Presented here are portions of Elder Daniel Willoughby’s fourth email from the Mongolia Ulaanbaatar Mission.

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Ulaanbaatar at Dawn

Thanks Steven for sending the pictures. Baby Aurora looks great! It is great to see how the gospel has blessed our family so much.

Happy Birthday DAD!!! I’m sure you still look good for how old you’re getting. :)

Thanks Paul for teaching me so much, and Jake the things you told me are very true principles. Meeting with Clay Frandsen so much before coming was a really good thing for me. All that I learned in mission prep class is starting to make sense.

I am doing great! I feel like I’ve learned a month’s time of information in one week. Has it really been one week? This mission is absolutely amazing. I am in Ulaanbataar Central area. This week was Tsagaan Sar. It is basically the Mongolian’s Christmas. Many Mongolians are busy during this time so President Andersen had us visit members and teach them about family history. The members here are awesome. We ate at probably ten members houses this week. Lots and lots of potato salad kind of thing and buuz — some kind of dumpling with meat in it. I loved the food it was great. There was also lots of candy! Yum. :) They also gave us gifts and I got to wear Mongolian traditional clothing. It was really cool to see such a difference in culture. I really enjoyed it and really respect Mongolian culture. I don’t know all about it yet but I’m learning so quickly.

All mail goes to the mission home with the address Sister Andersen gave out. I received a letter from Andrew Steinicke. I really honestly do not need anything and I actually have way too much stuff already. My Mongolian companion I respect a lot. He has so little yet serves diligently and has great knowledge of the gospel.

This mission is so different from Atlanta. We have ALA, PMF, and investigators. ALA is a less active. We have nine that we visit as often as we can. When they come back to church we get another one. We also visit part member families and strengthen them. President Andersen was told to strengthen the members here. Along with doing those we also get referrals like crazy from members and from the street by talking to people. I have been so blessed with the gift of tongues and with the Lord’s help am able to talk to Mongolians and get referrals now (address, phone number).

I was able to bear my testimony in sacrament meeting again. Afterwards some people said they felt something. I know it was the Holy Ghost giving me the words to say to help the Mongolians.

The Mongolians are very loving people. So willing to accept the gospel. So full of faith. I have yet to see an investigator who wouldn’t pray. When we shared scriptures with members they get all their kids and have each one read from it. They are excited about the gospel. It is a such a good thing. It makes me happy. They show us pictures of their families. Talk about their missions. It’s so impressive. They always love to see pictures of my family and are so interested in them. Families are a great blessing.

Truly this is the truth. I have no doubt of it. My knowledge of the gospel has increased so rapidly. I will humbly learn as much as I can to be the best instrument in His hands.

Thanks Mom and Dad. I love you a lot and I realize how much you’ve done for me now. Dad I will forever be grateful for your example of dedication to the Church. I love you Dad.

Steven, Paul, and Jake you’ve been a great example to me and I’d be nowhere without you. Thanks for being great brothers. Sarah thanks for being a great sister. You taught me a lot growing up and I am grateful. You maybe should have taught me how to spell better. :)

To MTC teachers: My respect for all of you has grown a lot. Cannon Ax I saw your picture in a member’s photo album. Thanks again for your hard work.

To Jake: I found that the way to measure faith is by hope and charity. And without charity…faith and hope are useless.

Love, Elder Willoughby

If anyone wishes to ask Daniel a question or to send him a message, write it in the comments and I will make sure he receives it.

Presented here are portions of Elder Daniel Willoughby’s third email from the Mongolia Ulaanbaatar Mission.

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Zaisan Hill, Mongolia. Daniel third from left.

Everyone looks great with the new baby! Congratulations!

Wow! Mongolia is truly incredible! The plane ride was really short — I was able to study a lot and also sleep. When we arrived at the mission home after some driving we instantly were thrown into the work here. It was a dream come true to see how organized this mission is. I feel like I have a million things to learn and it’s just what I’ve always wanted. Elder Weaver and I were even able to be in a new member lesson on Friday the day we got off the plane. We were so jet lagged — I love the feeling — it was such a challenge to pay attention. Reminded me of track. I was able to contribute a bit to the lesson.

The weather is warming up. We spent two hours in the Black market. It was freezing but I bought a coat and Mongolian traditional clothes. I am perfectly warm now. :) So far it’s has been amazing to see this country.

