Life in Mongolia

Where do I even begin!  First off, I would like to share about something that has been on my heart.  Before I left, my dad shared a video with me about Jesus being our intercessor.  It was a powerful short video about how Jesus has interceded for us and our sins.  So as I was reading through Hebrews, I was struck by Hebrews 7:25 “Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.”  Jesus has interceded for us to bridge the gap from death to life, from sin to salvation, and from bondage to freedom.  The Holy Spirits intercedes on our behalf as Romans 8:26 states, “In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness.  We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express.”  The Holy Spirit is interceding in our hearts to work on our weaknesses and interceding with prayers.  So I am struck by how I can intercede for others.  I can pray.  I can serve.  I can give my time.  I can love.  I can share.  My prayer is that I do intercede for others especially through prayer as I know all my prayers are answered!

                Many people have asked about what life is like in Mongolia.  First off, I am in the country of Mongolia.  Inner Mongolia is a region in China.  I live in the capitol city of UlaanBaatar which is where about 40% of the population lives, creating the worst traffic.  Another 10% of the population lives in other cities and the rest are the last truly nomadic population in the world.  The nomads have large herds of animals and are on the move to where grazing is good.  The winters are long and harsh, so much of the livestock barely makes it through the winter.  The animals they herd differ depending on what part of the country nomads live in (from the Gobi to nearly in Siberia).  They have cows, sheep, horses, yaks, goats, camels, and reindeer and they milk them all!  This is hard to imagine, but yes they drink the milk of all those animals.  Next week when I am in the countryside, I will probably get to try mare’s milk (horse) and the best part is that the way they prepare it is by putting it in a large canister and allowing it to ferment.  Good thing I packed my pepto bismal!  Their diet is almost all meat and dairy products.  And these people love to eat.  They could put my dad to shame!  Yet they stay so thin.  I think it is all the walking they do it get places.  Most nomads and even people living in the city, live in what is called a ger.  It is a circular tent like structure that can be packed up and moved easily.  It is one large circular room with a stove in the middle.  The outhouse is outside.  There is no running water in it, but some have electricity or a solar panel.  Living in this type of housing is a full time job.  It is a hard life, but it is the Mongolia life.  Mongolians are so friendly when you get to know them.  Not many people speak English, so getting around is still a bit challenging.  One sad thing that is happening here is a massive building boom.  They are putting up apartments and more expats are here because of the mining industry that is growing.  This is driving prices up and things are already expensive.  There is no middle class.  I am concerned for the majority of Mongolians with prices getting higher.  Also, Russia stopped selling Mongolia diesel fuel a few months ago which is a real problem.   This could drive prices up even more. 

                I am living in an apartment on the 8^th story of an old Soviet style apartment building.  I have an elevator, but I call it pac man, as it’s doors practically eat you if you do not get in quick enough.  I have a small kitchen and then two bedrooms and a living room.  My TV has 100 channels , but only a couple English channels.  I hope to be getting internet in my house, then I can keep people up to date better.  It is furnished but I need to spice up the walls.  I bought a beautiful wall hanging and have some pictures and a map up.  My washer is new, but in the old style with a wash basin on one side and a spinner on the other, so when doing a wash it has to be moved back and forth to the spinner.  The heat comes on September 15th and is turned off May 15th.  The city is heated through steam heat that is piped throughout the town.  This is a very old system, but hopefully will work well.  I can get most groceries, but have to go to several shops to find all I need which takes a lot of time as they are all around town.  There are a few good restaurants that I have tried out, even some that I can walk too.  I hope to find a good taxi driver to take me on my errands every Saturday.  If you have a good recipe, let me know as I am doing much more cooking and baking.  Our weather has been just plain crazy.  It has rained the last two days all day which is very atypical.  Streets are flooding as there is no drainage.  The world’s climate is changing.    

