Officially Open...

The team worked diligently all morning to make sure that everything went off without a hitch. Everything was in its place and every detail was taken care of. The utmost care was taken to make sure that there were no cultural blunders .. this can be so difficult for us as is is such a different culture, but it was clear from the start that we are all wanting the same thing... a Kyrgyzstan with out orphans.

As the guests arrived, they were greeted at the front gates buy young ladies dressed in traditional Kyrgyz dresses. Ever lady was given a rose as they walked in . Everyone gathered on the new patio and were offered Pop or juice as we prepared to cut the ribbon cutting. When the government Minister and the Mayor arrived, the ribbon was cut and the home was officially opened.

The girls were beautiful and were such a wonderful addition to the day.

Beautiful bu cays of flowers were on hand for the dignitaries..

The first thing guests saw when they walked in was the huge spread on the dinning room table, It was kind of a east meats west as Aigoola and I collaborated to make is special for every one... I think they were all suitable impressed... Every detail, right down to the DaySpring Logo on the cake...

those wrapped candies in the front are actually chocolate truffles... Soooo good.....

The bread side of the table included the traditional Borsolk.. with national preserves and honey, then just to add a twist, we included a bowl of peanut butter...

The guests then moved into the training hall for speeches from Lynn and Ruby and the honoured dignitaries.

After the speeches, the Speakers and their aids went in to cut the cake while the rest of the guests got a tour of the home before returning to join the others in the dinning room..

Many of our friends brought us lovely opening gifts, like this beautiful painting.. As well we even received some more trees to plant.

Poor Jengish arrived from the US. just this morning .. so he was a little jet lagged.. but that made us appreciate he and Sergey that much more ...

Lynn and Ruby made everyone feel so welcome and honoured . They did a great job. they did us all proud.

Then we all returned back to the apartment for a huge pan of Lazagna...

More information will be on the team blogs soon... I will post the links here over the next couple days .