Dear friends and supporters,

We’re in the heart of summer—a lively season for our small ger café, where we’re enjoying a flow of visitors and the chance to share hospitality. At the same time, this season gives us a brief pause from our other activities.

The first half of this year has brought its share of challenges. Over the past several months, we made the difficult decision to pause our two main projects: the Homeless Outreach and the Community House. These pauses came as a result of various factors—including limited staff, needed internal changes, external circumstances, and the gradual departure of our community house participants this spring.

Moving Forward: A New Chapter for the Organization

While pausing our projects was a tough decision, it has given us an important opportunity for deep reflection. As a board and staff, we’ve come together several times to reassess our direction, review our vision, and prayerfully consider how to move forward – into a new phase of the organization. Through this process, our commitment has grown stronger: to invest in meaningful, high-quality care projects that truly make a difference in people’s lives, while keeping the Gospel at the heart of everything we do.

As we move ahead, we’re excited to share our plan for the coming year—one that we’re approaching with both realism and careful thought. While we are aware that much also depends on outside factors, spiritual battles and God’s ways—often taking us in unexpected directions—we are ready to step into this season with faith and determination.

(L) February: Outing with staff and community house participants  (R) Our Sergelt Cafe is the perfect place to connect with our Gachuurt community—a cozy, inviting, and delicious spot to build relationships

Shifting Leadership: Embracing New Roles

Our local director Bayaraa will take the lead in implementing this plan, while I, Corrie, as founder, will step back from daily operations and management. Over the past two and a half years, Bayaraa and I have worked closely together, often side by side. Now, we are entering a new chapter—one where the leadership of our Mongolian team will take the forefront. After a sabbatical starting next month in my home country, I will focus on providing behind-the-scenes support where needed.

This new season will bring its new challenges, especially with uncertainties around the staff needed to relaunch our social projects, the adjustments needed to adapt to a changing society, and the evolving needs of those we serve. It feels like stepping into deep water, as the changes we seek, the goals we aim for, and the conditions required to offer care and maintain a balanced organization are the same ones we’ve pursued before. Yet, these efforts have often been short-lived, leaving us in a repetitive cycle. Will this time be different?

Despite the challenges, we believe this is the right moment for this step, trusting that God will guide us and fulfill His will and purpose on this journey.

Our Focus After the Holiday

After the holiday season, we will focus on several key initiatives:

· Offering counseling for large groups of individuals struggling with alcohol dependence and homelessness, as well as one-on-one meetings and small “AA” groups

· Hiring a new social worker(s)/coordinator (preferably live-in) to restart our outreach to the homeless, as well as to live and work among our community house participants

· Strengthening relationships and partnerships with like-minded organizations and local congregations to provide ongoing support for those we serve

We also aim to launch a new project focused on supporting vulnerable families and children in our Gachuurt neighborhood who are facing addiction, poverty, and neglect.

We believe that with your continued prayers, support, and partnership, this next chapter can be one of renewal and impact. We are grateful for all you’ve made possible so far and we look forward to seeing what God will do in the year ahead!

With gratitude,
Corrie van der Esch

Sergelt Ood Team