                My job is going quite well.  A lot is going on with our program this summer as we are having our first summer heart camps for children who have benefitted from Children’s Heart Project.  Our first camp had 50 campers and next week we are doing another camp in the countryside.  Our third camp will be in an area to the far west in Mongolia in August.  I am blessed with the most amazing staff!  Each person deeply loves the Lord and is very gifted in different ways.  I have a lot to learn in this new working environment outside of hospital nursing.  Today I was able to visit an American doctor who has worked here in Mongolia for 10 years.  She works out of the main pediatric hospital.  It was definitely a third world hospital, but a step up from what I saw in Tanzania.  I cried many times after visiting hospitals in Tanzania, but did not cry after seeing the hospital today.  They even had a pediatric intensive care unit with two ventilators and oxygen and monitoring at each bedside.  I was a bit impressed by this.  I look forward to getting to know the doctors who work here.  They truly do it for the love of caring for children as the government pays them next to nothing and the hours are endless. 

                I have many prayers requests you could join with me and pray:

·         For the state of the Mongolian church-that it would grow and mature and have a heart for discipleship and service

·         Our program with our camps this summer, may we connect with many children and may those children grow in their relationship with the Lord and share what they learn at camp with their friends and family

·         Safe travels to camp next week for our camp staff and all the children and families traveling to camp

·         My job role is extensive, so prioritizing what needs to be done and balancing my life here

·         That I make friends and decide on a church home and make connections there (I have been to two expat churches, and two Mongolian churches)

·         Settling into my life here!

Well I got get to bed.  I hope to put up some pictures if I get my internet in my home this Friday.

Blessings,

EM

A week into work!

Hiya Dear Friends,
  Well I am over a week into work and life here.  Things have been going very well, but very fast paced.  I am getting my apartment all set up and it has everything I need.  I am so blessed that I can walk to work and have lots of good restaurant and grocery stores very close.  Work is going very well.  I am finishing up orientation today and then we have a three day staff retreat which will be refreshing and a good time to get to know the staff better.  We had our first heart camp last week where children who have benefited from our program come to a Bible camp and it went so well.  God worked in powerful ways through the hearts of the children who attended.  I want to write more, but do not have a lot of time.  I am getting internet in my house this weekend, so will be able to update more.  Thanks for all your prayers!
Blessings,
Em

I'm Here!

Hey Friends!
  I am here safe and sound.  My flights went very smoothly, actually had 2 seats on all three flights.  I was able to check my luggage all the way through to Mongolia which was a huge blessing.  I hit the ground running and went shopping the first day to get things for my apartment.  I started work yesterday and it was amazing.  I am joining an amazing team, each person with a heart for the Lord and ministry.  I will write more, but this is a very busy week.  Praise the Lord for how is caring for my every need. 
Blessings,
Emily

Blog Followers

I just accidentally deleted my blog followers. I'm not sure how I did that and will try to fix it when I get to a computer. Sorry if that was you. Em

In LAX

I arrived into LAX and am just waiting for my next flight to Beijing. It was hard to say goodbye to my family and friends, but it's more like a see you later! I checked in way early in STL and they couldn't check my luggage all the way to Mongolia. I was concerned because I didn't want to recheck it in Beijing. The Lord knew the concerns of my heart and in LAX, I talked with a ticketing agent and she is looking for my luggage to retag it to Mongolia and then will let me know. How awesome is that! Well thanks for your support and prayers. I'm ready to get there.
Blessings, EM

Tomorrow is the Day

Psalm 16:8 I have set the Lord always before me.  Because he is my right hand, I will not be shaken.

The Lord has prepared the way for me.  I am so thankful for that.  A friend shared the above verse with me and I love the last part that I will not be shaken.  My prayer is that I can always remember to keep the Lord always before me.  Let me not go my own direction and ways, but to always seek the Lord and take rest and comfort in Him and how He leads and protects me. 
So tomorrow is the big day for my move.  My bags are packed, but a little heavy!  I have to get rid of a few things, but I can do that.  Just not going to be able to take as much candy and junk food. I got my passport back this morning.  Please pray that all my luggage arrives intact and that they do not weight my carry on!
Tonight we are going out to celebrate my Mom's 60th birthday which is today.  Then tomorrow I fly out in the evening.  I will update when I get there as I am able.
Blessings,
Emily

Mongolia Here I Come!

Here is my first prayer letter!  Thanks for reading!  I will update this blogsite as I am able. 

