Newsletter September 2009

September 12, 2009

Dear Brethren,

Bill Crossman; not called to be much of anything, yet, by the grace and providence of God, finds himself in Mongolia for the Cross of Christ. A good portion of this grace is the many brethren who have, by their prayers and financial support, enabled such a work. Also, giving thanks to our God to observe the strength of grace in the Body of Christ now engaged in a rather new ministry in Mongolia.  

It’s the middle of September and well into my fourth week in Mongolia. The weather is already showing signs of winter. Just last Thursday we received some very cold sleet. The city has not turned on the heating system, and people are making do with added clothing and what electrical heat they have in their own dwellings. As for the nomads, they have collected the dried cattle dung for burning. For my own situation, I have added clothing and bedding.

Upon my arrival at Chinggis Khann International Airport, August 18^th, Naraa, a very good friend, and her husband Shagai met me. They carried me to the City of Zuunmod and the apartment I would be living in. They made sure I was settled in properly. (The apartment has three rooms and a kitchen area.)

My first order of business was to get the thirty-day extension to my Passport. This took two trips to the Mongol Immigration Office in UB.

Beginning my first Sunday, I have been giving lessons at Senden’s church. My first lesson was from 2 Peter 1, with strong emphasis on the need for knowledge of God. The second lesson was from 1 John 1 & 2, continuing the theme of the necessity of gaining knowledge of God as the Lord has revealed in the New Testament. The third lesson was from John 4: 23, 24.

From last year’s contact with the International Church of Christ and Bayantur, I am teaching Bible each Wednesday evening in UB. Since the ICOC is using the name Church of Christ and are taking their communion on Wednesday, I am striving to correct them. I had some apprehension of offending them. But they invited me back for a lesson on faith. I emphasized the biblical meaning of faith and contrasted it with the prevailing denominational use -- belief. (The Mongols have no word for faith but are using the denominational meaning, belief or trust. After the lesson, a discussion arose about the lack of an appropriate translation for faith, which I thought was insightful on their part. I suggested that they create a word by Mongolizing either the English word faith or the Greek word (pistis) from which it comes -- in the same manner that baptism was Anglicized.) This particular lesson brought a request for a lesson on “good works,” Eph. 2:8-10.

Brother Terry Taylor, Minister of the Coverdale Church of Christ in Florence, AL, along with Bob and Jan Towell (WEI) has e-mailed more than 55 Internet students living in Mongolia with a request for follow-up. This I intend to do, as time will allow.

My agenda has worked out well in teaching spoken English five days a week at the College in Zuunmod. I have two classes on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday mornings.  For Tuesday and Thursday, I have one class each morning and two in the afternoon. In UB I am teaching spoken English at the Health and Science University of Mongolia, each Monday, Wednesday, and Friday evening. (This arrangement was made through Bazar Amarsaikhan, Assoc. Prof at the University. He is also a member of the ICOC.)

Before my classes Tuesday and Thursday morning, I am on the computer making contacts with students from WEI, etc.  On Monday, Wednesday, and Friday afternoons, Senden and I travel to UB to meet with WEI students we have successfully contacted. So far I have had email contacts with Benzragsh Tuul, Luvsansambuu Gundash, Budkhuu Dorjpurev, Munkhtuvshin Bayanbasuren, Enkh-amgalan Purevdorj, Oyuna Sharav, Sodoo Purevjar, Tsoogii Sangaa, Tsevelmaa Tomorsuh, and Oyuntsetseg Buyankhishig. From this list I have had four face-to-face meetings and discussions. One is Munkhtuvshin, who works for the Eagle TV station in UB. His background is with the 7^th Day Adventists, but he is not comfortable with them. He expressed to me, “Of all the different churches, which is right?” With this question he is even cautious of me. However, his conscience to examine the Bible is good, and from this we plan to study much further. Our study lasted two hours. Senden and I got back to Zuunmod about 10:30 pm.

I am using the New Testament as a reading text in all my classes. With each New Testament I hand out, I include my business card which has my email listed on it. I encourage them to write me with any questions, and where possible we may meet for a study. So far, I have not had one student refuse to take the New Testament. As a matter of fact, they are enthusiastic to have it.

I want to tell you a little bit about my good friend Sendenpurev. He is the “Pastor” of the little church he calls “Trust Church.” He is husband to a very lovely lady, a father of three very bright children. He has offered his friendship and helps me in my work. He does the driving, (Mongols are crazy drivers – especially in UB. My nerves would never allow me to drive there.) He supplies his car. I pay the gas and other expenses we encounter in our journeys back and forth to UB. He is my interpreter and guide – an interesting companion.

His interest in learning the Bible is alive. He is well aware there is much to learn. As we travel he asks question. We discuss my answers and any issues they bring to him. I have been frank in our studies, and he has been honest in his evaluations. He does not dismiss the Bible. Rather, I perceive a growing respect for its authority. His Christianity is very denominational, and he’s struggling with the fact that there are problems. As we visit with the student contacts made through WEI, he sits in and listens intently. This also raises question to ask later. Our time has been very profitable and refreshing. I am praying for the day he can be a true Christian in word and as well as in deed.

Materials I brought with me for this ministry are five sets of the Julie Miller Visualized Bible Study Series; three sets of Acts of the Apostles, by David Pharr (an old school mate of mine from Freed-Hardeman). The Distinctive Nature of the Church, by Ed. Wharton, and 108 NKJV New Testaments (Soul Winners Checkbook Edition, used so effectively by the We Care program.) Last on the list, but certainly not the least important, is my trusty Sword of the Spirit.

“Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.”

In our Jesus,           

Bill Crossman