Missionary sees new perspective in Mongolia

McPherson, Kan. —Shawn Delehoy sees the world from a different perspective.

After working with missionaries and locals in Mongolia for two years, the rural Kansas native has a new appreciation for the uniqueness of culture and individuals.

Although he has been back for eight months, he continues to learn how each vantage point paints an important stroke on the canvas of the world.

Vision

Delehoy’s eye-opening experience began after receiving a ministry degree from Central Christian College in 2006. He wasn’t sure what to pursue next and was searching for direction when he had a dream he would never forget.

In the vivid dream was a girl with a Russian name who looked Asian. With her was a man who said he needed to look into missions work. After shrugging it off, the man insisted Delehoy follow his instructions.

“I never had a dream shake me up quite like that one,” he said.

He attended a mission conference as a result and met missionaries from Mongolia. He learned the natives used the Russian alphabet and looked much like the girl from his dream. Other elements they discussed also tied into another previous dream.

“I decided that’s what God probably wanted me to do,” he said.

Canvas

He obtained a two-year visa to learn the language and left in August 2009, staying primarily out of Ulaanbaatar, a capital city.

His work was with Team Expansion, one of many organizations partnering with the cooperative Mongolian agency Joint Christian Services.

During five days of the week, he spent three hours learning Mongolian, a language locals say takes 10 years of immersion to become fluent. Cultural differences also are a challenge.

“Working with those kind of barriers is like, ‘Wow, I don’t even know what to do or where to go from here,’ ” he said.

He also spent much time and energy supporting missionaries and developing relationships with the locals. 

Because Joint Christian Services is a cooperative, he had the opportunity to interact and live with individuals from many different countries and discuss subjects, such as faith, economics and politics.

“I really enjoyed that, getting their perspective on the world,” he said. “It opened my mind in a lot of ways.”

These friendships are the highlight of his time in the winter climate country, and the avenue through which he gained an appreciation for different views.

“It’s easy to get caught up in our little bubble in the United States,” he said. “It’s good to see the world through other people’s eyes. There’s other people that have different perspectives on the world that may be equally as valid.”

Colors

His time in Mongolia also challenged him to explore what his own perspectives bring to the table.

He traveled several times throughout the country to visit acquaintances and explore different ways he could plug in, such as helping locals during the economic downturn.

“I learned a lot about myself,” he said, noting stressful situations that went against his introverted personality. 

“I pushed myself in a lot of ways to the limits. There’s something about living overseas in general, but especially in Mongolia (it is difficult).”

Since his return to the States in July 2011 for his sister’s wedding, which aligned closely with the end of his two-year term, he has had time to reflect on his experiences and needs.

If he can discover an avenue to work in Mongolia that plays to his strengths, and if he can obtain a work visa, he is open to going back.

“I want to see people’s lives improve for the better, and Mongolia is a place that really needs a lot of help, so if I could some way use my gifts and abilities to help them I would love to do that,” he said.

Work in progress

Right now, however, he is working in McPherson, determining his next step and developing his strengths. 

One of those strengths is his knack for drawing.

He has been interested in art since childhood and has improved, and even created some graphic designs while in Mongolia.

He has been known to draw detailed chalk drawings at The Well, and will display his talents to the public again on All Schools Day with a large sidewalk drawing in front of Renberger Jewelers.

“I like being able to see what I can create,” he said.

The art itself is a testament to his Mongolian experience and how elements come together in their own ways to paint a bigger picture.

“I went there, and it didn’t turn out the way I thought it would be,” he said. “It’s still developing. It’s kind of like art. You just do it, and what comes out of it is not always what you think it will be. But the most important part is the process.”