Monthly Archive

by Mark

As you are eating your turkey today we will, hopefully, be eating chicken at the Grain of Wheat Student Center in UB.  You may not be aware that today marks Mongolian Independence Day.  Brent Liberda and myself had the opportunity to help out with a coal distribution on behalf of Compassion and Mercy Associates to people in the Tusgon area of Darhan.  Brent did an excellent job sharing (in Mongolian of course) that the coal was being given out to share God’s love, to help with swine flu and to help celebrate the Mongolian Holiday. 

4 bags per family

Brent and Dawaa helping out (coal is heavy! – note the swine flu masks)

Dawaa, Brent and Precinct Captains (the captain is in red)

by Mark

We found out early this morning via email that our teacher Karen will be able to come to Mongolia!  Its a great praise and answer that Karen will be able to join us some time in December. 

Sunset (surprisingly the Northern Lights do not appear in Mongolia)

The following is an update from Haniki about how Pieter and she are doing in Bangkok.  Many of you have asked how Pieter and Richard are doing.  Richard is stating to sit up (apparently he suffered a fractured pelvis as well as hip) and will slowly be back on his feet. 

Family and friends,
We’re back at the hospital this morning.  For the follow-up visits
with three doctors.
On Monday we moved from the Bumrungrad Residence to the Alliance Guest
Home.  It is good for Pieter to be able to sit and walk outside in the
garden.  We’re so blessed to have Steve and Carol (and Carol’s mom)
looking after us.  They are organizing everything  for us, which makes
it really easy with our stay in Bangkok.  We had an early Thanksgiving
lunch yesterday, no expert on turkey, but yesterday’s was the best.
Pieter continues making progress.  He had his last physiotherapy at
the hospital on Monday, but we have to continue with home physio for
another 6 weeks.  He still has much pain in both his shoulders and his
arms, especially when sitting or sleeping in the same position.  The
doctor told him to do less exercises with his left arm, because the
healing process has slowed down  due to the exercises.  No headaches,
which really helps, but when chewing, he can definitely feel some
loose bones in his head!!
On Tuesday, I went to the Mongolian Embassy for entry visas.  They
asked me to wait twenty minutes so I don’t have to come back again for
the passports.  I was so happy, and impressed.  Well, have to say, I
was the only one there, no one else wants to go to freezing Mongolia
this time of the year.
We visited Richard in hospital yesterday afternoon.  It was good for
them(Pieter and Richard) to see each other, they got separated after
the accident at the first hospital.  Richard might be able to come out
next week, but because of a broken hip and pelvis, he will have to
stay in bed for another few weeks.
It all depends on what the doctors will say this morning.  We are
thinking of leaving next week, on Wednesday or so.  Flying will be
tough, but maybe I can use Pieter’s “condition” to get bumped up this
time.  Would be great if we can get business class.
For now, this is all the news we have.  Thank you for your prayers.
We appreciate it very much.
Haniki

by Mark

The days are getting shorter (sunrise Nov. 11 8:00 AM) but as we enter this last month before days get longer we are finding some tasty things to brighten up our days (and nights)

Check this out- home delivery pizza!  It took about 40 minutes but the guy brought it straight to our door- that’s a first! Nothing comes to the door except bills (hey, Mark, it’s your editor here: you forgot about the vegetable man who delivers fresh vegetables to the door in the summer).   He even had a pizza delivery bag to keep it warm.  The Lains joined us and we ordered a cheese, salami and cheese and super (which includes corn and hotdogs).  I agree with Annika who said that it’s the best pizza we have had in Mongolia – great crust, kind of like Dominoes.  It’s called Pizza Romano.  We had fun trying to translate the box (everything is a language lesson).  The box says “the most tasty” under the fast free delivery.  The pizza costs about $9 US apiece, not cheap but it’s a great treat.  We like to tease each other by saying- wow, you want to order out for pizza tonight? Now we can.  I was also pleased they understood me enough on the phone to get it to the right place. 

We also had another great treat of apples and caramel.  We boiled sweetened condensed milk in the can for 4 hours (make sure that the can is under the water.  Let it cool and out comes this beautiful caramel colored sauce.  (Thanks Aunt Haniki for the recipe)

Update on Pieter: Pieter is doing well, I got to skype with them last Wednesday.  Pieter is continuing to under-go therapy after surgery but is looking good and making great strides each day.  He is walking and pushing himself.  Haniki showed us around the hospital room.  WOW- all I can say is it’s nicer than a lot of US hospital rooms that I have been in.  It has a kitchenette including an oven in it.  Haniki is faithful to send out regular updates- please continue to remember them with us. 

*  The hospital where Pieter was transferred did their own MRI using
newer equipment.  This MRI showed that he also has fractures in his neck
which did not show up initially.  They are waiting to find out if there
will need to be surgery or not.  They will decide when they are certain
about the pressure of the blood on the head.  There is no paralysis.
*  There is still a small amount of bleeding. to the brain.  They are
not concerned about the skull. 

*  There are several fractures in each shoulder and his left wrist is
also broken.  Dennis stated that if his shoulder and hand had not taken
part of the blow, the head injury could have been much worse, so we can
be thankful for that.
*  Haniki says that she is doing well.  She has great support from the
C&MA and also a friend Stephanie from the Philippines is with her and
going everywhere with her.
*  Pieter will have to remain in the hospital at least 2 weeks.  After
they determine what to do about surgery, they will know more about how
much longer after that.
*  Richard is waiting to hear from the orthopedic doctor to know what
kind of treatment he is looking at.  It will depend on where the
fracture is.
*  Both Pieter and Richard are giving orders and telling people what
needs to be done work-wise from their hospital beds, so this is a very
good sign.
*  Others who were there have been able to meet with grief counselors to
help to process the trauma of this experience.

Please pray for Pieter Theron, our Field Director.  He is in Thailand for a conference and was posing for a picture with an elephant outside of Bangkok.  The elephant spooked (I do not know exactly what happened) and Pieter suffered a fractured skull and Richard Herring, our regional director, suffered a fractured hip.  Pieter did not lose consciousness and is in the hospital.  Tomorrow they will consult with a neurologist in Bangkok.  Haniki is with Pieter.  We will update more as soon as we know but please be praying for his recovery and how to proceed.

Pieter is from South Africa and a veteran of many safaris into the bush but he had to go to Thailand to have this encounter with an elephant.  Yana.