Some Highlights of August 2009

I'll start at the most recent of our experiences. This is a photo of us with Gantumur and Oyunjargal. They came to the temple the last few days of August and the first three days of September and were sealed. They are both returned missionaries, both of them having served in Russia.
They wre delighted to be with us and we had a great time at the temple with them. They are great kids. She had finished her medical training--8 years--as a gynecologist before her mission. She learned about the church during her last year of school, joined the church and went on her mission a year later. He is an engineering graduate and works as an engineer at Boro Gold. Prior to his mission he came to UB from him home in the countryside of the Bulgan Aimag and was taught the gospel. He joined the church and later served as first counselor in the Enkhtaivan branch presidency before being released to serve his mission.
Kathy is the mother hen. She makes sure that these kids have a great experience with there wedding day at the temple. No one else from visiting countries get the attention and have their pictures taken with the bride in a white wedding dress. They have three dresses at the temple and Kathy sees that each of the girls get to dress in white for pictures.



Visit to Mongolia--August 27 to September 2
We spent a week in Mongolia from August 27 to September 3. On our arrival on Thursday, August 27, Soyolmaa had alerted many of our friends and announced we were coming. She then orchestrated a pot-luck dinner for us on Thursday night. There were 61 in attendance. We had the greatest of times in a happy reunion.
Soyomaa was the happiest of all. I'm not sure she ate anything because she spent all her time going around taking pictures of everyone. She is now the service center manager and everyone who has anything to do with the temporal affairs of the church say that she is far and away the best manager ever in Mongolia. From members to senior missionaries to staff to the mission president, they all love her.

There was lots of food and everyone had all they could eat.
One of the most exciting things about going home was to see our returned missionaries starting their families. There has never been a time like this in the church in Mongolia where there are so many babies being born and being born to returned missionaries. About half of them are already sealed in the temple and their children born in the covenant. There are another 8 or ten couples who want to come to the temple in November if they can get financing. This picture was taken at the end of our party and a few of the couples with children had gone home.
We got up early on Friday morning and went for a walk to Sukhbaatar square. The government has remodeled the parlimentary building and they have made it beautiful--with a heavy emphasis on Chinggis Khan.
On Saturday morning Odgerel had his seminary and institute in-service training for all of the seminary and institute teachers in the country. He had 100% of his teachers attend. He asked Elder Gibbons to give the opening address. We had a great time with them.

