Tom Lin

I believe that Max Dupree said that the first job of a leader is to “define reality.” As I’ve begun leading InterVarsity’s Central Region, I have committed this academic year to doing quality assessment of the ministry – defining where we really are. At the same time, I’ve begun working with my regional leadership team on vision, determining where we want to go in the coming years. I’ve enjoyed the process, but also covet your prayers. Specifically, please pray for my team meeting this coming week, Oct. 22-24 in Iowa City.
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On Sept. 3-8th, I had the privilege of joining a delegation of ambassadors from the Wycliffe Board and other North American church leaders to visit the ministry in Peru. I learned much from both the foreign and Peruvian staff, who often work in very difficult circumstances. Here’s a brief summary of my visit and things I take back with me:
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Dear Friends,

After 9 months on furlough, focused on our four goals — Physical rest, Spiritual renewal, Debriefing & healthy re-entry, and Sharing with friends & churches — the time to move to Missouri is finally arriving! Last month, we bought a home in Chesterfield, MO, a town about 20 miles from downtown St. Louis. We plan to move into our new home on May 22, and then spend the next few weeks settling in before Tom’s new job begins. (In case you’re wondering “Why Missouri? What will you be doing?” and you missed our last email, click on www.tomandnancylin.com. See Feb. 22nd’ blog, “Preparing for a New Journey.”)
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It’s seems like yesterday when we were just saying good-bye to you all during the summer. Now, it’s our turn… We’re moving back to the States in just 5 days! As you might expect, the past month has been full of “lasts” - - last meetings with friends, last time fixing broken pipes and water leaking from the ceiling, last Mongolian retreat, last FCS staff meeting under Tom’s leadership, etc. However, it also surprisingly has been full of “firsts”:
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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:
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Last weekend, April 8-10, we led the first-ever Mongolian National Staff Conference. Thanks for your prayers, as the conference turned out to be a watershed event for our staff. Several of our staff who were considering leaving the ministry decided to re-commit for a term, in large part due to the retreat and teaching by our speaker, Annette Arulrajah (General Secretary of Malaysia-FES). The 3 goals of the retreat were “Revival of our Spirit”, “Revival of our Bodies”, and “Revival of our Relationships”. Together we explored our calling as God’s people, reflected on God’s work in our lives, and spent time building our staff relationships. We also rode Mongolian horses and played a bit in the snow!
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We’re eager to get back into the swing of things in Mongolia, after spending the last 6 weeks in the States — 5 days in Boston, 1 week in Chicago, 2 weeks in the Bay Area (and a three-day meeting for Tom in Orlando), 10 days in Los Angeles and a final day in Chicago (and a one-day meeting for Tom in Louisville). Highlights included:
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—- PERSEVERANCE IN MONGOLIA —-

“…I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me - the task of testifying to the gospel of God’s grace.” (Acts 20:24)

This November, we again are faced with blistering cold and the difficulty of raising a baby in this isolating environment. Our new Mongolian staff face new persecution from their families, and our senior staff have become discouraged, as fruit from their ministry seems harder and harder to find. Numbers of core students attending weekly Bible studies and worship meetings have decreased by 20% in two chapters, FCS2 and FCS3. Added to the fact that everyone is very tired, and it’s easy to give up the calling and task that the Lord has given us!
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Greetings from SNOWY Ulaanbaatar! Yes, we saw our first snowfall on Sept. 16, and our 7-month long winter is now beginning. As the new season arrives, we also welcome a new school year and a new season of ministry. We see God doing some “new things” in our midst:
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Summer is flying by! We just finished a mid-summer FCS Member Training Conference on July 31, a 6-day intensive retreat held at our FCS3 office. God answered many of your prayers, as we saw over 20 students’ lives transformed through living together for 5 nights, and through hearing sermons and having discussions on topics such as “Self-control”, “A True Disciple of Jesus”, and “Christian community relationships.”
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