I miss my Mongolian brothers and sisters. And I miss my American friends as well. It's always such a bitter-sweet thing.

Now I'm trying to figure out how to convey everything to friends, family and church so that it's not boringly boring. If you've ever listened to someone's travel stories you know what I mean. You just weren't there and you really needed to be to really get into what you're hearing. So, I think I'll have lots of pics and movies and leave it at that. We'll see...

I'm going to try to stay up until 10:00 PM tonight. That usually works for me, but man, I am really zonked.

Thanks again to all who made this trip, and all its blessings, possible. From the bottom of my heart I am humbled that I get to experience the love and adventure personally, in your stead. I wish I could take you all with me. Maybe someday...

This morning I woke up early and then ate green scrambled eggs, courtesy of Rochele. Then at 9:00 AM I did devotions at their school. We had a great time talking about Jesus feeding the 5000. Then I walked to the ATM but it was broken. So then I walked to the studio but no one was there. Then I walked to Eagle TV where I'm writing this blog entry. At noon we will go to lunch at the Gate restaraunt.

The Gate was great. I had a large order of fish and chips and Tom had a sirloin burger. I took a pic that I'll have to post later so you can see a different side of UB.

The afternoon was a frustrating combination of server problems and bank problems. I couldn't find either a bank or an ATM that could give me some money. I so wanted to bless my hosts but drew a blank. I'll find some way to bless them...

I spent the rest of the night just hanging out with Tom's family. They really blessed me on this trip. The fellowship and the ability to really get to know Mongolian issues was a big help.

Tom and his driver took me to the airport. My flight left on time (1:20 AM) and I slept almost all the way to Seoul. I got to Seoul at 4:20 AM and I checked in to the airport hotel for a shower and a little rest. It's a bit of a luxury but really makes the trip home more restful and relaxing.

This will be my last update until I get home. God's biggest blessings to all who had anything to do with this trip, including those in Mongolia.

The day began at 9:00 AM doing devotions at Eagle TV. Tom invited me to share and told me to just do what the Lord tells me to do. So I did.

I shared about God's presence and the power of God. I then asked if anyone would like God's power. A lady in a pink sweater was shaking her head up and down and so I prayed for her. She fell under the power of the Spirit and I discerned she had a demon so I commanded it to leave. It did immediately and then while she was laying on the floor she lifted her hands to God and was crying and praising God. When she got up she was shaking and I asked her to share what happened. She could hardly talk but she explained it the best she could.

I prayed for a few more and it was time to go. I asked my translator if I could pray for her but she was very afraid. I told her I didn't mean to embarrass her but just wanted to bless her. She was so sweet and nice, but didn't want prayer. Some times I forget how new this is to many here.

After this Tom's driver took me to Pastor Ganbold's for lunch. It was a bit of an adventure getting there but we finally arrived. Since Sunday I've been praying about this lunch because Pastor Ganbold told me he was going to treat me to a real Mongolian delicacy: sheep brains. I had prayed and was ready for this tasty meal, but when I arrived they apologized and said they couldn't get the sheep head. Even though I was disappointed I told them it was no problem. Really, it wasn't a problem.  :)

Pastor Bat dropped by and we spoke for a couple of hours. I can't tell you how much I appreciate Pastor Bat and Pastor Ganbold and their wives. Their sacrifices are laying the foundation for thousands of Mongolian Christians.

After that I took a taxi back to Eagle TV. He overcharged me 1000 T's but hey, who's counting. At Eagle TV Tom invited me into a meeting with their ad manager and asked my advice on ad rates. It was fun discussing Mongolian business.

During our meeting Pastor Ganbold's wife's secretary called and asked if I could teach at her G12 that night. I said sure and just as we were leaving one of Tom's employees walked in and asked for advice. He had been beaten on the streets and had just lost his court appeal. He wanted to know what a Christian should do so Tom and I gave him some advice.  We spoke for about a 1/2 hour and He felt a lot better. We then went home to Tom's. Just as we arrived Sheika's wife Haka also arrived by taxi to take me to the G12.

We had a great meeting with many wounds revealed and God's gracious Spirit healing and comforting. The abuse of women is rampant here and the women are virtually powerless against it. The men and boys here need the Holy Spirit.

