Muugii our translator invited us to her home after church on Sunday.
We visited with her mother and twelve year old sister. They were so gracious and hospitable. The Mongolian people really do not have a lot of material wealth, but they are so willing to share what they do have. We so appreciate their love and generosity.
Muugii's little sister is quite the artist and she drew both Elder Nay and myself. The drawing will be one of our treasures.
Tuesday, we traveled to Zuunkharraa.
It was an adventure. We traveled with Elder and Sister England and Muugii. Elder England drove because Elder Nay does not have a drivers license yet. We were told that it was a 2 1/2 hour drive. that it was not that hard to get there, there would be a sign for the turnoff. Well it took us almost 4 hours to get there, we never saw the sign and the roads were terrible. Apparently we did miss the turn off and took the long way. The trouble was that we kept stopping and asking directions and everyone said that yes this was the way, they just didn't tell us that there was an easier way. Welcome to Mongolia.
The reason for the visit was to clear up a misunderstanding about a project there. There was a proposal for a thrash site cleanup, the problem was when we looked at the file apparently there were two proposals. Area had approved a proposal but we did not know which one. (The confusion happened before we arrived when there was no one manning the office). We arrived, one of the sites was already cleaned up so it was easy to decide to do the other site. They agreed they could do it for the approved price so the go ahead for the project was given.
This was a picture of the site.
We actually were impressed with Zuunkharaa. You could tell they were trying to clean up their city. They had brought fill in for their streets, and going up and down the streets in the ger districts, the streets were clean. We have seen so many Ger districts that are not clean and laden with garbage.
This is just a fun picture we saw on our way home. I probably will not get my hair done here. We asked Muugii our translator what she thought about it and she said she might try it out.
What a brave person!
On Friday, Sister England and I went to check out a project that Deseret International Charities did a couple of years ago. The Children's Ger.
In Mongolia if you drop out of school for any reason you can not return because you would be behind. This group helps to bring the kids back up to grade level so they can get back into school or go on to college (here college is more of a trade school) and then university. This lady takes in these children and teaches them. Most of them live in the Ger district where this school is located and most of them come from very hard home environments such as a single parent and the single parent is an alcoholic. Some of the children are orphans etc. That is why they had to drop out of school.
She has room for 40 students each school year and the ages of the students range from 8 to 23 years old. She does a great service and shared with us her success stories. Her school is going strong. DIC several years ago donated a freezer and kitchen supplies. She now gets help from a German NGO. They also make wool crafts to help pay for the school.
They teach the children how to make the wool projects and they start with the raw wool, wash it, card it and then press it into a think wool felt.
They then make slippers, vests, ornaments, and a nativity set out of it.
I know what I want to buy for my souvenir from Mongolia!
What a great place to help sponsor!
Also on Friday, the Music Group Beyond 5 came into Mongolia to give a fireside and a free concert for those people who came into our building to pick up free tickets. It is being sponsored by the Church , we just can not say that here in Mongolia.
They needed some help getting on the Internet and printing out their talks for the translators. Since our office is on the first floor they came asking us for help. We were glad to do so. Elder Nay asked if we could have a photo op with our translator. and they agreed.
By the way, we are so grateful for Muugii. We could not do our assignment with out her. She is so patient with us and we are truly grateful for her!
We also had the missionaries over for dinner. We will be losing 2 of the missionaries that are serving in our branch and wanted to have a farewell dinner for them. We went brain dead and didn't take a picture., but we will this Sunday .
These are the missionaries that are serving in the Chingeltei Branch with us.
Elder Bayartsogt, Elder Hayter, Sister Ackley, and Sister Gillen. They are all great missionaries, They love the Lord and are willing to do what ever the Lord wants them to do.
Elder Bayartsogt and Sister Gillen will be going home August 16, 2013. They have already stayed an extra 2 months waiting for the next group of missionaries to replace them.
Scripture for the week: Alma 36: 3.....I beseech of thee that thou wilt hear my words and learn of me; for I do know that whosoever shall put their trust in God shall be supported in their trials, and their troubles, and their afflictions, and shall be lifted up at the last day.
WE LOVE ALL OF OUR FAMILY!
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