A Day in the Forbidden City

We are learning so much about the “ways “ of different countries. In particular, we are learning so much about the places where we are able to spend time with the missionaries serving there. For instance, we learned that China doesn’t want their airplanes left out of the country. So if they think there is a chance they won’t get back because of weather or I suppose other reasons they will not let their planes leave the original location. Hence our plane that was supposed to leave from Mongolia at 4:30 pm did not leave until after midnight (we had some snow and wind). When we arrived at the Beijing airport it was deserted but fortunately our missionary arranged for us to have documentation that our plane had been delayed and we missed our connection. Through the lost luggage place we made headway and were given a hotel room free of charge. Only one condition, there were 2 to a room and our team member, Gene had to share a room with a stranger. We dropped into bed at 5:30am and got up around 10am. I had my first shower since we left, it felt heavenly!

Since we were here and given a special visa to move around without having to pay for the expensive visa, we thought we couldn't ignore this opportunity. So we went to the Forbidden City and Tienanmen Square. It was sobering to think of the history involved here and also the total absence of God everywhere. There is an elevating of man and the nation of China here. We have found food to be expensive here too. Glad this is only a short stop.

We are growing in a deeper appreciation for our missionaries everywhere. In Mongolia there is a cost to their physical bodies as well as sacrifices in other ways. Their dedication to the call and their love of the people is testimony to the grace our God gives when we live eternally. I am so grateful for the opportunity I (Edie) have had to give the women time to share with me, to give me a glimpse of their lives and offer opportunity to hear their concerns. It was a blessing to be able to see them light up as they would share. One lady said specifically that they usually have men visit but it was nice to have a woman come too for a change.

Alan and Gene gave a lengthy assessment of the work they are doing in Mongolia and the priorities they are working on. Their stand for a translation that does not use the same word for God as for Buddha is so important. A fight that won’t be necessarily be won in the near future but worthwhile in continuing to press with love among other believing foreigners. Another issue is foreign money funding pastors for full time work. Because of the culture this is a very detrimental system for the Mongolians. Several groups do it but our missionaries have refrained. It has many points to it’s argument that I won’t go into. The most positive outcome of all of this is that they have a team in Mongolia that is extraordinary. Their love and willingness to work through things together is admirable. A model for us all!! Al and Gene also talked through some things that they saw that would be good to work towards, perhaps some needs for setting up ways to help bring change but overall no red flags whatsoever.

Finally about to board for Bangkok.

So long…Edie

Another day in Mongolia

How are all of you doing? We are feeling very well. We are taking an immunity booster vitamin which is doing it’s job. We are packed up ready to be picked up. We are meeting with the team to do an evaluation of them. I am not a part of this except to be present.

It’s Snowing! It did this yesterday too but only for a few hours and then the sun came out. It is very dry here with little vegetation. Their power plants are coal burning which causes terrible pollution. Part of the sacrifice of serving here is the toll it takes on your physical life.

We have been learning a significant amount of historical and cultural information regarding Mongolia. The reason is that it factors into the development of the church as well as reaching the people here. Some interesting things you may not know is that many still live in Ghers, round homes, shaped like a circus tent with a stove pipe up through the middle of the roof. The people have been nomadic herders but that lifestyle is becoming increasingly more difficult to sustain a family.

The country has been vulnerable to domination by Russia and China. They are doing their best to make alliances with the west to keep from that happening again. Because of their history of it has become inherent in their culture to be “chameleon” like. Accommodating themselves when it most benefits them. Hence a challenge is to discern whether someone is truly born again or simply doing what it takes to gain financially from foreigners.

Another interesting consideration is how the Chinese worked to change the fierce Mongolian warrior to a more peace loving person. They did this by killing all their horses and encouraging the practice of Buddhism (pacifistic). When the Russians came they destroyed the temples and tried to wipe out the religious practices. Today there is a resurgence of Buddhism and animism. The Mongolian people are struggling to find their identity. They idolize Genghis Khan a violent dictator as well.

Thank you for continuing to lift us up in prayer,

Edie

Mongolian Mindset

Today was a day of further broadening our perspective of the Mongolian mindset. After a delightful breakfast with a key missionary family, and some stimulating conversation of the state of the Christian church both in Mongolia and America, we then set out to see a Russian monument of the peaceful relationship with Mongolia.

The communists relinquished control of the country in 1990. This monument is alongside a huge statue of Buddha and a hillside picture of the national hero Genghis Khan. Piles of rocks with religious paraphernalia dotted the countryside. These are places where people have left shrines to appeal to the gods to help them or to appease the spirits. We then went to town, parked and walked aways as there were one shop after another of Buddhist religious stuff, until you arrived at the Buddhist temple. There was a HUGE statue again of Buddha inside.

