Horse Therapy Presentation and Touring Astana, Kazakhstan - 17 August 2008

One of the first projects that we did when we got here in Astana was for a handicapped group who goes to the hippodrome once a week for horse therapy. The Church was able to provide special equipment and clothing for the children so that they can ride the horses safely. This little boy has Downs Syndrome and is happy to be able to ride a horse with special clothing. Some of the equipment that was given to this group consisted of saddle blankets, safety helmets, special saddles, Helium saddles for children with cerebral palsy, and protective pants and vests. This young man is wearing the vest, pants and helmet and even the gloves that were given. He's ready to ride the horses!! Elena Anatolyevna is the Chairman of this group. She is wonderful person that we have loved working with because she cares so much about the handicapped children in her organization. The media were there to talk to her about what she is doing to get the handicapped children accepted and acclimated into society.

Elena is checking out the vest on this young man. They were so excited for the new riding clothes!!

The hippodrome is a large riding stable. The children ride inside this large enclosed arena so they can do this all winter long. There is a stable hand that leads each horse around the arena so there is no danger of the horses getting away.

This is Masha who loves riding horses. Her mother says that she never sits taller than when she is riding on a horse. She has gained a great deal of confidence in her abilities through this horse therapy.The children come every week and ride for an hour and with the new equipment provided by the Church many more of the severely handicapped will be able to come and participate in this activity. They are growing physically stronger and gaining ability and more confidence. The smiles on their faces show the importance of this project and we were happy to be a part of it!!

The last week in July we were invited by Kamka and Kulnazira to go with a handicapped group of children and their parents on a tour of the city of Astana.

Kamka and her husband, Ramazon, and granddaughter, Kulnazira and her journalist friend, Anne and Mira. We had a wonderful time with them.

Here we are at the Singing Fountains on the Mall. There are only 5 fountains in the world where the water is choreographed to the music and they have one here in Astana!! It was pretty cool!! (It was an especially hot day!)

The jewelry in Kazakhstan is very unique and beautiful. On the Mall, they have large size replicas of those rings.

Here is another Kazakh ring. Notice the young boy taking a rest inside the band!But these rings were especially beautiful!! Every time we go to the Mall it seems we find something knew to see!!

Remember the Canadian, Nate Thiesen, that we met in Kokshetau after the NRT training who said that he couldn't wait to email his wife to let her know that he had met a bunch of Mormons in Kazakhstan? Well, he called us last week and wanted to know if we would show him around Astana before he flew home to Winnepeg, Canada. We told him that we would be delighted! So we spent the whole day with Nate showing him the sights and eating out at Ali Babba's. He came to our apartment and ate dinner in the evening with us and then we took a walk along the river. He said he had never met any Mormons before and we hope we sowed some good seeds!! He is a wonderful young man and he told us that if he ever got back this way, he would come and see us!!

While we were at the "Duman" seeing the "Oceanarium" with Nate Thiesan, we asked these little Kazakh ladies if we could get a picture of them and they graciously let us! Aren't they just the cutest?!! I hugged them all when we left.

We are still keeping busy. The paperwork never seems to get done and we always seem behind. We are working on a couple of new projects and we hope they will be accepted. We will keep you updated. We love you all and are so thankful for the love and support we feel from each of you. This is the Lord's work and we see his hand in everything we do!!

Love,

Elder and Sister Welling