Adventure: A Definition

We made our long and winding way to Khatgal last week and that was an adventure in and of itself. An adventure isn't necessarily going from one place to another but how one gets from one place to the other. The way we got here certainly elevated that trip to 'adventure' status. The guide we had didn't even know the way to where we were going. When we got here we were covered in dust and all tired from the trip. True to my nature I didn't get carsick at all even though 22 hours of our trip were spent off road. The trip should have taken 22 hours total but it ended up taking 30 hours. After getting settled in a bit we got started right on making the house. It's been a lot of fun and the weather has been so nice that I started to turn pink a little. On Saturday we went down to the river and I ran on an ice burg. As the ice burg floated away from the shore I had to bail out or be carried away. When I jumped off the water was up to my waist. The water was cold but the sun was warm enough so that when I got out it was very comfortable. I did however cut my toe a little bit on the ice and it needed medical attention. A little super glue fixed it right up though. It's been an adventure so far and there are still two weeks to go.

John

Memoir

Today was our last day in UB before heading out for our adventure in the countryside.  As I traversed the familiar road back toward our apartment I could smell the scents I had frequently been subject to.  I wish I hadn’t though, for while they were common they were not pleasant or welcome.  As I trod the rocky path toward my home my footsteps were slow and labored, but that was because I was carrying a box of clothes to the Siekbert’s to be loaded on the truck when we leave tomorrow.  I took long slow breaths of the town air; that was to stave off the asphyxiation not for the enjoyment of it.  At least I could see through the air that I was breathing.  Honestly I’m really looking forward to our time in the Countryside and I’m so happy that we’re this close.  I praise God for the ways he has worked in this situation and been teaching us to trust in Him.

John

Football and Injuries

Yesterday was a great day.  In the afternoon we received news the Mr. Siekbert had finally been given a license and that as soon as the luggage came in we would be on our way.  As far as I know the luggage is on the way from China this very evening and should arrive at the airport tomorrow.  We’re finally going to be leaving on Monday.

Last night was such a great night that Kevin and I decided to go out and throw the football.  As we were standing behind the Dean’s building we attracted a crowd.  There were a couple of different families watching from their windows as we played.  We called up to a couple of guys around our age.  In a few minutes they came out and we showed them how to throw the football properly.  Their first attempts were awkward and comical but they picked it up pretty quickly and were doing great.  Then we decided to teach them “five hundred.”  I explained to them in Mongolian that one person throws the ball while all the others want to catch it.  The thrower calls out a number and the person that catches it get that many points.  When someone reaches five hundred they become the thrower.  We had so much fun cracking jokes and making fun of each other as we played.  Everyone got a chance to be the thrower and we played until it was too dark to see the football.  Then we played a little longer.  After dark was when the injuries started happening.  Actually it was just one injury, Kevin’s pinky finger.  He jammed it so badly; he thinks that’s the worst he’s ever jammed it.  This morning it was bruised and purple.

John

In Earth as it is in Heaven

On Tuesday Kevin and I were working at the Siekbert's helping them with a project.  While we were there we had received news that we wouldn't be able to head out for Khatgal until next Monday.  All of us took the news with reluctance.  Later that afternoon we received a call from Sambo that we would in fact be able to leave on Friday as was the plan.  We were all super happy to hear that.

Today I got another piece of news that struck a blow to us.  A couple factors, the Siekbert's daughters luggage not arriving with her included, will again delay our departure from UB.  I keep getting so ready to go and then the date keeps getting moved back, but the Siekberts have been trying to leave for at least two months.  I'm resting in the Lord for this.

John

My Friend the Translator

Every Tuesday night we have the Bible Institute.  This Tuesday was different than normal.  Toogsoo translated Mr. Patterson’s lesson on Pnuematology (the study of the Holy Spirit).  I thought he did a great job and I was really happy for him.  He didn’t get a high enough score to study in America on and English test he took a couple of weeks ago but I’m glad to see that he is trying to find out what God wants him to do for Him where he is.

Greater and Lesser Lights

Today is Easter and we had a great Resurrection Day.  With nearly 60 people all together in attendance this morning and a good turnout for the English service in the evening.  After the evening service we had a fellowship and played ping-pong.  As is my custom I didn't do so well.  After a good time of talking together, enjoying the pizza bagels and ice-cream cake, and a little ping-pong it was really nice to head home in the wonderfully pleasant evening.  It is getting darker much later now, and the weather has been absolutely amazing.  It was warmer and sunnier in the coldest capitol city in the world this Easter than it was when I was in Dallas on Easter two years ago.  This week should be our final week in language school as we are planning to leave for Khatgal with the Siekberts this Friday.  Sometimes here in the city I look up at the night sky and see the stars in the clear evening.  Whenever I do I think about what it's going to be like when we get to Khatgal and there will be no city lights.  I can't wait.

