Recently retired historian and former Hesston College professor John E. Sharp will talk about the migration of 100 families from the Russian Empire to Turkistan in Central Asia in the early 1880s. John will show photos and tell stories gathered during years of research and multiple tours exploring The Great Trek migration. At a time when waves of Mennonites were COMING to North America, a small group followed a dream to settle in Central Asia instead. Hear about their arduous experiences along the Silk Roads in modern day Uzbekistan and the welcome they received from local Muslims. How Mennonites lived in harmony with their Muslim neighbors is an inspiring story!

Presentation will conclude with photos of the exhibits in the new Mennonite museum in Khiva.