We were so grateful President Benson provided us the opportunity to return to Choibalsan before coming home. Byamba, our translator, picked us up at the airport in an older car that we had to push once to get started. He hadn't been driving long and it was an interesting trip from the airport.
The first place we visited, of course, was Damdindorj and Suvdaa. He was the previous Branch President. We love him and his family.
We also visited Purwee, one of the older members of the branch
It was also very good to see Azbayer and her daughter, Nomin, who is 9 and not yet baptized because her parents are not active. Azbayar is a returned missionary and so is her husband. He is also a former Branch President. Not sure what happened, but wish they would come back to church. They are so badly needed in this area. We were thrilled that Azbayar is pregnant.
Missionaries and Branch members. Elder Simms, Alan, me, Munkhtsetsge (RS President), Newgui, Elder Ulziijargal on back row. From is Bolorerdene (Primary President), Shingerbaatar (BP), ??? and Holraa.
Us and Munkhtsetseg. She is so amazing, as is her family. Her sister, Battsetseg, is serving a mission in Mongolia now and her brother served also. They are a missionary family!
Us with President Damdindorj and Erdensuvd
Us with Azjargal, Bilguun and Sarantuya
Me and Holraa. She has not to church too much because she has been working in the countryside on a large garden. However, because it has been raining so much, she didn't need to water the plants today and so was able to come to church. I don't think she knew we would be there and it was such a tender mercy to be able to see her and hug her again. The BP and Suvdaa and us and the elders all loaded into a tiny car and went to Holraa's after church for a short visit. She is such an amaziing women! Again, as so many times in the past, I wish I could speak the language well enough to speak my heart!
We were invited to dinner with this wonderful family. The daughter's name is Crystal and she is a faithful member of the church. We didn't know that we were eating at her family home until we got there and she was there. Her mom is Oyanerden and her dad is not a member and works in the military. I think he will join when he retires probably.
Then we went to visit Tsevelmaa and Baatar. Great people. Their daughter, Tume, was not home and is now living in UB.
Then we visited Erdenbayar and his wife (they got married since we left). He is blind and she is such a sweetheart. They are hoping to get to the temple soon.
We visited with Elder Torbat's family. There were two parents, a grandmother and four children who lived in a house about the size of a boxcar. It appeared to have only one room, but we didn't meet many happier people than that family.
They apparently caught this huge fish back in the 90's and are so proud of it's head that they keep it and show to all their visitors! It must have been a huge fish if the head was this big!
His dad tried to teach Alan how to shoot shagai. He and Torbat have won money in competitions shooting. Alan enjoyed learning, but certainly wouldn't win any contests with his skills!
We had a great visit and it was sad to leave them again, probably never to meet again until the next life. Such a wonderful country with such amazing people. We love them all!
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