We love living in the city. The bustle and pace of UB suits the bustle and pace of the Anderson family. There is constant motion; always things to do and places to go. We have the conveniences that many others who live in this country do not share. Our apartment is very close to the center of the city. The nice thing about living at the city center in the capital of Mongolia is the fact that in 45 minutes we can be out in a pristine countryside setting and witness the ancient lifestyle of nomadic herders living in gers (felt tents that many Mongolians call home), managing their heads of livestock (sheep, goats, horses, cattle and camels). In the meantime, Jonathan is watching an NFL football game on cable television even as I type. We truly count ourselves blessed in so many ways.
Of course, lest I paint you an overly rosy picture of city life - there is a dark side to this city (as with every city) that is always before us, as well. Pollution, traffic, trash, poverty - we have it all, just like any large city in the world. There is one issue that I find more perplexing than any of these. The streets of Ulaanbaatar are littered with homeless children. They range in age from 2 and 3 years old to older teenagers. Life on the street in Ulaanbaatar poses unique challenges to those without food or shelter. Extreme weather conditions and a poor economy make it quite difficult for these kids. In the summer time, you can find these children all over the city begging for money and food. As obvious foreigners, we stand out as easy and obvious targets.
"Money? Money?" When no money is handed out, the next request is "Food? Food?" Then they sort of run together. "MoneyFood? MoneyFood?" Any restaurant or food store that is frequented by foreigners will usually have one to several of these kids hanging around outside - trying to sneak inside so they can beg money from the foreigners. The photograph above is one such child (I gave him a bag of peanuts and he allowed me to photograph him). Some of them are more creative in their begging tactics. Some will sit on the sidewalk and sing a doleful sounding Mongolian lament, hoping that passers by will place a few hundred turugs (worth about a dime) in the upturned hat strategically positioned in front of them. Some of them can be quite pesky, persistent - even downright obnoxious. Local shopkeepers are rather intolerant (we watched one waiter actually take a swing at the kid in the picture this afternoon). Locals are indifferent. Foreigners are uncomfortable. The kids are really just hungry.
In reality they are more than hungry. They are grimy, undisciplined, unruly and delinquent; without any sort of order or care in their lives. All that parents and a home provide for children are utterly absent in these kid's lives. They really never have a chance to be children. From the moment they start out on the street, they have to grow up quickly because they somehow have to fend for themselves like adults, not like children. Look in the eyes of the kid in the picture. He's 12. He looks 32.
Now that the days are getting cooler in the City of Ulaanbaatar, the fight for survival becomes even more serious. When the bitterly cold Siberian air hits, these kids move from the streets to the sewers. The only shelter they will find from the intense chill is under the streets where the hot water pipes keep things at hot and humid summer-time temperatures. In fact things can get so warm that they will have to come up into the cold for relief from the underground heat. You can imagine the kind of illnesses that result from extreme temperatures and underground filth.
Frankly, we find the whole scenario disturbing. It's a need that no single person or organization can possibly meet in an adequate manner. A few are trying. But it will not be enough. However, these children do provide me with motivation to work hard at language learning, and to stay on my knees in prayer. The church is what will ultimately meet needs like this in a powerful, effective, holistically life-changing manner. As we will eventually work to help equip the church to live and walk in the power and priorities of Jesus, I fully believe that we will see these needs being met - orphans and widows will experience care from the church and the power and glory of God will be seen those who live in this city. It is then that He will indeed be famous in Mongolia. The battle is His. The praise is His.
In the meantime we will press on to learn this strangely beautiful and difficult language. We will hold on to every promise of God. We will make as many relationships with these lovely people as we can. We will live here for His renown.
I pray you will continue to join us in this quest.
I also ask that you look at this young man's face and remember to pray for the street/sewer kids in Ulaanbaatar.