(no subject)
So update on Mongol land:
We started teaching today and it was a trip. It is just so hard! Sometimes it is frustrating because we don't know how much we are actually helping them with English. Sometimes I just feel so inadequate in teaching and I don' know where to begin because they need so much help. But I am trying to remember that 1) they seem to enjoy it and are having fun and 2) this is just a vehicle to get to know them and the real purpose of being here is to get to know them so we can share Christ with them and introduce them ot the ministry.
Exciting thing: we are actually teaching at the ministry building which is not on campus. At first Iwas kinda skecthy about this, but then I was thinking it is good because then the nonbeliever students will be comfortable with the ministry building and hopefully feel comfortable there so in the future they can go there etc. God works subtly sometimes.
Cari and I woke up at 5am this morning. Thank you jet lag. And we just sat in our kitchen drinking tea and talking about God. It was really great. We are both really struggling with trying to be accountable with our time here since we have supporters back home and we are only here for so long. And sometimes the things the ministry leaders here have us do somethings that we just don't understand. Like working with Christian students etc. But then we were kind of talking about how we have to trust that the ministry workers are walking with God and they understand the needs of the Mongolian ministry better than we do. So things that don't make sense to us probably make sense to them and we just have to be obedient. That's hard, you know? Just being obedient - because we don't see the big picture. But God does and I have to trust him - but it's hard and sometimes I feel like I have no idea why I am here or what purpose it is serving. So pray for strength and courage to help us be obedient. It kinda stinks that I am having doubts etc at the time when I really need to be strong for our trip.
Also - we are really praying that we see God's oppurtunities inside and outside of class. That we will be open to his will and be ready to drop anything to accomplish it - so pray that our eyes will be open to his invitations!
Good things: our students seem great. We have a really small military class - maybe 12ish but they are great! Really funny - I forgot that class is a mixture of hilarious language interactions and utter fear that your students will hate you and never come back. We are really praying in the next few days that we make strong connections with our students so that when we start asking them to do things outside of class they will want to come. I hope they think I am cool. I already am friend with one girl in our class: Chimgee - I already feel very attached to her - so hopefully we can build that relationship!
Also, we called Onoo (pronounced Own-o) and Bysaa our students from last year and they are coming to ouir apartment tonight!!!! This makes me so happy! Onoo is the one who came to church with us last year and will come again this year. Don't stop praying for him - ever!! I think he is really searching!
Also - a Christian brother Anchaa (Anka) is helping us in class and he is a dear friend from last year so that is a blessing!
We are eating at my FAVORITE place in the entire world for lunch. yay sesame mutton!
Okay - that's about it. It looks like we will have internet access about everyday so that is comforting. I really do love hearing from you - it makes Mongolia seem a little less daunting.
We started teaching today and it was a trip. It is just so hard! Sometimes it is frustrating because we don't know how much we are actually helping them with English. Sometimes I just feel so inadequate in teaching and I don' know where to begin because they need so much help. But I am trying to remember that 1) they seem to enjoy it and are having fun and 2) this is just a vehicle to get to know them and the real purpose of being here is to get to know them so we can share Christ with them and introduce them ot the ministry.
Exciting thing: we are actually teaching at the ministry building which is not on campus. At first Iwas kinda skecthy about this, but then I was thinking it is good because then the nonbeliever students will be comfortable with the ministry building and hopefully feel comfortable there so in the future they can go there etc. God works subtly sometimes.
Cari and I woke up at 5am this morning. Thank you jet lag. And we just sat in our kitchen drinking tea and talking about God. It was really great. We are both really struggling with trying to be accountable with our time here since we have supporters back home and we are only here for so long. And sometimes the things the ministry leaders here have us do somethings that we just don't understand. Like working with Christian students etc. But then we were kind of talking about how we have to trust that the ministry workers are walking with God and they understand the needs of the Mongolian ministry better than we do. So things that don't make sense to us probably make sense to them and we just have to be obedient. That's hard, you know? Just being obedient - because we don't see the big picture. But God does and I have to trust him - but it's hard and sometimes I feel like I have no idea why I am here or what purpose it is serving. So pray for strength and courage to help us be obedient. It kinda stinks that I am having doubts etc at the time when I really need to be strong for our trip.
Also - we are really praying that we see God's oppurtunities inside and outside of class. That we will be open to his will and be ready to drop anything to accomplish it - so pray that our eyes will be open to his invitations!
Good things: our students seem great. We have a really small military class - maybe 12ish but they are great! Really funny - I forgot that class is a mixture of hilarious language interactions and utter fear that your students will hate you and never come back. We are really praying in the next few days that we make strong connections with our students so that when we start asking them to do things outside of class they will want to come. I hope they think I am cool. I already am friend with one girl in our class: Chimgee - I already feel very attached to her - so hopefully we can build that relationship!
Also, we called Onoo (pronounced Own-o) and Bysaa our students from last year and they are coming to ouir apartment tonight!!!! This makes me so happy! Onoo is the one who came to church with us last year and will come again this year. Don't stop praying for him - ever!! I think he is really searching!
Also - a Christian brother Anchaa (Anka) is helping us in class and he is a dear friend from last year so that is a blessing!
We are eating at my FAVORITE place in the entire world for lunch. yay sesame mutton!
Okay - that's about it. It looks like we will have internet access about everyday so that is comforting. I really do love hearing from you - it makes Mongolia seem a little less daunting.