I'm sick of airports (and probably hotels too)

Well, this is something almost entirely self-inflicted. But at the same time, even though traveling around Japan after my time in Mongolia didn't really bring me much joy at the time, there is an itching to go traveling again.

The problem, and this is especially a problem when it comes to traveling alone, is that the joy tends to come for me in terms of what I buy (usually to give away as presents) or alternatively, what I eat or where I travel.

I often find I enjoy life a lot more when I am not thinking about money and finances at all. But airport shops and also generally other shops I go to, tend to encourage Luxury spending in my head.

This is not about whether I am spending within my means (which I think I am), but whether the whole corrosive consumer culture is a bit rotten.

Since I've been back, adjusting away from the simplicity (and admitted poverty in parts) of life in Mongolia via the nice hotels of Japan has almost made me physically ill. I didn't do it tough in Mongolia and at times I felt guilty at how cheap things were. Right now though, I am feeling guilty that I am living in a world of material prosperity while people seem to be struggling with the basics. To be honest, I don't want to feel like I am feasting while people look like they are starving.

I don't know quite what to do about how I'm feeling. But I'll see what comes from it in the next little while.

C T Studd

He used to be a pretty decent cricketer (he was actually rated among the best ever)... he also had a way with words

If Jesus Christ be God and died for me, then no sacrifice can be too great for me to make for Him.

Christ's call is to save the lost, not the stiff-necked; He came not to call scoffers but sinners to repentance; not to build and furnish comfortable chapels, churches, and cathedrals at home in which to rock Christian professors to sleep by means of clever essays, stereotyped prayers, and artistic musical performances, but to capture men from the devil's clutches and the very jaws of Hell. This can be accomplished only by a red-hot, unconventional, unfettered devotion, in the power of the Holy Spirit, to the Lord Jesus Christ.

Some want to live within the sound of church or chapel bell; I want to run a rescue shop within a yard of hell.

Back home - updates are hard to do

Ok, here are some of the best photos from my time away...

A slow wait for updates

I guess less updates means that I've had more things happening.

So what have I been doing?

In Erdenet I spent time with the Eternal Springs Cafe (including teaching English), helped out Mercy Ministries with some gardening, spent time with a Japanese International team, and went out into the countryside for a khorkhot (traditional meal) and some animal rides.

Back in UB now, I have been teaching English at a Chinese community centre, hanging out with missionary children, and today I got to play football with UB United for a bit.

God has kindly given me good uses for my time, good opportunities to encourage missionaries in their work, and good insights as to what can be done in the future here.

Much of next week will be at the JCS retreat.

Thank God for what he has been doing amongst the Mongolian people, and pray that he will keep encouraging them, and growing them in him.

A new horizon - and overnight travel

Day 2 in Mongolia was an interesting one. I had to tell my roommate I couldn't go watch his football team play (he coaches U15) but instead had to organise the mission content of my trip.

I got some Tugriks (local currency), bought a phone SIM, found it wouldn't work in my phone, and then bought a new Nokia 3310 because it was cheap so my SIM would work.

After this I also bought an SD card reader so I could upload some photos.

Lunch was nice, followed by a trip into what is effectively the CBD, and a few photos of the main things there.

Then, I organised a visit to Erdenet from today to go visit the youth cafe and the Mongolian Mission Centre.

To get to Erdenet, it involves an overnight train trip. At 8pm I pulled all my luggage (including 2x 1.5litre mineral water bottles and 1x 2L Sprite - which I haven't yet drunk). I took my bunk in the cabin and waited to see who else I would travel with.

Luckily for me, the old Woman who came in left, and I was left travelling with three student aged Mongolians, two of whom had good conversational English. It took me a while to start chatting with them, but then we had a lot of fun playing cards and talking which made the 12 hour journey much more fun. Pray for my new friends that when we meet up, I would have a good opportunity to share the gospel.

Today has been a bit different again, smaller city, different people, but a great group to work with.

God is continually kind to me, even when I think things are hopeless.

Keep praying that I get to share more about Jesus.

Ulaanbaatar - initial impressions

The time zone thing means that I'm up pretty early this morning.

Drove through the city last night, realised the roads are a bit crazy.

Anyway, the place looks interesting. I have a concrete roof over my head at the moment, and my trip is less structured than I thought it would be. It means I'll get to spend some time looking around at things.

Oh well, I'll be back here every so often to write another update when things happen (perhaps less now that people know I am safe).

Read: Evangelical Truth - seemed very much underpinned by similar desires to the GAFCON movement.

Also read Jeremiah 29, as a result of the "Seek the good of the city" bit quoted by Carson in his book read earlier yesterday. It would seem that there is a lot of ways that chapter is taken out of context, especially when talking about God's plans to prosper being brought as definite promises for this life.

I'm sure I'll have more thoughts on this later.

Thanks everyone for the prayers that I would arrive safely.

Pete

Most of the way to Ulaanbaatar

I'm in Incheon (Seoul - South Korea) waiting for my connecting flight.

Taken a few photos already, and experienced a Free Korean cultural event involving Music and Craft. Incheon is an interesting place, lots of tech, lots of gadgetry, but it really feels like it is in the middle of nowhere. I'm going to have to learn to like Incheon though, will be spending a number of hours here in between bits of my trip. I've also found a few presents I want to buy if I have spare USD on the way home. We will have to see what else there is between now and then!

At the moment (at the airport and on a plane) I'm glad most people have functional English, because I have no idea about Korean.

Please pray for me that I can have good conversations with people, and also that I will adjust appropriately to life.

I read Christ and Culture Revisited by Don Carson on the flight today. XLS Ministry Resources has some for less than $20 (though not online yet), I think it is a pretty good read, though I got tired about 3/4 of the way through.

Next book up for my trip: Evangelical Truth - John Stott.

Next destination: Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. Will be meeting the Joint Christian Services people at the airport tonight.