As they sit in their kitchen on a sunny weekday morning, Donald and Marie Cario discuss how much they love their home. It's a charming home on Canal Road in Adams Basin and they have a picturesque view out their back window. It isn't these amenities for which the Carios are most thankful. They're glad to be back in the United States. "We again come back with a greater appreciation of this country," said Marie. The couple, now married 51 years, has just returned from a year-long mission in Kazakhstan as representatives of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod. Here they are members of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Hilton. Kazakhstan is located in Central Asia, and borders China. Now independent, it was once a Soviet Republic. The people of this area are struggling desperately to develop an economy that is still reeling from the fall of communism. The Carios headed to Kazakhstan in January 2003 so that Donald, who is a pastor, could teach future church leaders, and so the couple could help provide humanitarian aid. The Carios are no strangers to this type of work. Previously they spent a year in South Africa working with high school age children. "I never dreamed that we would be doing this," said Donald, who admits that their four children (11 grandchildren) would like them to stay home. "We have been blessed by God with great health and there is just such a need out there." In Kazakhstan, Donald spent his days in the Lutheran Seminary School, while Marie worked with some of the women on crafts. She tried to develop projects that would be profitable for these women. "The people outside the city had only subsistence farming to survive on," said Marie. The unemployment rate in Kazakhstan is near 30 percent. While the Carios observed a great deal of poverty, they came back with a real sense of hope for the Kazakh people. Kazakhstan is rich with natural resources and the mood, thanks in large part to the efforts of several church groups, is up. "It was a real joy to see the enthusiasm of new believers," said Donald. The Carios also helped distribute aid that was shipped in on a regular basis from the Lutheran Church. LCMS, which has been stationed in Kazakhstan for 10 years, also provided a truck where people could go to receive dental and medical assistance. "Providing humanitarian aid and spiritual healing go hand in hand," said Donald. "When people see that you are concerned about them they believe that you really mean what you say." Back at home, the Carios cannot shake images that they witnessed in Kazakhstan. They also brought home many souvenirs. Their commitment to these people won't end just because they are no longer physically nearby. The couple is working to organize a clothing drive at St. Paul Lutheran Church, 158 East Avenue in Hilton. Used, clean clothes, boxed and labeled, can be dropped off at the church every Saturday morning through mid April. "This will be an exciting project," said Donald. "Once you've been on the other side of those shipments you have a great appreciation for what an impact this has." |
