Tuesday, April 9, 2013

Mongolia (March 15-24)

United States team
I wouldn't call my trip to Mongolia a "missions trip."  
Yes, people from my church were on my team but the people we met and served had plenty of God's love flowing through their veins.  If not more love then I have inside me!
We went mainly to share information on medical and educational teachings.  And more, importantly, bring back their love to the states so that people can be gracious to help them grow.
Church of All Nation's pastor and family
We spent most of our days at the Khulsen kindergarten.
All schools in Mongolia are communist influenced where young children sit in rows, don't play, and are lectured for eight hours a day.  The Khuslen kindergarten is the exact opposite of that.  It is structured very much like schools here where kids spend a majority of their day playing and interacting with teachers and students. 
 What is even great is this school is for very low-income families.  Each child gets enough food for the day, as well as free medical clinics for the entire family.  Both these are a blessing because many families cannot afford either.
From Tuesday morning (3/19) through Thursday morning (3/21), I spent the day with three doctors from the states and one nurse from Ireland in the free medical clinic.  We were able to provide check ups for every kid and each member of their family.

From Tuesday afternoon through Friday afternoon, the teachers from the States and I were able to meet with the Khulsen teachers to give advice on teaching strategies.  A helpful meeting because these teachers have very little formal education in this area.

On Wednesday morning (3/20), I was able to sit in with the older class at Khulsen. These children were ages 5-6.  Here, I interacted with them as much as possible (though hard with the language barrier).  They are lively, happy, and mostly happy children.
Thursday morning (3/21) was spent with the younger class (ages 3-4).  They were just as cute as the older kids.  As a videographer though, I had a harder time documenting the younger class.  They really didn't care about the camera.  They just wanted to play with me.  The older kids,  however, had a hay day with the technology.
While we were meeting with the Khulsen teachers in the afternoons, the doctors were holding a medical conference at the hospital.  They introduced Mongolian doctors to modern practices and medicines.
Outside of the kindergarten and medical conference, we were able to embrace the Mongolian culture.  We were able to spend Monday (3/18) out in the Nomad steppeds with a Kusak family.  They blessed us with a feast of sheep, and horse.
On our way out to the steppes, we were able to stop at the famous Genghis Khan statue and museum.
The team on the horse of Kahn
The pastor, his wife, Davy (nurse from Ireland), Rob (founder of Khuslen)

We were also able to go to the theater to see a performance of Mongolia's traditional song and dance.

This was a once in a life time experience!  I do want to go back someday but for now my goal is to show their story with you. I want you to best experience the love and beauty I witnessed on the other side of the world.  My heart has grown for this country, these people, that church, those children.  I hope it does for you, too, so that you can send love to the wonderful people of Khuslen and Church of All Nations.

Email Davy to donate!
(videos are soon to come)
The fearless crew!