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Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
November 12, 2009

By: Ritchel and Melody Maraat

Dear Friends,

  How are you?

It’s getting colder here now, but our hearts are staying warm because the Lord is ever faithful and you are also there, praying for us, supporting us, and encouraging us in many ways.

We praise God...

...for helping us gradually adjust to the cold weather. We’ve seen some snowy days and some really cold days this month. It was a bit dismaying at first to think that it could get so cold even before winter... But then the heaters in our apartment went on, we’ve got some warm clothes, and we’re learning how to dress up for the weather.

...that our children like the cold climate (so far)! Adrian sometimes opens his window even when it’s 2°C outside!

... for the Ulaanbaatar Home-school Coop! There, our children do their schoolwork, make friends, learn to be creative, have fun, and are being blessed with so many Godly influences.

... that we are halfway through our first Mongolian Language learning book! Language learning is interesting. But often, it is difficult and sometimes frustrating. Just an example:

The question “Do you understand?” is written this way:

English-Pilipino spelling would be: OILGOJ BAINA OO? But how is it said? “Oilokjino?” Sometimes it feels like we’re going to get headaches after class. Thank God! His grace is seeing us through!

... that He has given us this time of language learning to also cultivate our relationship with Him, to build our character, and to learn about the culture and the people.

... that He continues to faithfully provide all our needs!

Please pray...

... for Adrian and Anna’s studies. Melody is having some difficulty in teaching them Physics, Algebra and Trigonometry. Pray for wisdom in finding supplemental materials and perhaps in deciding whether we should change their curriculum.

... for continued good health. Our bodies are still adjusting to the cold climate. We still often get cough and colds.

...for Richel who will be giving the message at the International Church (Cornerstone Church for All Nations) on Sunday, October 25. It will be Filipino Sunday. We have invited one of our language school teachers. She is not a Christian. Pray that this will open doors for her to be attracted to Jesus.

...that God will continue to give us wisdom in learning Mongolian. We need His help to grasp and remember the language principles, as they are totally different from English or any Filipino language.

...that God will lead us to Mongolian families whom we can befriend, learn the culture from, and also share God’s love with. Join us in praying especially for our apartment neighbours. We exchange casual friendly greetings, but we don’t yet know enough of the language to communicate meaningfully.

... for the spiritual growth of everyone in our family. Please pray that through this time of cross-cultural adjustment and language learning, we will know the Lord more and grow in our relationship with Him.

Thank you so much for your partnership in His Cause.

Do let us know how we can also pray for you. We regularly pray for all of you.

Blessings to you!

Richel, Melody & Children