A Disciple's Heart

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.

Apologies and Thank You!

First of all our sincere apologies to all our family, friends, supporters and prayer partners. We are sorry that we have been so quiet for so long on our blogspot. Although we can think of many reasons they are not really valid. This summer was busier and more confused than we anticipated. First Pieter went on a journey to the West of Mongolia with our Field Director and Jeremy Bergevin. The renovations at ABTC (Alliance Bible Training Center) involved much more than expected. Then Pieter was asked to teach at the annual church leaders camp. In between we had to prepare for and assist the new families that joined our team. Pieter planned and began also with the research project for the Theological Education and Leadership Development Program. More about each of these events and projects in the blogs following this one.

Secondly, we would like to thank our partners who have given towards the fund for the training program's vehicle. We have already received about US$1,600. We still have $28,400 to go. Thank you again for joining us in this. This is a real need and is becoming more urgent as we begin to develop the training program. Please pray with us.

Please come back and see the next blogs which will appear over the next few days sharing about the above mentioned events.