The people are incredible. We are allowed to walk up to people and talk to them about our church. Some missionaries said they don’t know what that one rule was about, the “they have to ask you why you are here” kind of thing. They are so, so receptive to the Gospel. The AP’s get 15 referrals for 20 contacted people. Our first day they took us out to start talking to people. I jumped at the opportunity. The Mongolians understand me! I just need to learn more words so I can talk more to them. I mostly said I came from America because Christ’s church helped my family and I know it can help yours. There is so much work to do here. The members are amazing, in the classes they teach about praying about the Book of Mormon and gaining a testimony.

[Read more…]

President and Sister Andersen very kindly sent these emails to update us on Daniel.

Daniel with President and Sister Andersen

Sister Andersen Email

After a long wait the “January Group” of foreign missionaries have arrived in Mongolia. You should have received an email from your son or daughter on Friday to let you know that they are here. In a meeting held Saturday morning the ten missionaries were paired with their trainers. Since then they have scattered to their various locations of service throughout Mongolia.

Please let us know if you have any questions or concerns. You can use this email address or my husband’s.

Sister Andersen

President Andersen Email

22 February 2009

Dear Brother and Sister Willoughby,

I was excited to greet your son at the airport on February 19th. He looked tired after the long flight but was grateful to finally be here in Mongolia to begin his Mongolia missionary service. I know he has had excellent preparation in the MTC for his assignment here.

Your son will grow during his missionary service, both spiritually and emotionally. The Mongolian people are extremely kind and love to associate with our foreign missionaries. They have a deep desire to learn English. He will develop a taste for the local food and with reasonable care, it is safe to eat. He will develop a love for the Mongolian people and will develop a sincere desire to have them come unto Christ and be baptized into His Church. He will have many wonderful experiences to relate to you when he returns home at the end of his mission.

I had the opportunity of interviewing your son on February 20th. He was full of enthusiasm for the work. I feel assured that he will be an excellent representative of the Lord. We will do our best to ensure that your son has a fulfilling experience while serving here. Letters will be very important to him and I would encourage you to write weekly. You should also expect a weekly correspondence from him. Please let us know if you are not receiving regular mail.

Sister Andersen and I are committed to missionary service and have strong testimonies of the Restoration of the Gospel through the Prophet Joseph Smith. We love the Lord and we love these missionaries and our greatest desire is to see them succeed. Thank you for sharing your son with us and for your continued support in this great missionary effort. The attached photos were taken at Zaisan Hill overlooking Ulaanbaatar and the mission home on February 20th.

Sincerely,
President D. Allen Andersen

Related Posts

List of Daniel’s missionary posts.

Presented here are portions of Elder Daniel Willoughby’s first email from the Mongolia Ulaanbaatar Mission. Elder and Sister Hitchmough also write.

Zaisan Hill, Mongolia

Daniel’s Email

I made it to Mongolia perfectly fine. We are all safe and sound. I don’t have time right now to write more, we are talking to Mongolian people. I will have more time later.

Love, Elder Willoughby.

If anyone wishes to ask Daniel a question or to send him a message, write it in the comments and I will make sure he receives it.

Hitchmough Email

Hello Brother and Sister Willoughby,

We are Elder and Sister Hitchmough, a senior couple serving as English Program Directors in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. We have just finished orienting Elder Willoughby and his companions.

Your son is a wonderful credit to you. He tells us that his dad is from Manchester. Sister Hitchmough was born in St. Helens and I was born in Liverpool. We have lived in Victoria, BC, Canada for the past 38 years but have retained our accents. We joined the Church in England in the early 60’s and left for Canada in 1971. Our recollection of Manchester is beating the Manchester Stake/District at a Regional basketball tournament. Were you around in the sixties?

We have attached a couple of photos taken the on Zaisan Hill the morning of the 20th. This is where Elder Maxwell dedicated Mongolia for the preaching of the gospel 15 years ago. It was about -25 Celsius this morning but everyone survived. Elder Willoughby will have a wonderful time here as the Mongolian people are tremendous.

Regards, Elder and Sister Hitchmough.

P.S. Elder Willoughby says you’re a City fan. I’m grateful for small mercies being a Liverpool supporter.

Related Posts

List of Daniel’s missionary posts.
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