Kitchen laborers - Long days, short nights.

With any group, activity goes on all day long, and amidst the chaos, we find time to eat. For the bricklayers, the food is a long-awaited respite from the hot sun. Starting first thing in the morning, workers grab their plates, load up on eggs, cereal, or pancakes. The food is enjoyed as fuel for the forthcoming labor. Then the meal is done, the food enjoyed, and the laborers leave a mess behind in order to head off to work. Then again at lunch, and finally at dinner, food is joyfully consumed and energy replenished. Biblically, food is a gift from God, which supplies us to accomplish the work in which God has called us. Food is also a sign of hospitality.

The gift of food, however, does not simply fall down from heaven. Behind the scenes is a team of two, planning, cooking, and cleaning for us. They begin before the team of 34 arises from their slumber. Early in the morning, the kitchen crew puts forth a spread unlike mornings at my house. Then once breakfast is over, they clean up our mess and begin preparing for the evening meal. Cooking for 34 is exhausting, and they do it joyfully.

The meals are wonderful. So far we have enjoyed pork tenderloin, egg dish, and delectable sandwiches, including tuna salad on whole-grain bread...mmm...rumor has it that chicken parmesan and cheesy potatoes are on the menu for this evening. Life is good...


Molly Hosfield and Diane Beson are our cooks for the week. They do enjoy the help from others. Everyday, Molly and Diane faithfully serve the team through their gifts of planning, cooking and most importantly, hospitality. Their long days prepare for the crew in wonderful ways. We are thankful for their work and their organization. Please pray for their energy and rest. Pray that they receive God's goodness through their daily work.

Here are pictures of Molly (above) and Diane (below) on Sunday - our Sabbath day.