Pilot Ryan Van Geest and his family drive to the countryside to visit with a nomad family that has 700 animals, live in a “ger” (Mongolian word for a yurt), and move 4 times a year. With the help of the Van Geests and Samaritan’s purse, the mother, Odnaa, and her 2-year old son, Amaraa, traveled to Canada in the beginning of 2013 for heart surgery on the boy. They stayed with Ryan’s aunt in Canada during the operation and recovery. Amaraa appears to be fully recovered.
The family made a feast for the Van Geests that included a stew called Horhog made with hot stones and dried yogurt called aaruul.