Summertime!

Summer is finally here...we even had a 100 degree day. Here is an action shot of our place - our house (far right), "our" car (which I am supposed to sell), our garden (or at least a beginning of one), our pump (getting good use in the hot weather), our neighbor's house and chicken coop (with 10 new chicks), and a few extra foreigners (our short-term team from Wisconsin whom we deeply enjoyed and appreciated for the variety of things they helped out with). That's it, nothing fancy, just a snapshot of one moment in our day...

Missionary AND rock star?

Wow, a dream come true. There was an international cultural event last Friday, which included a singing competition (in Mongolian). Luckily, I had a couple of traditional songs up my sleeve! It may not be rock-n-roll, but I must tell you that quite a few people were impressed (and a bit surprised). My Mongolian teacher even called me a "star." Not only do I get to think about God and help people every day, but I get to "work on my music" too! All glory to God!

All kinds of neighbors...

This is Saknaa, our next door neighbor boy...back from the military! All young men are required to do 1-year of border patrol (and most of them love it!). All the neighbor kids are thrilled to have him back. But now Saknaa needs to find work, so I think he is leaving again today to go pan for gold. There is a gold mine about an hour south of Darhan. Maybe he'll find a fortune and help his parents to buy their own home (about $1000)!

Outdoorsmen.

Hail, the pale stranger gazing into the sun with squinted eyes, surveying the endless steppe with an unconquerable spirit of adventure. Yup, that's my 3-year old Saiah. It is now June, and even though we are still wearing long-johns the time has come to explore Mongolia. Why just last week we were out and about, and if we hadn't got stuck in three feet of mud then we wouldn't have been able to ride a horse! What adventure awaits this weekend as we head to Zunghara for a church's 1-year anniversary? Only God knows! Thankfully we can trust Him to get us out of anything He gets us into!!