Successful Open House!

On Friday and Saturday, Sept. 20th & 21st, there was an Open House at the Old Darkhan Building. Between the two days there were approximately 110 visitors that toured the building! On Sunday, it was exciting to see at least 8 of those show up for Sacrament Meeting!!

We were not part of the planning committee, but it was obvious that the Branch had held them before. 

The young Elders and Sister Missionaries were busy out on the sidewalk inviting passers-by to come and tour the facilities. There was a nice big sign outside on the fence, with balloons above the gate. We thought it was funny that the job list that we brought to the Branch was taped to the brick as you can see in this picture. It was a pretty good draw as there are many people in Darkhan who are out of work and looking for a job. Dan's name and number are written at the top if anyone is needing help or has any questions, so he might be getting lots of calls! :) We just hope the job center doesn't find out! They may not appreciate it.

 

In the library and the Chapel they had on-going church videos. Each of the auxiliaries had a display in one of the rooms. Everything was nicely done and very inviting. Many members were involved in the tours.


Sister Nada, the Relief Society President, is talking to a visitor.











 Here are a couple of Elders and two members.












Below is the Family History center.  Many people were particularly interested in Genealogy!

 

Below is a wonderful picture display of the Church history here in Darkhan. There are many pictures of General Authorities that heard of President Ganbaatar  and wanted to meet him. He was the very first person baptized in the city back in 1997. He was also the first Branch President and the New Darkhan Chapel was the first one built in Mongolia.  He is now Branch President for a 2nd time in Old Darkhan which has a newer and larger building. What a great man and what a great testimony he has.

 

 

Here is President Ganbaatar with one of the visitors who had brought a kitten with him.








 
 
Left, the President is giving a tour of his office. he first shares the picture of the Savior and his testimony then points to each picture of the First Presidency and explains that they are prophets who guide us today under the Lords directions.















On Saturday, we still held our English class in conjunction with the open house.  (The majority were visitors! :)

Two girls came about 11:00 and decided to just hang out at the church until 1:30 waiting for the English class to begin. I went ahead and just worked with them on their alphabet for quite awhile and we were joined by other visitors who were interested. It was a lot of fun.




At the end of the day, they had a dinner for all the members who helped.











At Sacrament, one of the visitors from the day before attended with his 2 small daughters. He said with a big smile, "I want to come always!" His wife died last February and he was looking for a church. He is also looking for a job! His mom lives with them to help take care of the girls.