Go Beyond » Mongolia

Wordless Wednesday

Omar C. Garcia — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 05:05:26 +0000

Tsaatan Girl (aka Reindeer People) | 2000 | Khövsgöl Aimag | Northern Mongolia

Global Glimpses

Omar C. Garcia — Sat, 08 Oct 2011 05:05:40 +0000

Who | Paul Crandall, Recreation Pastor at Kingsland

Where I’ve Traveled With Kingsland | I have traveled to Nicaragua, China, Mongolia, Israel, and India.

My Most Recent Trip | Kolkata, India

What God Taught Me About Compassion | Before going to India, I was encouraged by a few friends to bring Vick’s Vapor Rub to place under my nose so I wouldn’t smell the stench of the slums. After the first day of walking through one of the worst sites I have ever seen, I was convicted to have a deeper compassion for the people of India. It was as if God wanted me to learn a valuable lesson. He wanted me to smell the smells that the people in the slums smell. I needed to receive their smell. He wanted me to see what they see, hear what they hear, feel how they feel and taste what they taste. God gave me sensory overload, and I was very grateful he did. I learned very quickly how to have a deeper compassion for the people there. It would have been near impossible for me to fully comprehend what true compassion was until I allowed my senses to be maximized to the fullest.

How My Outlook Has Changed | Not only do I need to be more compassionate to those around me, I now see the power of cooperation and collaboration. I see a huge need in this country for people to work together effectively. In my setting as a Pastor, I understand the need for us to work together so we can reach people for Christ. There is such a high need for us to place aside our selfish pride and sense of self absorption in order to reach those that are lost and have not found the hope of Christ.

Why I Must Go Again | I already miss the people, the sounds, and the smells. I want to see those faces again, hold hands with the kids from the school, and not just mark it off my list. I know God does not want me to forget the people and the ministry impact that was made. I want to go back and serve the people and remind them that God loves them.

Not According to Plan

Omar C. Garcia — Thu, 06 Oct 2011 05:05:27 +0000

There is a good reason why I tell those I lead on international missions initiatives to be more than flexible ― to instead be fluid. I have learned over the years that being flexible is not sufficient because regardless of the best laid plans, plans always change. Over the years I have encountered more unexpected challenges en route to and from our destination and at the places where we serve than I care to remember. Whenever things do not go according to plan my thoughts often turn to the Apostle Paul. On his Second Missionary Journey (Acts 16), Paul and his team encountered some closed doors that eventually rerouted them to a place called Troas on the extreme western shores of Asia Minor. It was there that Paul had a vision in the night of a Macedonian man earnestly appealing to him to “Come over to Macedonia and help us” (Acts 16:9). As a result of an unexpected change in plans, the gospel made its way to the West for the first time.

Jerry with one of the first kids he rescued.

Whenever plans change, I also think about my friend Jerry Smith. In the mid-90’s Jerry had planned to go to Taiwan on a short-term mission trip. But, plans changed and he ended up going to Mongolia instead. While there he discovered the plight of kids who lived in the sewers beneath the streets of Ulan Bator and decided to do something to help. Jerry and his wife Susan moved to Mongolia and have been engaged in bringing hope to at-risk kids there ever since. I can’t imagine the number of children in Mongolia who would not be alive today had God not altered Jerry’s plans and had Jerry not been willing to be more than flexible. Only eternity will reveal the full impact and scope of his work in Mongolia.

When plans change unexpectedly, I can always count on three things. First, I always learn something about myself. I must confess that there have been a few times when I was less than pleased with what I learned. Nevertheless, in every instance God has used these occasions to help me to grow in new ways. Second, I always learn something about those I lead. I am often encouraged by how fluid folks can be when things change without warning or become tougher than expected. Finally, I always learn something about God and the fact that His plans and thoughts are much higher than mine. Looking back, I can testify to the fact that I have seen God do some really cool things because things did not go according to plan ― or what I thought should happen. So, the next time things do not go according to your plan, don’t despair. Be fluid. God is up to something good!

