Wednesday, January 28, 2009

Builders for Christ - W.I.P. Wednesday


I have been so busy this week that I haven't been able to get too much done for my W.I.P. Wednesday post. I am excited to share with you what I have been up to.

Our church doesn't have a building. We are a small mission congregation that has been meeting for the last six years in a recreational facility. We have been steadily growing and have finally started the process of ground breaking for our new church home. I am so excited to be a part of this process! It has been very frustrating at times - because we have had to rely on the availability of the rec center and our evening meetings or special events have had to be held at other locations at times. We will finally be able to have a church building to call our own!
There is a wonderful organization that is helping us build our church. It is made up of volunteers who are mostly retired. They are dedicated individuals who serve the Lord through the ministry of building churches all over the country. If you want to learn more about this wonderful ministry, click here. You can watch the video and see what a blessing these dedicated volunteers are to the congregations they serve.

The Builders for Christ workers arrived here in Georgia about a week ago. As you know the weather hasn't been the best here, so work has been slow - and they have had some problems here and there. This wonderful group of people have been so calm through it all. They are used to the pitfalls that arise when you are building a structure and they haven't let it phase them. I think WE - the members, have been more nervous about it all then they have! Whenever a problem arises - they take it directly to the Lord and patiently work it out. I am in awe of the dedication to the work involved and the gentle witness of these wonderful brothers in Christ!

After the foundation was finally set in place, they quickly got to work - they broke ground and are starting to build the walls! The builders are staying in RV's on the property, and in our members homes. The only thing that they ask of us is that we feed them breakfast and lunch with two snacks each day - they usually take care of their own dinners.

Our Ladies Group has been busy preparing meals everyday for them. This is no easy undertaking as we have about 30 builders (including their wives) here working for us.

Today is the day that my meals will be served. I prepared them this week and took them out to the parsonage last night. I had to do it this way because I work and couldn't take the time to go out there today. The wives arrive at the parsonage in the morning and warm things up and then call the men to come eat. It has worked out well so far - it's just a gamble at how MUCH to prepare. I hope I made enough to satisfy them!

I really LOVE to bake and wanted this meal to be extra special. I chose to make Cinnamon Rolls for their breakfast and cut up strawberries to go with it.

In the corner you see the butterscotch krispies that I made for them to snack on during the day.


I made Watergate Salad which has crushed pineapple, pistachio pudding, coolwhip and marshmallows in it. You can't tell by this picture, but it is a green color and it is delicious!


The entree dish is Chicken Tetrazzini. I made enough to fill two foil roaster pans full. I wanted to make a lunch that was not too heavy because they would need to go back to work after eating it!
I am probably going to stress out today until I find out that it was enough for them. It is so hard to know what will be enough to feed 30 people! This has been a labor of love - We all feel so blessed to have them here!
In February, we are having a Ladies Group get-together to honor the sacrifice of these wives who follow their husbands around from state to state. They don't even get to enjoy the quiet life of their retirement years! Actually, they all say that they wouldn't have it any other way. They truly enjoy getting to meet new people and travel to new locations. What a ministry this is!
I will be sure to post about our fun evening that we have planned for these special women when the day approaches.
I need to get going - need to go to work, but if you would like for me to post any of these recipes, just tell me which ones and I will be happy to. They are all tried and true!
Blessings on your day today,
Kymber

15 comments:

Becky Garrison said...

What a joy it must be to be a part of that process, and what a wonderful church family you must have! Hubby and I are about to 're-begin' the search for a new church home. I pray we'll be able to find a warm, loving church family, filled with the spirit and the desire to grow the kingdom! Blessings, Becky G.

The Bliss Journey said...

Bless you for all the yummy food that you prepared. How exciting to be getting a new church home.
Kathleen

The Quintessential Magpie said...

This is such a great post, Kymber! I loved reading every word, and I pray blessings on you and the church workers as they build your new building. What delicious meals you fixed there! I want a pan of that chicken tetrazinni! LOL! And I'll take a side of cinamon rolls, please. :-)

Have a wonderful day and don't stress... loaves and fishes, loaves and fishes. :-)

XO,

Sheila

Anonymous said...

