Team Journal 2006

Mongolia Team Journal

This is the shared team journal for the July 2006 Mongolia VIM team. Team members are Rev Allen (team leader), Erin (his wife), Rev Jeremy, Rev Marsha, Nancy, Steve, Dixie, Ernie, Floyd, and Rev Jackie. Six of the team are from Oklahoma, one from Missouri, one from Tennessee, one from Arkansas, and one from Texas.

A notebook was made available during the trip for team members to journal if they wanted, whenever they wanted, and about whatever they wanted to record. The dates are approximate and may not map exactly to the date written or the events journaled. (It’s not important anyway.) If they signed their name after an entry, it is included, otherwise it’s anonymous. (Again – it’s not important.) It’s not meant to be a full history or journal of everything we did. It is transcribed as closely as possible, they very minimal editing.

Sunday, July 16, 2006

Enjoyed renewing old friendships and making new ones. Great trip so far!

Some observations so far:

	traffic drives on the right hand side, but some vehicles are left and some right handed
	keeping yards, trimming grass, etc, not a priority
	great ice cream
	some new, modern buildings in Ulaan Baatar, but lots of decay from the Soviet era, renovations are happening – especially a huge job near the Winter Palace
	roads have clearly suffered from lack of attention!
	Mongolia just celebrated 800 years as a country – LOTS of rich history
	proper spelling is Chinggis Khaan and the “kh” is aspirated much like clearing your throat
	Mongolia is still predominately a rural, nomadic society – the last in the world – but the influence of the West is clearly seen in the city. The young people especially are very “sophisticated” (i.e., Western!)

Jeremy

The first night was a learning experience. We were instructed to not wear our shoes in the house and wear house shoes. Our beds are a thin mattress on boards. Some of us like the hard bed – others are dieing.

Floyd

Everything is better, more interesting than I ever imagined. Indeed this is an awesome and [unreadable].

Did I tell you that we are having twins?

Allen

Saturday night Steve, Ernie, Allen, Jackie, and Marsha sat in the common room to just talk and get to know each other. Great team building.

Millie gave me a background to her work in Mongolia. The dream to build our U.M. work here arose from a group of Korean-American United Methodists celebrating the years of God’s faithfulness to them in the USA. They wanted to express that in engaging themselves even more in God’s mission – and they chose Mongolia.

Millie was the one who answered the call and has been financially support by the Korean-Americans, though she is a GBGM appointed missionary.

Her term of service runs through June 2007 when she plans to return to the USA and her home conference, North Carolina. Millie said learning Mongolian was fairly easy because she speaks Korean, English, and German – helping her with the “R” and “L” sounds and the guttural “g” (“ch”) sound. Moreover, she noted that the physical similarities between Koreans and Mongolians made it easier for her to be accepted.

Dinner at the Indian restaurant was outstanding – a real treat.

Millie had a cake brought for us for back at the center – really really good.

Jeremy

The second night in Mongolia was better than the first for sleeping. We doubled some of the beds and made the beds a little softer, we purchased a couple of pillows and that made the night better.

We were able to shop for ourselves and our families and able to buy gifts for home – cashmere was a real bargain.

Devotion was led by Nancy and we will all be carrying our stones for the rest of the mission to remember why we are here.

Floyd

Today we saw the Temple. Inside is a giant statue of Buddha. Looking at it made me think of the statue in Nebuchadnezzar’s dream and the statue he erected for the people to worship. The people as they entered the Temple turned prayer wheels by the door, then all the wheels surrounding the gigantic statue made of bronze. Now the difference between King Nebuchadnezzar and Buddha is the King provided no enlightenment, but commanded to be worshipped as a God. Buddha is the one who points the way, or enlightens, the people toward God. Absolutely an awesome, once in a lifetime experience.

This amazing mission trip is our opportunity to continue Buddha’s enlightenment to lead, point, direct through our words, actions, and thoughts, the people we meet toward Christ.

God bless this mission and our actions so we glorify you. Amen.

Gathering around the kitchen table has become a wonderful ritual for our team – beginning at 6:00 am for coffee – sharing the devotional – becoming good friends – even feelings of being a new family – such an important part of VIM.

My first impression of Mongolia was how friendly the people were and how very clean the city of Ulaan Baatar is and how modern. The Catholic Center where we are staying is very comfortable and convenient! What a contrast this part of Asia has been so far to other countries of Asia.

