First impressions
 Our first impressions of Mongolia were of a land of great contrasts: terrain between the steppe and the Gobi desert; of temperature; and of wealth between those living in the Ger districts and those living in apartments.
On arriving in Ulanbaatar we had orientation and a two-day language survival course, after which our brains were reeling at the complexity of just the alphabet – let alone the language. We are full of admiration for those serving long-term who have mastered the language to a greater or lesser extent. 
Material life
We had many opportunities to meet with Mongolians and visit their homes. A student from Union Bible Training Centre invited us to her home in a Ger district. Gers are round, felt-lined, canvas-walled tents often found in fenced-in areas called 'haashas'. There are water stations at various points in the district and sometimes people have to walk up to a kilometre in the freezing weather for water. There is no sanitation to speak of. Materially this student has so little, but she is an evangelist at heart and shares the riches of God's love with everyone she meets. |
Church life
We also attended several Mongolian churches. We were reminded beforehand to take our radio to church with us! There was simultaneous translation of the Bible passages and sermon into English by way of short wave radio transmission.
The congregation were young and the service was led by a man in his early twenties who used to be a ‘street kid’. He is now seeking to reach others in similar situations with the Gospel. These growing congregations need our prayers as they seek to share the Gospel and minister to the people of Mongolia.
JCS International projects
– eye and TB care for the poor
– alcoholic recovery groups (52% of men)
– theological education by extension
– veterinary surgeon training
youth specific...
– football club
– drop-in café
– education project
– physiotherapy for disabled
For information on how you can serve On Track please contact the Personnel Specialists listed below. |
