Every good gift and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.  James 1:17 ESV

by Cinda

This morning I was reflecting on how much we have received since we began our journey to come to Mongolia.  Monetary gifts have been and still are being generously showered upon us to help us — with travel, furnishing a new home, feeding and caring for our family, beginning new ministry here, studying the language, and even a start towards the purchase of a vehicle here in Mongolia.  We remember with gratitude those who gave their time and energy to help us prepare for coming, with garage sales, selling our house, and moving (has it really been almost a year already?).  We also joyously receive care packages from many of you with thoughtful gifts and tasty American treats — mac and cheese makes Toby very happy!  As I try to write it down, I realize that I cannot even put into words how much has been given to us and how it touches us every single time.

100_5376 Receiving a birthday gift100_5399 Gift of a pet — A and T’s joy!  Gift of a nap, need I say more, moms and dads?

What an incredibly great gift it is to us also to have 2 full years to study the language.  We appreciate CAMA’s dedication to their workers and ministry that they not only allow us two years of study, but require it.  It’s not an easy job to do and it can be frustrating, but it IS a huge blessing.  Without it we would not be equipped to do what God has called us to do, and to be honest, the very jobs our own hearts desire as well.  Language learning is a blessing and we receive it as a gift from the Alliance and from our supporters.  We receive from our teachers, we receive from our language helpers, we receive from our teammates, we receive from our families and friends back home, and we receive from our Father God.  We are so blessed!

Now that we’ve been here most of a year, we are starting to see that there will quickly come an end to this two year’s of study and then it will be time to give from the abundance we have received (and continue to receive).  Luke 12:48: “Everyone to whom much was given, of him much will be required, and from him to whom they entrusted much, they will demand the more.”  It’s exciting to look forward to it, but also daunting.  We passionately want to succeed, we long to be effective and to make a difference for His Glory and in people’s lives.  Yet we face some fears, too, knowing that it is not an easy task, that there will inevitably be failures and setbacks and discouragements along the way.  Your prayers make a difference here.  We pray that we can keep our eyes focused on the Lord, that we will be faithful to the task He calls us to do, and that we will work in His strength.  Please pray with us and for us so that we might be able to continue to be good stewards of the gracious gifts poured out upon us.