More than we imagined
What was anticipated to be merely a replacement of kitchen counters surprisingly turned into a kitchen remodel. A mission team from Mobberly Baptist Church of Longview, Texas, prepared to WOW! Smoky Mountain Resort Ministries with a more efficient and sanitary kitchen work space. They had planned not just to install counter tops and shelving, but had also planned details such as color schemes, gifting us with custom art work for decorating the dorm, a new patio on the back lawn of the staff dorm, and 600 pounds (30 cases) of resources to supply the Welcome Bags for the International students.
More challenging than we imagined
Like most construction projects, the deeper they went into the walls of this 100 year old dorm, the more challenges they encountered. Quickly, the stress of completing the project on time began to intensify! They couldn’t even use the kitchen to prepare meals for our work team- another challenge. Problems, hurdles, dilemmas, issues, uncertainties… challenges! In the darkest moments of exhaustion, God is near; a creative God who gives wisdom and strength beyond measure.
More wonderful than we imagined
Smoky Mountain Resort Ministries is blessed with a newly renovated kitchen that will allow for safer, cleaner, and more efficient meal preparation for our summer staff. The art decorations provide beauty of color with scripture as a daily reminder of God’s promises. The patio in the back lawn is envisioned to provide space for our staff to find solitude in the early hours or maybe Christian fellowship in a gathered circle of singing and worship.
More to be imagined
Even upon completion of such a daunting project, the team continued to share ideas for next year. This team demonstrated the reality of ministry work. The work is never done, and by God’s grace alone are we able to be successful in any task He places before us. There is always more to do, and this team moved in rhythm with our creative God who reveals our needs and the means to meet them. Mobberly has given us more hope and more encouragement as we enter into this season of summer ministry. As we begin with more than we imagined, we look towards the end knowing that greater things have yet to come and greater things are still to be done! …And all things more than we can imagine.
Ephesians 3:20
Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.
