Darkhan
08/27/13
We went to Darkhan and loved visiting with the families there. It was good to get out into the countryside and see the mountain views, camels, cattle upon cattle upon cattle. On the three hour cab ride either way, I was continually struck by the verse “My father owns the cattle on a thousand hills”. I’m sure that isn’t the complete verse, but that phrase kept reverberating in my mind as I watched as over and over so many flocks and herds on the side of the road, on the side of the hills, and everywhere in between.
Darkhan is, as it’s name implies, a very spiritually dark place. It is heavy on my heart. The people there are shackled by religious ritual and alcohol. Very few smiles, or responses to our friendly overtures. Other obvious signs of spiritual darkness pervade.
Don’t get me wrong there were lighthearted moments. Watching two little guys, maybe 4 or 5 yrs old, who had made off with their mother’s can of aerosol air freshener. As they passed us, we might as well have been invisible. As they passed a Mongolian mother the one with the treasure slowed down his pace, tucked the can behind his back, and carefully made past her. She had a toddler of her own to contend with, so was oblivious. As Chas and I watched, these two little adventurers climbed the stairs to a landing outside their preschool (still closed for summer) and thru the railing onto the top of the door awning. From their roost, they pointed the can like it was a deadly weapon and sprayed like it was a flame-thrower. We watched them for quite awhile as I wasn’t sure what exactly they were going to do with this potentially dangerous plunder. A few of their friends showed up to join them and were quickly freshened up. Their play appeared harmless, well unless you’re thinking of the hydrochloroflorocarbons (sp?) and global warming. And I loved seeing the look of delight and power in their sparkly eyes!
So we are back in UB and back to work. The cream cheese frosting was a big hit and they can’t keep carrot cake on the shelf apparently. Nomio is a quick study and a delight to work with. I was doing pretty well with the doing without on so many things. It’s easier when it’s only two months until all of those conveniences are back at my finger tips. What kind of conveniences do you ask? Well how about when I turn on the faucet there will be warm water, let alone hot? Some days in the apartment, just having consistent water is a blessing. We never drink any water out of any faucets, even in the apartment. Filtered water only. Now we do cook and wash with the faucet water and that appears to be fine. Trying to activate yeast and not kill it when you have to use espresso machine water can be challenging. Another convenience is wi-fi, the internet at the apartment has been on the fritz. I can use my phone to get online, but that chews up many valuable minutes. So I am limited online. I’m sure this is a good thing, but with Chas ill again I would appreciate having at least my FB friends to stalk {wink, wink}.
How is it going here? Good question. I definitely feel comfortable here in odd ways. I’m not going to run out and hike the city by myself, but sitting at a table where no one is speaking English is enjoyable. Trying to pick words up or read non-verbal signals IS my idea of fun. I just enjoy being around people.
We went out with a group who ministers to prostitutes. There was a girl, somewhere between 15 & 18, in shorts and a tank in 50 degree weather. She had self-inflicted scars up both arms. It tore my heart and all I could do was pray as another spoke with her. To see someone who is so obviously hurting and not be able to share what I know or minister to her in anyway myself is very humbling. I see that it is good for me, because I can’t do anything for her anyway, other than tell her what Jesus did for me. Even that means nothing if the Spirit isn’t moving then. He knows when the best time is and my prayers are probably the most potent thing I have to offer. I could be part of that work every day.
What has God been saying. He has given me much comfort, but future plans have not been revealed. We certainly don’t feel like He is closing doors here. The question is which door will He open. They need ESL teachers here in a really bad way. I could do that. I don’t think using my accounting degree here would be a good idea. I’m too unskilled in actual office bookkeeping and it is isolating work. Isolation feels like the one thing that will destroy me here. Chas’ law enforcement training as a Field Training Officer could possibly be useful. Part of that training was how to create training manuals and other teaching materials. There are many projects that could really use his skill in that area. To be honest, whatever God plugs us into (if he does) will probably be outside of anything I may guess at, so I will be patient.
I miss my sons so much! That is the one thing that I don’t let myself think about too often. I know I’m hitting lows because of how often I am triggered. When minor things bring me to tears, it’s a pretty good sign that I’m having a hard time. I don’t often feel like it though and that is a good thing. I am having an easy time rolling with so much here. I am grateful for that. I enjoy those I am working with. I think they enjoy me too. Nomio hugged me and told me she would miss me when we went to Darkhan, funny I knew I would miss her too. Ariuka is such a sweet, shy girl. I so wish I could communicate more with her. I’m hoping knitting will supply an inroad, we’ll see. It is so obvious in their eyes that life here is difficult and yet I never hear anyone complain. Maybe that’s because I’m the “American”, but maybe they just don’t. It doesn’t change what I see in their eyes or how it touches my heart.
