If you're planning to attend tonight's Torchlight celebration, I look forward to seeing you there! The event begins at 6:30pm at Chicago's Field Museum. Here are a few highlights we can look forward to experiencing:
1. The Gems of Providence
Annie Langham, Dora Boomstra, Michael Duffek, Gerald and Dorothy Smeenge — these are all people who have been served by Providence this past year. Their stories — and 27 others' — will be displayed on take-home cards at the dinner tables. Each table will have 8 different cards, so the people at that table can "meet" 8 of the people their gifts and prayers have helped support. A total of 31 different cards will be available, and guests are welcome to collect them all!
2. A Fantastic Meal, followed by Fantastic Dessert
To be honest, I don't know what's on tonight's dinner menu, but I do know what's on the dessert menu! "Vanilla, Chocolate, or Mocha
Créme Brulée, caramelized on site, and
self-customized with your choice of caramel, chocolate, or raspberry sauces." Yes!
3. The Faith Church (Dyer, Indiana) Praise Team
Vocalists Ryan Flipse, Ryan Matthysse, Lisa Triemstra, and Ashley Whiteman will be accompanied by Ryan Matthysse (piano), Gus Montoya (percussion), and Dan Whiteman (acoustic guitar). They'll be using their musical gifts to lead us in a few praise songs after dinner. In addition, Pastor Bob Bouwer will be our emcee for the evening.
4. Diamonds!
Following dinner, Torchlight attenders will have access to The Nature of Diamonds, a special limited-time-only exhibition. (The Nature of Diamonds is organized by the American Museum of Natural History, New York in collaboration with The Field Museum, Chicago; the Royal Ontario Museum, Toronto; and the Houston Museum of Natural Science. Both The Nature of Diamonds and the Grainger Hall of Gems are generously sponsored by the Grainger Foundation.)
5. A Feeling of Family
Torchlight is the one opportunity the Providence community has to catch a glimpse of how large and diverse this family is. Employees, donors, families, vendors, and board members are all represented, and throughout the evening we all are reminded that this ministry is life-changing, and that we're all in it together.
I'll see you tonight!
