Monday in Darkhan

I always look forward to being with Ps Hetee and Melanie in Darkhan. First, of course, is the friendship we've developed and their kids are a kick. Ps Hetee is a true brother and Melanie is a true sister in the Lord. They make me feel completely welcome in their home. It doesn't hurt that she's a great cook as well.

Monday started out at a very leisurely pace. Then the three kids decided to dress up in ballerina costumes. (The notable thing about this is that two of them are boys.) It was silliness at a whole new level. We decided (after much thought) to make a movie and keep this treasured moment for ever. (Look for it here when I can upload it.)

I asked Ps Hetee if we could go and film the two high places in the city. One is a monument of a man on a horse with a horsehead fiddle and the other is a shrine to Buddha. From these two high points you can see almost everything in Darkhan. Here are two pictures (the video will follow later):

After this it was back home to get ready for the teaching time at 6:00 PM.

A local pastor allowed Ps Hetee to rent his hall for the three nights of teaching. A great group came and they were very, very encouraged as I began the series with a general introduction to the Holy Spirit and then the Spirit had me share many of the powerful stories of His grace as I have traveled and ministered overseas. The point of the stories was, no matter how difficult the circumstances, God never failed to demonstrate His presence to me and the people I ministered to. This greatly encouraged the people and they were eager to come on Tuesday to hear what Jesus taught about the Holy Spirit in the Gospel of John.

Afterwards some women came forward for prayer and we had a blessed time in the presence of God. One woman really stood out; she had the face of an angel and the Lord told me that she had a very special place in His heart. She told me she had had a bad stroke not long ago and even though she was doing remarkable she wanted all traces of the stroke to be gone. (Later, Ps Hetee told me she was basically left to die so she called him to pray for her. He did, of course, and she is almost fully recovered. I couldn't see any evidence of stroke.) Rarely have I seen the presence of God so strong in a person.

I prayed for the others as well and all, including one of the husbands, was powerfully touched by the Spirit of God.

Then it was back home to some wonderful beef stew that Melanie had made while we were teaching. Big chunks of beef and potatoes with a bed of rice. She offered me some Cajun seasoning salt and that put it over the top. Every man of God has to eat and what a blessing it is to enjoy it as well. :)

After dinner we sat around and talked and Mel wanted our comments on her artful changes to her blog. I don't think we were much help to her. We grunted some encouragements and then it was off to bed.

As I wake up on this Tuesday morning I am once again reminded of the blessing of the body of Christ. Ps Hetee and Melanie once again have given me their bed to sleep on while they sleep on the living room floor. They have provided me a home with heat to keep me warm, hot water to bathe in, wonderful food to eat, the best friends I could every pray for, and a warm and appreciate congregation who are so willing to learn. I am a blessed man.

But I can't say these things without also saying that I couldn't be here if it wasn't for the blessing of my wife and my great brothers and sisters in Gig Harbor. (They are so quick to encourage me that sometimes I wonder if they enjoy me more when I'm gone!) Seriously, to know that my wife and congregation are behind me gives me great strength for the tasks God has given me in the earth.

Thank you all with all my heart.