29 March 2008 - More Celebration of Kazakh New Year

We didn't have room for all of the pictures of the Kazakh New Year Celebration on last week's blog, so we thought we would show you another party that we were invited to attend. Ludmilla Yeger Georgiyevna runs a day care center for handicapped children and the Church has provided her several things for her facility. She invited us to attend their celebration of the New Year.Ludmilla is standing next to Anne.

The celebration was held in a big fun center called the "Duman". We are seated in a Texas style roadhouse. Notice all the levis sewn together!! They served us traditional Kazakh food which we enjoyed very much. Once again, we passed on the tea!Mira and Anne sitting at the table with a traditional Kazakh doll.

This little girl performed on the program playing a Kazakh instrument. She did a beautiful job. Many children learn to play these instruments when they are very young.

This little girl played the "Dombrya" which is the Kazakh National instrument.

These two little boys were dressed in traditional Kazakh costumes and they both said a part on the program. Aren't they adorable!!

The Duman Center is a large activity center for families. In the middle of this huge building are four countries with their customs and cultures represented. Here are Anne and Mira standing in the American area in front of a wigwam.

Here we are in Kazakhstan's area in front of the statue of The Golden Warrior which represents the people of Kazakhstan.

Here we are in the China area with the statue of Khotey.

Roy was actually hoping for Chinese take-out but instead got an American dish!!

While we were walking around, we noticed a this little boy in one of the Church's wheelchairs, so we took his picture.

At the end of the celebration they gave us a Kazakh hat and scarf. Do we look like we fit in yet??!!

We have written two projects for local NGO and have just received approval on them. It will be sometime before they are completed so we can put them on the blog. But next week we will finish telling you about the Duman Center and what a wonderful place it is!

Thanks to all of you who have been fasting and praying for Taryn. We hope she can get well enough soon so that she can have her surgery. We feel all of your love and support for our family.

Love,

Elder and Sister Welling