Groceries & weather

It's Saturday afternoon. We're back from looking at an apartment that Jim really liked and Liz wasn't so keen on. Walked to the local grocery store. In the dairy case was a package of "Wholly Vegetarian Mutton Chunk." Cannot imagine what that would taste like but very grateful that someone is thinking of us. Didn't pick it up but maybe next time.
At 2:00 this afternoon the thermometer outside our kitchen window (facing South) said 120F. Just about that time a cloud cover began to roll in and by 2:30 the same thermometer read 65F. Wow, such a drastic drop in a short time. I mentioned this to the apartment owner and she said, "Oh, that's normal. Mongolian weather is like a woman, it changes all the time."

Lilac Drive

We pass this walkway each morning on our way to class and this weekend noticed that it is lined with small lilac bushes. And they are blooming. We haven't gotten close enough to sniff them yet, but I think that should be our next goal in life.

Studying Hard

Language class is going well. We enjoy the teacher who is kind, patient, and effective. Her method works for us most of the time. Putting in extra time to absorb vocabulary pays off too.
We take the city bus to school each morning. We walk home 4 miles stopping at various shops to interact with people and practice our few conquered sentences. Today we stopped to chat with a couple and teen daughter who were washing a taxi. First, we say, "We're studying Mongolian. Can we practice with you?" Usually, that brings a smile and nod. With the taxi family, we were able to say, "What is your name ____?" "My name is ____." "Where are you from?" "We are from America." "When is your birthday?" "My birthday is ___." It was really hard to hear the numbers and actually understand their birthdate. We also asked if they had a dog? No. Cat? No? Horse? Yes. Each day, we also enter several shops and ask, "what is this? How much is it?" or "Do you have _____?" Though we always hesitate at first, this is the most interesting and rewarding part of each day.

Mutton Anyone?

This was taken in a medium sized corner grocery. My shopping cart did not look like this one, rather mine was full of canned kidney beans which I was delighted to find. I was also able to purchase a small pumpkin which we enjoyed roasted with peppers. Fruit and vegies are small and sometimes sad looking but commonly available. Hooray!

Herder

Mongolian herders use a long stick with a rope loop at the end to lasso animals rather than the rope American cowboys use.

Herding Horses

This herder moved his horses past our picnic site last Saturday. We had settled in the greenest spot for miles, so likely we were sitting on the favorite dinner place for this crowd.

Rain

In a country that annually gets 4-18" of rain a year, there isn't a need for elaborate drainage systems. So when any amount of wetness comes, the puddles grow quickly. Mongolians traditionally cross a street whenever and whever there is a break in traffic. This week, besides looking for a break in traffic, we must also look for the most shallow spot in the puddles.

The River is Back

It has been raining off and on for the past 5 days. The country was desperate for moisture and everyone is grateful. But it is highly unusual to have mud puddles and umbrella weather for such a long stint. We're comfy in our raincoats and walking boots. Personally, we'd rather have the rain than the hot weather of last week.

Mutton on Rocks

I think the recipe is called 'khorhog.' In one milk can, with tight fitting lid, place alternating layers of mutton, onions, mutton, potatoes, mutton, carrots, mutton, water, mutton, and hot hand-sized stones. Cover with wet towels and secure the lid. Place over hot coals for 1-2 hours. Remove from the fire and roll on the ground to cool. Carefully (the lid could blow since the can has become a pressure cooker) remove the lid. Pick out your favorite hot rocks and jostle it between your hands for good health. Pass it to a friend. Remove the yummy mutton and vegies and rocks (set aside for blessings). Enjoy!

Mutton Finally!

We had been here for an entire week without tasting or even smelling mutton. On Saturday we got to go on a Mongolian picnic and had mutton cooked in a milk can.

We Made It!

Our flight was delayed a day due to high winds in Mongolia. But Korean Air treated us royally with meals and a night in the Hyatt Regency in Incheon/South Korea. That meant we got to catch up on our sleep before entering Mongolia, a surprise treat.
The first day here was a little overwhelming but we pushed ourselves to do the next thing and have so far made it through Monday which means we've had our feet on Mongolian soil for all of 3 days now.
Yesterday, we experienced our first wind storm. Not fun. Sand in our hair, ears & teeth. We took showers when we got home to feel less like human sand paper. Liz got a piece of sand in her eye that wouldn't dislodge for hours. Its gone now & she is fine.
We are enjoying meeting other JCS folk, 2 couples have hosted us for meals. No mutton yet :)We met with our language teacher today and will start lessons tomorrow. The teaching method they use sounds exciting and we're anxious to see how it works.
Our Internet connection is touch and go, our hot water may no longer be hot, but we found vegies for dinner tonight.
Sunday we worshiped at a ger church in a small town just outside of UB. Delightful.
So grateful for your interest and support. We're feeling it.

Visas arrived 2June

To stay in Mongolia more than 90 days, we are required to have a visa approved by the Mongolian Embassy in Washington, D.C.. We must have the visas before we get on the plane to Mongolia.

We applied for Student visas because we are be enrolled in Mongolian language school for 8 months.

On 2June our visas arrived. We get on the plane 11June. Thank you for your prayers.

1 June Send-off Celebration!

People from 10 churches gathered to praise God and send the Sedores off to Mongolia. Jim & Liz's extended family joined them as well as previous missionaries from Mongolia and Japan.

Pastor Misterek, who confirmed Liz 35 years ago, join us from Oregon with his wife. KrisAnn Jarvis Foss from the Covenant North Pacific Conference brought greetings and Pastor Jon Parenno shared how to pray for the Sedores. Dr. Drew Stevick, veteran of 4 short term trips to Mongolia, spoke about the impact of Mongolia missions on his family's life and he reminded Jim to keep his plans flexible. Liz prepared Power Points telling the story of God's love and care for them during the last several years and describing how we want to learn to keep looking up to God. Children carried flags from the countries where Covenant Missionaries serve.

Thanks to Mitch Denning, Pastor Randy Thyberg and the Mission Committees for coordinating this celebration.