October 14, 2010
By Jeremy Fields, serving in Mongolia
Jeremy Fields, who works with Compassion and Mercy Associates (CAMA), the relief and development arm of The Alliance, recently relocated with his family to Hovd, western Mongolia. The Fieldses are members of an Alliance team burdened to share the hope of Christ with a large ethnic group that populates this area. The following adapted excerpts from the family’s October newsletter and blog detail the first weeks in their new home.
. . . I’ve always remembered that everyone needs “roots and wings.” God has certainly given us solid roots in a very rocky place this past month! We made it to Hovd, September 5, and, by God’s grace, we have a temporary home in a ger (yurt). It’s in a beautiful spot on the northern end of town.
Getting Settled
We are surrounded by harsh yet majestic mountains (some of which we’ve climbed). We can get fresh milk or yogurt every morning . . . we just have to watch our step around the yard.
Living in a ger is certainly a daily reminder that we are just pilgrims on earth. At first we weren’t really sure if we would fit-no corners to stack suitcases and beds that take up most of the wall space. In the center is our fireplace. We use a bit of wood to get it going and some coal to make it last longer, but primarily we are burning cow dung ($2 a bag!).
Reaching Out
The week after we arrived, we registered and renovated a great two-bedroom apartment for our schoolhouse and CAMA office. The following Monday we began new classes to ground ourselves in the language and culture. We have been practicing the language with neighbors, especially in getting to know our host mom, Adiad, and her youngest son, Sultanbai. We’ve started praying and reading together with them to discover our shared roots in Genesis 1.
Pray with us as we seek winter housing and a local center to begin a fitness outreach among the men. Pray also for our studies, action-planning, and for boldness as we seek the Spirit’s leading to begin home Bible studies.
What You Can Do
Donate to western Mongolia outreach efforts.
Learn More
Watch a video overview of Mongolia. In 1994, just three believers populated this vast, north-central Asian nation. [duration: 03:46]
Check out the Fieldses’ blog to view photos of their ger and the recent eagle festival that they attended. Note: clicking on this URL will take you off of the Alliance Web site.