As Humanitarian Missionaries, we donate a lot of wheelchairs to the people of Georgia. Evidently there is some training involved to be able to fit people properly for a wheelchair. In order for us to learn how to do this, so that we can train the social workers here in Georgia, we went to a special wheelchair training seminar which happened to be in Kazakhstan! We went a little early to see some sights and be able to help our good friends the Maxwells get things set up for the event. We met the Maxwells at the MTC and have maintained a good 'skype' friendship - so this was a treat for us to be able to visit with them in their country. They live in the very beautiful, modern capital city of Astana.
We took the elevator in the building behind us up to the ball on top. What an amazing view! There are so many interesting shapes to their buildings. The most amazing thing was that the traffic stopped when we were on the crosswalks!
This is the proud certified class with the instructors. We really learned a lot in this training seminar - we have definitely changed our thoughts and attitude on the need to have the beneficiaries properly fitted and trained to use their wheelchairs.
To celebrate the end of the course, we went out to an authentic Kazakhstan restaurant and had the national dish called something like '5 fingers' cause you can eat it with your fingers (although we did use forks). It is big noodles, potatoes and horse meat.
After dinner the ladies sitting at the table next to us got everyone up and dancing - a good time was had by all!
I am so excited to hear about the change in how the wheelchairs are being distributed. It will make such a difference to have a chair that fits the person who needs it. What a blessing for their country. I sure looks like Dad is having a fun time "boogying down" with the ladies!
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