Wow, what a week!! The Mongolian New Year, called Tsagaan Sar started on Wednesday and is celebrated until Friday. Carol and I were invited to many homes and in the course of the three days made it to all of them. Tsagaan Sar is like our Christmas, Thanksgiving and New Year wrapped into one. You go from house to house and ger to ger visiting with friends and relatives. The problem is every house you go to want you to eat the same food you just ate at two other houses, and they want you to eat a lot of it. By Thursday I didn't want to see any more lamb or potato salad for the rest of my life!! Sadly though, every house you go to also offers you vodka. Alcohol is a huge part of the celebration. Of course we politely refused it and I know of only one house that the people got offended at our refusal to partake of it.

On Thursday night we had our usual midweek service and it was a true blessing to hear many reports of how our church people were able to be godly witnesses to their family and friends during this holiday. I was reminded how that the light of Christ will either shine through our lives or be hid by our worldly works.

With that being said let me share a short story with you. A few weeks ago Carol was standing behind some Mormons on the bus. As she listened to their conversation she quickly realized how vulgar they were in their speech. It was evident that they had not the light of Christ in them by the testimony of their own speech (as did the name tag that proclaimed there membership in the wicked cult).

Jump ahead a few weeks to this past Thursday afternoon. We had been invited to Oyun's (our translator) brother's house. All her family was there. Now on Wednesday they were giving Oyun a hard time, criticizing her for becoming a Christian. We sat on Thursday and watched as all the family members got up and one by one said a few words and then sang a traditional Mongolian song of their choice. As we prepared to leave and head off to more celebrations the man of the house asked if I would say a few words and sing a song as well. I agreed. I stood thanking them for letting us come to their house and wished them all a good New Year. Then, Carol and I sang Amazing Grace. When we were finished we were offered vodka. We again refused leaving it on the table. When we left the man asked all his family to listen as he had something to say. He said he realized that there was something different about those two young Americans. He went on to say that he was ashamed that he offered us vodka. He said he wouldn't want to offer his children vodka and yet he was forcing it on us. Next year he said there will be no vodka at his celebration. Who knows if there will be vodka next year, but the point is he saw we were different, and he sees a difference in his sister, Oyun. He saw the light of Christ through our practical actions and speech. Those Mormon boys on the bus don't have the light of Christ in them and their actions and life prove it. But oh how often do our actions and speech hide the light which is in us. Jesus said let your light so shine before men that they may see your works and glorify your father which is in heaven (Matthew 5:16). I was reminded by these two stories that the lost can see the light of Christ through our works. Take heed therefore that the light which is in thee be not darkness (Luke 11:35).

Thank you again for your prayers. God is doing a great work and we are excited to be in His perfect will.