but as “aliens,” we have received much kindness here. A fellow missionary met us at the airport and helped carry our boxes up 5 flights to our apartment. Our tutor, who stayed in our apartment while we were gone, met with us that afternoon and greeted us warmly. The next day, a young Mongolian man met us outside the church to greet us and tell us of his excitement for the men’s Bible study. The same day our landlord invited us to a bbq at his home and drove us back to our apartment when we had difficulty finding a taxi.
The first week we quickly resumed Mongolian language school and the director wept as she told us how happy she was that we remembered so much Mongolian. Our teacher filled each afternoon reviewing old vocabulary and teaching us new grammar.
This week we are making another big transition. On Monday, 20 July, Jim started working full time at the JCS office. Jim joins the leadership team made up of a woman from Malaysia, and 2 men from Canada and England. Jim leaves work an hour early most days and joins Liz at language school for the last hour of her class. Two mornings this week, Liz went to the women’s shelter to support their ministry. She plans to go “out on the streets” on Friday nights from 10-2am with a team of Mongolians and missionaries to “chat” with prostitutes working the streets. We ask for your prayers as we make this transition. I (Jim) miss being with Liz every morning and I worry about her walking or taking the bus to school alone. But one week down, so far, so good.
As we left our apartment 3 mornings this week, the weather was hot and sunny. However, when we walked home from school those afternoons, we waded across flooded streets following sudden, brief thunderstorms. Once again (Drew) we are learning to be flexible
The last 5 months have been incredible. We intended to be gone from Mongolia for 5 weeks, but 4 days before we planned to return, Jim was diagnosed with prostate cancer and surgery was recommended. Thru a “series of fortunate events,” a month later, successful robotic surgery was performed by a friend who is an expert in the surgery Jim needed. As Jim recovered, Liz and Jim helped his mother and brother find new homes and Liz’s mother got a new live-in caregiver. Just last week, Jim’s mother sold her old home. We celebrated all of our immediate family’s birthdays together as well as attended the Covenant annual meeting in Portland. JCS used this time to upgrade our visas from student to worker visas and we were able to visit with many of you.
Like Abraham, we have been blessed not only at home in the US, but also as foreigners in Mongolia. And you have been our partners in prayer and support thru this confusing 5 months.
Thanks to:
- The Central United Church Committee who felt led by God to invite us back to the States for their mission conference.
- Dr. Ray and Cari Lance, who not only met our medical needs but welcomed us into their home before and after Jim's surgery in Virginia.
- Our Covenant and JCS missionary leaders, who understand our sudden change in plans.
- Grace and River Ridge Church in Olympia, who prayed and wept and rejoiced with us as we reacted to unanticipated changes.
- Our daughter, mothers, sister and brother as they welcomed us home and then let us go again.
- All of YOU who have supported us with your prayers and donations
But most of all, we thank our very patient and creative Father who knows the number of hairs on our head, and exactly what will happen to us tomorrow, next week, and next year.
We are moving ahead, "doing the next thing," again in Mongolia
Blessed by Him & you,
Jim & Liz Sedore,
jim-liz.sedore@covchurch.org
(This is a new email address set up by the
Covenant Church)
LizardGym@gmail.com
JCS INTERNATIONAL
ATTN SEDORES
P O BOX 189
ULAANBAATAR 210351
MONGOLIA