This month our squad is pioneering Mongolia for AIM, and so far we have had the opportunity to do so many different things! I have ridden a horse through the mountains, camped in the country side, rock climbed, shot arrows at animal hides, built a squatty potty, dug a cistern ditch, preached the gospel to our Mongolian church, played worship, and so many other things. This month has been rife with things that have given us a true Mongolian experience.
One thing stands above all the rest though; the family that has opened its home to us for the month. Micah, Derek and I are staying in a small, one bedroom house, with a Mongolian family. They have literally made their home ours. In past months my team has had apartments, or specific areas where we stayed together, but this month we are separated into small group and are LIVING with the people here, in their homes. It is quite the cultural experience. It must be strange for them to have three Americans sleeping in their living room, sharing meals, and coming home from ministry at all hours of the day. Not to mention that they speak next to no English. ( We literally have conversations over Google translate that take 2 hours to get a 5 minute message across, it’s a trip! )
In the midst of all this we have shared many moments of laughter and created memories that won’t soon be forgotten. Yinch, Batgeralt and Baska have never been anything other than kind and gracious to us. From cooking for us anytime we are hungry, to cleaning out their own cupboards so we can have places to put our clothes, they have loved us so well. They call us their American family ( Yinch now says she has four sons instead of one ) As far as authentic cultural experiences go, we have hit the jackpot. We live smack dab in the middle of a big Mongolian neighborhood and I honestly think we are the only Americans around for miles. We definitely get stared at when we are walking to the store or showers….
We are truly living as the Mongolian people live this month. For all intents and purposes, this family has adopted us into their family for the month. They would give and do anything for us. It kind of reminds me of Jesus and how He loves us. Here is the kicker, these people don’t have much to share, but what they DO have, they have offered it up to some rascal missionaries who are doing work for the kingdom. I think that is so beautiful. We back home could take a page for their notebook so to speak. How often do we open up our big houses, or nice comfortable apartments to others who need a little help? IF I am honest, I really have never done that. I know there are always extenuating circumstances and we have to be wise regarding our families, but what I am saying is that there is ALWAYS some way we can leverage what we have for the Kingdom. Our time, our homes, our vehicles, our talents, what are we blessed with that we can use for the Lord? I am truly inspired by the generosity of people in developing nations, who don’t have much, but what they do have is Gods to with as He will.
On top of all of this, today is a special day for me. Exactly 10 years ago my Grandmother passed away. I can barley believe its been a decade. I have lived so much stinkin life since then, good and bad, with God and without God. He has brought me so far in 10 years. I expected to be sad and a little bummed out today, but I am not. I am excited. Excited at how radically different my life is now, and amazed that her death started me down a road that led me to being completely sold out for Jesus and His will on Earth and in my life. I Know she would be so proud of the man I have become. Like this Mongolian family has adopted me and my brothers this month, I celebrate today that I have been adopted into a greater family where God in my Dad, and that a decade ago, the passing of my Grandmother started me on a journey that led me to His family.
