While Kevin Has Been Away

Kevin left three weeks ago to have some medical attention in the U.S.  I didn't feel that I should go at this time since he was able to travel alone, and I wanted to stay in UB to continue the work we have here.  I will get my 3-month U.S. trip starting in mid-May.  Until then, I want to stay faithful to opportunities here.

Here are just a few things I've been involved in the past three weeks (and Kevin comes home in 30 hours!):



Our neighbor who has three little girls, was having overnight house guests.  Their apartment is one bedroom, so I took the girls overnight.  They even had their baths here.  It was like having my own three little girls back in my life...only these girls are bilingual!  They jabber away in Mongolian and then quickly switch over to speaking English with me (they call me "Sister Pam"). 

 

Here the girls are, hair wet from baths, smelling beautiful, and reading their Mongolian bedtime story which I had purchased from a bookstore here.  This book is about the Easter story.



The girls enjoyed another bedtime story told by "Brother Kevin" on skype.  What a fun treat!



I began a 9-hour per week job with a small "experimental" school here in town.  It's a public school with the goal of teaching all of their classes in English.  Here I am, seated in the front row, far left, with the teachers of the school.  Matt on the very far left is also with our organization, and he and another man have also been hired.  The three of us are responsible to meet with all of these teachers throughout the week to converse with them in English for their practice.  We are also giving them methods to integrate into their classrooms so their students can speak more English in class.  We have already been developing some wonderful relationships with these very sweet teachers.  I'm sure we'll have many opportunities to share about the light of life which gives much hope!  Behind the teachers, you can see the students of the school.  The school presently only has 40 9th grade students, and they plan to add one grade each year. 



Last week was an exciting ceremony for the school.  The media came to cover the event.



The Prime Minister of Mongolia, the Director of the Ministry of Education, and officials from Cambridge in England were all on hand to sign documents to forge a partnership of English learning at this school in Mongolia.  It was quite an exciting event for the Mongolian school. 



Afterwards, we enjoyed some finger foods.  The woman in the back has spent time with me practicing her English.



Later that week, I enjoyed some leftover Indian food (from an Indian restaurant), with some sauteed chicken and peppers.  The tortilla was made by a neighbor who has a small tortilla-making business to help pay for family expenses. 

  In all of the activities of the day, I keep my eyes open for opportunities to speak of the Light...the one who came that we might have life...and have it abundantly.  There are opportunities almost daily.  I am thankful to be here at this time of our lives.  I don't know how long it will last, but for now, it's one step at a time.