Mongolian delegation visits Idaho farms
E-mail story
It's easy. Send a link to the story you were just reading to a friend. Just fill out the form on this page and we'll send it along.
Your name and e-mail address are transmitted to the recipient. Otherwise, it is considered private information; see Privacy policy.
PRESTON, Idaho — It's common for members of the Church to make and send quilts to needy people throughout the world. What is uncommon is for the quilts' recipients to travel halfway around the world to say thank you.
A delegation of officials from Mongolia, including parliamentary and provincial leaders, visited Preston, Idaho, and surrounding communities in southeastern Idaho the last week of February to meet the people who made and donated 100 quilts sent through LDS Charities last fall to the Mongol province of Bulgan Aimak. The officials were hosted by residents, including many Latter-day Saints, who held a series of agricultural and cattle conferences for the visitors whose own industries in their province mirror those here. They also enjoyed a cultural exchange with members of the Northern Shoshoni Band of American Indians.
A reporter with Reuters, an international news agency, expressed surprise shared by many in the media that the delegation would come to a little-known area of Idaho instead of a major U.S. city such as Washington D.C.
"The Mongolians came, first, because we initiated a relationship of love and trust by giving their families 100 hand-made quilts last fall and, second, because our herds, rangeland, small business enterprises and rural community duplicate the lifestyle they are living," said Julia Cushman, director of the Southeastern Idaho Community Action Agency in Preston, who is also a Church member. "They are highly educated; they just need experience in democracy to save that lifestyle."
Sister Cushman prepared for the arrival of the delegation with Malan Jackson, past director of International Students at Utah Valley State College in Orem, Utah. Brother Jackson, who lives in Springville, Utah, and served as Sister Cushman's mission president in Taiwan in the 1970s, has been heading up projects to help Mongolians for 10 years and introduced their plight during a mission reunion. Sister Cushman took up the cause and soon quilts were on the way to a land decimated by three extreme winters and political strife. She worked with Franklin County rancher Calvin Sears in arranging animal management and agricultural conferences hosted by Preston veterinarians and extension agents, and visits to area agricultural-related businesses, farms and emergency services.
The tours were priceless to the delegation, said Professor Sodnomdorj, former president of the Mongolia's Labor Institute and now a member of his country's parliament. "According to an old Mongol saying, 'It is better to see once than to hear twice.' "
During their visit, the Mongolian delegation visited with those who made the quilts, including Relief Societies and youth groups. They made a point of speaking with the youth, many of whom stitched quilts as part of school projects.
"We are very glad to be with you," the professor told them. "We wanted to see who really helped us. We are very thankful."
The youth were touched by the visit of the delegation. "I just thought we would make the quilts and then we'd never hear about it again," said Natalie Thornley, a student at Harold B. Lee Middle School in nearby Dayton, Idaho
During the delegation's final evening in Franklin County, the Franklin 3rd Ward Relief Society presented the delegation with 33 knitted hats to take back to their people. Several other handmade items were donated from other community members as well. In addition, a support group of more than 20 area residents has already been formed to go to Mongolia in July to provide direct assistance. Plans have been made for similar groups to travel between the two locations over the next five years.
Professor Sodnomdorj explained that one of the reasons for the visit to Idaho was to establish a bridge between the Mongolian and American people. "In reality, we have seen this accomplished. Now we will continue walking across this bridge."
This "bridge" began some 10 years ago when Brother Jackson met Dr. Nyamdoo, Mongolia's first ambassador to the United States, during a visit to Utah. The ambassador later served on the Mongolian Supreme Court and has since helped the Church enter the country.
Brother Jackson asked the ambassador how to help the people of Mongolia, and the ambassador asked for help for the young people. This led to sponsorships for youth and the country's educators and an accrediting association in Mongolia for institutions of higher education. Over the years, other projects followed, including funds raised for Mongolian ranchers and sheepherders. In the summer of 2001, Brother Jackson took a livestock specialist from LDS Charities and a range management specialist from Utah and toured the delegation's province. It was determined that qualified people and resources would be sought to help the people in two counties in the Mongol province to better manage their rangelands.
For his help for the Mongolian people, Brother Jackson was presented the Friend of Mongolia Award in 2001 — the nation's highest award given to a non-Mongolian and the first American to receive this honor.
Speaking of the help sent to his people, Professor Sodnomdorj quoted the Mongolian national hero, Ghengis Khan: " 'A friendship of one day will continue forever.' After coming here we have noticed that this is really true."
