Spring in Mongolia

Choibalsan Mission District

left to right...

Elder Batbold - District Leader

Sister Mandkhi - Sign Language

Sister Lkhamjargal, Elders' Gurragchaa, Altansukh, Smith

Elder Smith is from American Fork, he is here until about the 20 of May and then will leave with the rest of the American Missionaries.

He and Elder Batbold have been a big help to us.

Elder Batbold can speak really good English.

We had finished dinner at our house, they are some good missionaries

The temperature was still below 0c, but the Mothers bundle their babies up and come out for some fresh air and sunshine. They bundle them up so tight, they an hardly move, and they all have the little scarfs around their neck and chins. Sometimes they bundle them up like a papoose, in a blanket and a scarf or belt tied around the outside, you can barely see their little mouths. The babies don't resist. I think if I had bundled my babies up like this there would have been some loud protesting!
I still think the playgrounds in Mongolia are so unique. They sometimes look like exercise equipment, treadmills, chin bars and stair stepper.
In this picture, the equipment looks like an elliptical.
I see people down on them early mornings, exercising. My thoughts are that they were put in by the Russians, so they are for that purpose.
But, the kids are on them all the time. You need to remember 0c, is Springtime!
The Mongolians don't like Spring...it is always windy, and the wind is very cold!
It is hard on their animals, the grass has not yet grown.
They claim that Spring makes them ache and hurt.

This young man's name is Ganhulick, he has been a member of the Church for a couple of years. He is always in a suit and tie, he wants to go on a mission.
He got this new suit but it was not hemmed, so I hemmed it for him, and he brought me this boat, to say thank you.
He made it is out of styrofoam, thread, sticks a bottle cap to set the sail in and plastic from a bread sack. That is what they call, using your resources!
It is so unique, I loved it, he claims it will float, too.
He lives in a little house with his family, he hauls wood and water everyday for them.
This is also a playground, a Nursery School near our home.
I guess they are chin up bars.

There is one event that I want to relate to you, it has to do with Spring...
We were walking home one night after meeting with a family. It was about 8:45 pm and dark, there were no street lights. We had to walk across town.
As we were coming around a corner to go through a gate behind our apartment. There were about 10 guys there, I felt nervous. Dad said just to keep walking, at the same pace and don't look up. Just as we were passing through the gate we heard a yell and they all moved through us to the other side and started beating up some guy! I can still hear the hits and the groans! It scared me to death!
We kept going, and soon was out of their sight. I feel they did not even see us.
I truly know that the Lord protected us!
We were obedient to what we should have been doing and He watched over us!
We have seen 3 fights this week, one with some women! We were in the same room with them, at the Internet cafe, emailing you kids.
That was a little scary, too! I cut things short, closed up and we left!
Maybe there is a lot of restlessness also in the Spring, also!

We truly feel the Lord's help with many things, giving talks, helping people and getting answers to prayers, as we need them.
We are so grateful to be here and hope we are able to give some help to them, the Gospel is the only answer to their problems and questions!

We love you and miss you!
Love Mom and Dad