Denise Fahrion, Missionary Chaperone

After working behind the scenes throughout the week sorting donations, cleaning camps, completing landscaping and painting projects, the highlight of my week was my team’s final hour of service when we served the men their meal at 5pm on Thursday. We felt a bit apprehensive not knowing what to expect. As the first group of 20 men sat at the table, one man stood out like a sore thumb.  He was miserable, unappreciative, and complained about his food.  He said he was there for the apples, which were in several boxes by the exit.  My teammate and I made eye contact nonverbally saying to one another, “Is this what the next hour will bring to us?”  The gruff man quickly finished, filled his backpack with apples, and exited the dining room.  From that moment forward, the atmosphere lifted.  For the next 60 minutes, we served 90 of the most gracious, thankful, and fun-loving men!  Some men ate with their heads down and quietly thanked us as they finished their meals.  Several mentally challenged men made a specific point to make eye contact with us to thank us for their meals.  And the more boisterous men included us in their conversations with friends across the long table.  It felt like a whirlwind as we wiped one place setting to prepare for the next man to sit, replenished baskets of bread, refilled pitchers of water, and passed the peanut butter and jelly to those wanting to supplement their meal of pasta and garlic bread.  I felt the love in the room as everyone used proper manners and graciously thanked us for serving them.  The hour flew by quickly, and when the meal was complete, I wanted to serve more men.  Truly this was a faith-filled experience that touched my heart forever.

—Denise Fahrion, Missionary Chaperone