Weekend in Almaty, Kazakhstan for Zone Conference - 6 May 2009

We had a busy week getting invoices for our projects and working on other paperwork. We have a new program that was given to us at the Humanitarian Conference that is all done by computer and we have to become familiar with it before we can submit any new projects. So now we are trying to find the time to do that!!

Friday was Unity Day in Kazakhstan. Actually, it was originated by the Russians to unify all of the countries in the USSR. Now the people just celebrate the unity of the people here in Kazakhstan.

These children are playing the dombra and kobuz, which are Kazakh instruments, in the "Lollipop Park". There were displays everywhere of art and handmade items from all of the different schools in Astana. There were also talent contests in the park.They had games and competition of every kind!! Wrestling, judo, even arm and leg wrestling were some of the sports. There was something for everyone! We especially liked the way the judges were dressed!! It was such a nice day out and even quite warm!!

In the afternoon, we flew to Almaty for Zone Conference and stayed in the Vincent's apartment, because they haven't found a replacement couple for the Vincents yet. Despite the electricity going out three times and the water being turned off once, it was great place to stay!!

On Saturday we went to the Elder's apartment where Zone Conference was held with President and Sister Collins.President Collins, Elder Harker from Calgary, Canada; Elder Brandenburg from Seattle, Washington; Elder Despain from Casper, Wyoming; Elder McKay from Huntsville and Elder Welling. Sister Jensen from Springville, Sister Smith from Nauvoo, Illinois, Sister Collins from Mesa, Arizona and Sister Welling.

It was a wonderful conference and our last and we are so glad that we were able to go. It's been nice to be with the missionaries and feel of their spirit!

On Sunday we were able to attend Church with the Branch for the last time and say goodbye to them. We took pictures of a few of the members and wanted to include a couple of them in this week's blog

The Imangaziev Family- Sabina, Alma, Murat and Aruzhan. Murat was just released as the Branch President about 6 months ago. They have a son, Maxim, who is serving a mission in the Ukraine.

The Dautove Family - Elmira, Sultan, Damir and Adelia. Sultan is now the Branch President.

This is Iira Kabdigaliev who is waiting for her mission call any day now!! We hope to see her in August at the SLC airport when she leaves for the mission field. What a wonderful young lady she is and has such a strong testimony of the gospel!

President and Sister Collins will be leaving for home in July. We are so glad that we were able to get to know them and be a part of the Russia Moscow West Mission.

Sunday evening, the Piepers invited us over for dinner. We had a wonderful visit with them. Chris, Evelyn and Sofie Pieper will be leaving for home to Washington D.C. in July. We are so glad that they were able to spend some time with us in Astana!Monday, Sveta took us to meet with Tamara Chuvakova and her two assistants to ask some questions about the up coming NRT and for us to say goodbye to them! She is 70 years old and is still working!! This wonderful lady has been very instrumental in getting the NRT program up and going in Kazakhstan. She is over all perinatal training in Kazakhstan. We absolutely love her and her two assistants. Zarina's mother fixed us this wonderful meal of salads and horse meat and mushroom pie!! We loved it all! In fact it was the best horse meat we have tasted!! (I wanted to show pictures, but I can't get them all on the blog!!)

They were thrilled with the pictures we gave them. Anne, Dr. Aliya, Dr. Zarina, Dr. Tamara and Roy. We told them how much we loved them and that we would never forget them!! It was pretty hard saying goodbye!!

After the meeting at the hospital, Sveta took us on a drive where both sides of the road are lined with tulips of every color and kind. Then we went to this park that is being built that will have every kind of flower and bush and tree from Kazakhstan. This is the entrance to the park. Aren't the tulips just beautiful!!!!!

This is our favorite visa clerk, Svetlana Rahimzhanova. This young lady was the first missionary from the Almaty branch. She works for the church taking care of all of the missionary visas in Kazakhstan and all those that come from Russia for renewal. She has upwards of 20 missionaries at a time!! It's crazy for her and she is so busy! She also does all the work setting up the NRT with Marcia and George Bennett.

We absolutely could not function without her!! And sometimes we wonder if the Church could function in Kazakhstan without her!! She teaches Institute and English on the side. She also translates for us when we are in Almaty. We love her so much and will miss her terribly!

That's about it for this week! Sorry it is late, but we are getting down to crunch time and we are sooo busy!! We love you all for your support and prayers in our behalf!

Love,

Elder and Sister Welling