2008 August 29 - Sedore/Mongolia Update
3 months in Mongolia
A "Breath-Taking Moment" from this Month:
Imagine a weak, struggling country like Mongolia.
Imagine a sick, confused old woman living in
this country. She cannot speak Mongolian. She is too weak to
walk. She cannot even feed herself. After weeks of
continuous care by a loving, compassionate daughter and her Mongolian
friends, this woman dies. What is the
worth of this woman?
On August 12, 2008 in Ulaanbaatar Mongolia, 80+ year old Lola dies 5000 miles from her home in Tacoma, Washington. Two days later, Liz joined 50 Mongolians and a handful of foreigners at 7:30am in an upper room to celebrate God's love for Lola and everyone. At the upper room, at the gravesite and at a restaurant after the burial, we shared the good news. The Creator of the Universe personally cared so much for Lola, and each of us, that He died so that we all might live now in peace and join Him in paradise.
One pre-believing Mongolian said she had never heard Mongolians pray in Mongolian. Mongolian Buddhist priests pray memorized prayers in Tibetan. She had heard these chants all her life. But she never understood them. She asked, "How did Mongolians learn to talk to God? Were those memorized prayers?" This pre-believer is studying English at our school.
Lola was a life-long disciple of Jesus. She sang songs of praise to Him and raised her daughter to the glory of God. Lola's daughter is a dynamic missionary in Mongolia. Life is more than having things. Meaningful life is having strong, loving relationships with God, people and God's creation.
Luke 12: 6-7 "Are not five sparrows sold for two
pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. Indeed,
the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don't be afraid;
you are worth more than many sparrows."
Luke 12:32 "Do not be afraid, little flock, for
your Father has been pleased
to give you the kingdom."
Dear Friends:
We have been in Mongolia almost 11 weeks now. We are finishing our first quarter of language school. It is quite amazing how much we have learned. Eleven weeks ago, we couldn't tell a clerk whether we wanted a potato (tom) or bread (talkh). Still, we make plenty of mistakes in pronunciation that can get you some funny looks. Examples:
- To a friend, I might say, "Would you like to go for a (alkh) walk?" But Liz said, "Would you like to go for (arkh) alcohol?"
- To the painters in our apartment, I might say, "The (khana) wall is dirty." But I said, "The (khaana) ruler is dirty." And this was just after elections!
- In answer to, "Would you like more food?" I might say "Jahung" (a little). But I said "Jarlung" (toilet). (No reflection on the quality of the mutton, please!)
Changes in the last month:
- Painting: Our landlord warned us that on August 11 a crew of Mongolian new Christian ex-convicts would come to paint our apartment:
This required:
- "Piling" the furniture in the center of each room
- Daily removing the computer, receiver, router, clocks and attractive small items to a secure apartment
- Staying out of the apartment from 0800 - 1900 everyday until they finished.
- New language teacher: Our very talented language teacher (Oyuna) is contracted to teach beginning Mongolian to new teachers from the English Language Institute (ELI). Therefore, beginning next week, she cannot teach them and us. Previous teachers were not available so she had to hire new, inexperienced teachers and train them. Liz & I assisted in interviewing candidates and none of them did well demonstrating the techniques of effective language training. We were panicked. Our teacher felt one of the candidates (Ganatuul) was trainable and she joined us all this week for our classes. Although, Ganatuul started the week poorly, she had made a lot of progress. On Monday we start meeting with her alone. I don't believe she is a believer.
Prayer Requests
- New and Continuing relationships with pre-believers and young believers: As the weather gets colder (see below), people move inside. Pray that we can build on relationships with the clerks and bus riders we have met.
- Language Learning: Please pray that we can continue to learn quickly and share God's love with our new teacher, Ganatuul.
- Safety: Thousands of college students have returned to Ulaanbaatar. Can you imagine crossing a street jammed with cars driven by teenagers all late for class? We walk past 4 colleges between our apartment and school. Please pray for our safety.
- Acclimation: Although it is still August, snow and "widespread dust" is forecast today for parts of Mongolia. Yesterday Liz practiced her Mongolian with an old woman sitting outside our market selling cigarettes and chewing gum. Liz asked, "Do you sit here everyday?" She said, "Yes, but when it gets cold (below 0) I stay home." We're beginning to dress in layers and it's only August!
- Economy: Last week, overnight, the bus fare doubled. The gas station near our apartment sells gasoline for $6/gallon. Costs are going up as everything adjusts to the increase in fuel costs.
We are blessed to be here joining God in His work. Thank you for your continued prayers and support.
Check out our blog at http://www.LJMonGO.blogspot.com for new photos and updates.
Blessed by HIM and you, Jim and Liz Sedore
LizardGym@gmail.com
JCS INTERNATIONAL
ATTN SEDORES
PO BOX 189
ULAANBAATAR
210351
MONGOLIAW