Over Christmas my wife and I traveled to see her brother Marc and his family. Marc is a missionary to France currently on deputation and is staying rent free at a ministry-housing facility called "The Shepherd's Bethel." To say I was impressed by both the quality of facilities and the heartbeat of the leadership there is an understatement.

For several years the Mike Weiss family has served missionaries and other ministry families by providing free housing. Well, maybe not 100% free as Mike requests that dads put in a few hours every week working to maintain and/or improve the facilities. 

My wife and I had the opportunity to attend a going-away meal for one of the missionaries there. Did I mention Mike is a great cook and in another life he was a top notch chef? The food was great but the fellowship was better. I got the sense right away that the Weiss' love and pray for the families that stay there. I think if you're there for any amount of time you are counted as a part of the Weiss family, and that is an altogether good thing. 

I began talking to Mike about fishing up north and ended talking to him about his "need" for more families to stay there. I would have thought there was a waiting list to stay at a place like this! Not so. There is room here, and if you find yourself among those that meet the qualifications (i.e. full time ministry) and have a need, I implore you to call Mike today. You can find all the details you need here: www.shepherdsbethel.org. 

One other thing, if you go to visit Shepherd's Bethel make sure you wander around French Lick for a couple hours. If you don't know why the little town of French Lick is significant, shame on you, and may Larry never find out about your ignorance!