Chingeltei Branch Party December 28, 2013

We were lucky enough to attend another branch social, the Chingeltei Branch.

This is the branch that we were first assigned to and We love these people.

Not very many members of this branch speak English, and we do not speak Mongolian but eventually we are able to figure out things, hopefully.

It was kind of funny trying to help prepare for the social, but with hand signals and guessing we were able to help out and enjoy the party.

Decorating the New Year's Tree

 This is the new member Zulaa helping to decorate

Cute primary child waiting for the party to start

 Cleaning off the tables, preparing for the party.  I am impressed with how hard the
Mongolian people work to keep everything clean in the Church house

 Helping to prepare the fruit salad.  Even though I don't speak Mongolian and
They don't speak English, I eventually figured out what they wanted done with the food.

 Elder Nay helping to entertain a sad child

 Entertaining some primary children while they are waiting for the party to start

The Primary sang for part of the program.  They are all so cute!

We need to get use to Mongolian Time.  We were told that the party started at Noon.  

We arrived at Noon, hardly anyone was around.  Then some members showed up 

and started to decorate the tree.  Then they started to clean tables and floors etc.

So we figured we could help out with that.  Then later more came and we

started to work on the food. The party did not really start until 1:30 pm. 

They started with a devotional, then they had a video (the video was 30 minutes long).

 During the video they served a fruit tray and a drink.

Then they had more of a program and then they served cake.

 (I was a bit confused because before we had made tuna sandwiches 

and I wondered why they were serving cake before the sandwiches).

They then had more party and served more fruit.

It was 3:15 they still had not served the sandwiches,

and Elder Nay and I had to leave because the Stake and District Choir 

was putting on a special performance at 4:00 pm

 (It takes us about an hour to get back to the Bayansukh building depending on the traffic)

We made it for the Choir performance, (It didn't start until 4:30 pm)

and I don't know if those tuna sandwiches were ever served.

As they say in Mongolia TIM  (This is Mongolia)

Here is a picture of the Choir. They were Awesome and Awe inspiring

I know I just used this scripture, but the Choir sang the Hallelujah Chorus and It was spine tingling!

Isaiah 9:6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

One of the best places in UB, THE CHILDREN'S GER

The Children's Ger is an amazing place.  

It is a happy place, a learning place and most of all a loving and caring place.

It is one of our very favorite places in Ulaanbaatar.

DIC did a project with them several years ago, and they are basically a self sustaining enterprise.

(They make materials out of wool felt to sell. 

Of course we have bought some to share with family when we return home)

At no charge, they teach children from the Ger district that have fallen behind in school. 

This is usually because of either sickness or problems in their family life

 (sick parents, alcoholic parents, no parents etc)

In Mongolia, if you fall behind your grade level, 

you are not allowed back into school until you are back up to grade level.

These sweet ladies teach these children ranging in age from 8 to 23 years.

(The 23 year old never had the opportunity to go to school, so they are teaching him also.

 It was so touching when he read his part on the program they presented to us).

They have many success stories of children 

who have gone on to college and gained meaningful employment.  

We were so happy to be invited to share their New Year Celebration program. 

It touched our Hearts.

 Celebrating the old year

 This young man never learned to read and now he can!

 Singing happy songs for a brand new year to start

 She stole the show.  She was a daughter of one of the teachers

 The Children always wear their very best clothes 

for putting on programs and also to celebrate the New Year!

Grandfather Winter and his helper

 Passing out a small bag of goodies from Grandfather Winter.

In Mongolia they do not celebrate Christmas, but they do celebrate the New Year.

The children usually get a small bag of candy and goodies.

We noticed at all of the celebrations we were invited to,

that the children do not just line up to get their bags. 

Their names are called, they go up individually to greet Grandfather Winter, 

he greets them, kisses them on both cheeks and they receive their bag of goodies.

 The children from the ger and their family members were invited to this celebration

One of the youngest children enjoying his apple.

 The group of amazing children

We loved the program they presented to us.

 The ladies from the Children's Ger, Elder and Sister Nay,

Muugii, Sister and Elder England

 I love the cute babies here.  This is a new baby, isn't he adorable!

Enjoying her orange.

We are looking forward to the New Year.  We hope you have a great New Year filled with hope love and Happiness.

We testify that as you seek our Savior Jesus Christ that you will be filled with that hope and love.

Romans 15:13  Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.

Christmas

Christmas always is a special time of year.

It is a family time. A time to make memories.

And a time to remember why we celebrate Christmas.

We were blessed to be able to share part of the day with our "Mission Family"

The Elders, Sisters and also the Senior Missionaries and the Benson Family.

We will be ever grateful to them for including us in their family.

It was great to remember our Savior and the Peace he brings in our lives

To Remember His Birth.

Also to sing praises to his Name.

 The Nativity Story

Elder Farmer as the Inn Keeper

 Mary and Joseph

 (Bat-Orgill's daughter and John Benson)

 The arrival of the shepherds to worship the new born King

 An escaping baby lamb!

Later the Wise Men came to worship the child and to offer their gifts.

Sister's Choir of Angel Voices.  They were singing a song that  Mary

would sing to her baby, the Son of God

Elder's Choir

Benson Family Singing

 Lots of visiting and picture taking!

 Sister Ackley and Sister Mackleby

 Elder and Sister Nay, Sister Mackleby, Sister Ackley, Elder Stanley, Elder Hayter

 Elder and Sister Gardner

Some of the Bensons and a sister Missionary

Mary Ann Benson enjoying her ice cream

 and savoring her ice cream,

 and really really liking the ice cream,

Getting the very last drop of that delicious ice cream!

May we savor, enjoy and delight in the sweetness of the Love and Peace of our Savior Jesus Christ!

Sister Benson shared this scripture with us:

 John 14:27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

Merry Christmas!

Christmas Eve In Mongolia

We were blessed to be able to share Christmas Eve with the members of the Sukhbaatar Branch at their Branch Party.  

There was a lot of thought and work that went in this Party and it turned out Great!  

We had a very enjoyable time. 

 The food was delicious, the program enjoyable and the children were absolutely adorable.  

Thanks to these members for making our Christmas Eve memorable!

13 Lift up your head and be of good cheer; for behold, the time is at hand, and on this night shall the sign be given, and on the morrow come I into the world, to show unto the world that I will fulfil all that which I have caused to be spoken by the mouth of my holy prophets.

Christ did come to the Earth!

He is the Son of God.

He lived, taught, died and was resurrected.

He atoned for our sins.

I am eternally grateful to Him.

.