May 11, 2012

Celebrate Recovery Center in Bayankhongor

We have recently started a Celebrate Recovery Half-Way House in Bayankhongor. This is a live in situation for individuals (usually men) who are looking to escape their addictions. Four men moved into a ger a month ago to begin studying, living, and encouraging one another. A church leader has begun this as his ministry. He was able to get some help from World Vision in the form of a large truck of wood that the guys are cutting up and selling in bags. The money they are making from this is covering the cost of the food. JCS was able to help get the building ready. JCS bought a new fuel efficient stove, electrical wire, lights, and other odds and ends to get the building livable. The local churches helped with cups, plates, and other furniture items. Whenever begining a ministry like this it is always 3 steps forward and 2 steps back. Now only 2 of the men are still at the center. They are half way through the Celebrate Recovery course, but more importantly they are sharing with each other and determined to get dry. Makaranz, the church leader, spends everyday with them. Join us in prayer for these men and Makaranz.

OCC Shoe Box distribution

We are getting finished with all the Operation Christmas Child gifts. We had over 4,000 this year! It has been a great blessing for us to be able to bless the children of Bayankhongor with these gifts. We were able to distribute gifts in all soums (countryside towns) in Bayankhongor. We also visited some out of the way locations this year. One church leader traveled an extra 100 kilometers to distribute gifts to individual herder family groups in his area. The Regional Leadership Team (volunteers) are planning a trip to an oasis in the Gobi desert in a few weeks. This is over 200 km away from the province center, and no roads to get there. Praise the Lord for the oppotunity to share "The Greatest Gift" with these kids.