The struggle here is over a bible translation that was not professionally done. Among the problems with this translation is that they use the same word for God as for Buddha. As it was explained to us, the meaning of Buddha brings a mental picture of a man for the Mongolian. Whereas when we speak of God we don’t have a mental picture but rather a concept of the attributes of God. Sadly the Christian community is divided over the issue and it looks like a losing battle. More discussion on this issue is coming. We would appreciate your prayers for all the Christians involved in this issue and for us to be used of God however He so desires. This is such a dark place and the gospel is needed here badly. It is easy to see how Satan could take advantage of the opportunity to stir discord. It gives great hope and encouragement to know we can approach the throne of grace and appeal for His leading and understanding in matters like these.

Thanks for listening, and now I ask you stop and pray for the Word to be translated by trained linguists so that God’s people can know Him in Truth and Worship Him as the only true God.

Edie

Greetings from Mongolia

We are currently staying in an apartment set aside for short-term mission teams. We are meeting with George, a missionary on the far border of Mongolia near Siberia, Russia. Ulaanbaatar is the city we are in and it is like a high desert here. Not much vegetation. All our flights went well. Alan is still feeling dizzy, kind of car sick. The flight from Fort Dodge and then from Minneapolis was extremely bumpy, moving the plane all over the place. He hasn’t been right since even though the other flights were fine. Pray for his ability to engage as the time is short and they are asking for input on an issue over translations being used.

Our accommodations are nice, clean and modest. I couldn’t get hot water so washed my hair in the shower and then my body with a sink of heated water. Again I am thankful for our family vacations in remote camping spots. We are going to see if it is like Eastern Europe where you get hot water at night and then they shut it off until the next evening.

The missionaries have been very sick including the wife of the main missionary. She has a sinus infection and the western doctor said it may have gone to her small sinus bones. If so they have to do a procedure. Pray for her, Lynn is her name. We will go to lunch with him. Then we hope to rest this afternoon, and spend the evening with Tom and Lynn, the missionaries here.

I will sign off for now,

Edie

Preparing to travel again

Hi, this is Al & Edie's daughter Anne. I will be helping Mom & Dad manage their communications with all of you in order to better keep everyone informed and up to date on all of their ministry comings and goings. They will continue to communicate as they can while they travel. They are leaving tomorrow for a 3-week trip to Mongolia, India and Thailand.

A recent prayer letter was sent out via email giving details about their upcoming trip, as well as some highlights and pictures from their last trip to Eastern Europe and Africa. If you would like to be added to the list to receive the prayer letters, please email me at jayanda@charter.net.

As always, please be praying for my parents as they set off on a new adventure---following where God leads them to serve!

On the road again

Dear fellow Sojourners,
No matter where we are and what God has given us to do, we are still on a path taking us to our true home. I read this prayer by Susanna Wesley as my path became steeper.

"Almighty God, I thank you because day after day has verified the truth of our Saviour's words: "Sufficient to the day is the evil thereof." Through the weakness and corruption of human nature and the unavoidable business of my station in life: in cross occurrences, with abundance of other things incident to human life, I find occasion given to me daily to exercise virtues of one kind or another... I draw near unto you the supreme fountain of virtue, for grace in the perplexed affairs of life, and thank you for every occasion on which I have found your strength to be made perfect in weakness: and I thank you that you are truth itself and that all your promises are yea and amen, through Jesus Christ, your mediator. " This prayer gave me words for my own prayers and direction for my thinking as I carried through with His grace the "perplexed affairs of Life" since we have been home.

Today we head off across the state for Al to present some messages at a mission's conference in Oelwein. I don't know how the Lord has lead his thinking but am really looking forward to hearing what the Lord has given him. I am feeling the need to be fed with real food. We then are meeting with a mission's committee in another church Monday night. We expect to be home on Tuesday evening.

Please pray for hearts to hear what the Lord is saying. "The fields are ripe for harvest but the workers are few" That we as the messengers do not get in the way of the message.

Pray for us to have strength especially Al who will be doing the speaking. We are both recovering from a chest cold that has really zapped our energy.
My computer's hard drive crashed losing all the information (if this isn't an ongoing saga, part of my "station in life"). That means it will be alot of work to make sure our prayer partner list is up to date. I had saved some on our stick but not sure how much. Then I need to get a prayer letter out. We leave on our next overseas trip 2 weeks from today.
Prayer for preparation of messages in places and with people we have never met on our next trip overseas. More about that later.

Thanks so much for keeping up with us. Journeying with the Savior, Edie for us both