Here in the Gobi Desert, it is easy to think of the delicate balance between man and nature. It's all around you. And that balance continues to cause concern here, for another drought is now in progress - this on top of last year's drought and harsh winter that killed millions of herded animals here, and pushed many already in poverty into deeper crisis.

I was here to do some micro-enterprise trainer-training for four church planters here, and to set up the protocols for a local loan committee under the auspices of Seedtime.

High temperatures are not unusual in the Gobi Desert, but 40C+ at this time of year is. The temperature has cooled today at last. But the effects of last year's crisis remain: milk, a precious commodity in many cultures, but especially important in this one, is in short supply, because so many animals have died. Meat, another staple, has everywhere rocketed in price. Put this another way, imagine that you daily have to make decisions as to whether you can afford these items, and you'll get an idea of the situation that many of the poorest in this country are in. 

Rain has fallen today but much more is needed if the land is to recover and for the animals to have the fat levels they need to pass the winter. Although the temperatures are high now, the first snow of the season is less than two months away for many parts of the country.

The church here in the Gobi has started daily early morning meetings with prayer and fasting over the situation here. Please join your prayers to theirs that God would have mercy, and that the rain would continue... Thank you!