They come in waves, some spilling out of battered Subarus, others climbing down from pickup trucks , boots crunching gravel with that familiar sound that always seems to echo a little louder up here. They throw their arms around each other without hesitation, laugh like no time has passed, and carry that wide-eyed look of wonder you only get when you’re back in a place that still feels like home.
Our staff has arrived.
Some haven’t seen each other in a year. Some met at this very moment last summer and have been counting down the days since. And some are stepping foot on this ground for the first time. They might be quiet at first, maybe unsure of where they fit, but already being folded into something ancient and alive. Because that’s the thing about this place: the brotherhood starts before you even unpack.
These aren’t just coworkers. They’re not just names on a roster or shirt sizes on a spreadsheet. They’re brothers. And for the next nine weeks, they’ll shoulder each other’s burdens, pray when things fall apart, laugh so hard their stomachs hurt, and speak truth when it matters most.
Staff training isn’t a formality. It’s not just logistics and protocols and schedules. It’s basecamp. It’s where we regroup after the long hike up. It’s where we get our bearings before the next ascent. We’re not at the summit yet, but we’ve made it to the ridge, and we can finally see the trail ahead, shoulder to shoulder.
Every floor we scrub, every bunk we fix, every activity we prep, it’s all part of the calling. And we don’t do it for applause. We do it because Jesus is worth it. We do it because there’s something about serving together, about sweating and laughing and worshiping in the same breath, that changes you from the inside out.
The mountain ahead is steep. It always is. But the burden feels different when you’re not carrying it alone. And this ragtag crew of stubbly bearded, sunburnt, coffee-fueled brothers? They’re not just ready for the climb, they’re ready to carry each other all the way up.
Welcome back, men. The work begins. And it’s worth it.
