Now that our busy summer is winding down, it seems a whole new line of work is lining up. As of August 1st, we have been in possession of a storefront facility located in the center of the University Belt in UB. It will be from here that we launch the “Grain of Wheat Student Center” (or “Ulaan Budain Uur” in Mongolian). Here is our logo that was graciously and creatively designed by “The Graphics Lab” in Franklin, TN.
So Today’s Friday Photos are a couple of shots of our unfinished product. Perhaps Friday Photos in the not too distant future will show a finished product! Your prayers and support for this project are appreciated!
This is the front view. This used to be a shop that sold dental equipment and supplies.
Watch this space to see how this room becomes the most popular Student Cafe in the city…
Thank you for your partnership with us!
August 24th, 2008
It was a big celebration in UB last night. Here is an article about Mongolia’s first ever Olympic Gold Medal. Tuvshinbayar is a not a household name anywhere else, but Phelps can’t hold a candle to him here.
But while it was the large quantities of gold that divided parties in the election turmoil, a particulary small amount of the commodity was able to unite people from the three key figures on the square to every man in the street. Again army personal had to come rushing to protect the government house from a wild crowd, but this time there were no ill motives. Singer Javkhlan had become the center of the crowd’s euforie and he was mangled from the one side of the square to the other, where on the roof of his car he sang one of is famous songs. People greeted and hi-fived strangers, cars were driving past with passengers holding flags while screaming and yelling of joy. From high government officials to street kids, everyone joint in one of the most overwhelming displays of celebration in Mongolia’s recent history. The Genghis Khan statue was looking motionless over the crowd that celebrated until deep in the night for their new national hero.
Needless to say, that with our apartment only about two blocks off the square, the noise and jubilation kept us up later than normal (they were going strong when I finally dozed off at about 1:30 AM). But it was a special day for Mongolians everywhere.
You can read the full article here:
Mongolia Web News - In Mongolia Gold Divides, Gold Unites.
August 15th, 2008
It has been my desire for many years now to come to the end of my time here on this planet and know that the life I was given was not wasted. I think this message came to me first from a sermon by Joseph S. Carroll, the Executive Director of the Evangelical Institute of Greenville, South Carolina. Mr. Carroll frequently preached from the passage in John 12:20. “Unless the corn of wheat fall into the ground and dies, it abides alone. But if it dies it brings forth much fruit.�
It’s a message I find myself needing to hear over and over again. Interestingly enough, it was the final message of our Field Forum and I needed to hear it that day as much as I ever have. I’ve found myself too often recently worrying about my life here and now and what I like about it and what I don’t. It hasn’t taken long to realize that just because I have made sacrifices doesn’t mean I am on a daily basis dying to my life in this world. And that is the only way to a fruitful, unwasted life.
I was reminded again that when the corn of wheat dies it produces much fruit. The potential of an acorn is not just a tree, it is a forest. At the same time (August 7) I was hearing again the message I heard first from Mr. Carroll, that dear servant passed into the presence of his Jesus.
I have sometimes wondered how many who truly believe will enter into the Presence of the Father and actually hear the words, “Well done, good and faithful servant.� Certainly not all will. But if anyone I have ever known personally will hear those words, it will be Joseph Carroll. At the early age of 18 he determined to be a corn of wheat. From his service in the Australian army in World War II to his ministry to missionaries in Japan to his years in a small Bible school in South Carolina, pouring his life into young men and women, his life was not wasted.
The fruit of his life has resulted in trees on every continent (except of course Antarctica). There are at least four here in Mongolia. I don’t know about the others, but if this tree stands firm, it will of course be by the grace of God, but it will also be because I learned from Mr. Carroll how to live. Here are just a few lessons that I learned from him that have carried me through 15 years of ministry:
Life reduced to fellowship with Christ makes the complicated simple
It’s too soon to quit
All is in Christ by the Holy Spirit. All else is nothing.
3 essentials: Living by faith, looking unto Jesus, unceasing dependence on the Spirit of God.
The Christian walks on two feet: surrender and faith
You can trust His heart when you cannot trace His hand (this is one that the Mongolian girls are learning to hang on to)
I owe him more than I could repay, more than I could ever express. But I know that nothing would repay him more than that I also live the unwasted life of a corn of wheat.
“I want to die and let you give
Your life to me that I might live
And share the love you gave to me
I want to share the love that set me free.� (Keith Green)
August 12th, 2008