New Teacher

Meet Liz's newest teacher. His name is Erik and he is 6 y.o. He is passing on all his knowledge and wisdom regarding cursive. This is a perfect arrangement since he is learning fresh letters in his 1st grade class. His school has been canceled for a few weeks due to H1N1, he can give me some extra attention. Upon his suggestion, I have acquired a practice notebook and fill in each line (being sure to use the margins)one letter at a time.

Mongolian Pride

The population of Mongolia is very small; 3 million compared to China's 1,319,175,400 (this minute).

This means there are 440 Chinese "neighbors" for every Mongolian.

Weekly (no pun intended), the new Mongolian soldiers stand in formation in front of the new statue of Genghis Khan as they show their military strength.

To this 50+ year old, they look so young.

Smart Mongolian Sparrows

Most sparrows gather twigs for nests in the Spring.

But as winter approaches in Mongolia, the sparrows nesting above our apartment are gathering twigs now, at the end of October, for insulation! The sparrows and pigeons stay all winter.

The high temperature today is 21 degrees F.

Jim's office

I share a corner of the JCS office with Daniel - Project Director from England, and Odnoo, JCS Editor (from Mongolia).

The window doesn't latch so we are taping it closed next week. With my computer, telephone (I share an extension with Daniel so only one of us can use our phone at a time), and my water bottle (that I DON'T share with anyone except Liz), I have everything I need if I am in the office.

It's great to sit next to Daniel, who corrects my ENGLISH, and Odnoo who corrects my Mongolian!

Mongolian traffic emphasis for the week - Crosswalks

UB traffic is famous for NOT yielding to pedestrians. But this week, there is a policeman at every corner around the Parliament building enforcing drivers to stop before the crosswalk.

It is ALMOST safe to cross the street this week.

Orphan choir

World Vision-Mongolia has an orphan children's choir.

I got to hear them this week and they were great.
For a UTube video, go to: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B0J2UJiPeAU

My "Power Mongolian Tie"

About once a month I go to some government or business meeting with officials or ambassadors.

So this week I bought a "Mongolian Power Tie" from the Christian handcraft store.

The tie has the colors of the Mongolian flag with the yellow "Soyombo" symbolizing Mongolian freedom and independence.

Icy sidewalks

Altho it is only the 2nd month of fall, the ice is here to stay. Sidewalks have their first layer of compressed snow and ice so you learn to walk carefully.

In February, after it stops snowing, workers will chip the ice off the city sidewalks inch by inch.

Today the high temp is 21F. The low is -7F.

Mongolian bread spread

Never had this before.
Mongolians said the name of this recipe cannot be translated into English.
The closest is "Melted butter"

- Steam 1/2 liter whole milk, 1/2 liter water & salt.
- Add 100gms each of 3 kinds of butter and 100gms flour.
- Steam yogurt until it curdles into small chunks. Add to butter mix.
- Add raisins and a little sugar.

Serve warm on bread and take your cholesterol medicine.

Gallery Night a Success!

Liz helped Streams in the Desert host what we called a Gallery Night. It was a time to learn about the ministry, to shop, eat chocolate and visit.

The place was packed for the entire evening with an estimated 80 visitors.

Shoppers feasted on leather wallets, book marks, book covers & bags made by the men as well as beaded jewelry and fabric bags contributed by the women.