Fall Break Visit to Black Forest

Renee and Josiah checking in for a flight to Frankfurt from Ulaanbaatar.

On the 3 hour train ride to Basel...

And finally into the small Black Forest village of Kandern.

For a nice visit with his sisters and to see where in the world they live and learn.

After a nice meal out, they return will return through a similar route of planes, trains and automobiles. 

Clara Turns 15 in Germany!

Here is her birthday parade through dorm family:

Here she is bowling with friends on an outing from boarding school.

And outside the dorm with staff and fellow Palm residents.

And again with dorm family in the dining room.

And finally connecting with the family on three continents

for the well wishing and candles: "Happy Birthday Clara!" 

 

Church Visitor, Birthday Calls, and Russian Refugees

This Mongolian gentleman in the middle spent more than 4 years working in Washington state. 

Some church members of ours there met him through his work in a restaurant and connected us.  We have been trying to meet all through COVID, and finally he made the long trek to meet us at church this past Sunday.  He lives in the capital, but still tries to care for his animals in the countryside.  He wanted to make sure if I ever know any American who needs anything to let him know.  He's so grateful for all the people who helped him when he was working and living in America.  

Maggie and Lydia called me on my birthday this week.  Johanna and Clara did too, but I didn't get a picture of their video (or audio) singing to me ;D

Renee took me out to lunch the same day.  

Interestingly there was a Russian father and son from Vladivostok, Russia sitting behind her.  He approached our table and chatted about his plans to emigrate to Argentina and find work 'until Putin dies'.  There are so many Russians seen and heard now here on the street.  They seem to have money for meals and hotels, but can only stay for 1 month.  Then what?  We had 5 or 6 join us for church last Sunday at Cornerstone Church of All Nations.  Will there be more this week?  Will our Ukrainian members be there?  God knows, He is bigger than war.  Pray for peace and that God uses this evil invasion somehow for his good and glory.  

Palmgarten Dorm Living in Germany

 Johanna and Clara relax with friends at their dorm.

And gather for pictures outside in the summer weather.

And finally here with their dorm parents and staff

after all 20 kids have finally shown for the year. 

Restarting the Alpha Course

Alpha course is a place for asking the big questions about life and meaning.  Session one is entitled: "Is there more to life than this?" 

We started the 10 week course here in 2020, but got shut down from COVID after only 4 weeks.

Alpha starts with dinner, which Renee helped to cook and serve. Then we watch a 20 minute video and discuss a few questions for 30-45 minutes.  

Renee invited her friend who she met through her friend in Darhan.  She brought her husband too. Thursday night's icebreaker question was: "Who would you like to be stuck in an elevator with?" 

Our Mongolian pastor also invited his friend, whose wife showed up!  So we had a nice mix of 3 Mongolians and 3 Americans at our table.  The conversation was stimulating and switched back and forth between our countries' languages.  We are looking forward to next week.  

Franklin Graham Festival in Mongolia!

Son of Billy Graham preaches the gospel in Mongolia!

More than 6,000 people filled this 5,000 seat hockey and basketball arena.

We sat outside in overflow seating. 

Josiah found a fountain outside Steppe Arena.

Here is Franklin Graham preaching "God loves you" using the simple story of Zacheus. 

Jesus tells a sinner no matter what he's done, "I'm going to your house today."

Many people came forward inside and outside the arena to receive Jesus and his free gift of eternal life. 

 

Settling into School and Dorm Life

Johanna with her roommate at their dorm entry.

And here she is with her student council friend welcoming them back!

Clara having crafty fun with dorm family in the kitchen.

And with the rest of the freshman dorm students and dorm parents.

Clara and Johanna off to high school in Black Forest

Johanna with her mom and seniors during the flag parade.

Mom and Clara at the first day orientation.

Clara gets a fresh summer berry treat.

Johanna opts for the apple strudel. 

Josiah diverts missing them by playing his legos in Mongolia.

And keeping in touch with mom over a meal via video.

Here they are all together in front of school.

Clara's first year there as a 9th grader.  Thank God she will have Johanna this year.

Mongolia Comings and Goings

There's been some sickness going around our circles. 

A stomach bug restricted Josiah's diet pretty severely for a few days.

We had some visitors from France come to church one week.  The one on the left wants to be a missionary to the Mongolian herdsmen in the countryside!  

They also visited the basketball academy.

Our friend and neighbor from Bulgan visited us in UB with his son and grandson.

Otgoo wanted to borrow a fishing pole for a trip he was invited to join.

Josiah, Johanna and Clara at a coffee shop near his American School of Ulaanbaatar, just before the girls shipped out to Germany for their fall term at boarding school.

Do you recognize the minister in this picture?  This huge advertisement is on the side of our gym on Peace Avenue, also knows as Asian Highway 3, the main road through UB and between Russia and China.  

Franklin Graham is coming to Mongolia for two nights of his Faith Festival, similar to what his father used to do.  I don't think Billy Graham ever made it to Mongolia. 

LIFE Youth Conference 2022 Update

Thank you to those who prayed and supported Johanna and Clara's trip to the Alliance Youth Conference LIFE 2022 in Orlando, FL last month along wit 4,500 other high school students around the USA and world. 

Here is an update on their LIFE from Alliance President John Stumbo: Click to view Video for a taste of inspiring talks and services leading us all to the eternal reality that "Jesus is Greater". 

Echoes of the Empire: Beyond Genghis Khan

We watched this documentary on Amazon Prime last night for less than 2$. Probably the best I’ve ever seen balancing history and present day, city and country, politics and religion: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=3ovouGoyPrU

UN Director Visits Mongolia

In a visit to Mongolia on Tuesday, Secretary-General Antonio Guterres underscored the UN’s solidarity: https://news.mn/en/797697/

Camel Riding with Genghis Khan

 

Westgate Visits Genghis Khan Statue, Camels and Terelj

Terelj National Park is known for its rock formations and raw beauty.

Hike Up Bogd Mountain Behind Zaisan

Does this look like Mongolia to you?

It seemed more like the Great Northwest to us.

We even had a creek to criss cross in this mostly dry country.  

Our Missions friend Julianne from Westgate Chapel joined us for our 3 mile tour.

Even this bridge seemed like one we hiked across in the cascade mountains a few years ago.

The trailhead was just a few minutes up the hill from the kids' American School.  We had our picnic at the car just before the rain storm!