Wednesdays are special. We don't open the coffee shop until noon. We spend the morning gathered around a coffee table. After everyone has a hot cup of tea or coffee, and sometimes a snack to share, we study and discuss a small passage from God's word. We sing. We share about what's going on in our lives and pray for one another. We live LIFE together. There's a new coffee shop in UB called Cafe de' Amor. It's a small coffee shop nestled in to this big city next to the Cuban Embassy. The front has two large trees, and they built their deck around these trees, so you can sit and sip your coffee under the shaded bows of two large Pines. UBean has been helping this small coffee shop get set up and running, and supplying them with the best fresh roasted coffee from UBean of course.
UBean works hard at establishing friendly relationships with each new coffee shop we supply with coffee. If I have learned anything from living in Mongolia this year, it is that trust and relationships have to be earned. A relationship takes time, effort, honesty, trust, patience, and care.
Last Wednesday we were invited by the owner of Cafe de' Amor to come hold our weekly staff meeting and study time at his cafe. He wanted all of us to come see the newly opened cafe and enjoy this peaceful little oasis in the middle of the big city. It really is a great cafe, and the coffee is wonderful! We admired the cozy furniture, artistic decor, and menu choices. The owners daughter has gotten to know UBean's Roaster, Garid, from his frequent visits and immediately grabbed onto this hand and didn't let go. School is out for the summer and she now spends her days at the coffee shop.
After we finished our short study, I noticed that she was rather bored sitting at a table starring out the window. I'm sure she'd rather be out playing on a playground with her friends then sitting inside on a nice summer day. I asked her to come over and join us. She immediately came over with a big smile. She told me her name was Nandin Erdin. Her name means, "Special Treasure", and I'd say her name suites her well. Nandin is a delightful 8-9 year old girl, with long black hair, and a big toothy smile.
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| Garid, Mashka, and Nandin Erdin |
I told Nandin that we were about to pray together and asked if she would like to join us. She shook her head yes eagerly. When we asked her what she would like us to pray for her, she surprised me. Most young children ask prayers for things, like...I hope we get to go to the movies on saturday, or I find my lost stuffed bunny named fluffy. Nandin didn't ask for anything for herself, rather she asked us to please pray for her father's cafe. This little girl has an understanding that her family has put everything on the line starting this business and that it needs to succeed. She folded her hands and prayed with us for God's blessing & provision upon Cafe de' Amor and her family. I hope you will pray for them too, and pray for the relationship we continue to nurture and develop with this family.
Our time in Mongolia is ending soon, less than 3 weeks till we leave. I try not to think about it because the tears well up and it starts to hurt knowing how many people I am going to miss.
I will miss this beautiful country and their beautiful language. I wish I could speak more of it. Here's a sample of Mongolian worship and praise songs. Even though we can't understand the words, I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.
Click Here to listen to Mongolian Praise & Worship Music