Wordless Wednesday

Omar C. Garcia — Wed, 31 Aug 2011 19:00:38 +0000

With my friend Mike Briggs among the Reindeer People. | 2000 | Northern Mongolia

Wordless Wednesday

Omar C. Garcia — Wed, 10 Aug 2011 05:05:23 +0000

In front of a ger with my friend Lee Pullin. | 1998 | Zuunmod, Mongolia

Global Glimpses

Omar C. Garcia — Fri, 27 May 2011 05:05:45 +0000

Barbara (l) with Aiesha the potter. | Morocco

Who | Barbara Gilcrease

Where I’ve Traveled With Kingsland | I have traveled with Kingsland to Nicaragua, Bangladesh, Morocco, India, Mexico, Mongolia, and Kurdistan.

Why I Enjoy Going Beyond | I have always enjoyed a good challenge. When that challenge makes me totally dependent on Him, you can’t beat that feeling. The results last forever.

One Place That Touched My Heart | Shanti Dan — Mother Teresa’s home for destitute and ill women in Kolkata, India. We saw more need for love and care than we could ever fill in a short time. Our effort at being “Jesus with skin on” blessed us as much as it did these precious women. It was as simple as holding a hand, taking a walk, or throwing a ball with them. Each day the good-byes were difficult.

One Person I Will Never Forget | Shoab (or “Shawn”), our translator in Dhaka, Bangladesh was such a blessing. He asked many questions about life in America. Yes, there are many blessings in American life, but Jesus is one that we share because He lives in Dhaka, too. I often wonder how Shawn is doing and what his position is with Jesus today. It feels like unfinished business, which is not a good feeling to have.

My Advice To Older Adults | At sixteen years-old, I made a commitment to serve in whatever way God led me. It doesn’t surprise me that He allowed me to have these missions experiences at my age. I pray that I haven’t been a drag on younger team members. The call of God on my life when I was a teenager has made the seemingly impossible possible. I can’t even imagine not going beyond.

Note from Omar | Barbara is an inspiration to younger generations. She has been a delightful traveler and compassionate servant on every trip she has participated in. Rather than being “a drag on younger team members,” she has inspired us to do our work without complaining and to step up our game. She is the “Where’s Waldo” character and “Energizer Bunny” all rolled up into one person!

The Mustang Boys

Omar C. Garcia — Sat, 05 Feb 2011 06:07:02 +0000

Jerry and Susan Smith | Mongolia

Sixteen years ago, my dear friend Jerry Smith and I met at Bear Creek Park in Houston for our evening walk and accountability talk. At that time, Jerry was looking forward to traveling to the island of Hainan in the South China Sea and to visiting the city of Tianyahaijiao, traditionally known as “The End of the Earth.” However, due to some political saber-rattling between China and Taiwan, Jerry and his team were denied the necessary visas for travel to Hainan. However, when the door to Hainan closed, God opened a door for Jerry to travel to Mongolia. On the particular night that Jerry and I talked about all of this at Bear Creek Park, Jerry was struggling with whether to accept the invitation to accompany a church-planting team to Mongolia. We talked about how God had closed one door for the Apostle Paul while on his second missionary journey and redirected him to Troas on the western shore of Asia Minor (Acts 16). It was there that Paul had a vision of a Macedonian man standing and earnestly appealing for help. By the time we finished our two-mile walk, we had concluded that God had closed the door to Hainan because he wanted for Jerry to go to Mongolia.

After his initial trip to Mongolia, Jerry and I talked again. Jerry told me that he was going to return to Mongolia alone and spend a month there seeking God’s direction for his life and ministry. While on his second journey to Mongolia, Jerry learned about the plight of Mongolia’s sewer kids — runaways, throwaways, and orphans who survive Mongolia’s harsh winters by living in the sewers below the streets of Ulaanbaatar, the capital and largest city in Mongolia. When Jerry returned to Houston, he was convinced that God was calling him to address the needs of the sewer kids. So, Jerry and his wife Susan moved to Mongolia and started caring for these children. Over the past sixteen years they have rescued and housed Mongolia’s runaway and throwaway kids. Jerry and Susan have also established infant nutrition centers that have saved the lives of hundreds of babies and also opened the first center for special needs kids. And they have helped Mongolian nomads make it through several of Mongolia’s zuds (extremely severe winters) by providing food for nomads and their livestock. Jerry has led hundreds of Mongols to faith in Christ and started several churches. Both Jerry and Susan have received the highest humanitarian recognitions that the government of Mongolia gives to civilians who have contributed to the betterment of the country.

