An Update from Mongolia
I live close to my school. It takes me 10 to 15 minutes to walk there. I have classes every morning and have an average of 16 students per class. My biggest challenge was to learn their Mongolian names. With names like Uuriintsolmon, Khishigjargal and Chantsaldulam I decided to give all of my student’s English names. They were excited and had a great time deciding on their new English names.
Traffic here in the city is still chaotic. Whenever I cross a street I feel like I am playing “chicken” or “leap frog”. It is amazing how many cars are here now. In 1999, the streets were almost deserted. Now everyone has a car. It could change soon, however, as the government is going to increase the excise tax on imported vehicles. Mongolia gets most of its used cars from Japan and Korea. Currently the cost can be up to $4,000. That will increase up to $7500. which is a lot of money for the average Mongolian. The cost of fuel is around $5 a gallon. The average Mongolian earns around $500 or less a month. If they are lucky enough to get jobs with foreign companies they can earn $1,000 to $1500 a month. But these jobs are few and far between.
Bus and taxis have doubled their fares and food prices are steep. It cost $35 for a bag of dried fruit, $4 for a can of imported peaches and $3 for a small can of Campbell soup.
The city is very dangerous now because of the economic situation. People are being robbed on the street, especially foreigners. I have to be very careful, especially when out shopping. God protected me several weeks ago. I was leaving one of the department stores with my backpack full of goods. Something told me to stop and not go outside. As soon as I stopped and turned around, two men who were following me stopped dead in their tracks. They did not know what to do as they expected me to leave. If I had left the store I think they would have stolen my bag. Now, I always circle around and make sure no one is following me. I never open my door to anyone unless I know them and I never stay out after dark.
Please continue to pray for my protection while here.
I have been going to a maximum security prison for men. There are about 25 men there. They are all fairly young and all have killed at least one person. They have been sentenced to 35 years or life. One week we took juice, cookies, etc. to give to them. Last time I helped a couple of them with their English studies. The conditions at the prison are pretty bleak. Two men to a cell and only one bed. One prisoner has to sleep on the concrete slab. It’s very cold and dismal there. The prison used to be a Russian communications center and KGB hang out. If only walls could talk! I’m sure things went on there that would be disturbing.
When I have time, I also try to work with young girls who have been forced into prostitution and live in the underground sewers here in the capital. One NGO is allowed to take in 12 girls each night. They have to leave during the day, but can come back around 5 pm every day. They are fed, bathed and given a safe place to sleep at night. Most of the girls are badly damaged emotionally. One time I taught them line dancing and we did some arts and crafts. I hope one day I will be able to go down into the sewers and help located other girls.
I am beginning to develop relationships with several of my students and one Russian teacher. Please pray that God will direct me and that these friendships will grow and trust will be developed between us.
I am praying that God will open the door and I will be able to invite them to church with me one Sunday.
Marietta
Traffic here in the city is still chaotic. Whenever I cross a street I feel like I am playing “chicken” or “leap frog”. It is amazing how many cars are here now. In 1999, the streets were almost deserted. Now everyone has a car. It could change soon, however, as the government is going to increase the excise tax on imported vehicles. Mongolia gets most of its used cars from Japan and Korea. Currently the cost can be up to $4,000. That will increase up to $7500. which is a lot of money for the average Mongolian. The cost of fuel is around $5 a gallon. The average Mongolian earns around $500 or less a month. If they are lucky enough to get jobs with foreign companies they can earn $1,000 to $1500 a month. But these jobs are few and far between.
Bus and taxis have doubled their fares and food prices are steep. It cost $35 for a bag of dried fruit, $4 for a can of imported peaches and $3 for a small can of Campbell soup.
The city is very dangerous now because of the economic situation. People are being robbed on the street, especially foreigners. I have to be very careful, especially when out shopping. God protected me several weeks ago. I was leaving one of the department stores with my backpack full of goods. Something told me to stop and not go outside. As soon as I stopped and turned around, two men who were following me stopped dead in their tracks. They did not know what to do as they expected me to leave. If I had left the store I think they would have stolen my bag. Now, I always circle around and make sure no one is following me. I never open my door to anyone unless I know them and I never stay out after dark.
Please continue to pray for my protection while here.
I have been going to a maximum security prison for men. There are about 25 men there. They are all fairly young and all have killed at least one person. They have been sentenced to 35 years or life. One week we took juice, cookies, etc. to give to them. Last time I helped a couple of them with their English studies. The conditions at the prison are pretty bleak. Two men to a cell and only one bed. One prisoner has to sleep on the concrete slab. It’s very cold and dismal there. The prison used to be a Russian communications center and KGB hang out. If only walls could talk! I’m sure things went on there that would be disturbing.
When I have time, I also try to work with young girls who have been forced into prostitution and live in the underground sewers here in the capital. One NGO is allowed to take in 12 girls each night. They have to leave during the day, but can come back around 5 pm every day. They are fed, bathed and given a safe place to sleep at night. Most of the girls are badly damaged emotionally. One time I taught them line dancing and we did some arts and crafts. I hope one day I will be able to go down into the sewers and help located other girls.
I am beginning to develop relationships with several of my students and one Russian teacher. Please pray that God will direct me and that these friendships will grow and trust will be developed between us.
I am praying that God will open the door and I will be able to invite them to church with me one Sunday.
Marietta
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