Church Services in Astana

Each week the Wellings host LDS church services in their home. Although there are sometimes visitors, generally the only other attendee is Zhanna, a woman from Mongolia. She is an "oralman," that is, an ethnic Kazakh who grew up outside of Kazakhstan (most live in Mongolia and China) but maintained the culture and language. She moved to Astana within the last year so that she could be close to other members of the church.

Zhanna speaks Kazakh and though she is still learning Russian, she understands it quite well. We knew we would be with the Wellings on Sunday so Chris was asked to say the sacrament prayers in Russian and give a talk in Russian. His ability to speak the language also meant Zhanna could give a talk and he could translate it for us. This was my first time experiencing such a small group meeting, but there was a really special spirit present.
Zhanna has to work on Sundays so our church services began at 7 a.m. Because the Wellings don't speak Russian and Zhanna doesn't speak English, sacrament meeting usually consists of Zhanna watching a talk or two from a previous session of Conference (in Mongolian). Sunday school is also held, the Wellings sit with an English manual and Zhanna sits with a Russian manual and they read their manuals and scriptures side-by-side.

The Sunday we were there, Zhanna wasn't able to stay for Sunday school because her work hours were changed for the next month--she would need to be at work earlier and work 7 days a week. The Wellings quickly determined a time during the week when Zhanna could come and have Sunday school. I was impressed by this simple example of their love for Zhanna and their desire to make sure she receives the spiritual strength and nourishment she needs.
I was so grateful for the opportunity to attend church in Astana. Although I knew the dynamic of their specific group meeting, it was quite another thing to experience it for myself. I am so amazed and humbled by the example of these faithful Saints, I know their experience is not an isolated one, but it helps me to remember that there are members of the church across the world who sacrifice much to learn, live, and receive the blessings of the ordinances and principles of the gospel.