Dear Family and Friends,

                When Abram received God’s promise that all would be blessed through him and that he would be made into a great nation, it required him to take action and leave his country and his people.  He began a journey guided by the Lord into a new land with a great purpose.  Abraham had faith!  Joshua was told to be strong and courageous as he led the Israelites into the Promised Land.  These are just two of the many stories of the Old Testament of bravery and courage, but most importantly of trust and faith in the Lord, as people ventured into new territory guided by the Lord for His purpose.  I am encouraged by reading these stories of the Old Testament as I begin a journey to a new land, leaving my family and friends in the US, to where I am called by the Lord. 

                I am writing to share about my upcoming move to Mongolia.  After my time in Haiti with Samaritan’s Purse, I felt strongly the Lord was preparing me for another position using my gifts of nursing and administration and my passion for cross cultural environments.   In the following months, the Lord revealed where this was to be and with whom.  I am joining an amazing team with Samaritan’s Purse working with their program called Children’s Heart Project (CHP).    Specifically I will be working as Program Manager encompassing my love of nursing but also administrative skills serving with a team of Mongolians and several expatriates.  I leave this Thursday, June 2^nd for a two year commitment. 

                Children’s Heart Project is a unique program which addresses the physical problem of a congenital heart defect, but also a spiritual need of a relationship with the Lord.  This program works in five countries around the world and has given a new chance at life to over 600 families.  Children, along with their mothers, come to the US and Canada for repair of congenital heart defects because in their home country surgical repair is not available.  Two children, their mothers, and an interpreter usually make up a group coming to North America for surgery and stay a little over a month for the surgery and recovery.  This is about so much more than just the life-giving heart surgery.  It is about living with a host Christian family as an example of the love of Christ and becoming part of a church family.  Interpreters travel with all the children and their mothers and these women are vital to sharing the truth of the Gospel and leading many as they begin their walk with the Lord.  I began volunteering with CHP four years ago, first going to Mongolia and three times to Uganda.  I am SUPER excited to begin working with CHP and Samaritan’s Purse.  Great things are happening as the Lord uses CHP families throughout Mongolia. 

                Mongolia is a place being transformed by the truth of Jesus Christ.  I read a statistic that in 1990 when Communist rule fell, there were only four known believers.  Since that time, Christian missionaries have come and the Lord is doing mighty things in the hearts of the people.  Churches are established and believers are numbered in the tens of thousands.  Seeds are being planted; please pray for the workers.

Mongolia’s rugged and vast terrain is home to only three million people.  I will be living in an apartment in the capitol city of Ulaanbaatar.  It can be very cold in the winter which will be a stark difference from the heat and humidity of Tanzania.  I look forward to learning the language of Mongolian, but thankful much of the staff speaks English.  But learning the culture and language is extremely important to me.  There will be many adjustments in the coming weeks.    

So I am writing you today to not only share with you about this journey, but also to ask for your partnership.  This ministry needs prayer, along with the people of Mongolia.  God is using CHP families to reach to where missionaries cannot go in the nomadic population.

Would you please join me in prayer?  Here are some specifics:

·         For the people of Mongolia, that they may come to intimately know and love the Lord.

·         For CHP families as many begin their walk with the Lord, may they find a solid local Christian church to grow with, especially learning the importance of discipleship.

·         For me as I transition to this new working role and living in a new cross cultural environment, may the Lord equip me to do this work and for my walk with the Lord to grow further as I help lead and manage a team.

·         May I build a community and family within my church (pray also for me as I find a church), my work, my apartment building, and others there working to advance the Kingdom.    

·         Safety and protection in travel and that all my luggage arrives!

·         And for Samaritan’s Purse as they respond to so many disasters happening throughout the world.

God has paved the way for me to join this team and is preparing my heart for this service.  But I ask for you to partner with me through prayer.   I encourage you to check out Samaritan’s Purse’s website at http://www.samaritanspurse.org.  There you can learn more about CHP and how Samaritan’s Purse is ministering to people around the world.  I have also started a blogsite you can follow.  The address is below.  I will update it as I am able and plan to send out prayer letters every other month.  I sincerely thank you for your support.      

Blessings,

Emily Arneson

Please note that this letter reflects my thoughts alone.