In order to see change as an opportunity for God to work, we need to be able to trust him to have our best interests in mind.

Transcription

1 Joint Christian Services February 2008 JCS Enables - Making the Way Straight Horizons Change is an opportunity to see God s work by Bill Manley by Marlow Ramsay There are changes taking place in JCS. Last week we got the goahead from the landlord and Eagle TV to begin the process of moving into a smaller part of our building, so that Eagle TV can expand their office space and we can get rid of some space. So when you next visit the JCS office you might find construction workers making a mess, walls where there were previously none and me looking a bit more ragged and dirty than usual. We have set this change in motion for a number of reasonsreally we had too much space for the numbers of people working there, less projects wanting office space in our building, more people looking to go to countryside locations rather than work in the city, a significant annual savings, etc. In spite of all these good reasons, the changes are still inconvenient (did you notice the phones were not working for two days?) and sometimes difficult (someone breaking a hole in a brick wall next to your desk). Nevertheless, I believe that God is at work even in this most practical of changes and after all the dust settles we will be in a better position to work efficiently and effectively in the future. This change in office facilities is not the only change that will affect JCSers in the near future. This month a new Executive Director will be chosen by the Board and AGM. Eventually this will have an impact on many parts of the organization and on all the people who make up JCS, however, I see this change as another opportunity to trust God and see His work. In order to see change as an opportunity for God to work, we need to be able to trust him to have our best interests in mind. Despite this seeming contradiction it works and when we are in a season of change it becomes an opportunity to see God work. But, on the other hand, we can not lapse into a fatalistic mode where we simply see everything that happens as the perfect will of God. I am told that the Ramsay family crest has the motto prayer and labour on it. I know that some people believe these are made up by a person in the back room of a mail order company, but anyway I like it. Somehow, at the same time, we need to trust God with all our heart, but also work and plan and try to discern his direction for us, while waiting patiently for him to move. Despite this seeming contradiction it works and when we are in a season of change it becomes an opportunity to see God work.

2 Project Updates UB United Football Club Reporting by Chuka Since the year 2003, UB United has been moving well with different activities besides football. We have been conducting Bible studies too. We are doing this project in two place in Ulaanbaatar, one in Sansar and the other one in Khailaast. Khailaast Once a week, the children from the football project have a meeting and Bible study. Before, our lessons were not well organized and didn t produce any good results. So we decided to use the TEE material for our Bible study. We thought it would be more fruitful and interesting. Our youth learned about character qualities such as Attentiveness, Obedience and Truthfulness. During the training and games, they sometimes used language that is not very pleasing to the ears. But as the Bible studies progressed, many things changed. We saw changes in character, and their bad words were truly reduced, and they are learning to respect each other. If they use bad words in practice, they will be punished for minutes. So in the future they will be more careful. We were not trying to be too harsh, but to help them learn. The teachers of 7th and 11th grade from School #72, at Khailaast requested us to teach character qualities to their students, so we agreed with them and started teaching in these schools. It is a good opportunity to work together, and to be able to share about the character of Jesus. Sansar We have changed some of the things in Sansar, like last Autumn, we stopped teaching the youngest team as we didn t have someone to look after these kids. It is difficult to work and to see any good results when we have too many children. It was sad to stop it but we were left with no other choice. We have two more teams in Sansar, kids age and Based on 5 years of work in Khailaast, the project is doing research to start new football training within three months time in Sansar schools and uptown. From last year, we have Aphrezo Krose who started to help our Sansar football boys in learning basic English conversation and things that can help them in their studies. It is a good opportunity for these boys as they can t afford to pay tutors to learn another language. 2

3 Many don t turn up but those who do come are learning and progressing. Aphrezo also helps in teaching football to these boys. I am enjoying working with these boys, they are great. I long to share the Good News with them. says Aphrezo. It is sad that some parents don t take proper care of their children and even don t know about what their children do in their spare time. Although there has only been light snowfall in the city, there are excellent sliding conditions available for anyone who would like to spend their days having snowy fun at the ski club of UB. JCSers decided this was the thing to do on Saturday the 26th of January. Everyone enjoyed the fresh air, safe sleds, good food as well as the bright and sunny weather. We took the chance to take a photo of the one of our little Miss. Snowwhite. Her name is Zaya. She can speak both English and Mongolian Some parents of our participants appreciate and understand now what the club means for their kids, to grow in a good atmosphere, learning to work in teams. We just don t play football but also meet with them and discuss different things and encourage them to see the bright side of life. It is challenging at times, to work with people from different background and status, as we have to balance everyone to work together and show equal level of concern, treating them equally. We want to help them understand that they are all the same inside and that they are a TEAM. It is our goal to work with other clubs and organizations who have a desire to help the young generation. We also would like to cooperate with foreign clubs and other Christian organizations. We want to expose our boys to a bigger view of the world and to learn from each other. Today the project really needs a new employee, who has good football skills and is able to teach. A person who is concerned about the younger generation and is committed to his Christian walk. We would like you to continue to uphold us in your prayer, give your ideas and encouragement.

