15 June 2008 - More of the Same in Astana, Kazakhstan

This week we attended a closing presentation of a project we did for Murat, a man who heads an organization for handicapped adults. He is blind and is trying to convince the government that laptops are easier for the blind to use and cost less than regular computers with special braille keyboards and equipment that the government now furnishes for them at a cost of $22,000 compared to the cost of a laptop. This is Murat showing us his new laptop computer, provided by the Church, and how he uses it.Aigul, Murat's wife, is showing Roy one of the programs on the laptop that help the blind.Murat Abdumominov and his wife, Aigul, and Roy and Anne. They are such wonderful people and he does so much for handicapped individuals in his organization. We enjoy working with both of them. They have two adorable children.

We wanted to show you some more pictures of the Mosque and the Bayterek.
The mosque is really quite a beautiful sight!!

Women must have their heads covered or wear a robe with a hood. Mira and Anne inside the mosque. (I know it looks like I have 30 lbs on my hip, but actually, its just my purse!)

This picture was quite unique, so we had to share it with you. There is a half moon on top of every mosque that we have seen and we haven't found out the meaning of it yet; but we'll let you know when we do!!

Here we are at the end of the Mall with the Bayterek in the background.

In 2002 and 2006 the World Conference of Religions met in Kazakhstan. The leaders of the world's 17 traditional religions attended. The names of the religions are on this monument as the rays from the world. This monument in at the top of the Bayterek.

These are the words at the top of the monument above the world.

This picture is taken of the President's Palace from the top of the Bayterek. You can see the Pyramid behind the Palace.

Here we are relaxing at the top before we take the long walk back down the mall. You can see the Kaz Gas Company building at the far end of the mall. It was a fun day!

An interesting sight in Kazakhstan is the large fleet of water trucks that water all the flowers and trees and lawns in the public parks and along the streets. There are no sprinkling systems that we have seen, only these trucks that come around every two or three days. We caught this one on the government mall.

Here is another water truck out our front door watering not only the park but the kids as well!! Kids are the same in every country!

This week we hope to get our visa prolongation finished so that we can purchase our train tickets for Kostanai for the NRT. We also need to get the printing done for the NRT this week. We still need your prayers that there won't be any major problems and that everything will go well for the NRT.

The Mazhillis (Kazakh Parliament) is debating the bill on religious restrictions this month. We are not out of the woods yet. Many of you have asked what you can do to help us over here. Pray for the leaders of this and all nations that their hearts will be softened and they will continue to allow religious freedom.

Thanks so much. WE love you all!!

Love,

Elder and Sister Welling