The Key Ingredient

The Culinary Arts students baked Challah loaves last week.

There is no better smell in the world than freshly baked bread, and due to a minor illness, I missed the glorious aroma wafting through the hallways of the college.  I found out about the event on Facebook when Chris posted this picture:

Sadness.

And yet, even though I deeply regretted missing the smell and the taste of this bread, seeing the picture reminded me of this Bible verse – 

“A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.”  Ecclesiastes 4:12b

Challah, made with eggs and honey, is a traditional Jewish Sabbath bread that is usually braided.  Three or more strands of bread are symbolic of arms intertwined – of love and support and unified strength. 

Chef McCarthy sent me the following email:

“This Challah is special because it was made with honey that was a gift from Bryan & Dick Ashurst, the owners of American Honey in California. By far, this honey is what made the difference as a key ingredient in our fresh baked Challah Bread!”

Looking at the corded bread, thinking of the Bible verse and reading the email made me realize that people like Bryan and Dick Ashurst are the third strand in the success of Shepherds College! God, the Master Baker, is intertwining the cords of committed staff and hard-working students with loving and loyal supporters who see the vision of our unique school and say, “Yes God, count me in! I believe in what you’re doing in the lives of these young people, and I want to be a part of it.” 

Our staff is made up of some of the most phenomenal people I’ve ever met – dedicated, caring, selfless and determined. Our students are motivated, strong, stubborn and brave. But our supporters have to be acknowledged as well. Without them, Shepherds College would still be a lovely idea typed up, printed out and saved as a business plan in a 3-ring binder.

The people and businesses who support Shepherds College are revolutionaries willing to cross the line, to burst out of the box and to challenge the status quo. They trust God to lead them – even if it’s down a path that hasn’t been walked before. They’ve given of their money, their time and their resources to ensure that young people with intellectual disabilities can have a hopeful future, just like anybody else.  They are an essential part of the development, growth and success of Shepherds College.

I wish I could list each individual and their loving act of support to our program, but, praise God, the list would take you well past your bedtime to read. 

Instead, I’ll just say thank you to all our volunteers, our Transition Coaches, our internship sites and our prayer warriors. Thank you to those who have written checks, those who have given advice and shared ideas, and those, like American Honey, who have donated resources to enrich the learning experience of the students. You are invaluable to us.

You are a key ingredient in Shepherds Challah, er… College. 

Thank you.

 


Shepherds College - Guiding Your Transition to Appropriate Independence. Please visit us at www.shepherdscollege.edu.