Volunteer Appreciation

I held my annual volunteer appreciation event last night...a picnic in the pavilion at Community Village. The weather was just perfect, about 80 degrees with a slight breeze. All the food was prepared by our chef. He served an array of appetizers, barbecued ribs, barbecued beef sandwiches, a chicken pasta salad, chuck wagon beans, red-skin potatoes, coleslaw, grilled corn on the cob, and strawberry shortcake with ice cream and grilled pineapple. It's such a blessing that I don't have to be concerned about the food preparation.

This is a picture of me with one of my volunteers, Betty. She and I like to read the same authors and theologians, so we have many good discussions.
Chef Jim and staff. His motto: never trust a skinny chef.

Our entertainment for the evening, the Lawsons. I usually don't care for country gospel, but they are very talented. I've never heard anyone do "Blessed Assurance" as well as they do.
Ann (center), a faithful mission volunteer for over 24 years, was selected as this year's volunteer of the year. I also awarded service award pins and appreciation gifts to a number of recipients. It's been such a pleasure working with the mission volunteers; they have been an example of humility in serving others. The others pictured below are former volunteers of the year that were in attendance. The perpetual recipient plaque is new this year.