Tom Lin

As we prepare for our departure from FCS and Mongolia in mid-July, this past month has been focused on completing our last projects and laying the final infrastructure for the future of FCS. There are several things that we especially celebrate:

* FCS published Tom’s first Mongolian book, “Inductive Studies in the Gospel of Mark”. After Tom spent several years culturally contextualizing study questions and themes, last week the Bible study guide was published. There is both a student book and leader’s book, including reference notes and inductive bible study training. We are excited about the completion of this project, as it has been a long process of writing for the Mongolian audience, field testing on our staff team, revising, and working with Mongolian translators (no, Tom didn’t write it in Mongolian!). Beginning September, the Bible study guide will be used as the core curriculum for all FCS cell members and sold in Mongolian Christian bookstores. We hope that this will not only be a lasting gift for FCS, but also for the wider Mongolian Church.

* Beginning June 1st, a new FCS fundraising model will be implemented. This is also the culmination of several years of revisions (and several mistakes along the way). Tom worked with the FCS leadership to finalize a 100% self-supporting staff salary model, in which each of our Mongolian staff will now be responsible for raising 100% of their own salaries. This is in line with our 4-year goal set in 2002, that FCS move toward financial self-sustainability. FCS will no longer subsidize salaries, nor will foreign missionaries be responsible for raising staff salaries. (However, missionaries will continue to raise funds for FCS ministry expenses, projects, and other national initiatives.)

* New Partnership with World Vision and other evangelical organizations. Tom met recently with a World Vision executive to discuss forms a partnership; as a result, FCS has been invited to join a regular forum of Mongolian evangelical organizations and Christian humanitarian organizations. Through another recent meeting with the President of the Mongolian Evangelical Alliance, FCS has been invited into their circle of relationships. This is an answer to prayer, as FCS can not continue working in isolation but needs to better bless the wider Mongolian church as well as be blessed by other organizations.

* New Staffworker Chimka will begin June 1st. Chimka just graduated this month and will begin working at the FCS3 chapter on June 1st. Chimka has been a gifted student leader for several years, and brings passion for Jesus and students to FCS3. See photos of Chimka and Shagai, our other new staff who started on March 1, at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/tomandnancylin/sets/72157594146281143/.

Finally, last but not least, we celebrate something personal - we’re 3 months pregnant! This is also an answer to prayer, as we had hoped to have a 2nd child during our Sabbatical. However, it has been extremely challenging. Nancy has had strong “morning sickness” (practically bed-ridden) for the entire 3 months thus far. Tom has had to significantly cut back work, cook 3 meals a day, watch Abby, as well as take care of Nancy. Thank God that Abby is now able to walk, eat, and do things on her own!

*NEW PICTURES OF ABBY as well as other new photos from a recent visit to a FCS3 worship meeting, click on: http://www.flickr.com/photos/tomandnancylin/.

- - - - - - PRAYER REQUESTS [FEEL FREE TO PRINT & POST] - - - - - -

1. PREGNANCY and PREPARING TO LEAVE… Lack of nutritious food and hot water, lack of good prenatal care, and regular power outages (usually for several hours) make pregnancy in Mongolia difficult. Add the fact that we only have less than 2 months to pack up and finish strong, it makes it an extremely stressful time! Please pray for Nancy’s and the baby’s health and for a quick end to the morning sickness. Pray for energy to have good closure in our relationships and wisdom for how to leave such an integral part of our lives behind.

2. TOM’S WYCLIFFE BOARD MTG, JUNE 1-3 . Tom will be in London for a special joint Wycliffe-USA Board meeting with the Wycliffe-UK Board. Pray for fruitful meetings, as both boards encourage one another toward fulfilling Vision 2025, seeing a Bible translation program in progress in every language still needing one by 2025. Pray also for Tom’s travel, which will be strenuous as he will do two layovers and two “red-eye” transcontinental flights (one flying out of Ulaanbaatar May 31, one returning on June 4) in order to save time. Pray for Nancy’s strength and safety, as she will be caring for Abby alone in Mongolia for those 5 days.

3. FCS1,2,3 ENGLISH CAMPS. FCS will be hosting 3 teams this June — from America (6/26-7/8), Canada/Hong Kong (6/18-7/12), and Singapore (6/14-7/14). They will help FCS reach new students through organizing an “English friendship camp.” Pray for the visas which FCS is trying to issue for the Canada, Hong Kong, and Singaporean students who will be coming. Pray for God to prepare the hearts of the non-Christian students who will be participating. Also pray for Chris and Navchaa (FCS1), Chun and Seung-Jin (FCS2), and Marta (FCS3), who will be coordinating the FCS1, 2, 3 camps respectively.

With Much Love,
Tom and Nancy
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