The long awaited trip to the western provinces of Mongolia finally materialized. It had been postponed for months because of the many visitors, deadlines, and office work. We had sat together working out our route and what we hoped to accomplish on this trip. As the 3,600 kilometre safari across those wretched roads unfolded, so did our keen desire to get back home to the comforts of Ulaanbaatar.

We inspected the quinoa fodder project in Tsetserleg, rode on to our ADRA hasha in the next province in Tosontsengle, where we arranged for a water well to be drilled, purchased a double story building and investigated some gardening sites. The next 10 stops were a whirlwind tour of the prospective sites for bio intensive gardening next year. All governors were dead keen for ADRA to come and do training in their soums (towns). Next year 2,000 families will take part in the project.

We had been requested to assist over 300 destitute families in a food-for-work program in three of the towns of Hovd Province. The ADRA truck met us and we successfully distributed clothing and food to these towns. We then rode on to check on two projects, a berry project and a gardening project. Great things have been accomplished with the gardening projects as so many have learned to feed themselves and generate income to support their families.

The morning of the final day arrived. Bayanbat asked how long it would be before we started our homeward journey. His anxiety to hit the road was keen. I said that there was just one more call to make. I wanted him and Bear to meet "my children" at the little poor house run by the government in Bayanhongor. I had been there before and told of the children I wanted to adopt. It was almost 10am before we arrived at the home. It was not too long before I could see the compassion and interest oozing from Bear and Bayanbat. Gone was the urge to rush back to Ulaanbaatar.

The little boy was deaf we discovered. I felt a wave of compassion as I realized this. I was not the only one touched. Bear also had to take a little walk to gain composure. Then the youngest little child came in from school. She told her oldest sister that the teacher had made all the children leave their school bags and that they were to return with their parents for a parent/teacher meeting. "What am I going to do since I do not have any parents?" she asked. Instantly Bayabat said, "I'll be her parent to-day. Let's go to the school." Never had I ever seen a more eager "parent" off to a PTA meeting.

Afterwards we took the little children, aged 6 to 14 years, to the market. I turned Bayanbat loose with $150 to get the kids all they needed in the line of warm clothing. Bear and I waited in the car so as to not "cloud" the dynamics as foreigners. It seemed like an age, before the market door flew back on its hinges and beaming kids with a very proud ADRA staff member burst forth loaded with bags of boots, warm winter jackets, scarves, woollen caps, gloves, socks and even 3 little watches (60c each).

We drove back to the poor house with happy sounds coming from the rear of the vehicle. This had to be the greatest day ever. The oldest girl had taken on responsibility for the younger siblings and amazed us how she coped. We dressed them in the new clothing and then took some photos. It was a sad parting after 2pm as we tore ourselves away.

Christmas is coming and plans are being thought up to fetch the children to enjoy the time of their lives visiting Ulaanbaatar for the first time. Michelle is investigating getting them brought to live in an expat run shelter here in Ulaanbaatar. I will then be able to see "my kids" more often. The little boy we hope to get into a school for the deaf.

As we started the last 650km leg of our journey home, I asked Bayanbat and Bear what the highlight of the trip was. Without hesitating, Bayanbat said, "Buying those clothes for the kids." The best had been kept for last. "It is more blessed to give than to receive."

Llewellyn Juby