Four and a half years ago, we went to Mongolia to work with CES. One of the first people I met was Enkhbayar--a skinny, shy 18 year old who was a seminary teacher!!!!! I couldn't believe it. He didn't even have any self-confidence. I wondered how he was chosen. But he was faithful in meeting his classes.
Today he is a returned missionary and teaching institute!! Here he is making a presentation during the in-service training. He was so poised and confident. I was again deeply touched by the change that comes by living the gospel of Jesus Christ. Enkhbayar was a giant in my eyes today.
We left the in-service at noon to keep an appointment with the Caldwells and visit a garden project of one of our members. We had provided vegetable seed to some of the members with humanitarian money and we wanted to see how the gardens were doing in Mongolia. This is Chinbaatar's Cabbage patch. His garden was impressive.
He was so proud of his produce. He had a little hot house where he was growing cucumbers and squash. His cucumbers were phenomenal. He plants were so healthy and robust. As we visited about his gardening efforts, his wife kept picking produce and stuffing it into plastic sacks. Each Sister got a sack full of cabbage, lettuce, red beets, chives and selantro. They were as generous as they were proud.
Back at the church, a young woman--a full time missionary came running up to us and asked if we could remember her. She had been taught the gospel by the missionaries in our home when we were here on our mission. She is just finishing her mission and is just a delightful young woman. It is so gratifying to see the harvest of souls--the harvest in the vegetable garden was exciting for those who planted the seed, but this kind of harvest is eternal and the joy therefrom will never end.
Altansukh heard we were in the country and so drove from Erdenet just to see us and update us on his life. He is married to the returned missionary--Delgerotgon--who we first met in Liberty Jail where she was serving her mission many years ago. Altansukh regards us as his parents and is so loyal to our friendship.
We hardly had time to turn around when Mungunchavdas came up and hugged us. She had her baby and a beautiful smile. She reminded us that she was an older single when we were here and had taken our 'Preparing for Celestial Marriage' class that we had taught to the single adults. She told us how she longed to be married, but because of the class determined that she wouldn't marry out of the Church, but that she would live faithfully and trust in the Lord's promises. Some time later, she met a good member of the church and they were married and now have a little boy--and great joy and trust in the Lord's promises.
We were in the MTC with Sister Naranjargal. She was so happy to see us. When we were in the MTC she was so delightful there but now much more so. She had just returned to Mongolia and was waiting for President Anderson to return to the city so she could be released. She goes home to Choibalsan where there is nothing for her. I pray for her and her future. She is beautiful inside as well as on the outside and I want the very best for her.
In June of 2006 we visited the reindeer people in Northern Mongolia by Huvsgul lake near the Russian border. We met a young 14 year old by in the reindeer camp and he was selling trinkets to try to earn some money. He was happy to see us because his older sister had joined the 'Mormons' and had just entered the MTC to go to the Pocatello, Idaho mission. He wanted to learn more about the church.
He came up to us in the Church and said, "Elder and Sister Gibbons, do you remember me?' We didn't!! He was quick to refresh our memory and told us that we had met one afternoon in a reindeer camp in a remote area of Mongolia over four years ago. He is now here in UB. He arrived three days ago and yesterday got a job. He is saving to go on a mission as soon as he turns 19. What a miracle!!! From being a reindeer herder and trinket seller in one of the most remote corners of the earth to being a missionary for a church that was organized in upstate New York in America. The God who notices the sparrow's fall certainly knows His children and their premortal covenants and sees that the missioanries find them wherever they are.
It seems like we were eating out every night. We had the pot-luck on Thursday. On Friday night Tselmegsaikhan and Natsagdorj had us over. They are so good to us and wanted us to be as proud of our 'grandson' as they are. He warmed right up to us and giggled as we played with him. Tselmeg was our translator for the Preparing for Celestial Marriage class and she has one now. They were sealed last October here in Hong Kong. We really love these kids.
On Saturday night we came back from the garden project and then met President Odgerel and he drove us to his home where he are Ariunaa prepared a wonderful dinner for us. We had a great evening with them They have a new apartment and have been blessed so much by the Lrod and they are the first to acknowledge His hand in their blessings. Their lives are a testimony of the Lord fulfilling His promises to His faithful children. The evening we spent with them will be an evening long to remember.
On Tuesday night, Enkhbayar invited us to his home. He and Uyanga live with his parents--Dashdavaa and Enkhjargal. The girls had worked all afternoon preparing a dinner for us. It was a true Mongolian dinner with Buuz and potato salad and carrot and cabbage salad and a drink that was hot water with raisens in it. They were so appreciative that we could come to their home. They didn't want us to leave and there were lots of tears when we finally broke ourselves away and went back to the hotel.
Enkhamgalan and Purevjargal and Zolo have been friends from the beginning. They are part of a large extended family who consider us their own family. These three have been close since we met Zolo in Provo when we were at the MTC for our Mongolian mission. We had dinner Monday night with Pujee and Zolo and then went to a Mongolian musical and drama production with them. Enkhamgalan was in the countryside, but he returned to see us before we left and they took us to the airport. They would have no talk of this being our last time together. Enkhamgalan simply smiled and said that the family would see us in Hong Kong in November at Kowloon Tong--where the temple is. They have been sealed, but they will come again
We had been in training all week and then attended Zone conference on Tuesday morning. We hadn't taken a break and so we had lunch with the Caldwells--picnic style in the garden at the church--and then we left for a three hour drive in the countryside--out to Terelj and back.
We had to stop and be falconeers for a minute. This time we did so with a large Golden Eagle.

A quick camel ride was in the plan and after a slow walk away from the camp, this old by was in a hurry to get back.
A final look at the country in the fall. It will soon be winter and it will probably not take more than a couple of more weeks to come.





A day out at Ocean Park--A popular theme park in Hong Kong
Kathy and I went with the Woolseys on Sister Woolsey's birthday to Ocean Park. This is a Disney style theme park. We went on a couple of rides and saw a lot of people.
The ride on the tram was fun. It traverses a couple of mountains and takes you to the part of the park where the rides are. We had a fast ride on the rollercoaster. I was reminded again that Heavenly Father put my body parts in the place where they should be and this mixing them all up wasn't part of the plan.
The big draw in the park is the Panda bears. This one wasn't about to show us any of his stuff.
This one however, was very entertaining and showed us just how to eat bamboo leaves. Next time I make a meal of them I will know how to do it.




Stage three of the MacHelose Trail on a Veeerrry hot day.
Getting out of the city and being in the quiet mountains is so therapeutic. Elder Woolsey and I got fairly often and thoroughly enjoy the beautiful scenery.
This is typical of the many views we get. The day was clear and hot and there was some haze that kept us from having pictures that were breathtaking.
This was early on in the hike. We had just scaled the first mountain. Tolo Harbor in the background.
The trail ahead. Continuous down and then back up.
By this time, the heat and the climbing was starting to wear on Elder Woolsey and I feared another repeat of our earlier hike when we weren't sure he would make it. This trail was very different from the Wilson trail. There were almost no steps and the rock trail was punishing on the feet.
But the scenery made us forget that we were beating ourselves up. We got plenty of water down Elder Woolsey and slowed the pace and finished the hike in just one hour longer than the book said we should take.
Looking back at the trail where we have been. As hot as it was, it was still exhilarating to be out and see this. I would have missed so much by not hiking and staying in the city.
Another view of Tolo Harbor extending to the ocean.

