Jonathan and Cori go to a youth group every Friday night, made up of kids from other organizations all over the city. This week the entire gang came over to our apartment for games. The kids had a great time. Today's photo of the week was taken after the games were over. The blurred figures dancing in the middle would be Cori and her friend.
Take your shoes off at the door. It's the Asian way.
Our friend Undraa has agreed to teach Jonathan and Cori Mongolian! This is what I am seeing as I type this. This week's picture is of our in-house Mongolian Class. Jonathan and Cori are not eager for more memorization - but they are eager to learn the language of our adopted country. This week they are on fall break, so they might have some extra time to memorize. However, Mom and Dad are back to school on Monday...
Last weekend our church went on a retreat.
First, a little background. For those who don't know, Renee' and I are working with a small group of University students in Ulaanbaatar. Young people from all over the country come to the city to attend university. There are over 200 public and private colleges and universities in UB. It is truly a city of students. Our church is made up of a handful of these kids who have placed their faith in Christ. Some have been believers for five or six years. Some like this young lady (her name is Ulzie) have only recently placed their faith in Christ.
It's a privilege to work with these young people.
We went to a beautiful retreat center outside of the city for the weekend. Renee' and I had prepared a series of lessons and workshops on what it means to be the church. After a brief time of instruction, the students had a time of seeking God alone. Later we broke into small groups and had some time learning what it means to seek God together. Our final session was a time of learning what it means do the "one another's" for each other. It was a thrill to see these young people begin to catch a vision for reaching their city by living a different kind of life. "The call is to community, the impoverished power that set's the soul free..." I envision a group of students living a different kind of life together, resulting in the life and love of Jesus spreading to the student population of this city. This could have an impact on the entire country, as young people like Ulzie go back to their countryside homes and families (many of whom have never even met a Christian before) and share the reality of this new life they've found.
The day was capped with a time of worship together. They celebrated and danced and sang to the One who redeemed them.
Would you join us by praying for these young people? We want God to work the deep reality of the Gospel in their hearts. We want them to catch God's vision for the World. Pray that the realities of Divine Glory would penetrate their souls, and that they would be captured by His beauty.
Here are more photos of our weekend together:
I must say that I am humbled and encouraged. I am grateful that we have a God who is at work - and He is truly great and powerful.
Last evening we met with the Leaders from our little church. We are preparing to take the entire church on retreat at a camp outside of the city. Watch this space next week for more word about that. Renee' and I felt very led of the Spirit to depart from the lesson that we have been studying, in order to make a simple appeal for unity. There was not a lot of teaching. We simply looked at what God's Word says about the importance of unity in the church and how the Scripture is clear in it's call to humility and that we are commanded not to judge each other. We asked a few simple questions of application (i.e., are you being judgmental? Are you committed to unity?) and then waited on the Lord. After several uncomfortable minutes of dead silence, several began to confess to each other that they had been judging one another. There was confession and forgiveness and tears. We believe that this group is now in a place where God can bless them with His presence at camp this weekend, and we enter into this time more encouraged than before.
I am reminded once again of the incredible power of the Word of God and the Spirit of God. He is active and at work. I am so amazed at this little group of new believer's willingness to simply respond. I walked out into the cold Mongolian air late last night with gratitude in my heart. I remembered a little quote by my spiritual mentor James Hudson Taylor (though he's dead, he still speaks). I had to look it up this morning to get the phrasing exactly right.
"We give too much attention to method and machinery and resources, and too little to the source of power."
The Word is power. The Spirit is Power. Together they will do their work to make our God famous in the hearts of men and women. I can't speak Mongolian very well. I can't teach. I don't understand culture. I am tired all the time. But it's not about me or what I can do. It's not about method, machinery, resources, ability, education, giftedness, strength of mind, heart, or will. The battle is His. The ability to conquer is His. The Glory is His. What we can do is walk in the rhythm of the path that God intended for the workers in His vineyard. Word and Spirit. Spirit and Word.
Below are some photos from last week's meeting. Please pray for these young people. They become more precious to us with each passing week. The young man's name is Saugie. He is spiritually sensitive and a key person in our church. I believe he may be the future pastor. Also pray for Undraa, Onon, Doggi and Mika. (Ochkoo and Nyimka are also a part of this group, but not pictured here). Pray for our church retreat this weekend. Your partnership with us is critical. We are grateful for it.
Bernie Anderson
