Part 1: The Countryside

The first thing I would like to make clear is that the sole purpose of this blog is to show the might and movement of our Father amongst all the nations. If you get nothing from this blog but that knowledge, then I shall be perfectly content. Nonetheless, I do hope that you will find a taste of culture and a hint of humor hidden amongst my ramblings. It is impossible to ever put into words all that occurred on this trip…as if you would want to read all of that anyway! But I shall, for the sake of my aforementioned goal attempt to share some of my experiences.  So with out further ado: East Asian Adventures Part One.

Our first few days of the trip were filled with an intense travel schedule. We left early Saturday morning from St. Louis and did not arrive in country until Monday morning. We immediately met with our partners who lived there and went to their apartment. A much-needed nap filled our next hours as well as lunch and a scavenger hunt at the city’s open air market. At 5pm Monday night we got on a bus headed for a small town out in the countryside- we arrived there at 5:15am Tuesday morning. At this point our team split into two groups. Leah- along with Andrea, Tabitha and Sheena (a friend) stayed in the city to teach English. The rest of us- myself, Jessica, Jordan, Joel, and Brian (another friend) headed out another 4 hours in a van deeper into the countryside.

The gang at the St. Louis Airport before departure

We may have been a little tuckered out...

Our first look at the our home for the next few weeks out the plane window.

There are several things you should know about the countryside- one it is hauntingly beautiful and scarcely populated. Seriously, this place brings a whole new meaning to the phrase “middle of no where.” Two- the majority of its population is made up of animals. It is more likely that you will encounter a sheep, cow, horse, or goat than another person.  

While out in the country we stayed with a man named Toomay and his wife. Along with his sister-in-law they fed us during our stay and opened their home for our comfort and use. Like all nomadic herdsman, Toomay lived in a ger (pictured below) and kept sheep, goats, and cows. He and his wife became very dear to me during our stay and I take great joy in knowing that Toomay is a brother in the Father’s family.  

Toomay's Ger

Our translators Mooku (left) and Maidar (Right)

Some lovely goat innards that we had for lunch. Yum!

Our stay in the countryside was spent living life with this family and some other national workers. During the day we would travel to neighboring gers and through interpreters share our stories and parts of the Word with them. In each ger we experienced breathtaking hospitality. We would no sooner sit down before we were handed a bowl of suc-de-say (milk tea) and some cheese. The people were attentive and warm. They were also lost. Of the more than ten gers we visited only one contained people who had heard of the Father. This was dumbfounding.

On our last full day in the countryside we hosted several worship services. The last one took place at Toomay’s ger. We sang songs, shared lessons and stories, and gave gifts. When it was over everyone stayed around to commune. We drank tea, played cards, worked on cars, and lounged in the sun. It was wonderful to see the simplicity and peacefulness in their way of life. During our relaxing evening an exciting and powerful moment occurred. Toomay’s oldest son had arrived to visit, along with a wandering herdsman. They had both missed the service and when asked if they wanted to hear about the Father and His Son they said yes. On an old rug in the middle of the countryside as the sun set behind us, I shared the Son’s story. Personal stories were also shared and an invitation given. Both men, to our delight, accepted and became brothers.

A corral we helped one family build

A beautiful little girl we got to spend time with

One of the ger families we shared our stories with

Our team with our new brothers

 

It was in those moments that I was struck by the simplicity and power of the Father’s truth. These men heard, the spirit spoke, and they responded. They were drawn to His love and grace though they had never heard before. I was reminded that the Word does not come back void. The Father is ready and willing to use us as His tools for sharing, if only we will make the power of His love known.

It is surprising how fast people can work themselves into your heart. Though sometimes few words were exchanged relationships were built. Kindness and love are a language all to themselves- one that moves past barriers that can stop other forms of communication in their tracks. I think of those men and others that we met often. I lift up to the Father their lives and hope that they continue in the path He has set before them. I ask that you join me in these petitions to the Father.

Hopefully, through these stories and the accompanying pictures you have gotten the gist of what life there was like, for us and for them. Until next time!