The dedication of the first phase of the Tejas dining hall expansion this past Friday night was a meaningful and joyful time. The provision of God was shown by the results that were celebrated: significant enlargement of spaces for food preparation, storage and clean-up, plus new restrooms, drink area, floor tiling and many other improvements. It was good to reflect with gratitude on the marvelous way in which Tejas continues to be blessed by friends of the ministry who contributed to make this vital expansion possible, especially Max and Martha Habegger who provided the lead gift.
Since my family and I have come to Tejas for over twenty-five years, I could not keep from reflecting back on rich memories which have been made in the dining hall. While it has gone through many modifications before this major improvement, it has always been the inviting hub of Tejas. Just as our home kitchen is the magnet for guests who come to our home, the dining hall has been the scene of not only great meals, but the place to gather for fellowship, laughter and games. Flipping through family pictures, there are photos of our children at various ages standing by the dining hall fireplace, great memories of winter retreats with families from our church.
For the past few years, we have come annually to Tejas with our church’s College & Career Sunday School class, and the wonderful meals enjoyed together in the dining hall, always buzzing with conversation and laughter, continue to provide the back-drop for enjoying and building relationships. The words attributed to Truett Cathy, founder of Chick-Fil-A, seem to be appropriate for the Tejas dining hall. “Food is essential to life. Therefore, make it good!” Nowhere is the servant ministry of Tejas more evident than in the gracious preparation and serving of great food to guests–past, present and now, thanks to the beautiful expansion and renovation, far into the future.