On Saturday . January 31, we hosted the "Launching HOPE luncheon." Over 40 people from literally all over the world came to Lebanon to join together in HOPE. There were seven adoptive families with their children, team members of Possibilities International and LAMb, a professor and his wife from Cedarville University who worked in Kyrgyzstan and an awesome missionary couple serving in Africa. WHAT A DAY!
Our pastor, Lester Jones, of the Countryside CommunityChurch of the Nazarene in Lebanon, Ohio
Ruby Johnston, co-founder of LAMb, in the center, sharing with the group.Our daughter is to her right, my husband to her left.
Dr. Andrew Wiseman, from Cedarville University, his daughter, Jasmine and wife, Sevara.She is from Uzbekastan ( and one of my Russian tutors.)
Rick and Jane Taylor, pictured right and center....are dear missionary friends who have given their lives to Africa. Jane prepared all the food for the luncheon of 40 and it was a hit!
Some of the families who joined us at our Launching HOPE luncheon.All the children were from Kyrgyzstan!
All the kids sit down for a photo op
Randy Gebele and Rick Taylor are engaged in quite a conversation.
John Wright and Lynn Johnston relax after a great lunch.
Matthew and Andrew - they are the most huggie kids.I look forward to watching them grow up via their parents' blog.
David and I are listening to Rick's stories of amazing miracles in Africa.
One of my favorite pictures of the whole weekend - David and Anara.AN EVENING DEDICATED TO HOPE
We held two special events - one in Cincinnati on Friday, January 30 and one in Centerville, Ohio on Saturday. Many, many friends shared these awesome evenings with us.
From Saturday night
David is sharing with the group.
All the moms with children from Kyrgyzstan.
Nicole wins a hat!
Pastor Ken and Jackie open the evening.
Ann Bates, the Wrights and Nicole. We were so honored that Ann and Nicole joined us.