For Sale (to the highest bidder, or to the second highest?)

For the past few weeks, our UB team has looked at several buildings to rent or purchase. This search is becoming more urgent the longer we remain in the rented basement and smell the stench that remains after the upstairs bathroom overflowed dumping two feet of sewage into our “church.� Fortunately (I think), we are able to have our Sunday service upstairs in the theatre type room where the approximately 20 of us rattle around like marbles in a ten gallon jug.

But the sale of buildings isn’t really what is on my mind right now. It’s the sale of the soul of the people of Mongolia. Over the last few weeks we have had similar conversations with various people and this is the conclusion I’m coming to. There are many people in this country who are for sale to the highest bidder. How does that look, exactly?

The Mormons come in and build their big American looking facilities which appear very appealing with the dilapidated Soviet-style block apartments surrounding it. In a country with high unemployment and incredible poverty, curiosity is understandable. They take the bait and then are reeled in with offers of going to the States for a year to learn English.

For over a year, we have walked weekly by a large building in the center of town. It is very impressive looking. Now we are hearing that this building is going to be a Mosque. The Muslims have been coming into Western Mongolia in a similar way, offering free passage to Turkey. Now they are making their way to Ulaan Baatar.

Buddhism is also making its bid. There is an insurgence of monks coming to the city, even some whose Caucasian skin looks odd wearing the maroon and saffron colored garb. Their bait is patriotism, urging Mongolians to remember their heritage. Under Russian rule, they were not allowed to speak of their hero Chingis Khan, but now they are praying for his spirit to return to this land. They desire to be once again esteemed as a great nation.

Even among Christian organizations, there are difficulties. Many Mongolians equate foreigners with wealth. Some groups put the young believers on staff for a couple of years and then cut them off and expect them to “raise support.� Unfortunately, their churches and family don’t have the funds to do this and there aren’t enough foreigners to go around. Sometimes when the money stops, so does their commitment. Sometimes, not always.

So, what should our bid be? What do we use for “bait?� (Yes, I know I am mixing my metaphors.) It is tempting to make things easy. To talk only of the things God will do for them if they believe. But the bottom line is if we want to be His disciple, there is a cross to be taken up. Jesus required of the rich young ruler the sale of all that he had. There is a promise of tribulation and persecution. We will be hated by the world, not esteemed. (Luke 14:27, Luke 18:18-30, John 16:33)

We call them to delay their gratification. To live for a city whose founder and architect is God; to wait for our room in the Father’s house. In return we will know peace and joy. And Him.

So, the question begs to be asked, “Do we stop looking for a building?� No, not necessarily. We trust God for a building, not to draw them in with grandiose promises and a lure to live the good life here and now. We trust God for a building where we can offer a cup of cold water in Jesus name. Where we prepare them to live as sheep among wolves dressed as sheep. Where they can come for sanctuary when life is hard and waiting for heaven seems impossible. Where we can encourage one another and build each other up.

Jesus paid too high a price for these people to be sold to the second highest bidder.

Comments

[Miriam]

Thanks for pointing out that there are many missionaries trying to win the people to their own gods. This post is a reminder to me that we are all serving someone, even if we think it's just ourselves. I pray that you will be effective in drawing the people to the true God.