Day 10 – Sunday, May 20th
This was the group’s last full day in Mongolia.
In the morning, they all went to see Marilyn preach at the one main church, and after the service, half of the travelers ministered at the main church, and one of the buses drove half of the travelers to another church, where they were allowed to lay hands on the sick… and just like on previous occasions, many in the church received their healing, many were slain in the Spirit, and many committed or rededicated their lives to God. Mongolia was definitely ready for this group, and God moved mightily wherever we went, with signs and wonders following!
Then back to the hotel to prepare for the final Farewell Dinner at the hotel.
The Farewell Dinner was amazing! It was arranged for 7 local entertainment groups to come and put on a show for the travelers – and they loved every minute of it! There were singers, musicians, a contortionist, and dancing. All were very delightful and entertaining. Marilyn also utilized the opportunity to have a second fundraising time – a very fruitful use of time, and the travelers gladly gave to MHM’s worthy and proven efforts to cover the earth with the Word. The group saw firsthand how ministry is the main focus of our tours, as well as having a lot of fun throughout the trip on tours letting God knit us together.
Day 9 – Saturday, May 19th
In the morning, after the group’s private time of P&W, prayer, and nugget from Marilyn, she went to preach again at the conference while the travelers toured. She taught on John 5 about man who sat at pool at Bethesda for 38 years, and the pastors and leaders were again hungry and hung on every word she spoke – another home run!
The travelers toured the city, driving around and having various buildings identified, and visited the Bogd Khan’s Palace museum, an old and colorful structure that housed various emperors’ artifacts and clothing, etc. They then had a Mongolian BBQ lunch, which was very delicious and a fun experience where you pick out your own veggies, sauces and meat for them to barbeque (really, stir fry) in front of you, with flair, of course! After the touring, the travelers had a free day.
Day 8 – Friday, May 18th
We met for P&W, prayer and a nugget on Elisha’s miracles before Marilyn left for the first of four meetings with the Pastors and leaders all around Mongolia. Pastor Batbold, the pastor who is hosting it and bringing in everyone from the surrounding area to be mentored and taught by Marilyn, received her and the team very graciously, and was truly honored to be able to host her here. He said he expected about 125 pastors and leaders, and over 300 showed up! Marilyn taught on how to heal the sick, something the pastors said they really need mentoring in. It was a smashing success!
While Marilyn was preaching and teaching, the travelers had a beautiful tour to the Genghis Khan Statue complex, a massively huge statue sitting atop a museum that houses artifacts, artwork, trinkets, etc. of the famous conqueror. Genghis is mostly remembered for uniting multitudes of tribes over a vast amount of territory. Before viewing the statue, the travelers had a fun stop where local merchants were offering camel rides and the opportunity to hold an eagle on their arms, as well as buy trinkets and souvenirs. We also got to visit a Ger camp and have a traditional Mongolian meal as well as visit with a family who lives there. Most of the nomadic Mongolians have many horses, and the families that hosted us allowed us to ride them for a short time – the travelers had lots of fun doing that. These sights, tastes and experiences were a superb intro to Mongolia!
In the evening, the travelers went to see Marilyn preach at the conference and were allowed to lay hands on the sick… many received healing, many were slain in the Spirit, and others committed their lives to God. It was an exciting night, and Marilyn said later that here in Mongolia, we’ve hit a “hot spot” – ready and ripe for revival!
Day 7 – Thursday, May 17th
Everyone woke up super-early, picked up their boxed breakfasts, and were on there way to Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, commonly called “UB” by the locals.
After arriving and being driven to the hotel, they were told that all of this city’s buildings were no more that 28 years old! Much construction has gone on recently, and it shows – it’s a charming and eclectic city that is colorful, and vibrant. It was nice to see the clouds and sun, as Beijing was mostly hot, humid, and hazy the whole time they were there. On to the Shangri-La, an incredibly opulent and palatial hotel. The travelers loved it.
Day 6 – Wednesday May 16th
This was the travelers last full day in China, as they prepare to transfer back to Beijing from Tianjin. After a bit of rest and refreshing, they hopped on the buses for their last tours in China: Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden Palace. The travelers received grapes and crackers and went about in the square in twos and threes, prayer walking and taking communion. Quite powerful, as the travelers prayer-walked around the area with its well-manicured flower beds and thought about the innocent Blood of Christ shed for us.
The Forbidden City, also known as the Palace Museum, is a short walk in that same area. The city was filled with concrete and stone buildings, and it was meant to be an imperial palace for emperors during the Ming and Qing dynasties to bring them closer to God. In the complex there are 9,999 rooms. They stopped short of ten thousand because that was considered to be God’s number, and they were unworthy of having that number of rooms.
Next stop: Mongolia!
