Mongolia Mission Week 17 - Zone Conference

 Mongolia Mission Week 17

Our hope with this blog is to share highlights with our family and friends about our exciting opportunities and awesome responsibilities in Mongolia. It's an impossible task, though, because it's hard to condense everything into a few words and pictures. So ask us individually if you'd like to know more about anything! You can contact us by email (jrose219@gmail.com or krose213@gmail.com), Facebook messenger, or you can text Kathy's phone (515-537-3273). 

It was a quieter week after the holiday. Wait - it was still the holiday until Wednesday. We left Monday night on the 11:45 pm train to Ulaanbaatar for Zone Conference, arriving Tuesday morning about 10 am to 2" of fresh snow.

Ice on the streets gets broken up by hand and scooped 
away; otherwise, it will stay for months.

We rode at the end of a very long train.

We taxied to the mission home through remarkably (!) uncrowded streets. But the door was locked and the lights were off. No security guard was on duty because it was still the holiday; everyone had a day off or was at Zone Conference. There are 4 mission zones in Mongolia with a conference each day for four days during zone conferences. 

Saying to ourselves, "Um, now what?" we headed across the street to get warm in a place that supposedly serves good hot chocolate. It was closed. Still towing our luggage, we headed down the snowy cobblestone sidewalks to Emart, a department store/grocery store. 

We got our hot chocolate (with hazelnut)
from a robot-like vending machine.
It was not that great. 

But Khongoroo, who takes care of finances and travel reservations for the mission, came to our rescue on her day off. She headed to the zone conference across town, got us a key, and returned to get us into the building. We were saved.

Wednesday was our East Zone conference. We were told we could dress in our traditional Mongolian clothing. Many people enjoy wearing it. The conference started with a ritualistic Tsagaan Sar greeting. We were lined up, seated by age. Younger people greeted the oldest by supporting their arms with extended arms, exchanging greetings that look like a kiss on the cheek, and then moving on and taking a seat to be greeted next. Quite the ceremony!

Mission president Namgur, his wife, and all the senior
missionaries in our zone.

We had a spiritual feast of a zone conference. It was so great to see all the missionaries and English teachers! We were taught and inspired powerfully by our young leaders. They helped us take personal revelation from the scripture in D&C 100:3-6, which says "an effectual door shall be opened in the regions round about in this eastern land...speak the thoughts that I shall put into your hears...it shall be given you in the very hour, yea, in the very moment, what ye shall say." We were taught by our mission president and his wife, Mayumi Yamanaka Namgur. She, also the mission nurse, talked about being a light to others and also about therapy lights. We have each been issued a low lumen light to work by for a while every day because there has been so little natural sunlight, which can affect a person's well-being.

We conducted apartment cleaning checks for the zone
this time and presented awards.

As usual, when we were in the city we spent some time exploring. 

The life-sized ice sculptures we found last time we visited
the city were still mostly in tact, and it was warm
enough (!) that kids were even sliding on the ice slide. 

Buddhist icon in an international restaurant
next to an ancient Buddhist temple museum

Fresh roses on the table. They must have
known we were coming!

We visited the Chingges Khan museum.
He had a huge influence on this country - 
as well as on the world.

In the museum we found remnants of
centuries-old traditional clothing designed
much like that which we see in the streets 

We saw many remnants of ancient carriage parts.

All that's left of this saddle and harnessing is the frame 
and the gold.

These boots were fortified like armor. Not sure the
enemies had decent protection against the spikes
the Khan's armies left, like those in the top left corner.

And very comprehensive displays of many things.
These are all bronze mirrors with many different 
designs on their backs. 

Back on the train to Sainshand, we left at 4:40 pm and arrived at 1:45 am. Got to bed about 3 am. We are starting to think we are too old for these hours. 

Sunset from the train 

We appreciate your interest in our blog and our activities in Mongolia. One would think every week would be the same - teach at the secondary school on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, teach at the medical school on Thursdays and Fridays, teach English classes at our church on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday nights. Then have Mutual for our church youth on Saturdays and help organize and teach Sunday meetings. But every week brings a new adventure, new experiences, and new blessings. We feel the guidance of the Lord in all our responsibilities. He cares about the progress of His children both temporally (food, shelter, clothing and education) and spiritually. We are blessed to be helping in all areas every day with our English classes and our church responsibilities. We love Him and feel of His love for His children!