The work of CVM volunteers and field workers is vital for building relationships with some of the most remote communities in the world. These are the same places that remain Unreached with the gospel.
At the ends of the earth, not only is there limited access to necessary veterinary care for their animals, but there are people with a real need for the hope found only in Jesus. Christian veterinarians and their families have a unique opportunity to build relationships through these animals to share the love of Christ through veterinary medicine.
“Please pray that our work this year building relationships will lay the foundation to share the gospel. I pray we can have a positive impact on this community as we continue to treat their animals. These people, just like us, are facing challenges in their lives that Jesus is the only answer to. Let’s pray that Jesus will lighten their burden and bring new life to this community living such a unique lifestyle in remote Mongolia.”
-Lenore Thorne, LVT, CVM Field Worker
“All the ends of the earth shall remember and turn to the Lord.” Psalm 22:27
In the northernmost forests and steppe of Mongolia live the Tsaatan people— some of the last nomadic reindeer herders in the world. Unfortunately, the Lord is not yet worshipped among the Tsaatan people as their isolated communities have not had the opportunity to hear the gospel. But that is starting to change.
Lenore Thorne is a veterinary technician from Tennessee who joined the V.E.T. Net team in Mongolia as a long-term field worker in 2024. As a technician, she supports the team’s work both in the hospital and in the countryside. .jpg)
This past summer, taking advantage of the clear paths and warmer weather, Lenore and two Mongolian veterinarians made the 3-day drive from the capital city of Ulaanbaatar to the taiga forests. It took an additional 16 miles on horseback to reach the remote Tsaatan village.
While cows might be the most familiar form of livestock in our area of the world, it is reindeer that are essential to the livelihoods of the Tsaatan people. They move seasonally with their herds through the far reaches of Mongolia in search of grass and lichen for the animals to eat. The meat, milk, and transportation provided by the reindeer is core to Tsaatan life – even antlers shed by the reindeer are turned into tools.
The village quickly welcomed the vet team of three, knowing their animals needed help. Lenore reported: “When we arrived many of the reindeer were sick with fevers and joint problems. We were able to treat about 25 deer the first day and they all got better, Praise God! We had very limited medication available and of course no diagnostics. The animals’ health improving certainly helped us to be well received.”
“God provided us an amazing opportunity with the reindeer people, but this was also just the first year of what we hope will be a 3-year (or longer) project. I believe the work we did this year is essential for sharing the gospel with them in the future.”
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Veterinary work provided by CVM field workers and volunteers is truly a gateway to reaching some of the most remote communities in the world. In northernmost Mongolia, animals have been healed, relationships have been built, and the team now has an open door for the gospel to be shared with this unique and special group of people.
Thank you for making a difference!