September 2010
September 1st is the first day of school all over Mongolia. It is an exciting time with many smiling children carrying their new school supplies and scurrying off to school with their parents. Today was also the first day of the new school year for the V.E.T. Net Daycare. Daycare is a blessing from God provided for the V.E.T. Net staff’s children. Today our devotions were held outside in the parking lot surrounded by balloons, children’s praise music, dancing/jumping children plus parents and all staff. After a time of praising God for His provision and dedicating the first day of school to the Lord, the children greeted their teachers and walked off to Daycare. Of course, there were a few of the youngsters who were not so confident in leaving Mom and Dad but after a bit, the love from the teachers drew them in.
God’s love always draws us to Him, doesn’t it? Our teacher countryside teams have all returned from their summer countryside ministry. Each one of the teachers allowed their light to shine by showing God’s love in all that they did. We know of individuals and families who committed their hearts to the Lord through this ministry these past few months. We look forward to hearing specific details as the stories are documented. God’s love is abounding!
Four of our veterinary countryside teams are still out in the countryside including one team to Bayan Ulgii which is in the far western side of Mongolia next to Kazakhstan. In fact, that team called in today and told me what a different culture Bayan Ulgii has. It is not like being in Mongolia but rather in a “Muslim led system’. They are learning how to minister somewhat differently; however, veterinarians and herders are open to receiving the Gospel of John in the Kazakh language. Please continue to pray for their hearts to be open and to be drawn by the love of God through Jesus Christ.
We will share more praise reports from these teams next month. Now, for a little Mongolian humor or How to communicate in English. Being a primarily English speaker in a primarily Mongolian speaking country mentoring and discipling primarily English speaking Mongolians (at various levels in their English skills) – are you following me yet? – can lead to some very funny conversations:
• Tsek, as he was translating an equine respiratory disease power point from English to Mongolian – “Mary, what does ‘winded’ mean?” “Well,” Mary stated, “it is like being out of breath.” Tsek quickly said, “That means you are dead.” I will admit, that stopped me right there. “Yes, Tsek, you are right – I had never thought of it that way.” After a long laugh together, I came up with a different explanation.
• Oyuna, our administrator who traveled to Seattle, Washington last April and was amazed at the green trees, beautiful flowers and smooth roads – “I think Mongolia needs to have signs that say NO BUMP AHEAD.” “Why is that Oyuna?”, I asked. “Because in Washington there were road signs that said CAUTION – BUMP AHEAD.” After picking myself up from collapsing in laughter, I agreed with her. (One can REALLY understand this only after one has visited Mongolia)
• Not to be out done by our Mongolian English speaking friends, Richard and I have realized that Kiwi’s and Aussie’s from Down Under speak their own English language which we often have need of an interpreter. Having just recently greeted a new Australian short term worker into our home for dinner, he admitted to me later that when I invited him in and told him to make himself at home and relax and rest, he thought I was suggesting that he go to the bathroom. I am very glad that I was pointing to the living room as I said that! Now I totally understand Mongolians who ask us what kind of English we speak! I always proudly say “Southern, of course!” And it always makes my heart swell when I hear the words “Y’all” spoken with a Mongolian accent. I guess we are doing a good job!
Please join with us in these Prayer requests:
• Full funding for veterinary continuing education (CE) across the entire country
• Favor with the Mongolian government for approval of veterinary CE credits to be issued by V.E.T. Net to Mongolian veterinarians
• Favor with the Mongolian government for Daycare registration and a future V.E.T. Net Christian Primary school
Our prayer for V.E.T. Net is Psalm 20:4-5 “May he give you the desire of your heart, and make all your plans succeed.”
Thank you always for your continual stand with us to reach a nation for Christ.
Serving Him Together,
Mary for Richard, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia; John and Riann (USMC) Alexandria, Virginia; George (Los Angeles, CA), Sally (Tulsa, OK)
