Mongolia

In June, Spencer told me that he volunteered his name for a two week humanitarian deployment to Madagascar. Less than a week later, he reported that he was selected for the trip, and it was actually to Mongolia. On July 30, he flew into Ulaanbataar, Mongolia, and after several days of mishaps (e.g. no one to pick them up at the airport, his dental supplies not making it on the plane), prayers were answered and they were able to get to work.

He was introduced to the atrocious barracks that would be his home for the next 2 1/2 weeks,

Spencer's room, complete with flies, spiders, and creaky doors. The electricity in the barracks was also inconsistent.

The shower. It was chilly in the morning, and the water was super cold.

The highly sanitary looking stove where meals were prepared for them.

Their adopted pet Sparky, who would wait for them by the door to their barracks every day. 

 enjoyed various welcoming ceremonies,

ate some disgusting Mongolian food,

He described this dish as "Beef, but with a sheepy taste."

Five organ soup plus (left to right): liver, intestine, heart, kidney, stomach. 

pulled a whole lot of nasty teeth,

The dental crew.

Army, Navy, and Mongolian army dental group.

This one was so disgusting I had to include it!

and photographed the landscape.

Spencer said it reminded him of Rohan from Lord of the Rings. 

Holding a vulture.

Getting nervous when it started crawling up his arm!

The hawk proved to be a little easier.

Hanging out by some Gers.

One of my favorites.

They also got to make some touristy stops,

and had plenty of time to mess around.

Shopping. Fur is so hot right now.

Playing nightly games of Eucre. 

No one we've ever played with has heard of being "In the barn," but Spencer said they all thought it was really funny.

One weekend they got special liberty, so a bunch of guys decided to escape the barracks for a few days and get hotel rooms. They opted to go to a totally expensive five star hotel. It was at least nice that Spencer had consistent Internet access there, so we got to Skype with him several times.

The Blue Sky Hotel in Ulaanbaatar.

The highlight for Spencer was not only getting to ride home in a C-130 (a day earlier than planned- wohoo for me!),

but also getting to fly it! The pilot goes to church with us, and he called Spencer up to the cockpit and let him take the controls for about an hour. Autopilot was off, and Spencer was in total control. Our friend was obviously right there the entire time just in case he needed to take over.

Spencer, in heaven.

Now whenever a C-130 flies over our house (which is often), he likes to remind us that he got to fly one.