Day 5 – Tuesday, May 15th
The travelers woke to another glorious private breakfast where they prayed, worshipped, and had a teaching with Marilyn. They toured the Five Avenues, commonly called the Concessions, which display buildings with China’s most complete area of Western architecture. This area was built in the 30s to accommodate the Western businessmen who lived in China. They visited the UK Concession, and there’s also smaller Belgium, Italy, France, and other country areas to make westerners feel right at home. They then spent time in the Ancient Culture street, or Food Market street, and found lively and earthy smells and cuisines. The travelers then returned to the hotel for a relaxing evening. Tomorrow will be a very early start to another long but colorful and exciting day going back to Beijing and the Forbidden Palace and Tiananmen Square.
Day 4 – Monday, May 14th
The travelers were pleasantly surprised with today’s activities. They were treated to a tour of Hutong which was taken on rickshaw rides all around the charming, narrow streets of old Beijing. The tour culminated at a stop at a local Chinese family’s complex. They enjoyed a welcome speech from the locals, and in this particular complex, there were 11 families representing four generations. A great glimpse into the lives of the locals.
They also stopped at a Silk factory and were educated on the production of silk. The factory actually displayed the silkworms in various stages of silk-development and found the experience to be enriching. They then traveled to Tianjin, a seaport that is beautiful and charming, as much of China is.
That evening everyone enjoyed a meeting in one of the Ballrooms. This was so welcomed, as they weren’t able to meet together in Beijing. After the evening meeting it was off to bed in a truly exquisite Hyatt Regency suite. I heard Marilyn say she’s never stayed in a room so gorgeous! The travelers loved the whole day!
Day 3 – Sunday, May 13th
Church time! The travelers had a leisurely breakfast, then boarded buses for the 11 AM service at a non-denominational church for ex-pats. Marilyn had already preached at the 9AM service, and it was powerful and anointed. The 11AM service was no different, and she built up the congregation’s faith and expectations for a miracle encounter with God. Many people stood at the end for salvations, closer walks with God, and healings. At another part of the church complex, Doug and Linda McDonald, and Abraham John, spoke to a mostly Nigerian congregation. The people were so grateful for their presence and prayers. Many people rushed to the front for prayer and were very moved by the speakers.
After church, the travelers toured the Temple of Heaven, a very large structure where the Buddhists pray for a good year, abundant crops, etc. The grounds of the Temple were filled with people and families playing chess, exercising, laughing, and having a great time.
We are expectant that our abundant prayer-walking is doing its work! The travelers then returned back at the hotel to pack and rest for the drive to Tianjin tomorrow.
Day 2 – Saturday, May 12th
The group got up bright and early for breakfast in their hotel and then the tour many have been anticipating… the Great Wall! On the way to The Wall, they stopped mid-trip to tour a Jade Factory where they learned about the various types and qualities you find in that stone. The travelers were able to purchase the beautiful examples for sale.
The Great Wall did not disappoint—it was misty, mysterious, and beautiful. Most of the preserved parts of Great Wall were built and reinforced during the Ming Dynasty (1368 – 1644 AD) to defend Beijing against the intrusion of northern Mongolians. A few of our travelers made it to the top of the stretch of Great Wall that they visited. When they reached the top, they were given a gold medallion with their name carved in it– a great souvenir for a worthy accomplishment. The other travelers walked on more level parts of the wall, and that in itself was a great experience.
While the majority of our travelers experienced the Great Wall, we had three people: Shirley Wilkins, who heads up most of the group tour praise and worship, Jean Metcalf, a good friend of Marilyn’s and MHM as well as frequent traveler, and Deborah Sheaks, a frequent traveler of the last several years, all spoke at a women’s conference at the church that would host Marilyn the next day. They spoke on women’s issues and all witnessed the Holy Spirit fall on the crowd, with people being slain in the Spirit under the anointing.
That evening, a surprise treat for the travelers – an Acrobatic show! It was complete with contortionists, jugglers, balancing acts, crazy-fast motorcycles contained in a spherical cage, and more! It was fun, lively, at times scary, but overall a great treat for them, and they enjoyed it. It was exciting and breathtaking! After such an amazingly memorable day, the travels were equally excited to return to their hotel and rest.
Day 1 – Friday, May 11th
China and Mongolia—Here we come! The Spring 2018 group tour consisted of 66 travelers and 5 staff members. They were thankful for a smooth 12 ½ hour trip from LAX to Beijing.
From the airport, the travelers enjoyed a city tour around Beijing, where many significant political, architectural, and local landmarks were identified. Beijing has been China’s capital for over 3,000 years.
After the city tour, the buses brought the travelers to the Summer Palace. The palace, which was famed as ‘Imperial Garden Museum of China’, is a well-preserved one combining the natural landscape and delicate gardening design. The classic buildings and elegant scenery in the park will leave you breathless. It was built to be a luxurious royal garden for royal families to rest and entertain, and later became the main residence of royal members in the end of the Qing Dynasty. It is the largest and most well-preserved royal park in China, displaying gorgeous naturally landscaped gardens and beautiful buildings in the classic Chinese architectural styles.
To end this very full day, the travelers enjoyed a traditional dinner of Peking Duck. Marilyn also shared encouragement and expectation with group.
After a long day of traveling in and out of airports and touring Beijing, the travelers were looking forward to a good night’s sleep.
