Mongolia is a beautiful country. Torn between being a developing country with third-world remnants, while being a beautiful and visually breathtaking place.
Missions, albeit short-term, is something I'd encourage every Christian to participate in. That kind of concentrated ministry attached to the challenge of working and living with your team is something truly life-transforming. For some, it's immediate and palpalble, for others, it's a process.
I praise God for the privilege to be a part of the church in Mongolia. It's growing and I anticipate great, great things in the next 10-20 years.
The experience was, summed up in one word: awesome. I learned, yet again, how much God loves me and His people, He revealed a lot of myself to me (sins and strengths), He showed me what works and what works even better in ministry. Again, He reminded me where His heart breaks- for the poor, the fatherless, the orphans and widows. And again, He told me... "Esther, it's not for you to understand, it's for you to do something about..."
My team was pretty amazing. Some of the most talented people I've ever worked with. I can't imagine a more perfectly hand-picked team. Sure, there were times we were challenged to be flexible (either ourselves or with other teammates), times when we discouraged each other, and times when, before we even knew it, group tension seeped in. Warfare, perhaps. It happened when we least anticipated, when we were the most relieved, and when we didn't even know it. Tricky, that evil one. Still, God is sovereign over any tension. I learned a lot from each teammate. We worked really well with each other... and more than a team, we were family.
Speaking of family, I got to stop in Korea for 2 days to hang out with my parents before coming home last night. Those 2 days were it's own story and adventure. I think seeing my parents and being at "home" was probably one of the best post-missions places to be. I got to see relatives I haven't seen in over 10 years. And I saw my 95 year old grandfather, the sole remaining grandparent. That was probably one of the hardest visits, but also one of the most impactful of my life. He shared morsels of wisdom, all centered on God, prayer, and the Word. How blessed I am to be a part of a long lineage of believers.
I miss the students we worked with a lot. I even got an email from Zaya today. I fell in love with my class: Munkhuu, Naraa, Zaya, and Odko. They were beautiful, kind-hearted, humble, servants to each other and to God. Their understanding of God's love is often child-like. Even though I'm growing in age, I think God wants me on my knees like a baby aching for its Father. He loves me very much. He loves you more than you could ever imagine.
Praise Him!
THANK YOU FOR THE PRAYERS AND SUPPORT!
-Esther