Paul and Grace Mbithi are in the U.S. this week from Nairobi, and I went to the home of Bob and Mary Margaret Willems tonight for a very pleasant cookout at which the Mbithis were the guests of honor. Bob grilled chicken, and it was great, and then Richard and Peggy Partin served up some homemade vanilla ice cream with fresh strawberries.

Since I was going to be on the mountain anyway, I drove up an hour early to stop by Mountain T.O.P. staff training at Camp Cumberland Pines. They were in a break when I arrived, but from everything I hear training is going well and there’s a great spirit among the staff. This first summer under the new management will be a critical one, and I have every confidence that the staff will do a fine job.

Most of the summer staff are college-age and will be working in our youth ministry. However, the Adults In Ministry staff is also in training. I got to meet Gwynda Eversole, who will be this summer’s AIM director. I say “meet” — it’s likely we’ve been in camp together at some point in the past, although I don’t think either of us remembers the other.

Actually, when I first got to camp I saw … Paul and Grace, and Gail Drake, and Frank Schroer. Gail had been speaking as part of staff training, and Frank brought Paul and Grace over so that Paul could say a few words. Gail said he told the staff exactly what they needed to know.

Also at Pines were Marijo and Allen Bond. Marijo is our past Mountain T.O.P. board chair and a long-time friend of the program. Because of her background in social work, she leads staff training in child abuse recognition each year.

I’ll be back up on the mountain Saturday for the service at which the summer staff will be formally commissioned.