We went to Darkhan and loved visiting with the families there. It was good to get out into the countryside and see the mountain views, camels, cattle upon cattle upon cattle. On the three hour cab ride either way, I was continually struck by the verse “My father owns the cattle on a thousand hills”. I’m sure that isn’t the complete verse, but that phrase kept reverberating in my mind as I watched as over and over so many flocks and herds on the side of the road, on the side of the hills, and everywhere in between.
Darkhan is, as it’s name implies, a very spiritually dark place. It is heavy on my heart. The people there are shackled by religious ritual and alcohol. Very few smiles, or responses to our friendly overtures. Other obvious signs of spiritual darkness pervade.
Don’t get me wrong there were lighthearted moments. Watching two little guys, maybe 4 or 5 yrs old, who had made off with their mother’s can of aerosol air freshener. As they passed us, we might as well have been invisible. As they passed a Mongolian mother the one with the treasure slowed down his pace, tucked the can behind his back, and carefully made past her. She had a toddler of her own to contend with, so was oblivious. As Chas and I watched, these two little adventurers climbed the stairs to a landing outside their preschool (still closed for summer) and thru the railing onto the top of the door awning. From their roost, they pointed the can like it was a deadly weapon and sprayed like it was a flame-thrower. We watched them for quite awhile as I wasn’t sure what exactly they were going to do with this potentially dangerous plunder. A few of their friends showed up to join them and were quickly freshened up. Their play appeared harmless, well unless you’re thinking of the hydrochloroflorocarbons (sp?) and global warming. And I loved seeing the look of delight and power in their sparkly eyes!
So we are back in UB and back to work. The cream cheese frosting was a big hit and they can’t keep carrot cake on the shelf apparently. Nomio is a quick study and a delight to work with. I was doing pretty well with the doing without on so many things. It’s easier when it’s only two months until all of those conveniences are back at my finger tips. What kind of conveniences do you ask? Well how about when I turn on the faucet there will be warm water, let alone hot? Some days in the apartment, just having consistent water is a blessing. We never drink any water out of any faucets, even in the apartment. Filtered water only. Now we do cook and wash with the faucet water and that appears to be fine. Trying to activate yeast and not kill it when you have to use espresso machine water can be challenging. Another convenience is wi-fi, the internet at the apartment has been on the fritz. I can use my phone to get online, but that chews up many valuable minutes. So I am limited online. I’m sure this is a good thing, but with Chas ill again I would appreciate having at least my FB friends to stalk {wink, wink}.
How is it going here? Good question. I definitely feel comfortable here in odd ways. I’m not going to run out and hike the city by myself, but sitting at a table where no one is speaking English is enjoyable. Trying to pick words up or read non-verbal signals IS my idea of fun. I just enjoy being around people.
We went out with a group who ministers to prostitutes. There was a girl, somewhere between 15 & 18, in shorts and a tank in 50 degree weather. She had self-inflicted scars up both arms. It tore my heart and all I could do was pray as another spoke with her. To see someone who is so obviously hurting and not be able to share what I know or minister to her in anyway myself is very humbling. I see that it is good for me, because I can’t do anything for her anyway, other than tell her what Jesus did for me. Even that means nothing if the Spirit isn’t moving then. He knows when the best time is and my prayers are probably the most potent thing I have to offer. I could be part of that work every day.
What has God been saying. He has given me much comfort, but future plans have not been revealed. We certainly don’t feel like He is closing doors here. The question is which door will He open. They need ESL teachers here in a really bad way. I could do that. I don’t think using my accounting degree here would be a good idea. I’m too unskilled in actual office bookkeeping and it is isolating work. Isolation feels like the one thing that will destroy me here. Chas’ law enforcement training as a Field Training Officer could possibly be useful. Part of that training was how to create training manuals and other teaching materials. There are many projects that could really use his skill in that area. To be honest, whatever God plugs us into (if he does) will probably be outside of anything I may guess at, so I will be patient.
I miss my sons so much! That is the one thing that I don’t let myself think about too often. I know I’m hitting lows because of how often I am triggered. When minor things bring me to tears, it’s a pretty good sign that I’m having a hard time. I don’t often feel like it though and that is a good thing. I am having an easy time rolling with so much here. I am grateful for that. I enjoy those I am working with. I think they enjoy me too. Nomio hugged me and told me she would miss me when we went to Darkhan, funny I knew I would miss her too. Ariuka is such a sweet, shy girl. I so wish I could communicate more with her. I’m hoping knitting will supply an inroad, we’ll see. It is so obvious in their eyes that life here is difficult and yet I never hear anyone complain. Maybe that’s because I’m the “American”, but maybe they just don’t. It doesn’t change what I see in their eyes or how it touches my heart.
Comments
Post a Comment