Cold & Difficult

This morning the temperature is -37 Celsius. To many of you this is crazy cold, but for some (great Canadians from the Prairies) this is normal. However, this year the coal smog has been much, much worse compared to last year. Last year due to the 4.5 million herded animals dieing an extra 30,000 people moved into the ger districts. On these really cold days the coal smog is so think that you cannot see 5 meters (15 feet) in front of you.

Walking to school has been a little difficult this year. My eyes feel tired & sore when I get to class or my destination. Whenever I am walking in the smog I 1st pray that that smog will not affect my lungs & then continue to pray for the people of Mongolia. When Kiel leaves in the morning to walk to the school bus stop the smog is crazy thick like when I walk to school. Research says that walking in that smog is like smoking a pack of cigarettes per day. Many people (Mongolians included) ask us why? Why not go somewhere safe & healthy. When God has asked you to serve, you go serve & there is always a lot of risk. But you have to totally place your faith in him to care for you (all of you.) If it means frustration, difficulty, possible health problems, etc...it's ok because God is bigger. We love Mongolians & want to serve them, not because of what we will get, but know it is what he has asked & Mongolians can come to a better place.

Yesterday I watched a guy & girl with their glass bottle bags open the sewer cap & climb down. During the winter the hot water pipes keep the sewers warm so they don't freeze. It breaks my heart to see them because I know that there are 50,000 homeless men, women & children living in the sewers of the city during the winter months.

"If you utter what is precious, 

and not what is worthless,

you shall serve as my mouth..."

Thank-you for being a part of us serving Mongolians.