Years ago, Jerry started a special ministry to boys rescued from the streets. He calls these boys his Mustang boys. The Mustangs are trained in spiritual disciplines and have also received recognition for their skills in search and rescue. I have known most of these boys since the day Jerry rescued or received them into his care. It has been a blessing to see these boys come to faith in Christ, excel academically, and accept responsibility for the future of their own country. Last night, I had the opportunity to reconnect with four of the boys who are in Houston for a brief visit. They are the fruit of Jerry and Susan’s ministry and validate that Jerry made the right decision to go to Mongolia sixteen years ago. The Mustang Boys are now taking ownership of the good work that Jerry started in Mongolia. I believe that the future of God’s work in Mongolia will be brighter because of Jerry and Susan and their good work with the Mustang Boys. I encourage you to learn more about Jerry’s ministry at his Change the World/LifeQwest Mongolia website.

Wordless Wednesday

Omar C. Garcia — Wed, 02 Feb 2011 13:38:30 +0000

With the Reindeer People (Tsaatan Mongols) | Northern Mongolia | 2000

Wordless Wednesday

Omar C. Garcia — Wed, 15 Dec 2010 11:42:02 +0000

Tsaatan Kids (aka Reindeer People) | Khövsgöl Aimag | Northern Mongolia

Inspired by Minjin

Omar C. Garcia — Fri, 09 Apr 2010 20:03:11 +0000

I first met Minjin in Mongolia in 2008 when I took a team of volunteers from Kingsland to serve at my friend Jerry Smith’s homes for children. Jerry cares for children previously living in the sewers of Ulan Bator, abandoned in fields outside of Darkhan, or found living at the train stations along the Trans-Mongolian railway. Jerry and his wife Susan have done an amazing job of caring for and educating children who otherwise might be dead. Mongolia’s winter is no respecter of persons and claims vulnerable victims every year. Jerry rescued many of the kids under his care in the nick of time. His kids live in a warm, clean, and loving environment.

Jean and Minjin

Jerry recruited Minjin to serve as one of the translators for my 2008 team. Her mother is Mongolian and her father is half Mongolian and half Russian. Minjin’s father abandoned the family when her mother was pregnant with her younger sister. She has not seen him since. Raised by a single Mom in one of the toughest places on earth, Minjin is a remarkable young lady. She is intelligent, highly-motivated, and speaks excellent English. Minjin was 16 years-old at the time of our visit and became very good friends with Jean Carter, one of the older members of our team. Jean and Minjin have stayed in touch by e-mail over the past couple of years.

A few months ago Minjin came to the United States. The story of how she came is nothing short of inspirational. Minjin searched the internet for colleges in the United States and found a school in California that agreed to accept her. She made several trips from Darkhan to Ulan Bator to complete the paperwork to get a visa to travel to the United States. She and her mother saved the money for her travel and first-semester of school. Minjin boarded an airplane for the first time in her life in Ulan Bator and flew to Tokyo and then to Los Angeles. She enrolled in school and is working two jobs in order to support herself. She does not have a car. One job requires that she ride a bus for an hour and a half to a part-time job that pays her $7.00 per hour. Then, she rides the bus back after her shift ends at 11:00 PM.

Minjin does not have a computer so she goes to the school library to use public computers to complete her assignments. She took a computer class (without a personal computer) but could not afford the $150.00 book. But, she still passed the class! Minjin lives modestly and makes lots of personal sacrifices so that she can stay in school. She doesn’t complain, has a positive outlook on life, and is determined to stay in school. Her example makes it hard to tolerate the whining of kids who have every advantage and yet fail to accomplish much of anything.

Jean arranged for Minjin to travel to Katy during her Spring Break. We celebrated Minjin’s 18th birthday at Jean’s home last week. The following day, through the kindness of Kingsland members, we purchased a laptop computer and presented it to Minjin in my office. We also gave her a little stipend to assist with her living expenses. Minjin wept. She could hardly believe that folks who do not know her would express such kindness to her. Minjin’s visit to Katy became an opportunity for Minjin to experience the warmth and kindness of people who love others because they love God. Minjin is back in school in California. I know that God is going to use her to accomplish good things and to make a difference in her own country when she returns. She is an inspiration.