Update 26 Oct.

Our AIA conference went very well this week.  We had about 50 people come the first day and about 30 people the next two days.  Although we hoped for a little more in attendance it was pretty good for the first year of doing a conference.  The conference was mostly in Mongolian and mainly about how to use sports as a platform for ministry.  I think most people got a lot out of it and also connected to other motivated people in the area.

Two Americans, Dave and Larry, who work with AIA came out for the conference, so on the weekend we got to entertain them and take them out of the city a little.  I had some horse issues so i didn't really go riding but they did.  Next week Steve, Suhkee, some wrestlers, hopefully an American basketball player and I are going to a prison to play some sports, and talk to the guys there so please pray for this opportunity.

Thank you so much for your support and let me know if you have any questions, jesse.stafford@yahoo.com!

Update 18 Oct.

In Mongolia the concept of personal space doesn't seem to exist.  This missing piece of etiquette creates a very interesting cultural experience for me everyday as try to ride the bus home from wrestling practice during rush hour.  Daily, as the correct bus pulls up (I've boarded the wrong bus on multiple occasions, but I've pretty much got it down to a science) I have to decide in my mind whether or not I honestly think I'll fit on the bus.  Every time I go for it.  Every time I'm surprised to feel at least 20 more people follow me and also manage to fit on the bus.  No where in America have a ever been in such a tight space, and let me add that no one pushes and elbows more than the little old ladies.  Somedays I just walk, because riding the bus takes a lot of energy.

Thank you for your prayers this far, I've actually survived a full month!  On Friday I started leading a youth group with many of the local missionary kids.  This was certainly a step outside my comfort zone but it went fairly well.  Please continue to pray for this ministry and that I would connect with these kids.  This week we have our Athletes In Action conference here in Ulaan Baatar.  Many local athletes will hopefully come and learn how they can use their sports passion and connections for ministry.  Please pray for this conference.

This week during one of my language lessons I found out my teacher, Doko, is a christian and had a very interesting conversation with her.  She has been struggling with some of her family who have been drawn to the shamanistic worship lately after the recent death of a family member.  I recently read The Spirit of the Rainforest by Mark Andrew Ritchie (which I highly recommend) and learned a lot about shamanistic practices and it is a very scary thing so please pray for her and her family.

Thank you for your support and sorry for my inconsistency, I'll try and be better about that!  Keep me in your prayers please!

Update

Over the last few weeks this puppy, who has been living in the courtyard of my apartment complex, has become one of my friends here in Mongolia.  It is with a heavy heart, however, that I inform you I found him frozen and dead on the side of the road (not the first dog I've seen like this) just the other day.  It was a little hard to take, but I'm doing alright now.  I'm sure he will at least be preserved throughout the winter.  On a more positive note, I'm beginning to get much busier and connected here in Mongolia. 

Last weekend I had the opportunity to go hiking up in the mountains, south of the city, with Steve.  We hiked up a couple of miles to where we had a pretty good view of the city, and also saw some buddhist and pagan shrines (or monuments I don't really know what to call them).  I learned that when you're walking through a gear, where the yurts are, you need to always carry a rock for protection from dogs.  That was a valuable lesson.  

On Tuesday I went with Steve and Sukhee, as the AIA team, to the Mongolian Campus Crusade Day of Prayer.  Although it was mostly in Mongolian, it was good to see and meet other Christians working in the area.  I also traveled to a new wrestling club with Steve and Sukhee, where it was mostly younger wrestlers.  We showed some technique there and then I wrestled their three best guys for five takedowns.  I was forced to be very passive because of my wrist, but still managed to win all the takedowns.  Steve then shared his testimony and we gave out shirts and the AIA Book of John to all the kids.  I also gave singlets to the kids I wrestled.  

This week I started my first day as a PE teacher at a local international school.  I should continue to do that on tuesdays and thursdays throughout the year.  I also met with one of the local moms about helping out with the a youth group in the area.  I will start helping out and eventually leading that next friday.

Please pray for these ministry opportunities.  Also there is a wrestler my age from North Dakota who may be coming out here to help AIA and all I'm doing.  It would be great to have him as a room mate and partner in my endeavors, so please pray that will work out as well.  

Thank you for your support! Please ask me questions or call me on Skype because I miss you all and would love to chat!