Christmas in Mongolia

We’ve hinted here and there about G.O.’s work in Mongolia. We wanted to take a moment to highlight that work today. John Koehler serves addicts and prostitutes in Mongolia. He works with a team of Mongolian leaders that regularly hit the streets there in the capital city of Ulaanbaatar serving the Mongolian ladies hot tea and food while they are “on the job.” It used to be that if they wanted to speak with the women that they would have to pay them for their time. They’re continued kindness opened doors with the Madams and after some time they gave permission to their “employees” to stop charging for these visits.

Over time many relationships have been built and some of these women are being transformed by the Gospel. The biggest obstacle for them has been how to provide for their families if they stop the work. Most of these women are not driven by addiction. They are driven by the need to provide for their families. Once the monthly bills are covered, many do not work until the following month’s needs develop.

Each of us on staff helps partners with Koehler’s work in Mongolia through G.O. That’s why your support of our work is also support of this work. In the past year G.O. has helped to finance three small businesses in Ulaanbaatar that are offering these women other ways to earn an income for their family. We have helped get a bath house (public pay showers), a car wash and shoe/purse/wallet manufacturing company off of the ground. Our hope is that at these grow more women will benefit from them as ways out of their current life style. Our intention is to add to these efforts as time and resources allow.

I’m reminded this Christmas that Jesus, the son of God, was a blood descendant of Rahab, a prostitute in Jericho. I’m reminded of God’s gracious use to accomplish his profound will of broken people both with their cooperation and in spite of them. I’m reminded of his deep love of humanity and what He is willing to sacrifice to have us for his own. I received this photo in John’s last update, after hosting a Christmas party for the ladies.




Please join us in praying on behalf of John’s work in Mongolia. Pray for these women, loved by God, that they discover the blessings of abundant life, of Shalom. Pray for renewal and transformation.

As always, thank you for your love and support. Merry Christmas!

G.O. Leadership Team

(Center) Vicki Rogers (Left to Right) John Martinez, Tim Krauss, Jeff Rogers, Brook Brotzman


The G.O. Leadership Team has just finished with our planning retreat for 2010. We spent 3 days at Quills Coffee House in downtown Louisville and 4 days in a cabin in Southern Indiana working, planning and praying through what the next year of ministry will look like!

It’s an awesome privilege to work with these four people. Brook’s work and vision for G.O. created an amazing opportunity for Vicki and I nine years ago. Brook’s faithfulness to God’s leading made space for us to discover the width and depth of God’s Kingdom locally and globally. That global discovery has forever changed us. It changes how we understand life and ministry. It has completely reshaped how we understand the application of the Gospel in word and deed.

Nine years ago, again, because of Brook’s faithfulness to God’s leading, we got to meet and start working alongside of Tim Krauss and John Martinez, similarly, space was made for them to discover God’s passion for the people of the entire world. Sharing in that discovery and the work that has come from it has been one of the greatest blessings of mine and Vicki’s life. It is truly an honor and a joy to work alongside of them.

And now, together we make up the Leadership Team of G.O. Ministries. This places us in a position of great responsibility for the care of the ministry and the Staff. There are those who have had space made for them (and others who are coming) to make similar discoveries to our own and we now still have much to discover together as God reveals what he has for the future growth of G.O. Ministries.

I am small for the task and humbled by the reality that there is much expected of me and of us. Please commit to praying for the five of us (Brook, John, Tim, Vicki and Jeff) regularly, that our leadership be characterized by service to one another, love, grace and accountability and that God would grant us wisdom as we move forward over the coming year. Your prayers and your Partnership make you apart of this work too!