An American Tradition

We have been incredibly blessed this past week with amazingly wonderful weather.  I can’t even really believe that only two weeks ago I was wearing my down North Face coat.  Kevin and I have been walking around in just jeans and t-shirts.  Besides having great weather Kevin brought a ball pump with him from America.  When we first came over we brought Kevin’s football with us but to save space we had it deflated.  When we got here we found out that no one had a ball needle.   When Kevin came back we could finally pump up the football and with the weather so perfect it would almost be a sin not to throw the football.  These past two afternoons Kevin and I have been outside throwing the football.  Today Kevin even showed a Mongolian kid standing and watching us how to throw the ball and gave him a few tries before we went inside.  I think it’s awesome that we have a chance to show people a true piece of American tradition.

John

Excuse Me?

I had an interesting experience while at the airport that I would like to relate to you.  Mr. Dean and I went to the airport late Sunday night to pick Kevin up on his flight in from America.  When we got there we were talking in the lobby waiting to see Kevin on the closed-circuit tv screen that showed the baggage claim area.  As we waited we were talking and just enjoying ourselves.  There were people all around but the area was by no means crowded.  As we stood in the middle of a relatively open space I was surprised to have someone bump into me.  Surely it couldn't be that hard to simply walk around me; I don't really have a gravitational field.  When it happened the second time I was a little more agitated.  We continued to stand and watch and finally we saw Kevin waiting to get his luggage off the carousel.  Then, it happened again.  I was standing minding my own business surrounded by empty floor space.  As I stood there a woman walked passed me and bumped into my arm.  In a rather sarcastic tone I said to no one in particular (in English), "Excuse me.  There's a whole lot of airport here."  About two seconds after I said it the lady turned around and replied in English that she was sorry.  You must always be careful of what you say.  When I replied to her in Mongolian this time she seemed perplexed.  She said to me, "First you spoke in English then you spoke to me in Mongolian."  Some small talk about how I learned Mongolian ensued.  Not much later Kevin was through customs and we were on our way again.

On the way home we were driving and talking and we passed by a couple of police officers.  One of them had the bright idea to pull us over.  Everything checked out with Mr. Dean's license and registration so we were soon on our way.  I found it amusing that it was the second time I'd been pulled over on the way to or from the airport in a weeks time.

John

Eight Ball in the Corner Pocket

Yesterday we had planned on playing basketball and volleyball with another church group here in town.  It was being set up and organized by the other group and we were just going along with them.  We met at their church across town and waited for everyone to show up.  When everyone got there we all climbed into three suvs and made the short trip over to the school gym that we were planning on using.  I was just along for the ride and certainly wasn’t involved with the planning so when we got there I just stood around with Togsoo and Bolormaa.  I spoke in Mongolian while they two spoke in English.  We covered an interesting range of topics, everything from current news in Mongolia, to English idioms, to jokes.  We were waiting to be able to get into the gym and start playing.  After waiting around for a while I began to get the feeling that we might not get in after all.  About twenty minutes after we got there we were leaving again.  I didn’t know where we were going but I think the general plan was to go somewhere where we could play ping-pong.  After we climbed back into the cars Mr. Patterson said that we were going to a pool hall.  At first I didn’t think he was serious.  A few minutes later we parked, entered a building, descended a flight of stairs, and found ourselves in a pool hall.  I thought it was funny that there were six numbers on the walls but only five tables.  In an adjoining room there were two ping-pong tables.  I thought we were just going to play ping-pong but they also bought some time on the pool tables.  I ended up playing the first game with another guy from the other church.  I haven’t played pool in a while and I was sure to get smoked by this other guy.  Things turned out differently than that.  We played regular eight-ball just like I know how.  We each had some really nice shots and a few mistakes and it came down to where we both had sunk all of our balls and were both shooting the eight-ball.  Finally I had a really great shot lined up but I couldn’t line myself up with it just right.  I flipped the cue around behind my back to get the right angle on the ball without my body getting in the way.  I made the shot.  There is nothing more satisfying than the sound of a pool ball being sunk into one of the pockets.  I ended the game with a pretty sweet shot.

John

Strafing Runs

Every car in Mongolia is a taxi.  This can lead to some interesting occurrences. One such occurrence is what I like to call ‘being strafed.’  I walk everywhere so whenever said potential taxi drivers see me they want to give me a ride where I need to go; this usually happens at night when I’m heading back to my apartment.  When they see me walking along the sidewalk they will drive by but when they come abreast of me they will slow down and pull close to the curb.  If I made a move toward the car they would stop and let me in. I never do so they always end up driving away in search of another quarry.  Whenever they drive up to me, slow down, then drive away it’s like I’m being strafed.

John