Introducing a Way to Partner in HOPE

Almost everyday, we meet a friend on the street or at the store, or at church that asks us questions - "What can we do to help? How can we give? What is needed?"

Those questions prompted me to consider putting the information in a permanent form on the side of our blog. Although the contents of the blog will change, the information on how you can partner in HOPE for those in need in Central Asia, will be a constant.

Let us thank you ahead of time for all of your support.

An Evening Dedicated to HOPE: An Evening to Remember

The weekend of Jan 30 and 31, we experienced something like never before. It was a gathering of people from literally all over the country, Canada and beyond - propelled together by one thing - HOPE. Hope for the children and needy of Central Asia. There are few words to describe our thoughts and feelings about the potential in the work ahead.

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 Community
Church 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.

Behind the Scenes of "An Evening Dedicated to Hope"

This Friday and Saturday holds great anticiaption for the team members of LAMb International and Possibilities International. We are gathering at two different locations to share our heart about the orphan care ministries and other humanitarian ministries we partner in together in Central Asia. Over 35 people are coming from out of state. We will have adults and children from Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekastan here as well.

Something incredible has happened in the planning of these two evenings for which David and I are extremely humbled. In a casual conversation with a friend of mine, Robin Wientge, I mentioned we were thinking about doing this. Her daughter has been in Ukraine for almost a near now working in orphanages and schools. She asked me to let her help....she gathered a crew and they got to work on planning incredible decorations. See the pictures below, which give just a small glimpse of what's ahead. I was thrilled beyond words.

A few days later, two friends of mine, Kay Carlise and Phyllis Haynes, talked to me about the upcoming "events" as we now call them. They asked what we were serving and I told them desserts. Kay said, "how are you doing those?" I replied, "Haven't got that far yet." She and Phyllis enthusiastically responded, "we will take care of that! " WOW!

THEN, a few days later, while having dinner with two missionary friends, Rick and Jane Taylor, we shared about the "events" and the luncheon I was planning for 40+ people coming in on Saturday afternoon. "Let me do the luncheon for you," Jane told me. WOW! WOW!

AND ONE MORE, another friend, Tish Lay, offered to help me clean the house and get it ready! WOW! WOW! WOW!

All the other details that are coming together are being done by Lynn and Ruby Johnston, John and Julie Wright, Randy and Kim Gebele. I have simply mentioned things and people step up! What a team they are!

I sit here this very snowy afternoon, extremely appreciative to my friends who captured our vision. This weekend David and I will be hosting the Wright family in our home, managing two major events, hosting 40+ for lunch. I should be running around with much to do...yet, I am sitting here enjoying this wonderful afternoon relaxed and ready for whatever God will do.

We want to say thank you - thank you for all your help as your partner in HOPE with us for the orphans and needy of Central Asia.....

In the workroom of our church, Countryside Community Church of Lebanon, Ohio, the creative minds Dee Dee Stone, Debbie Jayne and Robin Wientage, plan the evening's theme.

Robin wraps "gift of HOPE" boxes.

An artist's work in progress...I don't know how people think of such awesome things!

A glimpse at the table decorations.

The details:

An Evening Dedicated to Hope: Highlighting the Orphan Care Ministries in Central Asia

This is one mission event you don't want to miss. It will like no other you have ever been to.

Friday, January 30 – 7 P.M. Crossroads Community Church 3500 Madison Rd. Cincinnati, Ohio 513-731-7400

Saturday, January 31 – 7 P.M. Living Hope Community Church1150 West Spring Valley Pike, Centerville, Ohio 937-433-2773

HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE!

Upcoming Events WE ARE SOOO EXCITED

An Evening Dedicated to Hope: Highlighting the Orphan Care Ministries in Central Asia

This is one mission event you don't want to miss. It will like no other you have ever been to.

Friday, January 30 – 7 P.M.
Crossroads Community Church 3500 Madison Rd. Cincinnati, Ohio 513-731-7400

Saturday, January 31 – 7 P.M.
Living Hope Community Church1150 West Spring Valley Pike, Centerville, Ohio 937-433-2773

HOPE – that is all orphan children living in Central Asia have. HOPE that tomorrow will be a better day. HOPE that just their basic needs will be met. HOPE that someone somewhere will hear their cry and respond.

We invite you to join us as we share that cry of the orphan and how you can partner in hope. You can make a difference. You can touch a generation to change generations.

LAMb International and Possibilities International are partnering together to meet the needs of children in orphanages and difficult family situations…needs like…
·Nutritional care
·Basic medical care, eye glasses, dental care, physical therapy
·Clothing and shoes
·Tutoring and other educational assistance
·Spiritual Guidance

WHO YOU WILL MEET:

Lynn and Ruby Johnston – Founders of LAMb International (Saturday only)

John, Julie, Emma and Bekah Wright. John is the Director of the Sponsorship program for Possibilities International.

David and Jayne Schooler, LAMb missionaries to Kyrgyzstan

WHO WE ARE:

LAMb International, the sending mission organization for the Schoolers is committed to helping children, families and adults grow and develop into healthy individuals, spiritually, physically, socially and mentally. LAMb’s defining Scripture: Ephesians 4:12,... “for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ…”

Possibilities International, the sending mission organization for the Wright family is a Canadian based charitable organization that presently works in Canada, Central Asia, Guatemala and the Philippines. They desire to care for the hopeless, helpless and hurting children and elderly, and passionately connect North Americans to this cause! PI seeks out those who live on the edges of their society, bringing them hope, joy, laughter, love and a future!

What about the needs of people beyond orphans?

There are thousands of families and senior citizens living in extreme poverty in this area of the world. LAMb and Possibilities International are reaching out to families, senior citizens, people in homes for disabled men and women to help with basic needs.

You will hear how you can partner in hope for them as well.

You will see pictures and hear stories that will not only touch your heart, but change you. For more information or r.s.v.p., contact David or Jayne Schooler at 513-228-2303 or jayeschool@aol.com

The Wrights Are Coming for a Visit

We are so excited with the news that our Kygyzstan friends, John, Julie, Emma and Bekah are coming to help us share the word about the orphan care ministries in Central Asia. They will be here in Lebanon, Ohio the weekend of January 30-February 1.

Emma is on the far left, John in the center in red and Julie and Bekah just in front of David.

The details for this upcoming event are still in the planning stages, but to get a little taste of the excitement, visit their blog......actofkindness.blogspot.com. Email us if you want more information on attending this fun-filled evening.

How We Feel About our Time There

Dear Friends,

I have posted a very short video with a song from the Kay Warren ministry. It really says it all about how we feel about what God has done in our hearts.

(permission pending for use of the song)

It is December Already

Dear Friends,

Time has gone so quickly since we arrived home, but our hearts and thoughts are never very far from our friends in Kyrygyzstan. We talk every day of our plan to return in mid-March.

Life has been incredibly busy here. I am in the final stages of finishing a new book and have been privileged to work with six other outstanding authors. It is entitled Wounded Children, Healing Homes: The Impact of Traumatized Children on Adoptive and Foster Parents. We are excited about this resource as it is intended to validate the journey of some families and offer resources and hope.

David has been extremely busy with many hours of personal counseling and teaching opportunities. As the time nears for our return overseas, we will update you more on the plans ahead. Please pray for our friends that you have met along this journey who lived and minister there.

More to come, the journey continues....