Choibalsan Branch Campout

July 31st the Branch had their summer outing. It's called the Branch Campout. It was a full day of games, food and alot of fun! They figured there was about 250 people that attended. We have about 110 people attend Sacrament meetings, so there were alot of less-active and part-member families, which is very good. We were told to be at the Church at 6:00 am, the "buses" were leaving at 7:00 am. So at 9:15 we pull out of the parking lot! Typical! We went about 20 minutes out of town, into the Countryside. It was a beautiful day, the wind was blowing and a little cool, but refreshing from the hot days we had had previously. The meeker couldn't go up over this little hill, so everyone piles out and pushes, again, Typical!

This picture doesn't do the grass and sky justice. It was so green and the sky so blue! Notice how high the grass is. They said last year that it was only up to mid-calf, this year a little child could have gotten lost! We have had a good summer and alot of rain, which the steppes needed. Last year the summer was extremely hot, with little rain, and extremely cold temperatures and ice in the winter, that prevented the animals from getting to the grasses, this is called a Zud, which they say was one of the worst in their history.

They divided the Branch into "families", There were 5 families, each one was given a whole sheep, thankfully it was already dead and cleaned. They debated weather to take some live sheep and kill them there! Trying to keep it cold can be a problem, but they found someone who could do that for them. Remember, they waste nothing, they use it all - stomach, internal organs, head, liver etc. It was cut up and used in soup and the bigger pieces given out and shared. They were also given a 10-12 pound piece of beef, some vegetables and noodles for salads and the soups. Each received some cookies and candies, and of course powered milk to make their hot milk drink. There was alot of food - and it was all eaten! Here, our family, is preparing.

The meat is cooking. This is the horhog (dutch oven), it looks like a milk can with a sealable lid.

Lunch time! No one told us we needed to bring our own bowls and spoons, and there were several youth in each group, and they didn't bring utensils, either. So everyone was scrambling to share spoons and bowls, they all made sure that we had some, they are very kind and generous! These 3 boys found a plastic juice or water bottle and cut the top off, using the bottom for a bowl and the chopsticks were sticks that they found and hopefully cleaned, they ate everything and I know they didn't go hungry!

The Mongolian people have so many different looks, they can be tiny, big, short and tall. They made their own shade and all enjoyed visiting.

This is Damdangeorge and his little 3 year old grandson. We were with his "family". We have been over to their home several times and when he was made an Elder, he ask Dad to ordain him. They are very nice people. There are 3 generations of families that live in his home.

This is Saranchemic and her family, Belguun is the youngest, he is the one that Dad baptized a couple of weeks ago.

I had to put this picture in, notice the trucks, these are the "buses"! I about died when everyone started climbing into the back of these trucks, to ride to the Campout! They hired 2 trucks, and they were crowded, the people just stood in the back. Remember the roads are not smooth and remember the first picture of that little hill! I prayed that everyone would live to be at Church the next day! Luckily, there was a member of the Church who drove a taxi and we rode with him. The older people they put into the meeker's.

The final event was a Wrestling tournment! Elder Batsaikhan, won! They love their wrestling, there was also a women's tournment, the one of the Sister Missionaries won that, too! The little children also had a contest. They played alot of games, alot like we play, Red-rover, Volleyball, different circle games. Everyone had a good time, visited and ate all day long, just like we do in America! We arrived home about 8:00 pm, tired and sunburned and glad we were able to go!

We have had alot of different experiences and activities

and have had alot of fun learning about their culture.

But, the most important thing I hope we can leave with them

is that the Lord is aware of them and that He loves them!

I hope we can all know that the Lord,

through the Gospel, blesses all of us and our families,

and that we are ALL truly blessed!
We love you all!!