Ebo

I have had the wonderful opportunity to "tutor" one of Andy's former Mongolian mission companions over Skype for the last month.  His name is Enkbold Baatar or Ebo for short.  Andy asked me if I would be interested in talking with him and helping him work on his English.  We met him several years ago when we visited Mongolia and I remembered him from that visit.  Ebo and I have a standing appointment on Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 8:30 am Utah time, 10:30 pm Mongolian time. The 14 hour time difference can be hard sometimes to maneuver, but we are able to speak several times a week notwithstanding.
Anyway, Ebo is trying to pass the dreaded Michigan Test in order to be accepted to attend BYU-Hawaii with his wife.  She has already passed the test and he is working very hard to pass it in November so that they can attend together.
I love this young man!  He is working so hard and has such a desire to learn English so that he can attend an American university and better his life. He plans to return to Mongolia to live and work, but his chances of securing a good job are so much better if he can speak English and if he has a degree from an American university. BYU-Hawaii was created for just this purpose!
I have shared with him some of the techniques I have learned by volunteering as an English tutor at the MTC in Provo for missionaries who struggle with comprehension, vocabulary and focus - using the Book of Mormon as a tool.  We have talked about his family and his past history, our family and the happenings in Mongolia.  Although his English is broken and he doesn't always get things right, he is making great progress.
He recently told me about an event they are having in the LDS church there in Mongolia where he attends. He serves in a bishopric and works very hard in his calling to help people and build up the church in Mongolia.  They had a challenge in their stake (which is relatively new and the only stake in Mongolia at this point) to read the Book of Mormon this year.  They have held various activities to encourage reading the Book of Mormon and one  activity he shared with me was an art contest that is currently underway.  He sent me pictures of some of the entries in the art contest and I was impressed at the creativity and quality of the work that is being done.  All age groups are invited to participate.  Several participants have used works of art already created and made them their own. Some entries are completely original and are fantastic! Take a look:

This beautiful depiction of the Tree of Life was done by Ebo's wife Nomungerel.  She is very talented!

I have such love and respect for this good man and his talented and capable wife.  They are such a wonderful couple and I wish them all the best.

Enkbold and Nomungerel Baatar

Meeting Elder Baatar when we visited Mongolia.
He is seated in the middle.
 And no, Mongolian restaurants (even in Mongolia) don't serve typical Mongolian food!