International Dinners

We are now approaching the end of our seventh season of international dinners. This year was phenomenal in building relationships, trust, faith, and encouragement. Because of the economic situation at the end of 2008 and the beginning of 2009, many seasonal workers were un-employed, or under-employed. As a result they needed our services even more!

Our first 2009 Tuesday Night Dinner drew 347 people to our Center. WAY TOO MANY TO FIT IN OUR SPACE!!! People sat outside at tables in the cold, and even 50 people sat in our Thrift Shop to eat their meal. Over the first half of the dinner season we averaged over 300 young people each week! At the end of the season those numbers dropped down to 200 and 150 as the students return home for classes.

A powerful time of interaction again! "Tim's Time" is a devotional feature, and Tim's talks are available if your email us. We will gladly send you the messages he shared each week.

Again this year we had friends from over 20 countries in attendance. There is no way to build better international relationships than by sharing a meal with those from different cultures.

We give a big "Thank You" to the many volunteers who joined together to make the service seamless. From the moment young people walked in the door to register, all the way through serving the food, picking up the used dishes, cleaning up the room, even driving students back to their condos—every part of the night was made possible by dedicated and caring men and women. We also had help from the Boy Scouts, the Park City Ambassadors, Park City Rotary (Sunrise), and from members of just about every church in town. We also greatly thank Windy Ridge Restaurant for their HUGE donation of food each week—bringing in pizzas and salads and desserts to feed over 100 people! And we thank Burger King for the "Whoppers and fries" and Grub Steak for the delicious beef ribs.

We are now engaged in helping our international friends get packed and head out of town. Many hope to return. Many will not come here again, and we pray for each of them. Next year's issues will be the same—only intensified. So we seek your insights and wisdom to better serve those who come to Park City to serve us. Stay in touch and thank you to all who made the 3,000 meals served as memorable as ever!