LEARNING FOR OTHERS

During the summer Cooking Camp participants had the opportunity to showcase their culinary skills. St. Thomas generously provided their kitchen and fellowship hall, allowing FPR to set up 6 cooking stations with electric skillets. Each afternoon for one week, these aspiring chefs gathered to follow recipes, engaging in activities such as chopping, grating, stirring, flipping, and cooking a variety of healthy meals.

Towards the end of one particular day, the groups were cleaning up and playing a game when a family of 7, a mom, dad, and five children, walked up to ask for help. Mr. Larry warmly welcomed them and invited them inside. As the family settled around a table, Larry began pulling ingredients out of the kitchen. The young chefs took notice of the situation and eagerly came to assist. Utilizing the recipe they had just learned and the leftover ingredients from the day they prepared a meal for the whole family.

This small, yet meaningful gesture, exemplified God’s love and left a lasting impact. It empowered the participants who discovered that the skills they learned at FamilyPoint equipped them to help others. It served as a reminder that while we may not be able to solve every problem, we can be a part of the solution by acting in the moment with the resources and knowledge available to us.

When we approach situations with open hearts and open minds, ready to share what we have, God provides blessings in unimaginable ways. As Henri Nouwen said, “Community is first of all a quality of the heart. It grows from the spiritual knowledge that we are alive not for ourselves but for one another.”