Samara, Russia Missionaries and the Jones Family from Sharbakti in Astana, Kazakhstan - 27 October 2008

What a busy and wonderful week this has been! Last weekend we found out that we would be getting 8 missionaries from the Samara Mission on Tuesday night for visa renewals. We went to the airport, (us and Mira) at 7:30 to meet them but it took them until 9:00 to get all of the information filled out for their Kazakh visas. After Mira checked all of their paperwork to make sure that it was correct, we then sent that information down to Almaty to an agency who extended their Kazakh visas (so they can come again in three months). Then they will send them back to the Russian Embassy in Astana for their Russian visa renewals. It was late by the time we got back to the apartment.Elder Dalley, Elder Holbrook, Elder Waltman, Elder Stoker, Elder Erickson, Elder Clouse, Elder Watson and Elder Flack eating Apple Crisp and Ice Cream. We rented 2 apartments in our building for them to stay in while they were waiting for their Russian visas.

Wednesday night we invited Zhanna over for dinner with the Elders. She was thrilled to have them there. They visited with her for some time to find out her knowledge of the gospel, when she was baptized and all sorts of things we didn't know. We had a testimony meeting with her that was wonderful. They all spoke in Russian and the Elders took their turn translating for us. She even made a sign for them that said "Elders, Welcome to Astana!" It was a wonderful evening!

These three Elders, Elder, Erickson, Elder Holbrook, and Elder Waltman, picked up their Kazakh visa extensions from Mira on Thursday morning and flew to Uralsk, which is a city in western Kazakhstan and just over the border from Russia, about three hours from Samara, Russia to get their Russian visas. The process worked so that means in 3 months, with the extended Kazakh visa that they have, they can now drive down to Uralsk and get their visas in 1 day!!

Some of the information was filled out incorrectly on the other 5 missionaries applications, so Mira spent Thursday afternoon with us and the Elders so we could get them done correctly and back to the Embassy.

Thursday evening we had the Elders and Zhanna over for dinner and then they gave her a lesson on how to share the gospel. It was great to see them teach her and the Spirit that was there was just amazing!

On Friday after dinner, the visas were delivered to our apartment and all the Elders cheered!! We are so grateful that we didn't have any problems. When they called President Bennett, their Mission President, we could all hear Sister Bennett cheer in the background, she was so excited! Getting their visas is a big deal, because they already have 12 missionaries from their mission stranded in Stockholm, Sweden and they have been their for 4 weeks because the Russian Embassy won't give them their Russian visas. The missionaries gave us a spiritual thought about missionary work and they all bore their testimonies to us before they left for the evening. What wonderful Elders they are and truly dedicated to the work!!

Saturday morning we left for the train station to pick up the Jones Family from Sharbakti, a little town outside of Pavlodar. It is about a 10 hour train ride. They are members and want to visit us once a month so they can attend Church.

Since the Elders had not been out all week (except to the store across the street from our apartment) and couldn't go because they didn't have their visas, we decided to go out on Saturday and walk the river. Nathan and Heather and the kids went with us, too.

It was a beautiful day and the wind wasn't too bad. We bought some things for the Elders that they couldn't get in Russia which they were thrilled about! And Heather also bought some things she couldn't get in Sharbakti; so it was pretty profitable!

On Saturday evening, after dinner, the Elders prepared a wonderful Family Home Evening which we all enjoyed! Desmond and Zoe especially loved the game that we all played!! Elder Dalley, Elder Clouse, Elder Stoker, Elder Flack and Elder Waltman with Desi and Zoe after Family Home Evening.

Elder Clouse, Elder Dalley, Elder Waltman, Elder Stoker, and Elder Flack flew to Moscow on Sunday morning. We will never forget these wonderful Elders! They bring such a special spirit with them!

It was wonderful having the Jones family with us and Zhanna for Church! We loved having them with us this weekend and hope that they will be with us each month. We are already planning Thanksgiving!! After dinner, we went for a walk along the river and through the park. Such a wonderful family! We love them so much!

Keep praying for the missionaries and especially for the leaders of these countries that they will soften their hearts toward missionary work. We love being a part of spreading the gospel hear in the East European Area! Thanks for all the prayers!

Love,

Elder and Sister Welling