Thailand Trip June 24-28, 2009

Sunrise over the Bangkok Skyline. This is a vast sprawling city that some say has a population of 15 million although I can't for the life of me see how they could ever take an accurate census.
The Service Center/Mission Offices. Here we spent the day training on the fourth floor with the Rempps, our new ERS couple.
We stopped for lunch and drove a mile to the "Impact Center." The grounds were landscaped and manicured with great care.
Notice the big shrubs are all shaped as elephants. Elephants are a big deal in Thailand.
Just across the street from the Service Center and Mission Office was a big Buddhist temple complex. It wasn't hard to decide which building was ours.
This is the group that will comprise the PEF committee in Thailand if it is approved. From left to right: Arun, the country director for Seminary and Institute. He is a returned missionary with a great story. He loves his country and is a good one. Elder Rempp and Sister Rempp. He is 49 years old and she is 55. They are a great couple. Wisan, the Service Center manager and first counselor in the stake presidency. He has a great sense of humor and is as generous as can be. Sister Gibbons and Elder Gibbons.
Wisan insisted that we had coconut milk for lunch. Everyone was served their own coconut but Wisan. He had a delicious looking Mango juice drink--he ordered!
At the start of the meal. By the time we got into it, the lasy susan in the middle was full of food.
Saturday was P-day and Wisan arranged for us to have a 'little outing' to get acquainted with Thailand and her culture. We drove out of the city for a couple of hours and stopped for breakfast at a little village where our driver grew up. As we got out of the car, this monk wanted us to take our picture with him. It must be a money maker for him because he was very solicitous.
We were taken to a little outdoor kitchen-a one woman kitchen on the canal bank and this is where we were surprised with a noodle breakfast. (There were other things with the noodles and we felt is was best not to ask about all of the ingredients.)
Here is our kitchen and our cook with the makings of breakfast spread before her. When I said we were on the edge of the canal, I wasn't exaggerating.
Kathy takes her turn.
I'm only sure of one thing. This isn't bacon and eggs and pancakes!!!

The main canal was wide and before the roads were built this was a main thoroughfare. It is still quite heavily used today. There were a number of boats with big outboard motors that sped up and down with passengers and produce.
We got our boat and our motor was a rower. Kathy and Sister Rempp look great and up for the experience of going to market.
We went down the main canal past a couple of 'intersections--all canals--and then came to the famous floating market. There were literally hundreds of boats with natives selling their wares.
Much of what was being sold from the boats was produce. They load their boats full and row to market while other come to buy--including tourists like us. The sides of the canals were lined with shops selling about anything you could imagine.
It was a lot of fun.
Coconut dock.
We stopped and watched a family making sugar from palm trees. They tap the tree just like the maple trees are tapped in America except they tap the coconut flower at the top of the tree. If they do, then there will be no coconut that year--either sugar or coconut. Anyway, the syrup is then boiled and distilled into a sugar that is then taken from the vats and shaped into sugar balls. It is a lot like brown sugar in texture but while moist it sticks together into a ball and then it is sold for a natural sweetener. Interesting!!
The agriculture was intriguing. There are miles and miles of these small canal systems. They plant everything from palm trees to mango trees to dragon fruit to grapes to corn and we even saw a large 'field' of asparagus. If it is not a rainy time, then the plants get their moisture from sub-irrigating with the canal system. I can't imagine the labor that it took to build this system--and like I said it would cover hundreds of thousands of acres. One Thai told us that they will never starve in Thailand because of the abundance of food. It was easy to believe. The rice however, is planted and grown like wheat in America. It isn't like south India where it is still done by hand. Tractors and modern equipment is used for rice.
Palm trees
Dragon fruit orchards--still sub-irrigated.
We made our final stop at a local elephant ride venue. They had a bengal tiger--loose. I was encouraged to sit down by it so I took a deep breath and did. I even stroked it. After I got up, ElderRempp went to sit down and the tiger raised up on its front paws and snarled. What a huge mouth and teeth. Needless to say, we all got away and stayed our distance.
Mom learned the command to motivate the elephant to move. She grunted just like the driver. However, I think the elephant responded to the driver and probably wondered what that other sound was.
The ride wouldn't be complete without going through a water hole. Four feet of water for about 50-60 yards. Wow!
We were careful not to make this beast mad. I think that the tusks and the trunk are capable of both being formidable weapons.
On Sunday we went to church with the local saints. They are proud of their new building which the Church purchased from a banking institution.
Branch members and sister missionaries.
Always the traditional dinner after the block. However, these folks travel great distance and so spend their Sunday at the church and hold all of their meetings on one day--and it is a full day.
The Petchburi building--a four story former bank. It is spacious and we only use parts of two floors. Of course, the locals see this building as easily remodeled to become a temple. It is in a great part of the city with easy access and so the possibility always exists. But with only one stake and five districts in the entire country and no stakes in neighboring countries, it may be some time before a temple is announced.
We had a great time with wonderful saints. The future of the Church in Thailand is filled with promise.