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Part Three – The EVENT!
The night before, 3 moms of NACS seniors were at the kitchen to help Mary and I with the chicken and supplies we had just purchased for the dinner. The chicken breasts were washed in a vinegar-water solution, then trimmed of fat and connective tissue, then placed in a large bowl where my *marinade was waiting. After a few minutes in the marinade bath, the chicken was placed in large bags and marinade poured over them. We had LOTS of bags filled with marinating chicken for 125 people! We cleaned up and went home for a few hours of sleep before the big even the next day!
*Marinade:
Extra virgin olive oil
Lemon juice
Kosher salt
Cumin
Rosemary
Oregano
Basil
Paprika
Minced garlic
Black pepper
The day of the Journey to Jerusalem 2010 dinner had dawned and here I was exhausted from all the work in the weeks and days prior. It was early and I was sluggish in moving. I closed my eyes and prayed and laid it all again, at Yeshua’s feet, offering this to Him.
My husband, who usually sleeps later, was awake. I asked him why he was up so early and he replied, “To help you get your things for the dinner.” What a great guy!! We gathered up the homemade Challah, pitas, hummus, tahini sauce, couscous and all the rest of the items, packed up the car and away I went (husband and children to follow later).
So much to do and so many things running through my mind at once, yet a peace infused every part of me, quashing any anxiety!
Next up; arriving at the kitchen, setting up, putting on Messianic praise music, unpacking all the supplies, greeting more moms of seniors and getting started!
Hair nets and gloves, vegetables to wash and chop, washed vegetables to cube, skewers to soak, falafel to make then fry, vegetables to sauté and add to the couscous, vegetables to roast and place in the bottom of the pans for the grilled chicken. Homemade hummus to transfer to trifle dishes, homemade pita to halve and open, more marinade to make for the vegetables that are being skewered, tahini sauce and diced Israeli salad to place in decorative bowls, potatoes to toss in olive oil and Kosher salt and bake at 450 for 30 minutes, chafing pans filled with delicious Israeli food to place in the warmers, the “Grilling Guy” Wally firing up the large smoker/grill and where DID those olives get to?
Tasting and laughing, suggestions and bright ideas, and such loving, wonderful, servant ladies. Wally, the Grilling Guy was amazing! He brought in trays of gorgeous, aromatic grilled chicken and veggies that beckoned our guests. The Pastor had a tasting plate and he gave it a “thumbs up.” He kept moving the plate downward (away from him) so I would get a picture the plate and not him, but I got him instead. 🙂 HA!
Then, the battery died in my camera and I never did get a picture of our dinner plated. BUT, we did get great feedback from all the guests and those thousand words were worth more than one picture.
The night was electric! Prayer, food, beautiful Messianic praise dancing led by Leeann Gompers, sharing, more dancing, giving gifts from the Holy Land, more prayer, generous hearts, fabulous dancing presentation and lastly prayer. I didn’t want it to end!
The hard-workers increased and cleaned that place before I knew what was happening. And then it was time to go. All I know is Mary Rice is an unsung hero and I am more exhausted than I believed were ever possible.
On the way home, I recalled a moving conversation with my pastor, Jim Dykes. I thought on his lovely wife Tracey serving in the kitchen from early morning until late in the evening (she was still there cleaning when I left), and always a smile on her sweet face. I recalled all the people who came and served as ministers and servants to make this an event that glorified G-d first. And I prayed for Mary Rice, again. That woman deserves a medal!
As I drifted off to sleep that night, I thanked G-d each for one who was a part of this evening, the guests, the students, the parents, the helpers. I thanked Him for their gifts and how they used them so unselfishly to send these young students for the trip of a lifetime, a Walking Bible Tour of the Holy Land of Israel.
About Vickilynn Parnes
