This last weekend was the Mongolian Open, so it has been a very busy couple weeks. I helped a little bit hosting some of the Americans who were here to wrestle in the tournament. This included the entire US Women's team, four men's wrestlers from Iowa, and myself. I lost my first match, getting caught in a lot of funky positions, but wrestled decent. Then that guy lost a round or two later so I was done. It was still a good experience wrestling in a big international competition, there were something like 14 or 15 countries, including North Korea, which was kinda cool. Three women took 1st, 2nd, and 3rd and we didn't have any men's placers.
It was fun having them in town; however, and I got to show them around a little bit. We also had a few banquet type things for the tournament, and then visited the US Ambassadors house here in Mongolia. All that stuff pretty much dominated my first week back, but now I'm getting on a schedule.
Tomorrow I will start leading the youth group once again, and I'm excited to get that back rolling. On Sunday Joe Schumacher from North Dakota should be flying out here. He is another wrestler about my age who's coming out here to do basically the same thing I am. It will be nice to have someone working and training with me!
In the next couple months I will be continuing to wrestle and train a lot, and I should get the opportunity to wrestle in a few more tournaments. Also, in February, we will begin traveling way out to the country side, helping with the Samaritan's Purse Project, giving away shoe box Christmas presents, and sharing with the kids and people out there. There is lots of exciting stuff ahead!
I had a great time at home and I'm sure I got to see most of you. I'm also excited to be back out here, and to see what God has in store for me! Keep me in your prayers please and I will keep you updated!
...and I got some cool pictures this week!
