Photos

Bob,

Your estimation of the attitudes is not far off. Mongolia is a nation in transition, especially after Russia left the country high and dry. Russia did introduce them to one thing, which has now become a national curse, vodka. With Russia’s parting the door was opened to evangelism.The people were coming to Christ in great numbers and some were eager to go throughout the 10/40 window. The 10/40 window is the rectangular area of North Africa, the Middle East and Asia approximately between 10 degrees north and 40 degrees north latitude. The 10/40 Window is often called “The Resistant Belt” and includes the majority of the world’s Muslims, Hindus, and Buddhists. If you recall from history class Genghis Khan, the greatest conqueror who has ever existed, colonized much of that area on his quest, generating a legacy of Mongolian people in each location. Westerners have a hard time reaching into these areas with the Gospel so the Lord is touching the hearts of the Mongolians to take the Gospel to their own people. Many of the men, who were nomadic, have lost so much to alcohol and cold weather. With the severe cold there was a great loss to livestock which necessitated the herdsmen to populate the cities and become dependent on the state. With that came homelessness and alcoholism. The state responded by offering tracts of land if they would build a home and fence it in. When I was there western nations were coming with technology and services and I am sure much has changed since then.

The men you mention were prisoners. Driving a car without insurance is not a good idea in Mongolia. To have an accident with no way to pay meant time in jail which was run by the military; it was very sad.

I’m glad you enjoyed the photos I still look at them with a longing to return, but that is not likely now.

Steve B.