We are a motley crew, but I am anticipating God doing great things with us. Now that most of the scheduling details and jet lag has been taken care of – I look forward to getting down to it. We are on our way to worship and in many ways this feels like the beginning of our mission. I can think of no better way to begin. The team members have been getting to know each other and seem to be getting along well. Today we will also take an inventory of all the “stuff” we brought with us. I look forward to seeing it all together and getting a picture of all the supplies. I pray we will be used by God here.

Allen

At the airport in Atlanta, we were searching for a man named Steve who would join our team. We finally found him and search for another man, Ernie. These two “strangers” are such an inspiration and I cannot believe I’ve only known them for only a couple days.

Today we are headed for worship and planning VBS. Exciting day.

Worship. The last 15 minutes of the service were the prayer of the people – and the people prayed out loud, all together. How powerful.

When Erin Buck got up and sang “What a Friend We Have in Jesus” the congregation was moved by the Holy Spirit. God moved across the language barrier and brought most of us to tears. What a friend Jesus truly is. Several first timers were moved, according to Millie, by the entire service. God orchestrated this service to speak to all of us.

After the service it was interesting to talk to Fred from California who is a VIM volunteer who stayed after his mission was over.

What a mighty God we serve.

We also met Rita who works with an international firm – she runs an interdenominational orphanage in Ulaan Baatar.

Jackie

Monday, July 17

God is in Mongolia! I don’t mean there was ever a question…

The worship service and Sunday school was awesome (in the true sense of the word) AWESOME. It did not matter that the language was different. The children singing and dancing, 7 professions of faith, 15 minutes of testimonials and praying! I pray the church in America is just a fraction of [unreadable]. I was moved, inspired, convicted[?], encouraged, and filled up. Today’s experience will provide a lot of energy for the rest of the mission.

Allen

I am in love.

Allen

We go to stay the night with local host families tonight. It will be interesting to create and experience that relationship. Plus it will be our first experience in sleeping in a ger.

Tuesday, July 18

We divided into twos and ventured to our host families. Toll [?] and her two girls hosted Marsha and I. Even with a language barrier we communicated fine. Ger life is such a simple uncluttered way to live, I felt just a tad bit guilty about all the “stuff” I have at home.

Jackie

Spending the night with Oyunbat and Nerqui (Angie) was a great experience. They are a newly wed couple expecting a baby in October. She had traveled with Angie as an interpreter to the U.S. and to Canada. They live in a ger which has electricity, but does not have running water. Water is a real precious commodity. I watched Oyunbat take a bath and wash his hair and upper body with about 1 quart of water.

I tasted mare’s milk. It was not something I could enjoy, it was like drinking milk that was 2 weeks out of date that was sitting on the counter.

Great people, love the visit with them, will never forget them.

Floyd

Just something funny I want to remember – I keep messing up the language. I keep trying to say “thank you”, but instead I am saying “good bye”. They think it is pretty frustrating. What is worse though, when conversing with my host family, I tried to ask how old their little boy was. But instead I asked “How much does the boy cost?” Ouch! With no one to speak English, it took me a few minutes to explain that one.

Allen

This morning everyone was excitedly talking about their overnight host experience. Some things were similar and some unique to a family. We all can’t experience everything (unfortunately) so it was interesting to hear some of the other things that happened.

The end of a full 2^nd day of Mission Bible School (MBS) brought us back to the Catholic Center. Showers were at the top of the order. Free time for a while before MBS planning and dinner.

Beautiful double rainbow!!!!! I hope pictures turn out.

Allen

Wednesday, July 19

MBS is over! What an experience! The kids were so loving and well behaved (they actually did what they were told – unlike children in certain OTHER countries who shall remain nameless, but whose initials are U.S.). This was a different experience for me and it was great.

Thursday, July 20

Steve and I did Hospice with Helen today. In my journal I did not need to go into detail of the visit because it is in my mind forever. Some facts Helen gave us are:

	There are 3 MDs, 3 nurses, 2 special care workers, 1 social worker, and a part-time pharmacist.
	The office is GBGM funded and they share space in a small apartment - $200 per month.
	The budget is $30,000 per year.
	At this time they have 40-60 patients, ages 3 – 90 years old.
	They only take cancer patients.
	They have just trained 4 volunteers. Volunteers are new to Mongolia.

We enjoyed our time with her.

