Celebrating the "Feast of "Sacrafice" in Astana, Kazakhstan, - 14 December 2008

We had a great week!! We are now helping in three classes at the university and doing an English Club at the university Monday and Wednesday nights. Zarina, a young lady that we have used as a substitute for Mira, asked us if we would help at a place where she has started to work, to speak to the students who are learning English. So on Wednesday night, after the English Club at the university, we walked from our bus stop to her work place and visited with the lady in charge and told the students all about us and why we are here in Kazakhstan. The students are 12 years old to middle age adults hoping to better themselves in their education and the business world. Some even want to go to the US, Canada or England for school or to visit family. They were enthusiastic and we enjoyed being there with them. We think they liked us so we will be doing that every Monday and Wednesday night along with the English Club!! That should keep us busy!!

Friday, while visiting with Kulnazira and Kamka about a "Family Enrichment Program" for non-members, they invited us to a Muslim celebration called "Feast of Sacrifice". This celebration is held 70 days after the end of Ramadan and commemorates Father Ibrihim's (Abraham) willingness to sacrifice his son. However, they feel that it was his son, Ishmael who they are descended from, instead of his son, Isaac.

We had "Beshbarmak" but it was with beef this time instead of horse! The meat is served on a plate of wide noodles and it was all very tasty!

This lady is cutting up the meat and serving it to us. Anne is on the left and the server just kept piling food on her plate where Anne would promptly move it to Roy's plate! The flat bread is called "God's Bread", kind of like a fry bread. The round bread is called "Baurysak" and it is our favorite!

Here we are waiting for the dinner to be served!

Kamka (on the far right) and two of her friends. Most of them had their heads covered in traditional Muslim fashion.

Kulnazira, standing, with some of the people she works with. Zarina, our substitute translator, is on the far right.

Roy, Aiman, Kulnazira, Anne and Kamka after the dinner.

Roy and Anne with Zirina, our substitute for Mira. We just love her and she is always around when we need her!!

Clara was also at the dinner and wants us to do a project for her next year. We wanted to walk her to her bus stop, but instead, she jay-walked across the busiest street in the city! She was so cute that we just had to take a picture of her in her leather coat and fur hat! Anne, Clara and Zarina posing for the camera.

Ok, a couple of weeks ago Anne got brave and made "Borch", a recipe that Sister Pieper emailed us!

Borch is a Russian soup made with potatoes, carrots, onions, beets, cabbage, garlic and tomatoes and other ingredients to your liking!

It's a very colorful soup and is served with sour cream and dill. We loved it and will definitely be making it again!!

President Alexey Marchenko was with us again for church today. He will be going back to Moscow on the 26th where he is the Branch President. We have sure enjoyed having him with us.

This week we will be getting 8 missionaries from the Novosibirsk Mission to renew their visas. They will be here until next Tuesday. It will be fun having them here with us!

Happy "90th" Birthday on the 16th, Mother!!!!!! We love you!!!

Thanks so much for your love and prayers in our behalf. We know we are truly blessed!!

Love,

Elder and Sister Welling