There have been couples outings in the past, but we have not been able to participate because we usually had just made a transfer and were too far from the group. We loved moving around and meeting and helping each branch, but we did miss, occasionally, the interaction with other couples. But we were able to go on this one and it was great.
This picture is in front of the church building in Selenge. We drove up in cars and we rode with the Fredleys and Hills.
They have a very nice building in Selenge. Wish there were buildings this nice in Murun and Khovd!
This picture is us with Boditsig and Perwe, the first Mongolian couple called on a full-time mission. They served in Selenge, he as the branch president. We love those two faithful Mongolians who left their comfortable home to serve the Lord among their own people.
Playing shagai (ankle bones) with two of my favorite sisters: Hill and Perwe
We were told at the checkpoint to not take any cameras, so we didn't. However, several other couples did and there didn't seem to be a problem with taking pictures. This is the building entering the checkpoint between Mongolia and Russia. We thought we would be able to cross, but found out we could not do that because we would be leaving the mission, which requires permission from the area presidency, which we didn't have. So we got to look into Russia!
The area around Selenge is very different than the parts of Mongolia we have seen. It is very green and lush with lots of trees and tall grass. It was raining the day we visited, so maybe that just enhanced the colors, but it was truly a beautiful sight.
The craggy outcroppings of rock in the park overlooked a beautiful valley.
Our visit was early in the spring and it was a little chilly. I was glad I had a jacket.
Our translators for the trip were Davkaa and Muugi. We stopped for lunch at a Modern Nomads restaurant where this picture was taken. I ordered a BLT--first time I had seen that on the menu-- and when it came it looked like the bacon had not been cooked, so I picked it off and just had an LT sandwich! Anyway, these are amazing people and were so very helpful to us during our stay in Darkhan.
The sign on the road as we returned to Darkhan.
On the way there, Alan and I rode in different cars because of room space. His car was in front of us and it suddenly pulled over. A short distance away was a large herd of camel. We have wanted to see something like this since we arrived and this was the first one. Our car stopped and we jumped our and walked the distance to where the camel were grazing. They are amazing animals. I just wish Alan had been able to get up that close and personal with them too!
Elder and Sister Fredley taught English at an orphanage in Darkhan and arranged for us to have a tour of the facility. All the children at the orphanage work to make the place run properly. These young people were working in the kitchen that particular day.
One of the purposes of the orphanage is to develop talents in the youth. All of them perform either vocally, instrumentally or through dance. The group was planning a tour to Japan in the summer and needed audiences for their dress rehearsals. We were lucky enough to be able to watch them perform. Contortion is one of the skills that Mongolians train for. They start training for this at a very young age. These kids were pretty darn good at what they did and it's amazing what they can train their bodies to do that seem so unbelievable to us.
A singing group in traditional Mongolian clothing.
An instrument with the traditional Mongolia violin called a Murun Khur, which is a two stringed instrument with the strings made of horse hair. It makes a beautiful sound.
Adding the drums and harps rounds out the sounds and the performers.
LaNice with one of the young performers. They also learn to sew and make all of their own costumes and also other items for sale to help support the orphanage. Needless to say, the senior missionaries about wiped out their supply of items for sale. It was an amazing experience.
