The Saga Continues

We have managed to get ourselves into another pickle!

We have learned that Mongolia is requiring things a bit differently than we thought. It has to do with church buildings.

For most churches, every congregation and building tends to be a separate entity without a lot of correlation between them. So, Mongolia requires registration for each individual church unit. Weeellll, we thought that registering our main office building would cover all of our units organized under the jurisdiction of that particular office. After all, we are not separate units but are very much part of a single organization, all teaching the same, etc. So we were covered, right?

Not so much!

So, now we find ourselves in bad straights. We have been told that we can no longer use those other buildings until they are properly registered. The trouble is, the government committee having that responsibility will not meet again to consider registrations until June! Ouch!

They have relented (again) and are allowing us to hold Sacrament meetings on Sunday, but that is all. No full block, no seminary, no mutual, no baptism, etc. Bummer!

But, we are doing the best we can. Most baptisms will be held in the one main office building (the only building properly registered - the Bayanzurkh Building for those of you are are familiar with the mission). Alternative sites are being sought for Seminary. That's an important one. And the rest . . . . we'll let you know as we find alternatives!

And tonight is Friday night so we held the weekly baptisms all in this one building. All 21 of them! At least all except those in the countryside. Their buildings are registered and in good shape, so they are ok.

So, the work goes on. It will be interesting to look back at this in a few years and see what the perspective is. Probably a bit different than the one folks might be inclined to have right now.
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