Mongolian HANDCART TREK

I have had a hard time getting this written because I did not know where to start!  Calvin took over 1800 pictures and even then there was so much more!

We participated with the "Medical" group.  According to our count, there were about 300 youth and 100 adults including a big back up crew.  The youth of the Church came to a place 40 miles north of Erdenet from all over Mongolia - 25 from Choibalsan, 540 miles away to the east near the Chinese border, 27 from Murun, 220 miles to the north and 37 from Khovd, 680 miles in the far west close to Russia and Khazakstan.  Youth also came from Ulaanbaatar, 180 miles southeast.  The Khovd group came in one bus, 36 straight hours of driving.

For us it started with a 12 hour overnight train ride from Ulaanbaatar to Erdenet.  We got sleeper berths so actually managed to get a bit of sleep.  The youth and leaders in the other cars probably did not! At 1:00 am we picked up the group from Darkhan and continued on.  When we arrived in Erdenet there were 24 "Meekers" waiting for us.  They are 12 or 15 passenger vans that hold as many as can pile in (along with all their gear).  Each Branch or Ward was assigned to a Meeker and we headed out for the 40 mile ride over gravel and dirt roads.

One terrifying thing happened when a Young Women's Leader was left behind, got a taxi to catch up and the taxi, speeding on the gravel road, fishtailed and spun out of control, and rolled over into the ditch.  Few people in Mongolia wear seat belts, but just before the accident she had been prompted to put hers on.  She escaped with just bruises and a sore neck.  After the accident she heard someone tell her "your work here is not done".  That was one of the most touching experiences of the week.  Her husband was riding in a different meeker with the "media" crew and was relieved to be reunited with her!

Ganaa looking at the rolled over car

Glad to be together!

Some big trucks hauled the food and kitchen equipment and carts to the camp site, so on arrival everyone set about to get their tents up and organized.  The girls on one side, the boys on the other side and "no man's land in between" (Elder Farmer's words).

A torrential rain came just after the tents were all set up and added a little excitement to the evening.

The food was amazing.  President Inkhbat, 2nd counsellor in the Stake Presidency, was in charge of the food and did a remarkable job of organizing, cooking, supervising and serving with a fantastic crew of workers.  Among other things we ate 8 sheep, killed, cleaned and cooked right on the site.  Every bit of the animal is eaten, including the head, intestines, stomach, kidneys, etc., etc., etc.!!

Every part of the sheep gets used

- - - and cooked and eaten!!

 150 loaves of Bariat  (an area of northern Mongolia) bread, purchased in a nearby village, it was great even though it could be cut with a cleaver!

The serving line moved quickly
 and everyone got their fill

The food crew and their boss

 Each night President Odgerell went to the village and got 3 five gallon jugs of fresh yogurt for the evening snack.  The kids loved it!!

  The wood chopping team kept the 10 stoves going full time to cook all the soups, sauces and meats.  When asked if he wasn't tired from all that chopping one of them said "As long as you keep feeding me, I won't get too tired"!!

 While we were trekking, our noon meal was homemade soup, each group finding their own wood, making a fire and then cooking their lunch in a wide variety of containers!

There were 21 Handcarts, one for each Branch or Ward.  It was an impressive line as we headed out into the beautiful country side where the wild flowers were in full bloom.  It was exciting to see the cooperation and friendships develop as one group would help another through the challenges of streams, bogs, logs, hills, mud and a steep mountain climb.  Even a big downpour of rain could not dampen the spirits of those hardy pioneers!

                  It took a
          lot of cooperation
         to get up some of the
             muddy hills!

The second day of trekking took us through some lush green valleys and over many hills.  The highlight had to be the river crossing.  With water up to their waists, the young people unloaded their carts, carried their belongings over their heads to the other side and returned to pull their carts through the deep water.

 Reward on the other side was another chance to make homemade soup, this time with vegetables and rice as well as meat.  The weather cooperated and the sun came out in time for everyone to spend time playing in the water and on the shore.

Some budding artists

The very first night Elder and Sister Farmer introduced the theme of Family History with an interactive  presentation, showing the past five generations and how they could be saved by a young person doing their research and submitting the names to the temple.  After a long day of walking, the next night featured a talent show with numbers from each group.  Some interesting talent was shared, everything from traditional Mongolian dance to a contortionist backed up by a singing a group.  On the last evening they had a "Scripture Chase" kind of quiz night.  Mongolian youth really know their scriptures.

Most mornings started with a jubilant round of the Haaka, lead by President Ganhuyag of the Ulaanbaatar East District.  The Haaka is a traditional Maori War Dance to excite the warriors and prepare them for battle.  What better way to get ready for a long day of Trekking!

A Service Project was included which involved everyone, weeding and cleaning in a garden plot where seedlings were being grown for re-forestation.  What a crew like that can accomplish in a short time!

Some interesting things we learned from our Mongolian friends:



1.  We were were almost carried away by the bugs, many tiny but some big ones that bite.  They were everywhere and then the bug repellant came out.  Burning cow and horse dung works like magic.  Many little smoky fires around the campsite helped keep the pests away! (Even on the serving tables!)

2.  You can remove a foreign body (BUG) from an eye with your tongue.  Much less likely to scratch the cornea!!

3.  Sand on the bottom of a stream works wonders on dirty hands.

4. Ears, eyes and the stomach of sheep are delicacies.

5.  The Trek Equipment, carts, tents, stoves, and pots serve a double purpose.  They are all part of the Emergency Preparedness supplies for the Church in Mongolia.

6.  Mongolian young people are most helpful, friendly, and spiritual!

TEACHING

MEDITATING

STUDYING

BEFRIENDING

BEAUTIFUL YOUNG PEOPLE IN A BEAUTIFUL COUNTRY-SIDE

Testimony Meetings were held in small groups with two or three units meeting together.  The spirit was strong as youth and leaders alike shared their feelings about the lessons they learned.  Friendships were formed, adversity faced and service rendered.  An appreciation for the pioneers of long ago and a realization that they are indeed the modern day pioneers of Mongolia was gained.  The challenges that they face may not be in physical exhaustion and climate, but in understanding the scriptures and dealing with families.  The youth are the future of the Church here in Mongolia and it is bright!!