Go Beyond

The Reindeer People of Northern Mongolia

   The sky was clear and the weather was cold as we boarded the small twin-prop airplane in UlanBator, Mongolia in March 2000. As I sat down and shoved my backpack under the seat in front of me, my thoughts turned to the Tsaatan People we would soon meet in the mountains near the Siberian border. One year earlier, my friend Jerry Smith had e-mailed information and photographs of these nomadic reindeer herders. The people live in teepees in the mountains and move several times a year with their herds. “The Reindeer People need to hear the gospel,” Jerry wrote in his e-mail. His letter and the photographs of the people were like a Macedonian call. A year later I found myself looking out the window as the propellers on the airplane that would carry our team to northern Mongolia began to rotate.

   Once we landed we loaded our supplies onto four-wheel drive vehicles and began a twelve-hour drive to the north across the frozen steppes. Later we would travel on horseback as we continued our search for the nomadic reindeer herders. As we bounced along hour after hour we talked and wondered about how the people would respond to the good news of God’s love. When we finally reached one of their camps in the mountains, we felt as though we had traveled to the ends of the earth. We could hardly believe our eyes as the people welcomed us into their camp.

   While with the people, we showed the Jesus Film to a small group huddled in a teepee on a night when the temperature was below freezing. The people — who have no access to the gospel — watched and listened to the story of Jesus in rapt attention. At the conclusion of the film eight out of twelve adults in the camp placed their faith in Christ for salvation. Eight adults chose to submit to the will and reign of God in their lives. We rejoiced that the kingdom of God had new citizens in the remote mountains of northern Mongolia. God is at work in the world by expanding His kingdom, often in unseen but powerful ways, to accomplish His purposes and extend His rule.

   Everybody deserves an opportunity to hear and respond to the gospel. However, whether those individuals live in northern Mongolia or in your own neighborhood, they may not hear unless we are willing to venture across remote landscapes or walk across the street. Let’s be intentional about making Christ known, one person at a time. Be willing to share your personal story and to open the pages of Scripture to help others understand why Jesus came.

• • • • •

Note | Learn more about the Reindeer People (and see photos) by reading In Search of the Reindeer People, an article I wrote for HomeLife magazine in December 2001.