Then it was back home where Tom and I watched the movie Paycheck. Then off to bed.

Anar invited me to his home for lunch. His lovely wife made a delicious mutton stew and then we had vanilla ice cream with freshly picked black currents on top. Heavenly.

Anar is in his early twenties but is a very experienced worker with government children's programs. He's traveled to New York, Chicago, London, Frankfurt and other major cities representing Mongolia. (His favorite is Frankfort.)

Then it's back to Eagle TV to attempt to get the web site fixed. Still no go.

Back at Tom's his wife Diane made a fabulous chicken pot pie for dinner. Then we relaxed a bit and watched the movie Paycheck. In English.  :) Then off to bed. God woke me up all night talking to me about the devotions for the next day. More on this later.

Today started out by going to the Terry's kid's school during their morning break. They gave me a tour of the school which is sort of like home schooling but where all the English speaking kids get together. Some are working online, other's from CD's and DVD's and some from books. The kids were great as were the teachers.

They invited me to come back for lunch, but I had to pre-order. I ordered two huurshor, which is like a pita with a little bit of meat filling that is fried. They are so yummy...greasy, but yummy.

I sat and talked with Tom's wife and a couple of her friends. One had been in UB for over ten years. In fact, most of the people I've met who serve in Mongolia have made recent, lifetime commitments. Praise God for the perseverance.

At 6:00 PM Sheika and Haka picked me up to go to the church office for a combined G12 meeting. After I taught from the Word I prayed for people with the outpouring of God's power and blessings. One young teenager was on God's heart and when I asked if I could pray for her she looked petrified. It was her first meeting ever with Christians and she had no idea why people were crying when I prayed for them or why they fell backwards. She didn't know Jesus so I began to explain in simple terms what was happening. In the middle of my explanation she fell out in the power of the Spirit!

Then I prayed for a young man who had broken his arm in two places. It healed poorly and his father asked me to pray. I did, and God healed his arm. He wasn't able to turn his wrist back and forth but now he can. Praise God!

Blessings to you!

The morning started with church at Tom's home. Diane made homemade cinnamon rolls that were delicious and just out of the oven when a few families arrived. Their daughter Rochele played some worship CD's for worship and then I was asked to share the Word. A few jokes were made about them being Southern Baptist and me being Foursquare but all in good fun.

The minute we were done with church Tom's driver wisked me off to the UB Palace for church at Pastor Bat's. Pastor Bat had invited me to come and pray for his people when he was done speaking. I literally walked into church, dropped my bag, and then prayed for about 250 people. It was such a blessing to watch the power of God come upon so many new believers.

The minute I was done praying they put me in Sheika's car and we drove to the river bed to pick up some rocks for what I would call "Sheep In A Can". After collecting the rocks we drove outside of town to the new home of a couple in their church for lunch. Here's how lunch was prepared:

First you build a fire. Then you add the river rocks to to the fire to be heated. Once heated you put the rocks in a large metal container with a locking lid, kind of like a giant pressure cooker. Then you add the butchered sheep, potatoes, carrots, water, beer and spices. You lock the lid and roll the container on the ground to mix things up a bit and then you put the whole thing on the fire to cook for one hour. After one hour you carefully open the container and using tongs you remove the ingredients. Served with pickles, salad and warm coke it was absolutely delicious. Click here for more pics.

After dinner we went inside their cozy home and blessed it. They've been married three weeks. 

We were done around 8:00 PM and a pastor and his wife drove me home. Almost the minute I hit the couch I started nodding off so I thought I'd better write this and get to bed.

Good night. 

Hetee graciously drove Corey and I to UB and we stayed the night (if you can call it that) at Tom's. We got up at 4:15 AM to get Corey to the airport. I am so encouraged by his visit. Being able to introduce him to my friends, and then to meet his friends, was a real joy. We have much to follow up on.

Tom's family is just like being at home. Their three girls remind me so much of my girls; they are a delight. Tom and his wife are making my stay very easy. And, we have hot water.

