Day Three...In the trenches and a meeting with the Presidents wife.....

Sorry for teh rambling, I am short on time....

We visited with all of Seth's friends today who are extremely blessed. You see, shortly after we adopted Seth, many of his friends ere do to turn 7 and were to be moved to the not so nice orphanage that houses children 7-16 and there are are over 150 children there. So, the presidents wife who has an adopted daughter herself....chose to pull all the children out of the government run orphanage and start her very own private orphanage for them. Let's just say that it is very nice, and should be a model for how all orphanages should be run. I will say no more about this right now....Lets just say that if you happen to be cute, smart and talented then you were of the chosen 24.

The Presidents wife heard that we were coming to visit Seth's friends and requested a time for us to meet to see how we could partner and make a difference in the lives of the children in Mongolia. We had a wonderful conversation and her big request is money for school supplies and winter clothes from the USA as the quality is so much better. More on our meeting later......

We left the meeting and went straight to the community center to see the friends we had made on Tuesday. They all showed up again and brought brothers and sisters and friends too.....we gave them all the items we had purchased for them and fitted the children that had not come on Tuesday. There were many emotions as I shared about the love we have for the them but that there is a God that loves them more than we do and unconditionally no matter what their circumstances are....one 19 year old boy had tears in his eyes and I challenged them all to make good choices and that we would see them next year. We have identified 2 young adults that are quaified and committed to teaching them computers and how to read. From the donations given this year, we will begin to fund a feeding program Monday through Thursday instead of just twice a week as well as a reading class, computer class. I believe this community center and the woman who runs it have sooooo much potential and very good ideas, they just need funding to make it happen. This is an opportunity for lives to be changed for the long term....

I promise to post a few pics this afternoon, being without my computer has not been easy...everyone knows I love to share what is happening and I love to post pics even more....but my laptop is fried. There was a spark/overheating incident on day 1 and so I have been relying on the business center and the orphanages computers.

Kate and I are well, she wants to come back this summer and then again next winter. She fell in love with the street children, there is just something very special about each one of them and they certainly have the greatest needs. The children in the orphanages are very well cared for, have food, shelter and clothing and someone who at least cares, these kids are alone, hungry and feel hopeless. There is a huge difference....

Blessings from Mongolia,
Stacy & KAytlin

PS Today we will meet with Father Carlo and his ministry to street boys that are now in trade school as well as visit 3 family's that were identified by Holt International. They are very poor and are vulnerable to the children being put in orphanages....we are bringing them big bags of rice, carrots and bread as well as some winter gear for the children. Then, we have the Christmas party for the kids at the Children's Place. Long and busy day....thanks for the prayers.