Bernie AndersonSunday
Aug022009
Friendship at Leadership Camp
We had a fantastic week this week with our friends from our partner church (and our home church!) Faith Community Church, Franklin, TN. Damon and Joshua MacLeod (from Watermelon Ministries) spent the week with us hanging out, taking pictures, making video ... and taking a train ride to the Church Leadership Camp to experience some solid Mongolian Countryside culture. We had a great times of fellowship, prayer and talking about 1 Corinthians 13 (the "love connection").
I have a few photos to show you here. But you really need to check out Damon's collection of Mongolian pictures. This photo gallery is incredible. Damon is an amazing photographer, and what I appreciate most about his photography is that they make me want to take more pictures. Check out all of his photography at 193945.com.
Camp this year was also a solid time of teaching and fellowship with the C&MA Mongolian Church leaders. Damon and Joshua were able to connect with them ... and with the neighboring village quite well. Here are some shots I took while we were there:
Joshua took pictures of nearly everyone in the village. Most were very happy to have their photo made, and invited him in afterwards for various dairy products.
Church leaders working away at their lessons. They are studying Biblical Teamwork and how to build a high-trust culture. Solid stuff.
We had real Mongolian BBQ. Delicious...
With all the rains this month, the wildflowers in the countryside are beautiful.
I had fun with this little kid driving the tractor (pretend). All little boys from all over world know how to make tractor noises...
Hoops anyone?
The folks in this village are hard-working people. I took this photo at about 6:30 AM. This lady had already milked her cows, put them to pasture and was heading back to her home.
I have a few photos to show you here. But you really need to check out Damon's collection of Mongolian pictures. This photo gallery is incredible. Damon is an amazing photographer, and what I appreciate most about his photography is that they make me want to take more pictures. Check out all of his photography at 193945.com.
Camp this year was also a solid time of teaching and fellowship with the C&MA Mongolian Church leaders. Damon and Joshua were able to connect with them ... and with the neighboring village quite well. Here are some shots I took while we were there:
Joshua took pictures of nearly everyone in the village. Most were very happy to have their photo made, and invited him in afterwards for various dairy products.
Church leaders working away at their lessons. They are studying Biblical Teamwork and how to build a high-trust culture. Solid stuff.
We had real Mongolian BBQ. Delicious...
With all the rains this month, the wildflowers in the countryside are beautiful.
I had fun with this little kid driving the tractor (pretend). All little boys from all over world know how to make tractor noises...
Hoops anyone?
The folks in this village are hard-working people. I took this photo at about 6:30 AM. This lady had already milked her cows, put them to pasture and was heading back to her home.
Friday
Jul242009
Open House at The Grain
This week we had a great evening with folks from around the city visiting the "Grain of Wheat Student Center" sampling amazing baked goods. Dandig (our chef) worked hard, along with Renee' to create this:
Of course we have to hand it to all of our staff. Onon, Ariuka and Haliuna all worked hard to make it a successful evening. So "hats off" to the staff at the Ulaan Buudain Ur (Grain of Wheat)! You guys did great!
Also thanks to all of you who have given to our work special and sent gifts to the center and a very special thanks to those who've prayed. Your help is crucial, and we're grateful.
This is Ariuka and Haliuna working on some paper flower decorations that were also donated to the Center. Haliuna especially loves to create things like this. They had a lot of fun decorating for the open house.
Of course we have to hand it to all of our staff. Onon, Ariuka and Haliuna all worked hard to make it a successful evening. So "hats off" to the staff at the Ulaan Buudain Ur (Grain of Wheat)! You guys did great!
Also thanks to all of you who have given to our work special and sent gifts to the center and a very special thanks to those who've prayed. Your help is crucial, and we're grateful.
This is Ariuka and Haliuna working on some paper flower decorations that were also donated to the Center. Haliuna especially loves to create things like this. They had a lot of fun decorating for the open house.
Friday
Jul172009
Friday's Photogenic Sky
This summer has been quite cool. We'll hit one warm day in the upper 80's (I think we've even cracked 90), then the clouds and wind and rain comes billowing back and things cool right down. We're not complaining. However, with a day like today it would be nice to just stay inside with a cup of coffee and a book ...
In any case, here are a couple of interesting shots of the sky from a walk I took this morning.
In any case, here are a couple of interesting shots of the sky from a walk I took this morning.
Sunday
Jul052009
July 4, 2009 - Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
This is sort of a "Friday Photos: Special Edition". I wanted to post a few shots of our Fourth of July at the American Embassy (and Mormon Church) sponsored picnic. It was a windy, rainy 50 something degrees. Not the typical heat and sweat of July 4th's that I remember from the past.
It was also a bit of a strange Independence Day in other ways, too. There were lots of white shirts and name tags, along with Mongolian girls dressed as German Beer Maids (October-fest ... Fourth of July ... about the same kind of holiday, right?) However, we did enjoy the genuine Oscar Meyer Hot Dogs, as well as the pig roast with friends and team members. It was a fun day. Here are a few pictures that captured the afternoon.
And a final bit of news. I've decided to raise a little bit more money in our car fund, trade in the Toyota Land Cruiser and purchase this:
Not.
It was also a bit of a strange Independence Day in other ways, too. There were lots of white shirts and name tags, along with Mongolian girls dressed as German Beer Maids (October-fest ... Fourth of July ... about the same kind of holiday, right?) However, we did enjoy the genuine Oscar Meyer Hot Dogs, as well as the pig roast with friends and team members. It was a fun day. Here are a few pictures that captured the afternoon.
And a final bit of news. I've decided to raise a little bit more money in our car fund, trade in the Toyota Land Cruiser and purchase this:
Not.