Dear Friends and Family,
I am excited to share with you some wonderful news – myself, Emma and 8 others from our community will be going to Mongolia 🇲🇳 this fall. Approximately two decades ago, I had the privilege of spending a month traveling through the Mongolian desert, where we premiered the Jesus film. I am immensely grateful for the opportunity to return to this remarkable place
Allow me to provide a brief background:
Revival and Growth (1990s - Present): • The fall of the Soviet
Union in the early 1990s and Mongolia's transition to democracy
heralded the restoration of religious freedom, marking the
resurgence of Christianity in Mongolia. • Foreign missionaries,
often hailing from South Korea and other nations, began arriving
to share the Christian faith. They established churches, engaged
in outreach efforts, and participated in various social and
humanitarian activities. • Despite initial resistance and
numerous challenges, Christianity started to gain acceptance
among Mongolians, particularly among the younger generations. •
Over time, Mongolian Christians emerged as leaders and
evangelists within their communities, contributing significantly
to the growth of the local Christian movement.
Challenges and Progress: • The spread of Christianity faced cultural barriers, primarily due to Mongolia's deeply rooted Buddhist and shamanistic traditions. • Some Christian groups encountered skepticism, and there were instances of confusion between authentic Christian teachings and unorthodox beliefs. • Legal and bureaucratic hurdles in registering churches and gaining official recognition occasionally hindered the activities of Christian groups. • After a period of rapid growth, there has been a steady decline in Christianity in the country over the past decade.
This upcoming trip will mark our church's first journey to Mongolia, and we will be partnering with a local children's home situated in the heart of the city. The Manhole Children's Home serves single mothers and underprivileged families by providing shelter, education, and child care. We are earnestly praying that God will open doors for us to establish a lasting relationship with this home.
Your prayers for our team are our lifeline. Would you please join us in prayer for three amazing children that will be part of our team? Pray that God would instill in them His heart for the nations. Additionally, we ask for your prayers for strength and unity among our team members. Finally, please pray that God's love will shine through our interactions with the children we will be working with.
We are truly grateful for your support and involvement in this journey with us.
Sincerely,
SM + Emma