On Thursday evening, April 6th, 600 guests gathered together at the Savannah Center in West Chester, Ohio to celebrate God's working through the medical ministry of Caring Partners International. The evening started with a Silent Auction, where guests bid via their smartphones on more than 250 items, donated by supporting businesses and individuals. Anna Love and friends from Miami University's Symphonic Orchestra played beautiful classical music while guests mingled through the Silent Auction area.
Following a mission video compiled by Scott Skelton of Skelton Stewdios, CPI Missionaries Dr. Adam & Rhonda Reed welcomed all in attendance. Adam acknowledged the Banquet Sponsors & Volunteers, and gave special recognition to CPI Board Member Rick Lalli and his wife Jenny, who spearheaded the Silent Auction team, along with Jim Sudlow and Wendell & Kris Odom.
CPI Mission Team Member Kyle Ward opened the evening in prayer. Kyle, a junior at Troy Christian High School, also shared his personal testimony of his mission travels with Caring Partners, noting that though the physical care provided is essential, the Gospel message as presented in CPI's "Clinic of the Soul" was the key to the ministry's church-based mission outreach.
Following a wonderful buffet dinner, Rick Lalli took the stage to give his personal testimony. Rick explained that through just one step of obedience; stepping out in faith and traveling on a CPI mission trip, God changed his life. In fact, later this month, Rick will retire from corporate life and will be volunteering his time, serving the Lord through his home church and Caring Partners International!
Missionaries Jon & Karen Lambert were the Banquet's special guests. Jon shared his personal testimony, stressing how the Lord uses ordinary people to accomplish extraordinary impact for His Kingdom. The Lamberts had just returned from the mission field of Ecuador, and Jon explained that he had witnessed first-hand how the medical ministry of Caring Partners impacted the churches in Ecuador for Christ. Rhonda Reed closed the evening, sharing the story of Sister Paulina, who transformed her village in southern Guatemala, with eternal results.
On behalf of the Board of Directors and Mission Leadership Team of Caring Partners, THANKS SO MUCH to each of our guests, sponsors, volunteers, and our donors for creating an unforgettable evening. We give all the praise, the honor, and the glory to the Lord for all He is accomplishing through the ministry of Caring Partners International!
"...all things are possible to those that believe"
Mark 9:23
Thank You Banquet Sponsors!