| Mongolia |
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| Fast Facts of Mongolia |
Population: 3 million Languages: Khalkha Mongol, Turkic, Russian Major religions: Buddhism, Non-Religious Date entered by WorldVenture: 1996 Number of WorldVenture workers: 3
Location of WorldVenture work: Ulaanbaatar |
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| The Land and the People of Mongolia |
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Mongolia is a mountainous country located in the east central region of Asia. Sandwiched between Russia and China, this ancient land features high plateaus, grasslands, and is home to the harsh Gobi desert. Mongolia’s average high temperature during the summer is a cool 61 degrees; the average winter temperature plunges to 15 below zero. Wind is a constant factor. It has been said, "In the United States, when the wind reaches 75 miles per hour, it’s called a hurricane. In Mongolia, it’s called spring." The Mongolian people are traditionally nomadic herders who depend on their horses and livestock to survive. Today, many are trying to scratch out a living in farming; however, only one percent of the land is settled and cultivated. Many Mongolians are looking for work in industry. Nearly a third of the population lives in the capital, Ulaanbataar. At one time, the Mongolian empire stretched from China to central Europe. The warlords Genghis Khan, and his grandson, Kublai Khan, ruled this vast expanse through the 14th century. China and Russia subsequently gained partial control over area. In 1921, Mongolia won independence from China, and in 1992 the country emerged from the fall of the Soviet Union. Mongolia has moved from communist rule to free multiparty elections, a coalition government, a new constitution, greater freedom with more emphasis on traditions and a neutral position in international relations. However, former communists retain key posts and implementation of new ideas has been difficult. Recent droughts and unusually harsh winters have severely impacted livestock, leaving millions of herd animals dead and destroying the livelihood of many families.
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Mongolia Map | Satellite
Click and drag the map. Use the zoom tool on the right to zoom down on a city or area. Click the Hybrid view to see both map and satellite imagery; click the Satellite view to see satellite imagery. |
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| WorldVenture's Work in Mongolia |
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WorldVenture works in Mongolia under the umbrella of Joint Christian Services International (JCS), a registered consortium of Christian relief and development agencies. The 16-member agencies are committed to projects involved in agriculture, health, education, business, and disaster relief. List ministry opportunities in Mongolia
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| Goals and Future Direction of the Work |
| Working through JCS, the vision of WorldVenture in Mongolia includes education and outreach to children who might otherwise not hear the true gospel of Christ. As God breathes new life into the barren plateaus of Mongolia, the challenge to the church echoes one extended by Kublai Khan in the 13th century. Kublai invited Christian missionaries from the West to introduce their beliefs to his people, promising that he and his officials would embrace the faith. Sadly, not one missionary took up his offer and the opportunity to influence a continent for Christ was lost. Now, hundreds of years later, it remains to be seen what believers will do with a new open door in the 21st century. |