God’s people giving and serving at Shiloh
As I write this, our site is hopping with activity! If you could see what we’ve seen going on here, you would see a group of adults and kiddos working together on fencing around the property…you would see several people staining wood furniture….you would see many people working in various areas of the new house that is being built doing wiring or putting up metal siding…you would see a group of people working together in the butcher shop preparing food for our freezers…you would see gardens cleaned and freshened up with new mulch….everywhere you look on our site, you would see people who have driven sometimes very long distances and given up their vacation days at work or time they could just be chilling back home….all now actively involved in our ministry….working side by side with all of us – adults and children….doing whatever the need is, whatever the temperature is.
You would hear laughter and conversations going on in our bunkhouse with wall to wall people during mealtimes…(66 extra mouths to feed this week! Thank you, Lord, for crockpots!!!) You would hear the hearts of all of our work groups this summer as they ask how they can help our ministry … .what should they pray for specifically…..asking us to tell them more about what life daily looks like around here at Shiloh. You would hear words of encouragement and heartfelt devotions challenging us to keep on doing the Lord’s will. You would hear laughter from all ages as they swim in our pond or play a round of volleyball together.
As I gave several people tours of our school this week, I couldn’t help but remember what things looked like just a year ago this week! Boxes, desks, and supplies piled almost to the ceiling in a whole section of the basement that would soon be our school…..Kenny and I standing in the midst just looking around at it all, not knowing where to begin. Yet now, as I have walked around with many supporters/work group folks who ask questions about our program and how it works, the realization of how God had a plan and pulled it all together in His timing ..for His purpose…..it still never ceases to amaze me as we watch Him pull it all together!
It’s the same in our home. As we had one of the work groups stay with us as the bunkhouse was overflowing this week, the realization of how much things have evolved here since a year ago is unreal! Many of the work group this summer helped us load and unload vans, U-hauls, and trailers last year and now they can see how everything has a place…..a purpose…..and His plan.
Today’s been a long, busy day….but as tired as I am as I close this up, there’s a peace… a joy…that leaves me refreshed, as I’ve seen, heard, listened to and enjoyed the blessings of those who serve, those who come to work, and watched what those of you who lift us up in your prayers and sacrifice financially from your heart to make full days like this happen. Sleep will feel good….but feeling abundantly blessed feels even better!
In His service,
Ken & Beth Penfield
