During July Pieter with Bernie Anderson, one of our team members, facilitated workshops and seminars at the local C&MA churches' annual church leadership camp. The theme for the camp was "A Disciple's Heart". Pieter's section focused on Servant Leadership - A Disciple's Heart, A Servant's Heart. He presented the seminars with the help of an interpreter, Bodyo (see the photo where she is participating in one of the group discussions), who is also helping with translation work at ABTC.
It was a wonderful opportunity to get to know the Mongolian church leaders and fellowship with them. Also, a great time for language practice and learning. The camp was situation in a beautiful area in the countryside between the mountains. We woke up every morning to a beautiful view. However, it was very hot during the camp. We did not believe that Mongolia could be so hot. Fortunately, it cools down during the night. Actually quite much. During that hot spell the temperature in Darhan was 40 Celsius on one day but the same night cooled down to 18 C!!!
As we were talking about discipleship and servanthood, we studied John 13 and one afternoon walked down to the river to have a feetwashing ceremony. See the second photo. We washed each other feet, and committed ourselves to serve God and each other. It was a wonderful time of fellowship and bonding.
On the last afternoon we had a special treat - five-organ soup (see the 3rd photo). A soup made from the organs of the goats which they slaugthered that day for the evening's special treat - an authentic Mongolian meal: goat meat and vegetables cooked with hot stones in a large milk (metal) container. The hot stones actually cooks or "barabeques" the meat. The fourth photo show some of the camp participants enjyoing the 5-organ soup!
The camp is reached the easiest by train. So after the camp it was back to Darhan with the train which was like a sauna since it had no air conditioning. During this trip Pieter shared a bench with a Kazakh. The youth which were with Pieter tried to explain the gospel to him but he became very aggressive. However, we continue to converse with him, sharing our lives with him and hearing about his work and life. It was a very interesting experience. I just wish I could understand and speak the language. Please pray with us that the language learning will go quickly and well, and that we will soon be able to become more effective in our ministry.
