Mongolia - Enerel for "compassion"

A young German serving his civil service in Ulan Bataar reports:

‘Enerel‘ is our shelter in Ulan Bataar, where homeless or drunk people can stay overnight.
Enerel means “mercy, compassion”.
“Once a week I am doing a night shift at the ENEREL. It is always challenging and tiring, however at the same time a very fulfilling ministry. We start at 7.30 pm with prayer and open the doors at 8 pm.
Our leader Bataarsuch always welcomes the freezing people into the warm rooms. Supper is already cooked. Many are drunk, but all are kind, still able to walk on their own.
This is what happened the other Saturday:
The police had already called and asked us to pick up some drunken people, whom they had collected from the huge black market.
This time it’s my turn to be the bus driver. On our way back we pick up another man.
Back at the Enerel I put all of them to bed ...that’s the time you realise how heavy a man can be!
Most of them immediately fall into a deep sleep. Before supper there is still time to take care of wounds. The bad hygiene on the streets leads to some nasty ones. Today two people had to be taken to hospital. Sadly one needs to get his toes amputated.
During supper a fight was close to spark: one of the guys got furious over a small issue, another grabed a stool ready to smash it into his face. Fortunately I am quite tall – that helps gaining some authority in spite of only being a “Duu” (little brother) age wise.
I just took the stool away and asked the trouble makers to leave. Our little devotion started. This time people were not as concentrated as usual.
After washing and disinfecting the dishes it’s bedtime.
It’s almost like sleeping next to the toilet in a train with people getting up, complaining, someone lighting another cigarette ...
Morning started with breakfast. The men we picked up last night asked what had happened and who took them here. After a while, when everyone left, I am on duty to clean up the place.
Even though I am totally exhausted, I had a great time! Some lives might have even been saved!
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