60 flags. 4000 people. 20+ local churches.
The Toledo area is a place like nowhere else. If you don’t look around, you will miss how unique it is. Yes, our zoo and the Jeep factory are unique. But the uniqueness that I’m talking about is in the Toledo area people.
The 60 flags carried in the parade at the Who’s My Neighbor Festival represented 60 different nationalities that live in the Toledo area. They are our neighbors and friends. Who’s My Neighbor is a place where we can collectively say, “You are welcome here!” The welcoming force came from our 20+ local churches who believe that God is bringing the nations to our doorstep.
An estimated 4000 attendees enjoyed watching cultural presentations, Bollywood dancing, a world cup with teams from Africa, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Latin America, and Mexico, and many other fun activities. In the global village, people were hit with the smells of freshly roasted Ethiopian coffee and sweet treats from Africa. New languages were tried, delicious international food was inhaled, and the spirit of love and understanding was overwhelming.
Thank you to all who served at the festival! Thank you for showing God’s love to the nations and being a part of a welcoming community to our neighbors from all around the world.