4 Celebrate Recovery, Mongolia Reporting by Jung Mi Bringing healing to the people in Mongolia through the power of Christ 15 people died by consuming poisonous alcohol; shocking and awakening news!! There was shocking news around the last new year holiday. 15 people died and dozens of others were poisoned and hospitalized by tainted vodka. It is called Dying for a drink It is makes no sense for people to make alcoholic beverages with poison and then drink it. But, it was a painful awakening to the reality of alcoholism in Mongolia and its denial by many people in the society. After this incident shops were not allowed to sell alcohol for a while but now vodka is again readily available. We pray that both the people and the government will become aware of the danger of this issue and make some changes. And the church of Mongolia might be more active in responding to the enemy s scheme with prayer and by extending help to people. It definitely encouraged and challenged us more to pray and seek God s help for this matter. Hovd CR in Market place We gave our first CR training in Hovd 2 years ago for a couple of churches. The Way of Salvation church (Pastor Oyonchimig) started a CR group a year ago. The CR Hovd is uniquely located in the center of the big local Market and reaches out to people who hang out there. There you can see a lot of drunkards and gamblers with many billiard tables. It has been a good strategy to attract many alcoholics and gamblers. They have people gathering every week and learning about recovery and sharing their struggles together. Some of them have come to Christ and Altuntsochu is one of them. He is a 36 year old man who had lived in the market area for many years as an alcoholic. He had no job and no family, having divorced due to his drinking problem. Today, he is walking in Christ free from the bondage of drinking. Please pray for CR Hovd; Jesus power of transformation in the ministry, and ministry team building. CR groups are expanding all over the country with 19 groups running and members (alcoholics and families) involved. Two trainings were given in the last 2 months in UB and 3 churches have started the ministry. Some others are interested in opening groups in the near future. As groups are growing the need of mentoring and monitoring for the groups from the network office (located in JCS) has increased. We don t have many workers for the network at the moment, but we pray for more volunteer trainers rising up from the member churches.

5 Pray for us CR newspaper which we issue bi-monthly has been very helpful for the network as far as sharing resources and information. We are also making a CR Mongolian web-site. As we finish up the web it will give the groups even in the countryside access to useful resources and a place to share testimonies and prayers for each other. We are praying that the network will be built up stronger which will contribute more to unity among Mongolian churches. CR Mongolian Map today; 19 groups running 1. JESUS centered CR; Abba Father Centered CR ministry 2. Continuous transformation of alcoholic men and women. 3. Networking Building: Prayer, Fellowship, Monitoring & Mentoring, Training 4. Raising up more volunteer workers 4. Monthly financial need for running the CR Network office and trainings: $ Opening up a new CR Cafe and Network office 1) A suitable place in UB 2) Financial support for the building The 1st day of every month is prayer day for CR Mongolia. Every CR group gathers together where they are for prayer. At the first of February UB CR groups got together at Zaisan prayer house. About 15 people from 4 CR groups joined in the prayer day and also fellowship time. The transformation of the first woman AA (Alcohol Anonymous) member I (Jungmi Park) got an invitation to attend the YWAM DTS graduation in UB last December. It turned out to be Jaga s graduation. I met Jaga 9 years ago in an AA meeting in UB while I was helping to develop AA Mongolia. She was the first female AA member in the group who was confessing herself as an alcoholic. She wasn t a believer and had no interest in Christianity at all. As I visited her shop where she used to work I often found her drunk and despairing of life. Then I forgot her... About 5 years afterwards I ran in to her in the street and found that she had become a believer. I praised God for His mercy and His unfailing love. After that, she has grown in a local church even though there were some ups and downs. She has also been involved in Celebrate Recovery in her church and helped some other women who had the same issues. At the graduation she shared her testimony with others in tears saying I have been gone so long, but I have come back and I m ready to serve the Father. She also asked forgiveness from her earthly father and 10 year old son who attended her graduation with great joy. Today, Jaga is a beautiful woman of God, ready to serve Him.