Training in language acquisition techniques

This picture is NOT showing missionaries praising God. It shows us following directions in a Vietnamese tribal language that none of us know! We are learning how we can understand a new language without being able to read, write or speak it! After 10 days of excellent training by veteran missionaries, we are very encouraged to begin learning Mongolian. A key to learning a new language is to take ownership of the process. In addition to daily classroom training, we were encourage to visit 5-10 shops/day and make friendships with shop owners who will let us practice our Mongolian with them daily. Language learning becomes a lifestyle as you build relationships with native speakers. These daily "chats" often become friendships that lead to sharing good news. Please pray for us that we will make language learning a priority as we begin our ministry thru language learning.

Pray for children's epidemic in Mongolia

Please pray for a children's epidemic in Mongolia. All kindergartens and primary schools in Mongolia closed for the year on 23May, 3 weeks early, as the number of children with hand-foot-mouth disease climbed to 1,000 cases. Health ministry officials said most of the cases have been contracted by children between the ages of one and two years old. http://www.mongolia-web.com/content/view/1773/154/
Christian orphanages, schools, churches and medical workers are working very aggresively to prevent infection of all children.

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2008May - Language acquistion training

The English language only uses 44 sounds. There are many more. At Missionary Training International, we are training our tongues to make different sounds and it's not easy! Imagine shaping your mouth like you're playing a flute and saying the letter V. Now say in F. These are two of the 20 sounds we practiced today. We're learning to "asperate." Have you ever heard of a "fricative?" Me neither. Please pray for us.

Retirement 2008April

Thanks to everyone who came to the WA State Dept of Natural Resources retirement open house for Jim. The Human Resources Division made posters, certificates and arranged for healthy refreshments as part of the celebration. The WA State Commissioner of Public Lands and Director of the WA State Dept of Labor & Industries gave certificates. DNR Division Managers from Human Resources and Resource Protection gave certificates and momentos.

After almost 33 years with the Department, it was a wonder time for me to say thank you to many people.

April Details

Thanks for praying.
Liz's sister, Dee Anna, is in her 5th week of recovery and doing well. She is obeying doctor's orders & healing.

About 3 weeks ago, we got a call from a woman asking if we could use a caregiver. Trying not to act tooo quickly, we met with her over an hour after the phone call. She is a wonderfully warm, compassionate, & gifted servant. Joanne has spent a few hours with Liz's mom and is proving to be a gift from God. We are resting more easily knowing she can help. God is amazing as He provides for us.

Last week, we proceeded to purchase plane tickets (finally). Before we did so, we wrote to our Mongolia contact to confirm dates & were told that we have plenty of time to get our student visas, in theory. However, he also said that the language school we have chosen may not have a summer session. Most likely the school will not be able to enable a visa for us a full 2 months before class would start. This could mean another delay of our departure. Perhaps we can sign on with another school for a survival crash course until Sept. Even Liz thinks September is too far off. We feel a bit foolish for not thinking through these details but are proceeding in prayer trusting that things will work out.

Jim has 13 days left until he retires and is feeling ready for that transition.

As we get closer to leaving, it is easy to be overwhelmed with the details. This morning I was thinking that I too often worship the god of worry. God is obviously the designer of details. I need only look at this month with Dee Anna's 'no cancer' story and Joanne, a loving caregiver appearing out of the blue, to be reminded that the Lord will provide. I want to worship the Lord God Almighty, not the worry-god.

"Summing it all up, friends, I'd say you'll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse. Put into practice what you learned from me, what you heard and saw and realized. Do that, and God, who makes everything work together, will work you into his most excellent harmonies." Philippians 4:8-9 the Message
Liz

Mongolian post office challenges

Missionaries in Mongolia mail items made by Mongolians to other countries. The following is a conversation at the Mongolian Post Office when they tried to mail a box:

PO: Your papers are all in order BUT Your box is too big.
M+M: How big is too big?
PO: Your box is too big. You should use two boxes
M+M: But exactly what is the maximum size or dimensions or volume?
PO: Smaller than your box!
M+M: When we put the box on its side it does not look so big
PO: That's true, but maybe it is too heavy
M+M: It's only 24 kg
PO: Well that's the problem
M+M: But your notice allows for packages much heavier than 24 kg
PO: That's true
M+M: And the Chamber of Commerce wrote clearly ONE box so we cannot change it
PO: Can't you squash the slippers and make the box smaller?
M+M: No, this is a strong box for good shipping
PO: What to do?
M+M: How about you ship it this time and we bring a "not too big" box next time?
PO: OK, we'll do it BUT remember boxes should not be TOO big.
M+M: Thank you ...

Daughter gets fulltime job:

Today our daughter got a fulltime job as Adult program librarian. The commute is a little longer but she will have full benefits. We were hoping she would have a fulltime position before we left, and now she does. We are blessed.

No Cancer!! :)

Liz's sister, Dee Anna's, surgery took only one hour today. They found absolutely no cancer, everything was benign. Today has been tough for her, with lots of pain but we trust a balance of meds will get worked out before long. Thank you so much for your prayers. We are all greatly relieved. Dee Anna has had some agonizing moments today but she has regularly announced, 'No Cancer!'

Praise the Lord who answers prayer!

Sister's Biopsy

The biopsy report came back 'inconclusive'.
Doctors plan to consult on the phone tomorrow, 3/5 to decide whether a soon to be planned hysterectomy should be performed by an ob/gyn or by an oncologist.
Not bad news. . .
Would appreciate your ongoing prayer support.