A couple of Saturdays in Astana

It was a beautiful day in Astana last week.

We were invited to go to the English Club at the library that is run by the US Embassy.  The discussion topic was political platforms.  One person said that one of the parties in the US supports abortion.  One young man spoke up to say "But that's a sin!"

This is Ella and her brother Emin.  They both speak English and they showed us around Saturday.  Ella's church group has done some charity work at an orphanage and we enjoyed comparing notes.

The elders met this man when they were out contacting and he came to church.  He runs an organization for young women who do not want to keep their babies.  The young woman on the left is one of their teachers.  She speaks English and Arabic and Russian and Kazakh.  She wants us to help her with her English.  Their organization helps these young people to learn to care for their babies and to love them.

When we got home from Kiev, we needed to do a little shopping, and we discovered a huge farmer's market.  A couple of months ago, there was a festival here as well.  It was a lot cooler out today than it was in July!

Get a look at the man and his hatchet!

The baked goods are especially good.

This man is doing some serious meat chopping!

Melons

Raspberries and something???

There's always plenty of cucumbers and dill

Fun at the airport -- or "Don't Mind Me!"

Traveling in this part of the world is interesting!  Many people have their luggage wrapped in plastic before it is checked. 

As we were waiting to board the plane, we were taking up an extra seat with our computer bag and as it got more crowded, we moved it so someone could sit there.  So, a young woman sat by me and then her friend came and sat between us!  So, I had to scoot over to make room.  Then, her son came and brought about 6 bags of gifts that she was carrying on and put them around our feet.  I just had to laugh and say "don't mind me"!  It's not like I was here first or anything!

Then, when the ticket agents come, everyone jumps up and crowds around the desk to go down the jetway.  Except that sometimes it's not a jetway, but some stairs that you have to walk down to the bus.  Yes, the bus.  Then after everyone crowds onto the bus, it takes you to the plane and everyone crowds around the bottom of the stairs to go up into the plane.  And heaven forbid you have to stop to put something in the overhead, because they'll most likely just crowd around you anyway!

Another funny thing about travel here, is when the plane lands, everyone claps to congratulate the pilot on his or her fine job of flying and getting us to our destination safely!  And then, even before the fasten seat belt light goes off, half of the people are already getting their bags down from above and trying to be the first person to exit the plane.

Then another fun experience is waiting to get through customs.  It's all rush rush rush.  And then everyone stands around waiting for the luggage!

We were thinking of getting a snack while we were waiting, but somehow Lard (with brown toasts) just didn't sound that great.

Ditto for Cottage Cheese Dessert.  What is that??

More fun in Kiev!

This is Helen with me.  She works on all the visas for the missionaries that come to Kiev.  We are so happy that everything worked out well for our visas!

Viktor drives us all over Kiev.  He has a great sense of humor.  He tells us that he learned English from playing video games!

We had another trip to Kiev this week.  We had the annual conference for humanitarian couples serving in the Europe East Area.  It was great to get to meet the other couples in person and to share experiences from our missions.  Our welfare director Dima Mulkin took very good care of us!

This is the hotel where we stayed.  It is at the edge of the plaza of Saint Michael's Cathedral in the center of Kiev.

We had beautiful weather all week.  There's nothing quite like the blue skies of the Ukraine.

Just to give you an idea of the lovely room we stayed in.  We were very comfortable.

A few shots of our conference.  The amazing thing about missionaries is that we are instantly best friends!

This is President Malm from our Area Presidency.  We sat with him at dinner and enjoyed his cheerful disposition.

A lovely view of the river in Kiev.  This is near the spot where the Ukraine was dedicated for the preaching of the gospel.

We came across a bridal party using this for their limo.

Saint Andrew's Cathedral.

Inside the cathedral

Visit to the School

We visited a class with older children

This boy is playing with a toy donated from the US

This little boy is checking out the quiet book that was sent from America

Sister Bennett and Sister Gibbons with some of the teachers

Elder Anderson, President Gibbons, Kusein Katkenov (the school director) and President Bennett

We had a visit from our mission president, President Gibbons and President Bennett from our area presidency and their wives.  During our lunch break, we went next door to the school for handicapped children.  The church has done several projects at this school over the years so it was fun to show our leaders some of the things the church has donated and to let them see how well this school is run.

A Primary group back in the United States donated some toys for these children.  So we were privileged to be able to share them and see their eyes light up.

More "Twig" News!

Elder Jensen was transferred last week.  He has gone to Omsk.  We had a fun visit with a guest from Montana, and our elders were given permission to preach the gospel!

We went to see Elder Jensen off at the bus stop.  Too bad he missed his plane and had to leave again the next day!  Here is Sister Talah, Elder Jensen and Elder Mitchell.

This was one of the largest groups we have had for our "Linger Longer" after Sacrament Meeting.

Alina and Tuligan are visiting with our guest Bob Quinn from Montana.  He found our meeting by searching on Google.  His hotel clerk recognized the street and he showed up!

Sister Nelson, Elder Romero and Zhanna

Everyone loved trying on the cowboy hat!

Ramon and Zhanna signing the paperwork to submit for the church registration!