Mongolia, a country in the East of Asia bordering with Russia in the north and China in the south, is the latest expansion initiative for SGA with their Partners in Mission.
Mongolia is known for its vast, rugged expanses and nomadic culture. With a population of slightly over 3 million, it declares itself a secular state, yet more than half of the country traditionally professes Buddhism. However, people are open to the Gospel.
Already SGA has helped to fund summer camps, a ministry with so much potential for reaching young people and their families. Of the children and young people who attended, 59% were in a Christian camp for the first time in their lives. The remainder had some exposure to the Gospel through a local Sunday School, or have been to camps before, or come from Christian homes.
Bilgun, a 17-year-old, shares his experience of camp this year and how he learned many truths from God’s Word.
We live in one big yurt and are constantly moving from place to place, since my parents are shepherds. They shepherd a large flock of sheep and goats every day. I went to Christian camp because my friends were going, and I wanted to spend some interesting time with them. During Bible lessons, I was surprised that many Bible heroes were shepherds like my parents. I learned that God Himself calls Himself the Good Shepherd and that we, humans, can be His sheep. These Bible lessons were very instructive for me. At the end of camp, I was invited to attend the youth club at the church. I hope that I will be able to attend, because I want to learn more from the Bible.
Financial support has been given for the translation of the Children’s Bible into the Mongolian language, and also to bring the story of Jesus through the ‘Joy of Christmas’ project to children and young people.
Two Hope Centres [Yurta-Tents], have been completed and opened in October. Each of them will be regularly caring for 30-50 children. By the grace of God this is an invaluable means of ministering to the needy and vulnerable both materially and spiritually.