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We're going!!
Dear friends and family,
We’re going!! Sooner than we had even hoped, but the door has opened for us to go back to Mongolia by the 8th of August! We are so thankful to the Lord for his direction, and *thank you* for praying for us in recent weeks and months. It is a relief to have more clarity about what we’ll be doing in Mongolia, and a definite date for when we are leaving. (It's also a little overwhelming (!) to think of all that needs to happen in these next few weeks, but it's good.)
Javkhaa will be working as a political analyst for Oyu Tolgoi, a joint-venture mining company headquartered in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia (read more). Originally they were requiring him to be in Mongolia by mid-July, which wasn't possible for us. After quite a bit of back-and-forth, they agreed for him to start work on August 8th. This is still a stretch, but by the grace of God we'll be ready. :) We will start our journey on August 5th and arrive in Ulaanbaatar on Sunday morning, the 7th. It’s an exciting opportunity for Javkhaa to work for one of larger companies in Mongolia and use the skills he’s been trained in, and he is looking forward to the challenge. Working for Oyu Tolgoi fits perfectly into Interserve’s ethos of work-as-ministry, and having a job helps us get closer to reaching our support goals. (More details on that below.)
We are both looking forward to being back at our church in Ulaanbaatar and seeing how we can be involved. Many of those whom Javkhaa used to work with as Young Adults Pastor now have families. It will be fun to see them! We want to be available to serve them and the new group of young adults at the church; Javkhaa's heart has always been to work with young people, and he remains committed to working with young adults and 'emerging leaders'. This also fits in with our desire to start a business development center (BDC), in connection with the Regent Center for Entrepreneurship (where Skye has worked for the past 5 years). There is much groundwork and prayer needed, but once on the ground, Javkhaa will be able to better gauge how a BDC (like the one in Rwanda) would fit into Mongolia today.
Skye is interested in working part-time teaching at a university or another school, as she has enjoyed teaching and greatly valued her relationships with colleagues and students in the past. However, she would like to wait until they have found an apartment, unpacked, and settled in before starting to work. The timing will also depend upon how the children adjust to life in Mongolia--we pray they will thrive! As only about 2% of the population of Mongolia is Christian, please pray that we will make the most of the opportunities we'll have every day to shine the light of Christ and share God's love with those we meet.
In other news…
Shaking hands with the President
In June, Mongolian President Elbegdorj was visiting Washington DC. Javkhaa was intrigued at the possibility of meeting him. He knew it was a long shot, but when he was offered the chance to attend a ceremony honoring the President, he decided to go. The result? Javkhaa had the privilege of shaking hands with his president and personally handing his advisor a proposal about starting the business development center in Mongolia! Go God!
On a mission
 Javkhaa is on short-term mission trip to Europe together with a team from the Regent School of Divinity. He writes: We started our trip in Germany, and ministered to many young people (about 50) in partnership with a local Stuttgart church. I shared my testimony about how I was saved, about the Mongolian church, and encouraged them to live for the glory of God and dedicate their young lives for the work of God's kingdom. Later, in Vienna, one of the people that we met in the streets gave his heart to Jesus.
This trip has been quite an eye opener for me. I really want to mobilize Mongolians for the global harvest, especially in Europe. I was overwhelmed by the numbers of immigrants here; the churches and missionaries here keep emphasizing that they need lots of workers for the harvest... Javkhaa feels like he has made some strategic connections, and is looking forward to potential partnerships with some of these missionaries and churches in Europe.
 Please pray for us!
We depend on your prayers and the Lord’s strength and wisdom as we transition to this new season of life, work, and ministry. Here are just a few ways you can pray:
· Time to pack! We need to discern what we’ll need in Mongolia and get rid of most everything else.
· Tie up loose ends: last doctors’ appointments, copies of medical records, shipping books, etc.
· Health: that Yvelle and Josiah would be completely over their coughs/colds before July 29th, when they have their 3 year and 15 month checkups and immunizations.
· Grow our support team: for more committed "pray-ers" who will pray faithfully for our family and ministry, and others to support us financially.
· Work: that we would both wrap up things at our jobs well and they would find just the right people to fill our positions.
· Safe travel: cooperative kids, and sleep for us all on the plane (esp the children) despite a somewhat interrupted and challenging schedule.
· Adjustment: lifestyle, language, culture, food… life in Mongolia!
· Home: that we’ll find the perfect apartment for our family (safe, sunny, good heating system, fresh air… and not too expensive).
· Missions trip: that Javkhaa would learn a lot on his short-term trip in Europe and be used as a vessel for the Lord to bless many; extra strength for Skye to manage things ‘til Javkhaa returns in a week.
Be a part of Team Mongolia
 A cord of three strands is not easily broken.
An absolutely critical component of our ministry is the partners who are part of our team. We need "pray-ers" who lift us up regularly, "hands and feet" ready to come alongside as various needs arise, and financial partners to contribute to the ministry. If you are receiving this, we do hope you will pray for us! :) But we'd love to have that confirmed by an email message. We so appreciate many of you who have already assured us of your partnership in one or more of these ways. Thank you!!
If the Lord has put it on your heart to give financially, please let Interserve know of your commitment by providing your pledge information (see box on right side of this page; online gifts can be given here). Our remaining goal of $2,675/month can be met in a variety of ways, from pledges of $10 or $20/month to one-time gifts. Just think, if 10 people each gave $10, $25, $40, $60, $80 and $100/month, we would exceed our goal! Thank you for praying about how you might partner with us.
Please keep in touch :)
We will miss you... very much. Thank you for your friendship, encouragement and support. We praise God for the many ways He has blessed us through you. Thank you!
Love and rich blessings to you and yours,
Javkhaa, Lin (Skye), Yvelle & Josiah
P.S. If you have any questions, encouragement, insight, or other comments, please send us an email or give us a call! Our contact information is below. Thanks!
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