By a Pioneer in Asia
Mongolian believers are beginning to learn about their unreached “relatives” in neighboring countries. They have a lot of enthusiasm and a strong desire to “go.” These Mongolian brothers and sisters have much less of a cultural gap to bridge than other missionaries, and they are also able to communicate with the Mongolian diaspora without learning a new language. Teams of short-term missionaries from Mongolia have been well received by other Mongols in East Asia.
After several days of traveling by train and bus, one such team arrived at a town with a large Mongol population. They didn’t have any contacts in that town, so when they arrived, they walked around town praying for God to show them a person of peace. Finally, they decided to ask where the Mongolian school was. After asking a couple of times, they got close to the school and ran into a Mongolian man. He led them the rest of the way to the school. As they entered the school gate, a teacher was going out and their guide introduced them to this teacher. The teacher then led them to the Mongolian director’s office, introduced them and left. They had no idea how this total stranger would receive them. But after a few minutes of explaining who they were and where they had come from, the director warmed up and offered to show them around his school. They got to go into classrooms and take pictures, and meet and talk to teachers. The director even helped them find a nearby hotel. Just as they got checked in, he announced that it was time for dinner.
At a moment’s notice the local Mongolian teachers had gathered for a banquet. More than 20 teachers showed up! The atmosphere was electric. They were so happy to have their Mongolian “relatives” visit them and to know that they weren’t forgotten. The toasts and songs and blessings went on and on. Towards the end of the time, the team gave each teacher a small gift from Mongolia. This got the teachers thinking about gifts. The director said they hadn’t had time to prepare a gift, but as soon as he mentioned it, the teachers joyfully pulled out their wallets and started throwing money at him. They gathered it all together and forced the team to take it. Their hearts were so sincere that there was no refusing! This is the kind of incredible reception that God prepared for this short-term Mongolian team among total strangers!
Pray that Mongolian believers would live among Mongols in other parts of Asia. Ask also that they would have wisdom and sensitivity in how they reach out to them.