We have survived one more winter in Outer Mongolia! Now, I am not saying that spring has sprung, but we are starting to experience some positive Fahrenheit days. Of course the nights still plummet down into the negatives and that will continue to happen for a few more months. I believe the coldest it got last month was NEGATIVE 51 degrees Fahrenheit. Fortunately that was for three days and occurred during the middle of the night. It warmed up to negative 30 to 35 degrees Fahrenheit during the day!

Interestingly enough I have asked Richard and Sally which month is their favorite month here in Mongolia. Without hesitation they each named fall first and then winter. And I have to say that those are my favorite months also. Fall provides the beautiful change in the colors as the green fades. There is also a cooling from the heat of the summer (yes, it does get hot in the summer). We also like winter because the central heat plant sends coal generated heat to the apartments and buildings so it is warm inside plus the hot water stays on during the whole winter time! This is not so true in the spring and summer. It is during the spring time that our hot water is turned off for 3-4 weeks and sometimes the water itself is turned off for several days. This allows the city of Ulaanbaatar to clean the water pipes. Spring also brings the sudden dust storms! Believe me the dust bowl days of Oklahoma would be put to shame when compared to Mongolian dust storms.

George, on the other hand, prefers the summer times in Mongolia. Summer time brings out green trees and wild flowers in the countryside, inconsistent water – both cold and hot in the city and hot days without air-conditioning, long nice walks in the evenings since it is light outdoors until 10:30 or 11 PM. It is nice though to have four seasons even though our summer time clothes are not unpacked for too long.

Now that it is getting warmer we have started our 2006 shuttle season. This year we are expecting many short term workers whom we call shuttles. Shuttles include veterinarians, both small and large animal, teachers, medical doctors, veterinary technicians, business people, dentists, Bible teachers, music teachers, and basically anyone who has a servant’s heart and wants to sow into the lives of Mongolians. We can definitely get you involved in ministering in various ways, both in the city and out in the countryside.

Our first shuttles of the year were two veterinarians who were tremendous blessings. Natalie Coffer is finishing her residency at the University of Tennessee. With her large animal expertise she was able to help our CE large animal team prepare their 2006 CE presentations which will begin May 1. Donnalee Dorman is a small animal practioner in California who came to mentor our small animal veterinarians in V.E.T. Net’s Caring Veterinary Clinic and Training Center. She saw many interesting cases which are not common in California and was able to teach our vets some new things. Both Natalie and Donnalee gave of themselves to V.E.T. Net during the two weeks they were here and received many blessings in return. Both said they hope to return again.

There story is very common to our shuttles. God first places the desire into the heart of a future shuttle. This desire generally grows and through prayer, preparation, and a growing desire to sow into the lives of the Mongolians, the shuttle commits to come serve V.E.T. Net. Shuttles have been so important to the nurturing of our young V.E.T. Net team and have helped V.E.T. Net to grow throughout the years. What usually happens though is as the shuttle blesses V.E.T. Net in so many ways, the shuttle’s life is changed in many ways. Usually they grow closer to God and their perspective of world missions is broadened. If you have ever considered going on a short term mission trip we would encourage you to consider V.E.T. Net in Mongolia. Your heart would be touched by our V.E.T. Net team and you would have an awesome mission experience.

Please pray for the following:

1. The rural veterinarians are preparing this year’s CE teaching material. Richard is leading the business section in their preparations and he himself is preparing marketing presentations. I lead the full CE program and there is much to be done before our 2006 training begins May 1.

2. Quick and successful registration of veterinary drugs. This process is very tedious and involves governmental approval. Both Richard and I work with this in addition to other V.E.T. Net members.

3. Richard is overseeing several audits in our V.E.T. Net finance department in relation to our status as a Mongolian NGO and as a recipient of USDA funding

4. Pray for the weekly veterinary student Bible study and for their heart’s to continue to be open to receive the Gospel

5. Pray for the V.E.T. Net teachers as they plan their summer program teaching remote herding families and reaching them for the Lord

6. We have started our furlough plans to America for this summer. Pray that all planning will go smoothly and that we will be able to see many people.

7. George believes that he has found a college but wants to be certain that this is the one which God is directing him to. Pray for the right decision and for finances for his education.

8. For both George and Sally to finish their school year strong.

9. For George’s high school graduation to be a special time for him and his other friends who are also graduating with him

10. I have started to teach a small Algebra I class to help Sally and her friends have a better understanding of Algebra. Pray that I can teach it adequately and that the students can increase in their understanding.

We appreciate your prays so very much! Please let us know how to pray for you. We are as close as an email away. Richard’s email is richard@bigfootmkt.com and mine is mary@bigfootmkt.com . We like to pray for you also.

In His Service,

Mary for Richard, George and Sally