Many have asked us, “Why Mongolia?” as we have divulged
our current travel adventure plans. The complete answer to that question may
not be known until far after our travel has been completed, or perhaps maybe
not even within our lifetime! We are
followers of Jesus, who taught that people are to love and serve others in His
name. So, we say, “Why not?”
As a young
democratic republic, Mongolia is asking for help to establish a strong economy.
Mongolia is tenuously situated right between the two super powers of Russia and
China. About one third of the population is herders, raising sheep, yak
(cattle) and goats. Sustaining the health of these animals is extremely
important to Mongolia. Nearly half of the population lives in the capital city
of Ulanbaataar, where we are staying. Keeping small animal pets has become more
common among the rapidly growing city dwellers, mainly the younger generation. It
is no surprise, then, that the Mongolia government welcomes western veterinarians
into the country to educate and train the newer methods of animal medicine,
surgery, and herd health.
Imagine you are the person in Mongolia whose large breed puppy
jumped off of the couch and began to yelp with a hurt leg. You take him to a
veterinarian, a person who has attended just five years of college and has
graduated without ever having performed any procedures or handled any animals. No
x-ray unit is available, so the patient is referred to another clinic. An x-ray
confirms there is a fracture, but it has occurred so easily because the puppy’s
bones are lacking calcium. Surgery can be done to pin the broken bones
together, but the nutritional condition of the puppy will make it harder to
heal. The puppy is euthanized for a 100% preventable problem. The puppy
suffered in pain longer than necessary because the proper equipment was not
available for diagnosis.
We have found the standard of care for pets in Mongolia
to be where it was for animals about 40-50 years ago in America. We hope to educate
the veterinarians and student interns in some practical, affordable ways to
improve the life of pets and to teach them how to pass that information onto
their clients. And we will do it out of love. “Whoever is righteous has regard for the life of his beast” Proverbs
12:10.
You guys are perfect to teach and lead there. Why not, indeed. Praying!!
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