It was an emotional moment for the Mongolia Mission Field team, ADRA staff and church leaders within Ulaanbaatar to gather together at Chinggis Khaan airport to bid farewell to Pastor Paul Kotanko and family as they returned permanently to Melbourne, Australia on the 14th of November 2011.
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Pastor Paul served as MMF Director for five years and a half, and in addition, he took care of the Communication, Religious Liberty, Sabbath School and Stewardship departments; while his spouse, Miyong, worked part-time as Shepherdess Coordinator. As much as they wanted to prolong their service in Mongolia, the education of the children, Christian, 13, and Samuel, 12, who were both homeschooled since their arrival to the country, needs utmost priority. Pastor Paul, on the other hand, acknowledged the importance of being physically near with his parents who are now in their twilight years. It is for these reasons that the locals supported heartily their return back home.
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To show the gestures of love and gratitude, a tribute was held on the evening of November 7, 2011 at a special restaurant graced by about 80 people from both the city and the countryside. The event highlighted the awarding of tokens of appreciation in celebration of his fruitful ministry, together with the giving of souvenirs and farewell messages that made the audience and the Kotanko family nostalgic. Adding to the momentous night was the presence of our NSD leaders, who by chance came to join the constituency meeting of MMF that took place a day after.
As written, “There is a time for everything and a season for every activity under heaven”. (Ecclesiastes 3:1, NIV). Now, the time has come to welcome the new leadership, and pending replacement of Pastor Paul Kotanko, the Northern Asia-Pacific Division appointed Pastor Bold Batsukh to be the acting Director.