Dixie

Friday, July 21

Spend Thursday in bed with the Mongolia trots, feel weak this morning, but was able to continue. Had a request yesterday from Millie to help the Lay Leader’s family. Her husband has been injured and can not work. They could get land from the government, but they need $500 for a ger so they could live as a family. We donate the money to them so that they are able to build the ger and be back together as a family. He is in the plains now with the two children watching goats for someone. This is the brother of Oyunbat. I saw a picture of him that was about 6 years old, he was dressed in traditional dress and he was a tall well built man. This winter will be a good one for them. God moves in very different ways.

Floyd

Wonderful story with Jackie’s devotion about the Oklahoma Indian mission and the little boy with the birthday party. A Michigan VIM team was working in a poor remote site. It was an hour’s walk for the Mother to the nearest store. The boy had never had a birthday party before and the Mother had planned to throw a party while the team was there. So she walked to the store that Friday to get food and ice cream. The team completed their work early and wanted to go to Tulsa to shop. Even though the VIM coordinator had talked to them about the importance of being at the party and they knew it would mean a lot to the boy, they left anyway. They probably passed the Mother coming back on the way out. The coordinator and other family members threw the party anyway – the little boy had a good time – they ate all the ice cream because there was no refrigeration – he didn’t know what it was supposed to be like anyway. The moral of the story, of course, was the incorrect focus of the team. Staying an extra 2 hours for the party would have meant so much to the boy, but they wanted to shop (in Tulsa?!?!?!?!? no less). Shame on them!

Steve

The youth here constantly text message each other. They don’t use minutes this way. You can always see them with their head down and both thumbs going. Nokia phones are very common. The candy bar form-factor is small and light weight. Some hold phones from a lanyard around their neck for easy access. Loud music ring tones do not appear to be a breach of phone etiquette.

Steve (the Sprint guy)

Monday, July 24

“It’s a beautiful morning…I think I’ll go outside for a while….and smile…”

from The Little Rascals song

Tuesday, July 25

Sounds of Mongolia

As I prepare to leave this place I realize I have been especially affected by the sounds – let me explain.

	14 hours of the steady hum of the jet engines – the reliable vehicle that brought us to this place.
	noise of the busy street and the construction company located just under our bedroom window.
	beautiful voices raised in music of praise at the worship service on our first Sunday morning and then over and over again many times – special songs that are often “in my head”.
	the quiet, almost unheard sound of voices in prayer, all together yet each private.
	children’s sounds of excitement as they gathered for MBS on Monday – as well as sobs of the tiny boy who was frightened without his sister.
	“God Loves You” as the little folk ran into “the world” proclaiming this good news to “their world”.
	the lack of sound at the prison as 200 men and women prisoners listened to us and Erin’s beautiful singing of Amazing Grace.
	the sound of thundering hooves of 50 or more wild horses climbing the mountain behind our ger at the weekend retreat – such untamed beauty of God’s created animals.
	splashing sound of cold water on bodies in the service of Holy Baptism – 32 folk coming to Christ in the river – Allen and Millie raising their voices in strong proclamation “I Baptize You”!
	the haunting sound of the “Horse Fiddle” in concert and at the retreat – very much Mongolian with the history of this instrument typical of the people here.
	“Nancy – Dixie – Steve – Jackie” high pitched little girl voices greeting us each day at VBS – just wanting (needing?) a smile and a hug from an American stranger.
	And the almost holy total lack of sound as I walked out into the dark night during the retreat – only the sound of breath was heard – my own – my ger mates – and some cows or horses close by. I felt so close to God in this quietness – very far from the shelter and security of “my home” – yet feeling so very much at home – It can only be God’s holy presence that binds us in this way and gives us a sense of security and safety even when we are living with “strangers”.
	And finally there will be the sound of “good bye” when we leave here – and when we leave each other in Atlanta – knowing we will never see many of these folk again – yet for me (at least) – they are never far from me because their voices – music – all these sounds of love are in my heart forever.

Thank you for an incredible 2 weeks.

Nancy

The Baptisms were one of the most significant moments of my ministerial vocation thus far. For a few minutes I thought I might need to move to Mongolia, but God uses us where we are. I pray to see clearly the opportunities when we get home. Not just see them, but to take action on them. I wonder how the church folks will respond.

Allen

As we come to the end of this trip, I reflect on my preconceived thoughts of the Mongolian people. They are a sweet, gentle people. We came as strangers and leave with a new understanding of these people. It has been a great trip and I am so blessed to have been a part of this mission. To all my new VIM friends, “Thanks for the memories”. I love and respect you all.

(end)