We had the pleasure to attend "An Evening Dedicated to HOPE" in Dayton, Ohio on Saturday evening, January 31. We started the day with a luncheon at Jayne and David Schooler's home. We were so thankful to them for opening their home to us and 30 others. The food was yummy and the hospitality was unbelievable. We had the opportunity to meet many missionaries that serve in Kyrgyzstan, other families who have adopted from Kyrgyzstan, and some who are in the process of adopting in Kyrgyzstan. I had a chance to share Andrew's story with others, and we got to learn so much more about Andrew's birth country. I spent time laughing with some and crying with others.
Later in the evening we headed over to the church and my heart was moved. It was amazing to see what these missionaries are doing to help the people in Kyrgyzstan. Please check out their blogs listed below to see their work. These missionaries don't just witness to the people in Kyrgyzstan they see how they are hurting and they give them hope. I was amazed of the stories and how they are making a difference. Cain and I want to give more money to them in the future. Since I was in Kyrgyzstan in January 2008 picking up Andrew, I haven't been the same. My heart breaks for the people there and I have always wanted a way to be able to help them. The amazing thing is every dollar makes a difference and I can't wait to see how we can help these people in the future. These missionaries have spent a lot of time in the orphanages in Kyrgyzstan and they have become such advocates for these children.
Please pray for the families who have received referrals of children in Kyrgyzstan to adopt. Things are at a standstill with the government right now and there are many families who are waiting to go pick up their child. I met three of these families yesterday and my heart breaks for them. I will be praying for each of them by name now, and I hope we will see some things happening soon.
Look at these sights to see how you can also help the people in Kyrgyzstan. There are so many needs and not enough help!
As soon as we came in Andrew wanted David Schooler to hold him.
Matthew decided to go join Andrew!
Here was a picture of only a few of the people in the Schooler's home as we were all giving introductions of ourselves.
Of course Andrew was being a little flirt. This little girls mom is from Uzbekistan which is near Kyrgyzstan. Andrew must of thought she was cute. 
I think Andrew was already proposing to her.
Andrew also wanted to give Anara a hug, but I don't think she knew what to think of Andrew. I met Anara's mom Hilary through our blogs. We started emailing before this event when we realized we were both going to be there, trying to plan the day. It was great meeting this family in person, and I hope we can spend more time with them in the future.
I took so many pictures and this was the best one. I couldn't get them all to look at the same time. Maybe someone else got a better shot!
So if that last picture wasn't hard enough we added more kids to the picture. Oh Well! This is good as it gets. There were so many of us taking pictures, you would of thought we were the paparazzi and these kids were straight out of Hollywood.
So Andrew decided if Anara wouldn't let him hug her, he would do the next best thing and have her mom hold him the same time as her. Once again Andrew, "you are a flirt"!
Here is the guys swapping orphanage pictures.
Andrew and Matthew were sure to still take some time to play cars with one another! They were so excited to see each other at this event. They both did pretty good for the day, taking in consideration their nap schedules were completely off.
Alisha was sure to bring her guitar and of course the kids loved to listen to her play and sing.
Anara doing her duck face.
Andrew with Hilary and Ann!
Wow Andrew! You even got the older ladies wrapped around your little finger.
Alisha with my new friends Nicole and Ann. Ann is waiting to bring home her daughter and Nicole is waiting to bring home her son. I will be praying for you both that your babies will come home soon and that God will give you the peace you need through this tough time! You both were such a blessing to me!
Once again this was the best of the pictures that I took.
Children in Picture: Kaleb, Anara, Matthew, and Andrew (all adopted from Kyrgyzstan)
Lynn and Ruby Johnston founders of LAMb International
John and Julie Wright - Missionaries to Kyrgyzstan
Alisha with her new friends Emma and Bekah (John and Julie Wrights daughters)
I tried getting a picture of the Schoolers, but it never happened. Sorry!
The moms with their Kyrgyz babies!
4 comments:
I'm STILL bummed that I didn't get to come and now there are PHOTOS to make me see what I missed -- whaaaaa!!! Looks like you all had fun, though!!
Kim so glad we all got to meet and swap stories. What an amazing amazing weekend we had.
We need to get together more often ;) You got some great shots...I'll be swiping them. Andrew is a sweetheart! And your girls are lovely young ladies inside and out.
I so wish I could have made it but I honestly don't think this was a good time for me. It looks like you all had a great time. Thanks for your support it really means alot to me.
Very exciting that Maria is coming up in March. I would LOVE to meet both of you. Let me know as it gets closer and I will see how I feel at that time. =)Who knows maybe I will get my referral by then and I can share some pics!! (i can hope, right?)
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