I met Pastor Bat and Pastor Ganbold at a posh restaraunt in UB. I had a delightful meal of fish, somthing like salmon, and we talked for about two hours. Then we went to their new office. I almost cried as we took the elevator up and then walked into their very nice new office space. I am so excited for them and so blessed to see them finally have an office that is suitable for their needs.

As always, as we walked in they all got up and hugged me. I thank God for these humble and dedicated servants of God who work so hard for so little earthly reward. I pray there efforts are multiplied beyond their imaginations. 

Pastor Ganbold gave me my schedule for the rest of the week and it is very relaxed. I have two services on Sunday and then a 14 km trip to the countryside for fellowship and a meal. Then each day I have a lunch meeting and a meeting with one of the leader's G12 group. These are usually the most memerable times as God ministers to each one. Please pray for the continual outpouring of the Spirit as with all my heart I want to see each one touched by the power of God and His love.

I was hoping to have an audio blog entry but I can't get a Skype connection. I'll keep trying.

Blessings to all!

Meeting with Hetee and Melanie's leaders was such a joy. On Tuesday we we drove up to the new church building they were all waiting outside for us. As I got out of the car they all came up with huge smiles and big hugs. It was so moving.

Corey and I got a tour of the new building and then went upstairs to speak with the leaders. I gave a short teaching on the kingdom of God and then ministered to them in prayer and power. The Lord was gracious to give such comforting words, as He always does.

On Wednesday at Hetee's and Melanie's apartment we ate a wonderful stew that she had prepared and then we talked. Corey shared at Melanie's G12 and gave his testimony. It was great.

The next day was very relaxing. Melaine made waffles and homemade syrup. Then we walked and they showed us their stationary store and part of the town. It was strange to see green grass, leaves on the trees, and it was quite warm, around 80-85 F.

Last time I was here I was doing 3-5 meetings a day. This time it was a time to spend with Hetee and Melanie and simply be their friends in Christ and bless them. It would take too long to explain all their responsibilities but let's just say they have a large church and five other churches to watch over.

The next day we were trying to figure out how we could get back to the shops to buy Melanie a birthday present. Finally, we had to purchase it with her, which worked out great, because she wouldn't stay at home and let us shop. She's never had a rug in her living room, never had a blender, and needed a pressure cooker. Because she was with us she could pick out exactly what she wanted. One of my greatest joys on this trip was seeing her face as she lay her baby on the new rug and then playing on it with her other two kids. She radiated with joy.

We talked for a good time and the it was off to bed. And, by the way, did I tell you we were without hot water for two or three days?

On Friday morning we left for UB. I hate leaving. The air is so clean and the people are family. I miss them before I'm in the car. 

We got about three or four hours sleep last night. We stayed up 'til 3:00 AM talking. 

We spent the first part of the day with Tom Terry at Eagle TV. First we took the "tour" with Tom as the guide and then we went to his office and discussed the various needs and how we might work together to help meet them. Then it was off to lunch at the Irish Pub, a wonderful place with great food. Hetee and Melanie had driven down from Darkhan, and Ganbold and Hishgee joined Tom, Corey and I for a great meal.

After lunch we headed for Darkhan. The day was sunny and all the trees are turning bright, vivid Autumn colors. We stopped for some water and made it to Darkhan just in time to begin a leadership meeting. I had a chance to teach on the kingdom of God and then pray for everyone. We were done about 9:00 PM and then I received notice that we were to go the hospital to pray for a young woman who was trying to bring her first baby into the world. The doctors had given her some very bad news so we went and prayed for her and now we're waiting to see what happens.

When we got home I had a chance to help Hetee with his new computer and then give Melanie all the new baby clothes. She was overwhelmed and passes her thanks to all who donated. She also sends her thanks for all the vitamins, etc.

It's now 12:45 AM and I'm off to bed. Not sure what's going on tomorrow but Melanie spoke of making waffles. That will make it much easier to get up.

We got to bed around 3:00 AM and now we're off to breakfast and a tour of the TV studio. At noon Hetee and Melanie will meet us all for lunch and then we're off to Darkhan.

I'll try to keep in touch as much as possible. I know they'll have plenty for us to do. We have a mtg tonight at 6:00 PM with their main leaders. Should be fun.

We appreciate your prayers.