Mongolia

We arrived to Ulaanbaatar by air on 05.05.18 with the plan of staying in UB for 1 week in order to get visas for China, and request an extension on our Mongolian visas. Little did we know, obtaining China visas would be quite the task.

The vision for our time in Mongolia was to reach the unreached. We wanted to get out of the city and explore where few have been. But first, we needed to coordinate travel into China and a back-up plan just in case.  We requested and were granted extended visas for Mongolia within a day. Unfortunately, the process for obtaining Chinese visas took over a week to figure out. Luckily, our logistics team did the brunt of the work, tirelessly printing and reprinting forms and running back and forth between the embassy making small changes to figure out what would work. Finally, we came out with 10-year visas.

 

Highlights from the first 2 weeks in Mongolia

Eli loves rock climbing and we were able to make it happen as a team! I came across a former racer’s entry from 2014. It said, something like Moho and his family are kind spirited people and they have a rock climbing company. I emailed at 10:00 PM, received a reply 30 minutes later. The following afternoon I met Moho and his wife for lunch and the following day we were shooting arrows, rock climbing, rappelling, and snapping photos of two-humped hairy camels.

 

 

 Nathan

 

Lauren

 

Left to right: Shea, Catherine, Tamara, Sam, Jacob, Connie

 

Catherine

 

Eli

 

Moho and his wife Angelina are pastors at a church on the outskirts of UB. They were beginning construction at their church the following Monday and were looking for help, so we helped.

 

 

We had so much fun spending the day rock climbing, visiting their church, and helping with the construction. Many of us were thankful to be used and to work with our hands. We had more time, and enjoyed being with them, so we asked if there was anything else that we could do. After a few moments, they said that had some house projects that we could help with if we wanted. We jumped at the chance and ended up getting to spend the night in their home, help with projects, but more than that we were able enjoy each other’s company and share a little of our lives with one another.

 

Before the work began, we enjoyed salted milk tea, and visited over lunch.  After, Shea and I cut styrofoam to fit between the rafters in order to insulate their upstairs. The men leveled the ground outside and poured cement.

 

It wasn’t long before we received word that one person needed to return to UB with our passports. Shea headed back to help logistics with the visa process. This left me and the guys. To be honest, a was a bit nervous about navigating the waters before me without Shea. We’re different and compliment one another well, especially in culturally and linguistically diverse environments.

Angelina invited me to help in the kitchen which quickly turned to visiting over coffee and tea. Her daughter, Oshie, prepared a delicious cup of coffee, especially for me! They drink tea, but they prepared coffee for me.

Angelina shared openly about her life and how she came to know Jesus. She asked about my life and as I shared, I realized I was feeling anxious and uncertain about the future and what decisions to make. She listened, counseled, and prayed for me. There I was sitting on her couch receiving comfort and encouragement when I was there to “help” her. 

Later, I sat next to her 9-year-old daughter and began to narrate the Toy Story 2 book. It was in Mongolian, so I couldn’t read it, but because I was familiar with the storyline, I just made it up according to the pictures. I wasn’t sure if she was just being polite, or if she liked that I was “reading” to her. She got up halfway through to respond to her mother and I closed the book and sat quietly. Upon her return she nuzzled in and opened to the page we left off looking up with an eager gaze. My question was answered; I continued reading. Afterwards, she disappeared again, only to return with Disney’s Inside Out.  This time, she read to me. Pointing and flipping back and forth to help communicate which characters were which in their different forms.

It was just a small part of the day, but I felt very connected in those moments regardless of the communication barrier. Later that evening we watched Cinderella (in Mongolian). Halfway through, Oshie left, quickly returning with two blankets, one for each of us. She left again during a dancing scene, only to return in a white dress. She smiled as she twirled her way around the room. I had forgotten the majestic feeling that come along with watching princess movies with children.

That evening, Eli wrestled with the kids and Jacob taught them how to whistle. Then we settled in to bed. I slept on the couch while the 3 men slept on the floor and the 3 kids slept on the futon.

The following morning Angelina and I went to the store to purchase pizza ingredients. We ate the BEST homemade pizza ever!! Angelina made a mean dough, and I taught her how to make the sauce.We were a good team. Everyone really enjoyed it!

After lunch the men dug out the basketball pole and relocated it to the newly cemented area. Then we planted 21 trees, and flattened an area of dirt in their yard and arranged grass clods, that will hopefully transplant.

 

 soccer break!

 

I’m so thankful to have met and shared life with Moho and his family. When I reflect on this year, I am overwhelmed by the kindness that I have received.

 

A Few Facts about the Land of Genghis Kahan

• 45% of Mongols live in Ulannbataar, the capital city.
• The unofficial car of Mongolia is the Toyota Prius; there are more Prii on the road than any other vehicle in Mongolia.
• There are more horses than people.
• They love salted tea

 

Prayer flags on a Buddhist Shrine: It’s believed that when the wind catches the flags prayers are released into the air. It was not uncommon for a taxi driver to pull over to ask for wishes.

 

Much Love,

Catherine