My time in Mongolia was filled with warm salted tea, my first snow fall of the year, and hospitality that led me to feel more like family then new acquaintances.
Mongolia is beautiful, and so are its people! As my whole, my squad (which is about 40 people) arrived at the Mongolian airport excited and full of expectation 
to the month that was awaiting us. All of our host were there waiting for us, and there was even a group playing guitar and singing songs as apart of that welcome wagon! It’s always special when our host picks us up, since that doesn’t always happen. But to have music, and warm smiles awaiting our arrival was extra special and telling to the type of people we would be living life with that month.
That first night we left the airport to spend our first brisk Mongolian night with our host in their 1 room log cabin. We were instantly family from that first night sleeping on their floor in the comfort of the fire, steps away from where they themselves were sleeping. We were warm and toasty, out of the cold and in the warmth of the cabin and the love found there.
After that first night we went out to the countryside to serve with a herdsman and
his family. The herdsman was also the Pastor of the Nomadic church, and so he had many responsibilities. To be blunt, our main job was shoveling goat poop, 3 years worth of goat poop that had built up in the goats quarters over the years. Our time on his farm was amazing, because it was so far outside of anything I ever thought I’d be doing in my life. I milked cows, chopped wood, and watched the miracle of life as a baby goat was born. We also watched a goat be slaughtered, and then feasted on him for the rest of the week (but that story could be a blog in itself)!
We also had the great opportunity to serve at a local Korean church here in the capitol city. We were able to provide a children’s ministry while we were there. We sang and taught many songs to the children. We also played many games, and loved on them.
One of my favorite days during this week was walking the community where there is much brokenness and many lost hearts, and we prayed for deliverance, for salvation, and for freedom for those stuck in bondage of alcohol (which is a big problem in Mongolia).
No matter what form we were serving in throughout the month, there was always time for a warm bowl of salted tea. It is a signature drink in Mongolia, and we drank it every time we entered a house, ger, business, or church. After every task (and sometimes in the middle) we sat around the “coffee table” and drank tea. Words were sometimes many, and sometimes they were few, but one thing was always present, the warmth from our drinking bowls, and the love that was felt and given from our hearts.
Mongolia, I love you.
Tera
