You might have wondered what happened to us. We have been silent for so long because we have been traveling, and after returning to Mongolia we had to adjust to new schedules, routines and ministries.
Pieter was in South Korea for two weeks teaching at the Onnuri World Mission Center. He goes there once every six months to participate in the training of missionary candidates and missionaries on home assignment. As always this was again a wonderful time of fellowship and learning.
Haniki was in South Africa for about five weeks visiting our daughters and attending to some personal business. She also visited some of our other family.
Since returning to Mongolia, Pieter continues with part-time language study. Haniki will continue with part-time language study in January 2008. Since November we have started with our ministry at the training center. So far our time is spent mostly in getting some administrative things in order and set up. Pieter has started with the necessary research for the training program. He has also started with some small study groups for leadership development and ministry training. He meets weekly with our local church's worship team for training. He meets every second week with our church's cell group leaders for training in leading house churches, conducting Bible studies, and how to evangelize. Once a month Pieter and Dr. Nghia Pham are meeting with all the local Alliance Church leaders for leadership training.
Haniki has been helping Pieter at ABTC, especially with the financial management and organizing the support staff and maintenance. She is also helping Anhoa Pham with the CAMA Projects which is going through a transitioning period. We are handing over the current projects to local Mongolian leadership and management and plan to begin with new projects in 2008.
We are very happy that Sonja, our youngest daughter, has finished her first year of university very well. We are especially happy that she is able to visit with us now during the Christmas holidays, which is the summer holidays for South Africa. Unfortunately our eldest, Anri, could not come to visit. She is finishing up her course work to graduate from her program. She will continue next year with graduate studies. Please pray especially for her as she is finishing up her course requirements, and as she will be alone during this Christmas.
Now that things are being sorted out and our lives are getting into a new routine, we hope to keep you updated more regularly.