Holy cow - you weren't kidding when you said you had to cook... a LOT!!! Hehe. Love ya mum!

kymber said...

I love you too my son!
Wish you were here to help me eat some of the cinnamon rolls that I kept. I miss you!
Love,
Mom

Glenda said...

This post gives a whole new meaning to the phrase "labor of love". What a wonderful thing the Builders for Christ are devoting their time and labor to and for. The same is true of your Ladies Group. May God bless this undertaking.

When you have a chance to come up for air, I would love to have the recipe for the butterscotch krispies. I'm getting a sugar high just looking at them. You are right, the Watergate salad is delicious. I usually save that one for the holidays, but it is good any time of the year. I would also love to try the Chicken Tetrazzini. DH doesn't care much for chicken, but this recipe looks like I might be able to hide it from him.

Melissa Miller said...

What a truly inspirational post Kymber!
I hope everything goes very well.
~Take Care, Melissa

The Muse said...

oh blessings to you and all who are doing a part!!!

Anonymous said...

How very sweet of you to go to all this troble.But....you did one thing wrong!You've made me HUNGRY.GRRRRRRRRRRRRRR.
What joy to be in on the ground floor.I know with all the hard work,you're enjoying every minute.And think of all the stories you all can tell when it's finished.haha...Ann

Anonymous said...

I hope you didn't give them all your money. Good luck.

kymber said...

Hi Anonymous,
I don't know if you will revisit this, but I wanted to reply to your comment - I am only sorry that we can not talk face to face. I would love for you to see the warmth that I have for you in my eyes and the love that I am trying to convey to you. I am genuine when I tell you this!

I am so glad that you came by to visit me and took the time to leave a comment! I hope you come back to visit- you are ALWAYS welcome - gladly so!

In answer to your question - the money that I freely choose to give - really isn't mine to begin with. All that I have - I believe, has been given to me by God and I feel so blessed everyday by what He has bestowed on me and my family. I am not ONLY talking monetary blessings although the fact that I have a roof over my head is great - but the fact that all of my kids, my husband and myself are healthy, and that I am able to enjoy everyday the beautiful world that He has given all of us to live in. The fact that I can count on Him everyday to make the sun rise and set and keep my days balanced and not chaotic is reason for me to give freely BACK all that is already His to begin with!
The Builders For Christ workers see themselves as a ministry - as a way to give back to the Lord as well as to help further His Kingdom here on Earth. They have asked nothing from us - but a roof over their heads and food while they are here to work. Our congregation members are also working side by side to build our new facility.
I don't know where you are in your feelings towards God. It is so hard to tell by someones writings - where a persons true heart is, that is why I said I would love to talk with you face to face. Life is so hard and we all have so many struggles at times - with our health, or with money problems, you name it - it is a constant struggle everyday to stay positive! I don't blame my God for things that happen here on this earth - Man is sinful but God is holy!
Life can be very hard for us all - God never promised it would be easy, but He promises to be there when it is over and that is what I cling to - and that is where my hope lies everyday.
I give BACK to him in Thanksgiving for taking such wonderful care of me in this life

You said the words "Good Luck" and I thank you for that. I hope and pray that all goes well for you also and ANYTIME you want to talk to me please - feel free. I will be here for you and will be praying.
Blessings to you my friend,
Kymber

Mary said...

You certainly prepared a delicous feast for your workers. How exciting that you are now building to house the congregation. I can see it's a labor of love.
I just wanted to let you know that you won my giveaway..Please email me.

kymber said...

Hi Glenda,
I don't know if you will check back here to read this - it seems lately my life resembles the winnie the pooh phrase - "The hurrieder I go the behinder I get".
I will get those recipes out to you as soon as I can. I know that you will enjoy them. They are all vety simple recipes, yet delicious - a winning combination!
Blessings to you,
Kymber

Anonymous said...

oh my goodness!!! cinnamon rolls! thats one thing i know i want when i come to visit! hehe and minestrone soup, even though i'm sure it will be hotter than hott when i'm there. ha.
!ash

kymber said...

Ashley Bug,
I will make you whatever your cute little heart desires sweetheart! I am so looking forward to your visit this summer - maybe I can convince you that Georgia is a great place to live hehe!
Come on you know I gotta try right?
Miss you!