Surprise, this is Tommy

Hello everyone from Tommy in Khongor.  Yes, I am finally doing my job and posting some information on the blog (or as I sometimes call it, the blob).   With about 12 days to go the trip has definitely been one of all kinds of emotions and praise to God.  We have been able to be here as God works in other peoples lives and in our lives.  As we constantly search for exactly how God desires to use us in Mongolia we stay active in various kinds of ways.  We have had disappointing and encouraging times.  I have been discouraged about not getting the tennis courts built and not being able to have a schedule that is conducive for regular discipleship with the people here.  The possibility of purchasing goats while we are here also looks slim, but the goat barn is finished and Debi has done a great job in designing and helping coordinate the renovation of the old barn.  Baagii, the staff person that was going to go with Debi to buy the goats, will be on vacation until the 21st and we will be leaving here on the 20th and Mongolia on the 21st.  We have also transplanted a number of plants from one part of the property to other parts and are trying to start some new lilac trees from the shoots of established ones.  Some of these plants/trees are doing well and others are not.  I guess it will take until next year to see what is successful.  We have taught tennis, played tennis, and witnessed the grand opening of the two outdoor tennis courts at the sports center in Darkhan.  We take time to chase cows, horses, goats, sheep, and any other kind of animal that does not belong off of the property.  Sometimes we help prepare meals, wash dishes, mop, sweep, and always try to pick up trash.  We have done some construction and some demolition.  Each day seems to have new opportunities and trials.

Needless to say, the camp training, holding camps, and doing "mini" camps with kids at various villages as the medical team from Irving sees patients has been a great blessing and encouragement to all involved in the ministry here.  As of right now, by my calculations (other people seem to have different numbers) 44 children have prayed to receive Christ as their Savior.  The Gospel bracelets with the various colored beads seems to be able to used by the Holy Spirit to open the ears and eyes of the kids here in Mongolia so that they can understand our efforts to explain the Gospel to them.  This is no doubt what we are really all about and it is so exciting to me be able to see how God could use this Christian Sports Camp system to reach Mongolia and beyond. Debi especially does a great job (in my opinion) explaining the beads and how they all fit together.  It makes all of the cold showers, loss of electricity, walks in the rain, storms, wind, heat, long van rides, and the constant feeble attempts to speak Mongolian worthwhile.

We have had a good relationship with our translator, Bazo (no telling how his real name is spelled).  He seems to have made a decision for Christ, but his questions and statements since then seems to show that he is still a little confused about "religion".  He has both English and Mongolian bibles now and we continue to talk and try to answer his questions.  Please pray for him (I did not count him as one of the 44). 

Another situation that all of us have had to deal with the air embargo on Mongolia from Korea.  Not only Jerry and us had things in the air freight shipment, but other people here also are having to adjust what can be done and how they can be done with the articles in the shipment not here.  We had mainly goat and tennis equipment in the shipment.  I believe it has been moved to a shipping container and it should arrive on August 15th.  I guess we can use it next year, Lord willing.

On a little lighter side, I have caught two Mongolian fish and one was even big enough to eat.  We had a ride on the train from here to Ulaam bataar and experienced a day of shopping until we returned by van that night.  We have been on a horse and camel.  We have seen gerbils and ground hogs. 

One possibility has become apparent to us and Jerry and Susan on how we might be able to impact Mongolia in the future.  We are working on details and it might not actually begin until December or next summer, but we are excited about the possibilities and will share the details with our family and friends when we return.  The whole plan is in the infant/planing stages so we will see how God leads.

We are looking forward to seeing all of you soon.. Please continue to pray for us. 

Tommy