Traveling

This week we had three closing ceremonies.  We traveled to Darkhan, Erdenet, and Murun.  DIC paid for four crosswalks in Darkhan.  They had 17 pedestrian fatalities last year so we partnered with them to improve the safety in the city.  In Erdenet we completed a project with the Anti-Drug Rehab Program of Erdenet. They made 14,000 building blocks this summer with the equipment we furnished them. They are helping fathers overcome their addictions and obtain employable skills. They are also repairing school desks, building wooden stools, and wood geir doors. In Murun we provided a large stove and a large cooker for the 11th Kindergarten.  As we met with each of these organizations we met some wonderful people which were very grateful for the little bit of help DIC provided.  

Also, our two dentists have now gone home.  Their service in Choibalsan was simply fabulous.  They completed dental hygiene training in 26 secondary schools and 24 kindergartens.  They also examined 800 children and preformed dental procedures on 540.  They brought with them $4000.00 dollars worth of dental supplies and donated what they did not use to the Dental Clinic in Choibalsan.  The city is asking them to return next year.  

As you can see we are busy.  We are having experiences that will never be forgotten.  Each of these projects we complete usually has a miracle or two or they would not happen.

Pictures:

--stool made by rehab center

--things DIC bought for rehab center

--Mongolian copper mines

--plaque given to DIC by kindergarten

--snowy roads--big truck slipped off 

--Siberian Larch pine trees--needles turn orange and fall off in winter

 

 

Adventure

Well this week we had quite an adventure.  We learned why cars have a scuba! We drove to Khovd.  It was a 37 hour ride in a Land Cruiser in three days.  We went there to investigate a well request. The road was paved for the first 6 hours then 400 kilometers of dirt.  After 200 kilometers we ran into a river about 100 yards wide.  No bridge.  The river had spread itself out into 5 sections so it was shallower than other parts.  There were 10 geirs (yurts) and tractors on our side. These geirs were for the people to stay in if they need a place to stay, for the people working the river, and a place to cook and buy food.  For those vehicles not high enough to drive across the river the tractor pulled them across.  We drove into the river, following a tractor, pulling a truck.  The water covered the top of our tires. We went across one part of the river then drove up the middle of the river a ways then turned and went across the rest of the river.  On the other side there were geirs lined up doing the same thing as on the other side of the river.  The water comes up into the engine compartment of many the cars so some of the cars have to dry out before the engine will start again.  We were told by our driver that this is a common way to cross a river in Mongolia.  We were in part of the Gobi Desert. After crossing the river we drove another 200 kilometers before we found civilization again. We will never forget our river crossing.  We had to do it again on the way back.  We think we will do the well. The people sure need it.  There are 3000 people in the soum (area) and only one working well and the water does not test good.  So we are going to try and get a new well with good water.  

We also watched conference this weekend.  Conference was great! 

We're so grateful for these voices of wisdom that guide our thinking and actions.