The reservation was made at least three months ago.  Twelve men coming to Shiloh for a week long conference.  Seven sleeping here.  All showing up for breakfast each day and staying through supper.  Meetings in the library.  Morning and afternoon coffee break.  

Being our normal highly organized selves, menus were decided on  over two weeks ago.  The big shopping took place a week in advance.  Perishables were purchased on Saturday.  All was in readiness.  

The first five arrived from the Republic of Central Africa on Sunday evening.  Two more joined them from Chad mid morning today (Monday).  The two Westerners are coming in tonight on the late night flight from Europe.  And the conference starts in the morning right after breakfast.  Bring it on.  We're ready!

In all our careful planning and meticulous preparations, it was the one thing we neglected to consider, or even thing about.   It never occurred to us.  Never even entered our minds. And yet it happened. You see Francis our cook, the one who runs our kitchen, who knows endless details about practically everything, the one we all lean on when it comes to feeding groups, has fallen sick.  Not just sick sick.  Francis is REALLY sick.  With typhoid.  Very communicable.  Easily transmitted to others.  Kitchen help are forbidden to even think about working in Shiloh's kitchen when typhoid visits them.  Strictly enforced rule. 

As we scrambled to come up with plan B, we began finding ways to give thanks to Almighty God for ever so many things.  Forever and always He does all things well. We put our confidence in Him as we follow His guidance into this amazing week where we get to watch Him take care of us at every turn of the road.  We know beyond all doubt that this has not taken God by surprise.  His far better plans were all worked out a long time ago.